Chinese Ibanez

[russjm55]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here, so I’m hoping to pick up some tips and pick your brains.

I’m looking to buy an Ibanez AS103, it looks like a beautiful guitar, but I wonder what people’s thoughts are about Chinese made guitars? Obviously these days, they’re really good, Epiphone etc are now producing great guitars in China, however this one is 20 years old, and my perception is that Chinese made guitars were not so good back then?

The reviews of the AS103 are really good, but I wonder what your thoughts are?

Thanks in advance

[Archie]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here, so I’m hoping to pick up some tips and pick your brains.

I’m looking to buy an Ibanez AS103, it looks like a beautiful guitar, but I wonder what people’s thoughts are about Chinese made guitars? Obviously these days, they’re really good, Epiphone etc are now producing great guitars in China, however this one is 20 years old, and my perception is that Chinese made guitars were not so good back then?

The reviews of the AS103 are really good, but I wonder what your thoughts are?

Thanks in advance

Cheap and cheerful, generally ugly rosewood fretboards and the guitar feels like plastic.
Ibanez play well though where ever they're made so, it it’s $200-300 it's probbaly ok.

[Old Nick]

I have a Chinese built Ibanez from 2006. It's really well made, flawless really. Fretboard board is really nice rosewood, abalone inlays..but yeah, it's a bit plastic with finish. Still, easy to play and sounds excellent.

[trailmixer]

I have an Ibanez AF105F from the 2000s Artcore Custom era, made in China. Really excellent guitar, I'll be keeping it. I think AS103 from that era (2006-2008) would be a great choice.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

My Ibanez AEL207 is Chinese built and a beautiful, wonderful guitar. I also have 3 Eastman carved archtops that are outstanding. Judge the instrument, not the country of origin.

[russjm55]

Thanks for that, well the reviews are good, I did a lot of research, so I went for it. We’ll see what happens. Ibanez (like Yamaha) have always produced amazing basses (I’m a bass player primarily) at all levels, so I reckon this should be a good place to start.

[Jimmy blue note]

The guitars from that time came from several factories, and a number of those were in China. They were very consistent in adherence to spec and had very comfortable necks. The AS103 was kind of the high end of the Chinese offerings which were kind of the medium low end of their line.
They were pretty guitars with good workmanship. Personally, I was not enamoured of the chunky neck/fingerboard/body joint design and the neck depth tended towards a more beefy spec than their trademark slim Japanese necks but it didn't really effect their playabililty and I liked it that this model came with an elephant skin grey hardshell case.
If you find a good price on one, they're a solid instrument with Chinese super 58 pickups. Try it out. If it resonates, it's a very decent players' instrument that will serve you well for a long time.

[AS193]

The Chinese have been woodworking longer than most Western nations. I happen to have a Chinese Ibby, and the construction and play is near perfect.

[pauln]

Have a 2005 AG75, good looks, playability, fit & finish, etc....
Stock then was old style parts/materials, different than now.

[arnie65]

There's a big misconception about chinese made instruments, during the last 15-20 years, I've seen some really good stuff coming out of China. Some Ibanez models are made in China, and are of very good quality. The Ibanez PM2 (Pat Metheny) model is chinese made, and a quality instrument that you can gig with confidence (alhtough the pickup is not the best) So do many other models. Some reputable guitar companies have lately struck deals with chinese factories to build some of their guitars; for example: Alvarez has a recent line of acoustics called the "Laureate" series, that are high quality solid wood guitars that sound great, at a descent price. Tyler guitars has also models being built in China that are superb instruments at lower prices. And of course, these instruments go through an extensive quality control regiment, and several inspections before making it to the public. I remember 18 years ago, a friend called me and asked me to play a guitar he had recently bought, I visited him, and he showed me a beautiful flame top Les Paul he acquired. I played the guitar and was very impressed with the resonance, the build quality, and the tone.. He told me afterwards, that it was a Gibson chinese copy, otherwise known as a "Chibson"... Whatever it was, it sounded and played better than any Les Paul I've ever played..




Cheers,
Arnie..