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I started researching and found that for the price range I can afford, the Ibanez AF95 (Violin Sunburst) Hollowbody has been reviewed as one of the best options without taking out a loan! So I went ahead and ordered this guitar. I got it delivered today.
It is a gorgeous guitar. The finish and details in the top layer of wood is beautiful. I picked it up right out of the box (came with strings already setup on it) and started playing it. I really like it a lot, it is much more sensitive dynamics-wise than my Epi Les Paul and the tone is very flexible between the two pickups. Its the first hollow body I've owned, and honestly probably the first one I've even played so I don't have much to compare it to in the hollow body context.
There is something that I am confused about, however. The model on the Guitar Center website is different than the one that I received. Apparently there are two different versions of the same model guitar or something? Maybe one is the old version and one is the new?
The one with the dark wood tailpiece is the one that I thought I was ordering and was advertised on the Guitar Center Website, though I received the one with the gold metal tailpiece instead.
Visually, it's kind of a toss up for me based on the pictures on the Ibanez site. Each has its own flavor and I would have to see them both in person to make a definite decision on which I liked more. What I am concerned about most though, is the differences in the quality of the hardware between the two. Im not going to lie and pretend that I know all about the differences in the specs of the two, but the tailpiece, pickups, inlays, bridge, pickup covers, and tuners are clearly not the same.
I want to know the pros and cons of each model (especially tone-wise) so I can decide whether to return the one I got (with the gold metal tailpiece) and try to get the other model.
Think you guys could help me out? It'd be much appreciated. Thanks!
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10-16-2013 02:41 PM
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You got the newer, better equipped one. GC probably has old photos. The newer model has Ibanez Super 58 pickups instead of the ACH pickups on the older model. The Super 58s are quite good. Most people seem to want to replace the ACH pickups, if you go by what is stated online.
I have an AF-155, which is one step up in the hierarchy, but is not too different and has the same neck, pickups, and dimensions. Excellent guitars! Get it set up properly and you'll be totally ready to go and play jazz.
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I agree with Roger ^ - you have the most recent version. The Super 58 Custom pickups are much better than the ACH ones. I have had guitars with both and really like the 58's
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Cool, thanks to both of you guys! I am dropping it off at my local guitar shop to get it set-up, its a 24 hour process the guy said since the wood needs to adjust to the truss rod and what not. Anyway he said its something like $25 which seems like a good price. I have been playing it right out of the box, the action needs to be lowered, there's a buzzing noise from the B string somewhere down by the bridge, and I need to get some strap locks and possibly a jack-plate, but despite all that I love the thing. Visually its amazing and its so damn smooth to play. I am learning "Yardbird Suite" by Charlie Parker for my audition, and playing it on this guitar vs my les paul is a world difference. The tone its so versatile, the neck pickup is nice and bassy and the bridge pickup can get pretty bitey. Messing around with the tone knobs and pickup selector opens up a world of options. You can get sharp Scofield-esque tones, and earthy bossa nova chordal type stuff all from the same guitar. In short, I love it.
If you guys have any advice on what I should mention when I drop it off to get set-up, please pass it on. I have played a lot of guitar over the years, but my knowledge of working on guitars and getting them setup "properly" is pretty limited.
I'm assuming its safe to say I should definitely get strap locks but let me know if the location of the strap pegs would cause a problem anyway. And I have read people wanting to put in a jack plate, I guess this helps from the jack-plug getting all messed up and falling through to the inside like I have seen in some guitars. As for strings, I dont even know where I should start. I have always used Ernie Ball regular slinky's (most recently the cobalt version), but that has been for the Paul. I'll have to do some experimenting, but if you guys have any suggestions pass em this way!!
Thanks a bunch everyone!
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Setup is a matter of taste, but I'm very picky and I do the work myself as a result. I lowered the action a bit. Replaced the stock D'Addario flats with 12-52 round wound. Moved the bridge a little to perfect the intonation. Relief was dead straight so I didn't touch it. Most importantly, I filed down the four wound string nut slots. The nut was definitely too high. Now it plays great. Then I spent time with pickup and polepiece heights. I tweak that sometimes for weeks until I think it's just right.
Personally I don't think strap locks are needed since the posts are pretty wide, but that's a matter of opinion. I wouldn't touch the jack though. Just treat it with some care.
For the record, I briefly swapped out the neck pup for a Duncan Alnico II Pro but replaced the stock Super 58. It sounded better! So I'm done with that and ready to just play it as is now. Have fun!
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The one you received is part of the new(ish) Expressionist series. It has the Super 58 pickups. It's a very big improvement on the pickups in the older model. I have the AFJ91 with the same pickup and I'm very pleased with it.
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I also picked up an Ibanez AF95 VLS as a "travel guitar". I was looking for something that is not expensive but plays well, sounds good and looks like a traditional jazz guitar. I must say I am very impressed with this guitar. I have many high-end vintage and recent archtops and this one feels and sounds as good as most of them. To me, it is unbelievable value. I have resisted buying a Chinese guitar until now, but this has been a real eye opener for me.
Keith
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My AFJ91's pickup is stamped S 58-N; which I assume stands for the Super 58 neck pup. The newer Expressionist series appear to have a similar stamping on the pup cover. Incidently, I really like the tone of these pups and I have no desire to change mine at this point.
Chuck
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Here is a video of me playing my Ibanez AF95 VLS.
Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Keith
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Really enjoyed listening to you play, Keith!
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Good stuff, Keith!
Man, now I kinda want one.
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Really nicely played. Great swing feel and I loved the spot where you switched to hybrid picking using your fingers. And the guitar sounded great.
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I have been wanting an AFJ-91 - after hearing a couple of demo recordings I was convinced that it solved my quest for a first 'jazzbox'. Still I keep looking at the AFJ-95 and I can't quite shake the feeling that I would be limiting myself (regarding things I "might" want to do with the instrument) by going with the single pickup. Can you (and everyone) offer any thoughts? ThanksQ
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I never use the bridge pickup on any of my guitars. If I played different kinds of music, it might be important, but I prefer a single pickup for jazz. Even if I was playing a variety of music, I would probably still go with one pickup on an Archtop and just use tele or 335 for other sounds.
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Feelings that can't be shaken usually stay that way. Originally Posted by Blues Traveler
So if that's the case, go with your gut, buy the AFJ-95, and then you won't have to wonder "what if." By having two pickups in an all laminated electric guitar like the Ibanez AFJ-9x, you are not breaching some sort of jazz purist protocol, or compromising the instrument in any way. Problem solved.
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I have never in my life willingly played through a bridge pickup (even before I was bitten by the jazz bug), but in a guitar like the Ibanez (which is built quite heavy, and most of the tone is coming from the pickup) I don't think there is really any "downside" to having a bridge pickup. It will still have its resale value either way, and I don't think you will notice an audible tone difference even if you choose to ignore the bridge pickup for your entire life. I have one guitar with a bridge pick-up - I had a luthier disable the bridge pick-up entirely. The physical existence of bridge pickups always bugged me, but somehow after having it disabled I just closed it out of my mind and I look at it like a piece of metal...not as a bridge pickup. So you could always do the same thing one day if you so desired. Originally Posted by Blues Traveler
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Thank you, all - there is a traditional (at least in my mind) aspect of the instrument with a single floating neck pick-up that I really like. A reasonable archtop is "the guitar I always wanted." It will co-exist with my Tele and maybe one day I'll pickup a 335 style guitar for "in between".
This all got started when I became fascinated (on-line video wise) by the Peerless Monarch but for my stage of ability I honestly can't justify the cost of a Monarch vs the Ibanez. Both instruments will be capable of much more than I will be able to do with them for quite a while.
Now I have to figure out why I see none of the videos posted. (I did see them at work today - usually its the other way round.)
ETA: OK- solved that issue.
Thank you again-
RonLast edited by JazzDreams; 12-16-2013 at 09:33 PM.
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