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Does anyone have any advice/experience re: Ibanez artcore series guitars. I'm thinking of buying an AK95 with a spruce top (as compared to maple?) and wooden bridge.
I'm looking to emulate a Jim Hall type sound. Is this the right guitar, or is it's sound too dark? I've noticed that the AF and AG guitars seem to be more popular.
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I've been looking at and playing the AF series, and so far really like them.
Been told to take a serious look at Rondo Music's Agiles before making a buy. They make a couple very sweet looking jazz boxes, and reviews are consistently through the roof. You might want to take a peek:
This is the one I'd really like: Agile Cool Cat Prestige Stop at HomeOld
This one is also intriguing - claims are it plays and sounds as good or better than vintage dot necks:
Agile AS-1000 Trans Black at HomeOld
Haven't been able to get my hands on them yet though - that's a big downfall as far as I'm concerned... having to buy a "pig in a poke".
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I was also thinking about getting an Artcore guitar. At first, I wanted to save for a bigger name Gibson or Epiphone Elitist, but when I saw the cheap price and all the great reviews on it at MusiciansFriend, I started being persuaded to buy an Artcore. Still haven't played or bought it, but when I do get another guitar(who knows when), this guitar will be deeply considered.
Wow the guitars you posted Pete looked real nice too. But like you said, I would at least want to try it a before you buy it.
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If you want to check out the artcore series, you really should give the artcore custom a chance. For a fair price (little higher than the "standard") you get a great guitar. When you're looking for a jazzbox which doesn't sounds too dark, the AF105NT is a good choice. I myself play a AS103NT, which is more of a bluesguitar. Anyway check it out and let us know.
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Thanks for the replies. A friend also mentioned Aria guitars. Guess I'll have to check them out too....
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What are the differences between normal artcore and artcore custom anyway?..
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How about AK86-DVS? I have one and I'm happy with it. It's a very nice guitar, good sound, stays in tune, and the price is fantastic for the value in my opinion.
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I have an Ibanez Artcore series AG-95, and I love it. From the factory, it was not set up perfectly and I could have taken it to my local Guitar Center (I purchased it online from them), but I knew what I was doing. I lowered the action on the bridge, set the intonation (one string was off), and adjusted the height of the pickups to suit me, then I was happy as a clam.
If I had the choice to make again, I still would buy the same guitar because it plays so nicely, and sounds great.
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I was looking for a used jazz guitar to buy for a student a few months back, and found a used Artcore in a local store.'
I don't remember what model it was, but it had a gold top, and didn't have any fancy inlays or binding. Someone had put flats on it, and the action was perfect.
It sounded a played like a dream. At $300, it was more than I wanted to spend, but it would have made the perfect starter, or a decent back up.
I have played a number of them in stores, and the Artcores appear to be a great value.
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They are, and for the price I don't think they can be beat.
As mentioned before, in the next couple months I am going to get a Gibson ES-137, and I am curious how different the two will be once I have played them for a while.
By different, I mean:
* quality - is Gibson noticeably better than the Artcore
* tone - probably little difference, but we'll see
* finish - which one has had a better finish
* longevity - how well each will age
Looking forward to this.
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I have the AF75 in orange finish, and I gotta say, after I put some flatwounds on it I loved it. They have great tone for their price, and they look nice too. Now, it doesn't compare to my Elitist Casino as far as playability or tone goes, but It's an amazing guitar for the price.
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Getting back to John's original question. I don't think any artcore is going to sound dark as they use maple necks. Jim Hall has used 175s and DA Jazz Lines, which were a copy of a 175.
He now uses his signature JH model Sadowsky. All of these guitars have mahogany necks, which give a darker sound to this type of guitar. It is the main reason, imo, that the various 175 clones miss the mark. None of them use mahogany necks, but cheaper maple.
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I bought an AK95 but it was just a little too wide for my arms. I understand the AG is slightly narrower but nowhere do they ever tell you how much narrower. I sold the AK and want to buy the AG if it will fit me comfortably. Please - Someone tell me how wide the AG95 is at the widest spot. Any help would be appreciated.
Sultan Gary
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The AK is a 16" so my guess is that the AG is a 15". They don't come a lot smaller than this.
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According to the Ibanez site, the AK 95 has a "3pc Mahogany/ Maple neck". The one I'm looking at, the AF75, has a mahogany neck and maple body.
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If I remember right the AK95 has 20 instead of 22 frets which alters the neck pickup location for a warmer tone.
I'm a big fan of the Custom line. I had an AS103 for a while and now have a Spalt AF105 which I posted about in another thread.
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I've got an AS-73 brown sunburst maple body, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard. A hell of a lotta guitar for the money.
Cut
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What has never been said in all those Artcore discussions, at least I haven't read about it: They all have a mighty thick poly lacqer layer. It's the thing that bugs me most on my AK105. It's like a woman with too much makeup. Nitro would be so much sweeter (on the guitar, of course).
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the AG is about 14.5" at its widest and about 3" thick at the edge.
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I went out to pick up a Gibson or Heritage and came home with an AS-103...nicest semi I've ever played. I play fusion and straight ahead with it and want for nothing. Maybe I got lucky...but luck always comes to the dance when you buy a gitbox.
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The Artcore AG95 I own is an excellent guitar for the money. Beautiful tones, both for Jazz or Blues. Yes, there are better guitars, but you have to pay a whole lot more for them. There is only one thing which I truly do not like about the AG95, and this is a subjective and aesthetic dislike, and that's the tailpiece - which I think looks horrible. Take a look at gadjo's avatar and you'll see it.
As (bad)luck would have it these guitars now often come with Bigsby Vibratos in place of that tailpiece - but not at the time I bought mine. Which is why I'm now having a Bigsby fitted.
Vger
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Few days ago at a jam session with pro sound techs, roland jc-120, my 7 years old af75 versus a gibson herb ellis signature. The veredict: not 1000 bucks of difference. I might not be able to tell if the gibson guy was playing with his tone rolled of more than me, but given the same settings, it would be veeery hard to say the least to tell which is which without seeing.
I'm tempted to try the ak's, they're spruce so maybe a more refined tone. Definitely nice guitars, comfortable, and the thick poly finish has saved mine from a few ugly falls! Not that it adds to the sound, but hey...
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I own/ have owned AK105, AS103 and AF105. All "Custom", for some extra bucks you get better craftsmanship. I.e. smoother fret endings, better machine heads, that sort of..
The AK is my standard guitar for every day work not to the least because even as a full hollow box you can overdrive her (within reason). The AF105F doesn't like that all that much.
The AS is sold because I never felt comfortable with the size of the body (nor would I with an 335 anyway, so don't blame it on the AS), I've been playing a Artist AM205 for ages and thought I could replace that gem with the AS, unfortunately didn't work. But AS103 def. is a great guitar.
IMHO with an Artcore you can't really go wrong. 
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Just so y'all know, this thread is a zombie that got ressurected by a spammer.
No prob talking about artcores, just don't get offended if the OP doesn't respond!
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