Ibanez AS200 (1997) vs AS100 vs AS153

[Dom21]

Hi, I'm new here and I apologize if this question has been asked before.

There is a 1997 Ibanez AS-200 for sale in Quebec for $2,300 CAD, and a 1981 Ibanez AS-100 available for $2,250 CAD. I'm not interested in bling; my main priorities are a well-made, fast neck and good tone for expressive blues and jazz.

I am also curious if an AS153 with Seth Lovers or vintage Super 58s (which someone is selling for $350 here in Quebec) could come close to sounding like an AS-200.

Additionally, does anyone know how a 1997 AS-200 compares to the 1980s AS-200 models tone-wise?


Does anyone have experience with these three models?


My foolish Heart - Love his tone here.

[Gitterbug]

Welcome! I'm a long-time member but unable to help you, lacking first-hand experience on any of the models. I'm sure there's others here who can. I've had several Ibanez guitars over the years, though, and each and every one has punched above the price.

While the guitar is an important link in the signal chain, it's not the only one and definitely not a miracle-maker. The tonal differences are small, especially in a band setting, and amply tweakable. Strings make a big difference. So do amps and speakers. Choosing is more difficult than using. The neck feel is important. Ibanezes are known for their great necks.

[Dom21]

Welcome! I'm a long-time member but unable to help you, lacking first-hand experience on any of the models. I'm sure there's others here who can. I've had several Ibanez guitars over the years, though, and each and every one has punched above the price.

While the guitar is an important link in the signal chain, it's not the only one and definitely not a miracle-maker. The tonal differences are small, especially in a band setting, and amply tweakable. Strings make a big difference. So do amps and speakers. Choosing is more difficult than using. The neck feel is important. Ibanezes are known for their great necks.

I really appreciate your response. The voice of experience is always welcome. In fact, much of what you said was on my mind, but I wasn't completely sure since it's been a while since I've played in venues with a band. So, thank you for confirming my thoughts. That's also why I'm considering the less expensive AS-153.


I recently purchased an Eastman T386 and swapped the pickups for SD Antiquities. I enjoy the wider neck when fingerpicking chords, but I'm still trying to adjust to it when soloing with a pick. While I enjoy the tone and sustain, it feels a bit too airy for my taste when I'm playing much louder with the band. Maybe becasue of the modern wiring, I don't know. From what I’ve heard on YouTube, when Scofield plays the SA-200, it seems to have a much more focused sound.

[Cunamara]

Most of the Sco recordings are with a ca. 1980 AS200 that was, AFAIK, pretty much unmodified. After ~40 years and thousands of gigs and recording sessions and hundreds of thousands of air miles, it was pretty well used up. He has another vintage AS200, plus two signature models with Ibanez; one is reasonably mid-priced, the other is top dollar. I haven't played a lot of the AS series; a friend has an AS180 which is uncommon and is an excellent guitar- same as the AS200 with less bling, as I understand it.

[Chris236]

I’ve owned many AS 100 and 200’s from both the 80s and 90s and actually find the 90s guitars more refined. the guitars from the 80s are more sought after because of the Sco connection but the 90s instruments are definitely a few notches up. as the poster above mentioned, the AS 180 is a great guitar - Three-piece maple neck like the AS 200, but without the over-the-top flame and inlays. If memory serves, the AS 100 from the 90s has a mahogany neck(?)… I prefer the stability of maple so the AS 180 is the sweet spot although difficult to find. Truly hard to beat Japanese made guitars.

[Dom21]

Thanks, Cunamara & Chris.

It sounds like the AS-180 is the guitar I should be looking for. However, I have to admit that I never noticed one appearing in the marketplace. Then again, I wasn't aware of it, so who knows?
I completely agree with you regarding mahogany versus maple. I have a Gibson SG '61 Reissue, and while I absolutely love the playability of the neck and tone of the guitar, the neck tends to be quite sensitive to changes in the seasons - tuning & intonation is a constant battle.


Any experience with the AS153?

[Chris236]

Thanks, Cunamara & Chris.

It sounds like the AS-180 is the guitar I should be looking for. However, I have to admit that I never noticed one appearing in the marketplace. Then again, I wasn't aware of it, so who knows?
I completely agree with you regarding mahogany versus maple. I have a Gibson SG '61 Reissue, and while I absolutely love the playability of the neck and tone of the guitar, the neck tends to be quite sensitive to changes in the seasons - tuning & intonation is a constant battle.


Any experience with the AS153?

I think all of the Ibanez 335-ish guitars are Comparatively quite good, but like to steer clear of instruments made in China.

anyone else have trouble with this website logging them out every 15 seconds?!? Good Lord, it’s annoying!

[suboptimal]

I have a ’97 Ibanez AS200, and the defining feature of that guitar is really the neck. It’s extremely precise and well made. It’s not the fastest neck out there, your SG would definitely beat it, but it’s incredibly comfortable and with lower action and light gauge strings you can definitely get more speed and even something closer to a Scofield feel and tone.

The neck is actually something you only fully appreciate after playing other guitars, including Gibson ES-335 style instruments.

Super 58 pickups are hotter than vintage Gibson PAF pickups, so lowering the pickup height helps quite a bit to get the classic jazz tone.

One thing to keep in mind is that the guitar is on the heavier side, especially if you play standing for long periods.

The Ibanez JSM100 is basically based on the original AS200 design, so that’s another model worth considering if you dont mind spending.

[Dom21]

I have a ’97 Ibanez AS200, and the defining feature of that guitar is really the neck. It’s extremely precise and well made. It’s not the fastest neck out there, your SG would definitely beat it, but it’s incredibly comfortable and with lower action and light gauge strings you can definitely get more speed and even something closer to a Scofield feel and tone.

The neck is actually something you only fully appreciate after playing other guitars, including Gibson ES-335 style instruments.

Super 58 pickups are hotter than vintage Gibson PAF pickups, so lowering the pickup height helps quite a bit to get the classic jazz tone.

One thing to keep in mind is that the guitar is on the heavier side, especially if you play standing for long periods.

The Ibanez JSM100 is basically based on the original AS200 design, so that’s another model worth considering if you dont mind spending.

Thanks for your comments, suboptimal,
I tried the AS73 and AS93 at a music store and found them comfortable and easy to play, so based on your comments, I'm quite sure I would be happy with a '97 AS-200 neck. However, I recently tested a friend's early '80s Ibanez AM205, which he said had Super 58 pickups. I was surprised by how hot they sounded - like they were through an overdrive pedal. My friend said he bought it new and has never modified it, but I think something had to be wrong with the pickups. I guess there's only one way to find out. Thanks

[Chris236]

Thanks for your comments, suboptimal,
I tried the AS73 and AS93 at a music store and found them comfortable and easy to play, so based on your comments, I'm quite sure I would be happy with a '97 AS-200 neck. However, I recently tested a friend's early '80s Ibanez AM205, which he said had Super 58 pickups. I was surprised by how hot they sounded - like they were through an overdrive pedal. My friend said he bought it new and has never modified it, but I think something had to be wrong with the pickups. I guess there's only one way to find out. Thanks

the Super58 is an excellent excellent pickup. Sounds like the amp/guitar had issues. Also - there was a lot of variation in weight in these guitars in the 80’s from light to lead weight…..all the 90’s ones I’ve checked have been pretty similar and very acceptable.

[arnie65]

I would take the AS153 out of the equation, only because it is not in the league of the other two. The AS100 at one time was considered the closest thing to a ES335 outhere, and the quality of Ibanez back in the early 80's was unmatched!
The AS200 is a great guitar too, I would personally buy the AS100... Just my 2 cents.



Arnie..

[kris]

I had an Ibanez AS-200 from 1982.An excellent guitar and very versatile.
I bought it only because I"m a fan of John Scofield.
About 10 years ago, I sold it and started using Telecasters.

[StormyMonday]

I've been using a 1989 AS100 since 1990, when Japan mfg stopped I believe. It has the "less desirable" Artstar headstock that they used for the last run of MIJ 100s, it's an aesthetic thing but these versions can usually be found for less $ than the lawsuit design headstocks. Doesn't impact function but some people care. Paired up with a Katana I find I can dial in something to fit any gig I get called for, which is why I've kept it so long. You could probably have this as your only guitar and be happy although what fun is that?

[Chris236]

I've been using a 1989 AS100 since 1990, when Japan mfg stopped I believe. It has the "less desirable" Artstar headstock that they used for the last run of MIJ 100s, it's an aesthetic thing but these versions can usually be found for less $ than the lawsuit design headstocks. Doesn't impact function but some people care. Paired up with a Katana I find I can dial in something to fit any gig I get called for, which is why I've kept it so long. You could probably have this as your only guitar and be happy although what fun is that?

the 89-90’s Artstar run is honestly nicer than the earlier guitars. It’s the Sco connection that makes the originals more desirable. The early guitars aren’t quite up to snuff with a 335 IMO, although the later ones easily are…. this is my take after owning around 12 of these guitars from early 80’s-mid 90’s. Lol

[John A.]

I played a recent AS200 (not sure of the year, but with the same headstock shape as the the current AS2000). FWIW, I played it side by side with my 2005 D’Angelico, and the two were pretty much indistinguishable. Very similar neck profile, and undetectable (to me, anyway) sound differences. I was expecting them to be more different just on the basis of MIJ being reputed to be better than MIK, but they were interchangeable as far as I could tell.