Ibanez AFJ91

[SJB]

I'm having the same problem with an Ibanez AFJ957 seven string. I wrote to Ibanez and unfortunately the best they could do was supply a replacement tailpiece of the same type. (which developed the same problem) I'm currently using .012 chrome flats with a .077 seventh string but most Ibanez Jazz archtops come with .011's. Apparently their tailpiece design can't handle the tension of heavier sets which is a shame because these are jazz guitars.

Finding a replacement tailpiece for the 7 string is even harder because I can't use an off-the-shelf 6 string trapeze, and finding a 7 string trapeze is next to impossible.

[rodolfoguitarra]

I'm having the same problem with an Ibanez AFJ957 seven string. I wrote to Ibanez and unfortunately the best they could do was supply a replacement tailpiece of the same type. (which developed the same problem) I'm currently using .012 chrome flats with a .077 seventh string but most Ibanez Jazz archtops come with .011's. Apparently their tailpiece design can't handle the tension of heavier sets which is a shame because these are jazz guitars.

Finding a replacement tailpiece for the 7 string is even harder because I can't use an off-the-shelf 6 string trapeze, and finding a 7 string trapeze is next to impossible.

I suggest looking for a machinist to make you a new bracket in stainless steel (a member of this forum did it). Buy a new tailpiece is not the solution because it will break again

[Gitterbug]

Hi all,

this post is somewhat late but perhaps helpful to those considering the AFJ91. Despite all the caveats about a flawed tailpiece design (which is true and most embarrassing) I bought the guitar a couple of days ago, as I have always wanted a blue archtop - without having to sell all the others. The basic design is sound and the visible build quality flawless (not the case with some recent 100+ models). On closer inspection, the top has a spruce veneer on the inside as well, so it might have better acoustic properties than an all-maple structure. On the other hand, the satin finish is absolutely smooth, suggesting a hard and thick coat of some modern varnish. Normally, the wood grain is slightly visible on spruce tops. The side and back material looks like sapele from the inside but doesn't smell that way. There is a block at the bottom end, to which the tailpiece is attached with quite long screws. The top braces are a good fit.

I've had a couple of AF105's and don't like the "wooden" tailpiece at all. So, before buying, I had already spotted a metal replacement at a local music store. It's the Byrdland style, with a bracket large enough to cover all the original screwholes. The "rosewood" pickguard, while beautifully lined, looks like a 1970s Formica countertop to me, so I used it as a template to make a new one from three-ply MOP sheet reinforced on the underside by a slightly smaller piece of 2 mm birch plywood, attached with carpet tape. Added a new truss rod cover of the same MOP sheet. Overall, a nice match with the fret markers. The final upgrade is a compensated bridge, as the original is over-compensated, i.e. can't sit staight on the top.

The guitar is an absolute joy to play and sounded very good in band rehersals, with the Super 58 pickup managing to bring nice timbre to the highs even on a dark setting.

So here she is, lying invitingly on my bed. Just can't decide on her name: Satin Doll or Blue Angel?

Gitterbug

[welshb2]

Hi All,
I have recently purchased a Ibanez AFJ 81 SRD. I love the guitar and sound with the 58 pup. Hate the pickguard/finger rest. I purchased a Benedetto pickguard/finger rest to replace the stock pick guard from Stewart-McDonald. I would like to know if anyone has done this with a Benedetto? If so, how did you install it? What size screws did you use. The parts and instructions that came with the pickguard are poor. I would like to use the screw hole at the neck and then attach to the 58 humbucker. Will need to use the Ibanez stock pickguard for a template for the new pickguard. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Welshb2

[newsense]

This is my AFJ91 with a Benedetto pickguard replacement. I fitted the pickguard as per the instructions from Stewmac. First I used the old pickguard as a template to make the cutout for the pickup. The drilled one hole in the ebony block before attaching the block to the underside of the pickguard with epoxy, so that I could then screw the block to the neck. I used the screw that came with the pickguard. I didn't use the old mounting hole from the original pickguard. The whole thing is pretty stable. You have to be quite careful about the placement of the block on the underside so that is doesn't foul the pickup surround.

[welshb2]

Hi all,
Thank you for the response for replacing pickguard with a Bennedetto. Worked great! Does anyone know what tuning machines are on the AFJ81? What turn they have? I'm thinking of replacing with Grover root-matics..
welshb2

[Jim Soloway]

I did this for a lesson but I've gotten so many comments from you guys about this guitar that I thought you might enjoy this. It really is the first time I feel like I've gotten the real essence of what this guitar actually sounds like in the room. (And for those of you who recognize this passage, it's the same thing I posted in the thread about the Heritage H575 the other day. It was the comments I got about that got me motivated to put together the lesson material. There's a chart that goes with the video).

[Wes Fan]

Sounds great, Jim! I assume that's the original Super 58 on there? And what strings are you using? (Sorry for all the questions. )

[RonD]

Jim, you could play on an Esteban acoustic, and I'd still like your sound!
You got the touch!

[Jim Soloway]

Thanks guys and Wes Fan, it is the stock Super 58 and I have it strung with TI Swing Series 11's.

[Wes Fan]

Just out of curiosity, Jim, how do you think the AFJ91 would handle TI Swing 13s, or even GB 14s (realizing that your personal preference might not be for heavier strings, but thinking about my own new AFJ91)?

[zigzag]

Sounds great, Jim. I put T-I 12 flats (Swing) (140.4) on mine because their overall string tension is closer to the Chrome 11s (137.3) that came on it.

[nado64]

Thanks guys and Wes Fan, it is the stock Super 58 and I have it strung with TI Swing Series 11's.

Are you sure for the Super 58 ?
Because I believe it's the super 58 custom, with the ceramic magnet.
This last one is very good to play jazz.

[Wes Fan]

The stock pickup IS the Super 58 Custom (my bad for dropping the "Custom" in my original question to Jim ). But according to Ibanez reps in various on-line discussions, as well as the specs listed on the US Ibanez site, the Super 58 Customs are now being made with alnico magnets (for whatever that's worth):

[nado64]

Do you know what is the difference with The super 58 and the super 58 custom alnico ?

On the Ibanez website, I saw Eric Krasno has a signature guitar. I guess it's an AS200 with two Dimarzio 36th anniversary pickups.
With this pickups on my guitar, I had a little of Roger Sadowsky, Jim Soloway and Kurt Cobain in my sound.
Today, I can add a touch of Eric Krasno.

[Wes Fan]

^ Other than the Super 58 being made in Japan and the Super 58 Custom being made in China, I haven't found what the difference(s) is (are). I haven't researched it exhaustively--just some quick Googling and skimming of on-line discussions (including in THIS forum). Even the comments of Ibanez reps on an Ibanez forum weren't very clear on this (at least to me). Not that there aren't necessarily differences (other than country of manufacture), but I just haven't seen them. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I am (which would include just about everyone! ) can chime in on this.

[Jim Soloway]

Do you know what is the difference with The super 58 and the super 58 custom alnico ?

On the Ibanez website, I saw Eric Krasno has a signature guitar. I guess it's an AS200 with two Dimarzio 36th anniversary pickups.
With this pickups on my guitar, I had a little of Roger Sadowsky, Jim Soloway and Kurt Cobain in my sound.
Today, I can add a touch of Eric Krasno.

The Krasno is similar to the AS200 but has a unique (and very large) neck carve.

As for the Super 58 Custom in the AFJ91, the only specs I've seen for it is "passive/Alnico" which doesn't really say much. Regardless of the nomenclature, it seems to be a contemporary pickup design that is being used across the entire Artstar, Artstar Prestige and Artcore Expressionist series. This pickup seems to be the biggest difference between the Expressionist guitars and the similar or older non-Epressionist Artcore models. It reminds me of some of the earlier DiMarzio PAF style pickups like the PAF Classic, the Virtual PAF or the Air Classic. (And this just speculation but given the long running relationship between Ibanez and DiMarzio, I would't be surprised to learn that it's actually based on a DiMarzio design). The Super 58 Custom is warm and smooth with moderate output but lacks some of the high end detail of the 36th Anniversary (as do most PAF style pickup in my experience). It's also very quiet and resistant to electric interference. I find it to be more than acceptable and I have not given any thought to changing it.

Regarding FEP's comment about my playing style (thanks Frank), it's true that my right hand attack is much lighter than most people's but I should probably note that my left hand press is also much lighter which is one of the reasons that I prefer lighter strings. I think both hands contribute to the ultimate sound in different ways.

And Wes Fan, I can't really say if the neck will handle really heavy strings. It's a 3-piece laminate which usually indicates additional stiffness (probably an over general statement but it is my experience) but it's also quite a thin profile. I would want to find someone else who's done it successfully before I considered doing it with my own guitar.

[nado64]

S58 = alnico III made in japan
S58C = alnico V made in China

[va3ux]

So this is through the Evans ?

Just listened through a set of decent quality headphones and the tone is outstanding.

[dsmurray]

Hi there

I've never posted on the forum before but I visit the site often, and Jim's reviews of this guitar were a major factor in my choosing to buy one a couple of weeks back - thanks Jim!

It's really a great guitar for the price, although I have swapped the pickup for a Benedetto and upgraded the bridge to a nice ebony one. The stock pickup was good, and I got some nice sounds out of it, just personally I wanted a darker, fuller sound. And I changed the tuners for locking ones, and put in a Tusq nut. I kept the pickguard on in the end (which is really chunky and solid-feeling), but I did treat it with lemon oil - same with the tailpiece cover, which came up great when I sanded it a bit and oiled it.

However, these were all modifications done as a matter of taste - the basic guitar was usable as it arrived. I did find that I had to tap a few frets in place in order to get the action to my taste, but I've had similar issues on more expensive guitars.

I think with guitars in this price bracket you have to expect to do a little work on them - or get others to do it if you can afford it. It's giving me what I need: an affordable jazz box I can carry in a gigbag without stress which sounds consistently good and rarely feeds back.

Dave

[Jim Soloway]

So this is through the Evans ?

Just listened through a set of decent quality headphones and the tone is outstanding.

No, this is through the Pod HD.

[Troutex]

After reading previous threads I checked my guitar to discover the tailpiece hinge had cracks and was prone to exploding .I believe the guitar is now discontinued as are the parts, with this problem being so widespread I am hoping for advice on a not to expensive replacement tailpiece.


Regards Phil

[pingu]

Do a search for this on this forum

There is loads of experience of this and good advice too

(But briefly , take the the TP off , put on a generic replacement TP)

[zigzag]

I'm actually on my fourth tailpiece for this guitar, and I'm happy with this one. The first replacement was made of metal, painted black, and it was ugly. The second replacement was all wood, bought from a Chinese supplier, and it broke, too. The one on there now I got from Allparts. It was expensive, but I'm happy with it.

Check this thread: Ibanez afj 81 tailpiece problem! Apparently, Ibanez has an adequate replacement.

[pingu]

this generic TP was on my af81 when i got it
works great