Ibanez af105 mod advice

[KirkP]

I've noticed that on my 105, if I'm in an environment with a lot of EM noise (e.g., dimmers or high voltage power lines), the noise is much reduced if I switch to both pups, then use the same volume setting on each pup. Apparently, even though they are both humbuckers, there's an additional bucking effect between them. This makes adjusting volume on the bandstand a bit of a chore, since I have two knobs to adjust if I want to keep the same tone and minimize hum. I've only played one venue where this trick was an absolute necessity to keep buzz to a minimum.

[jasaco]

I've noticed that on my 105, if I'm in an environment with a lot of EM noise (e.g., dimmers or high voltage power lines), the noise is much reduced if I switch to both pups, then use the same volume setting on each pup. Apparently, even though they are both humbuckers, there's an additional bucking effect between them. This makes adjusting volume on the bandstand a bit of a chore, since I have two knobs to adjust if I want to keep the same tone and minimize hum. I've only played one venue where this trick was an absolute necessity to keep buzz to a minimum.

Thank you for posting this tip, Kirk! I used it tonight while in rehearsal with my AF105. Was getting a lot of hum from my amp and switched to using both pups and voila! the hum vanished! Worked like a charm. Very glad you took the time to post that; got me out of a predicament tonight.

Do you think this would happen with any 2-pup guitar, or is there something about the pups (Super 58s) or something on the AF105s that makes it work particularly with this model guitar?

[BigMikeinNJ]

If you 105's are bone stock then they have Super 58 Customs, an Alnico V pickup and rather less than great pots and wiring. Perhaps when "Santa" leaves you some Christmas money you could have a qualified tech do some upgrading, say to some Classic 57's or Seth Lovers and new CTS Pots and high quality shielded wiring... Cool trick though with the two pickups both on, kudos !!

[KirkP]

I'm glad my little discovery helped someone else. I think this "feature" of the AF105 was unintentional. I stumbled into it when trying to solve a buzz problem in a particularly noisy rehearsal room. Many single coil guitars are designed with a humbucking effect between the two pups (by reversing winding direction and magnet polarization on one pup), but it shouldn't be necessary with humbucking pups. I've got the electronics skills to diagnose this if I took the time to pull out the electronics. But the buzz has only been a significant problem in one location, so I can live with it.

[koenibaby]

I had this guitar. It sounded good and unique for chords and is super easy to play. I used several amps with it (fender deluxe, deville and Peavey classic) and it sounded good on all of them, even with the guitar tone pots fully open, but not like a 175. I think it will never sound like a 175. If Jazz is your thing, maybe change amp ? I sold it and got me an other second hand not too expensive 175 copy.
This was the guitar Ibanez AF105 SM ABR - Guitar museum

[SeamusMacD]

Hi Big Mike,

Are the non-burle/spalted AF-103's the same quality other than the looks? Worth $500ish as a 335 killer if you change out the pups?

Thanks!

This is a recurring conversational item here: Ibanez/Hoshino took some examples of what they wanted to a Chinese factory (who knows what one) and told them MAKE US THIS and they did. These things have the most amazing fretwork, unbelievably comfortable necks, great wood selection, all flame maple binding everywhere, rosewoodAttachment 16940Attachment 16941 pick guard and knobs, gorgeous inlays on the rosewood board. They just chose to use a lesser quality pot and pickups. They have 500's in them now, don't think they were sent over with anything less in value, just quality. These 103's in burl or spalted maple sold retail for $800.00 with the Ibanez case. They still keep their value, not just because there were only 240 of these 103s made but because they're such nice guitars. It's like a lot of the Chinese gear, get it in your house and later when you can afford to pump it up with the electronics upgrade of your dreams. Here's a shot of my first two, a 103 in dark stain burl and a 103 in natural spalted. The Spaltie is probably one of the nicest combos of spalted and flame maple I ever saw. No kidding. My first blonde burlie, hated to have to let THAT go but we had pet bills we needed to pay. Turns out I got another one last fall. I'm gonna do everything I can to hold onto that Chicago Guitar...

Attachment 16938Attachment 16939

[citizenk74]

Hi Big Mike,

Are the non-burle/spalted AF-103's the same quality other than the looks? Worth $500ish as a 335 killer if you change out the pups?

Thanks!