Upgrading from Ibanez AF75

**whiskywheels** · 07-30-2009, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by henry b

Was the September delivery only for your model or is there a problem overall, ..

....all I know is. whatever model and colour you want it's out of stock!

**henry b** · 07-30-2009, 11:52 AM

Was in my local store today and found out delivery was September so cancelled order and went for a Vintage vsa 575,costing more £££s though but it is nice, should have it early next week, hope I,m not let down again. Anyone any views on this model tia.

**whiskywheels** · 08-04-2009, 10:33 AM

Update!

After endless googling, phoning, and e-mailing I've finally found my new guitar! It was really hard work, and for a while it seemed like I couldn't give my money away; wasted time with Manufacturers lists of dealers who weren't anymore, phoning dealers who showed items on their website that weren't in stock and never would be. Almost every make of guitar has a tale about "problems with supply". And then, if you want to make it even more complicated, try finding something in the colour you want, and set up with the gauge and make of strings you want! Sheesh!

So............I found a Peerless Jazz City. Apart from the fact it's almost as big as a double bass, it feels just right for me, the neck, string tension etc. Sounds superb as well, even though the supplied strings look like they've done time as fence wire.

Anybody in the UK want to buy my Ibanez AF 75 (one year old) with hard case? And my 3 month old Cube 60?

**whiskywheels** · 08-04-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by henry b

Was in my local store today and found out delivery was September so cancelled order and went for a Vintage vsa 575,costing more £££s though but it is nice, should have it early next week, hope I,m not let down again. Anyone any views on this model tia.

Has it arrived yet? It looks like the same ES 175 vibe as the Ibanez AF 75, which is obviously why you chose it. I wonder if it's as good as the Ibanez, especially as it costs a bit more?

**monkmiles** · 08-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by whiskywheels

Has it arrived yet? It looks like the same ES 175 vibe as the Ibanez AF 75, which is obviously why you chose it. I wonder if it's as good as the Ibanez, especially as it costs a bit more?

According to the specs I found (Jazz Guitar Zone), it's pretty different than the Ibanez Artcores. It's a solid top, bigger body (in width and depth), has a single pickup, longer scale length, etc. So it should feel pretty different.

**whiskywheels** · 08-04-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by martinopass

According to the specs I found (Jazz Guitar Zone), it's pretty different than the Ibanez Artcores. It's a solid top, bigger body (in width and depth), has a single pickup, longer scale length, etc. So it should feel pretty different.

Yup! I never used the bridge pup on my Ibo, and indeed it's dimensions are different. The neck just suits me so well, and feels so like the Ibo despite the difference in scale length. I wouldn't have bought it based on the neck dimensions etc., but was surprised at how right it felt in vivo.

**monkmiles** · 08-04-2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by whiskywheels

Yup! I never used the bridge pup on my Ibo, and indeed it's dimensions are different. The neck just suits me so well, and feels so like the Ibo despite the difference in scale length. I wouldn't have bought it based on the neck dimensions etc., but was surprised at how right it felt in vivo.

Nice, hope you enjoy it. I've heard good things about the Peerless guitars on the Yahoo Groups Jazz Guitar email group. They sure look nice. I'd like to be able to play one one of these days.

**henry b** · 08-04-2009, 06:14 PM

OK , got my axe late this afternoon. Got to the shop and was very impressed with it , much bigger than I thought but very comfy sitting down to play ,every thing just seem to be right [for me].,except the scratch plate had a couple of marks on it but is being replaced.Got home and fired up the cube sixty and played for two hours trying most of the functions , the JC and Black panel being the best at the moment , early days ,so watch this space...ps the strings were f/n crap my finger tips turned black off the nickel but have Elixirs to put on. hb

**henry b** · 08-05-2009, 11:31 AM

So after a while playing with the controls I find that when the tone controls are turned full on there is a hissing noise emitted from the speaker , although turning it back slightly the noise stops, anyone offer an explanation . I will be returning the guitar for a set-up as there are a couple of frets giving an annoying buzz....hb

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by henry b

So after a while playing with the controls I find that when the tone controls are turned full on there is a hissing noise emitted from the speaker , although turning it back slightly the noise stops, anyone offer an explanation . I will be returning the guitar for a set-up as there are a couple of frets giving an annoying buzz....hb

I'm a little confused since you mention both your guitar and your amp.

What tone controls -- on the Cube 60 or on the Ibanez?

**henry b** · 08-05-2009, 11:50 AM

OOps sorry, I do indeed mean the guitar.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-05-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by henry b

OOps sorry, I do indeed mean the guitar.

Hmmm.... I've never had that problem. Any hissing I've had seems to originate from the amp (as switching guitars and cables will verify) not from the guitar -- although "humming" from the guitar can indicate a lack of adequate shielding. And I've had dirty pots, which crackle when you turn them, but that doesn't sound like your problem.

**henry b** · 08-05-2009, 05:06 PM

I reckon it was just me not used to the new controls ,everything seems more sensitive than the last one. I have decided to take it back to the shop to-morrow to get it set-up , I noticed the bridge is sitting off centre to the neck ie the high E is practically off the neck edge.Also there are a couple of frets buzzing . tbc....hb

**henry b** · 08-06-2009, 10:11 AM

The guitar has been returned to the shop and they are ordering a replacement.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-06-2009, 12:21 PM

What was the deciding factor? The buzzing frets or the hissing?

**henry b** · 08-06-2009, 03:01 PM

The finish at the "f" holes ,bridge had not been centred after removing packing under it ,fret buzz. and scratchplate in an unacceptable condition as well as the strings.. just pissed me off ,for a brand new guitar,,rant over.The shop offered the replacement guitar ,which I accepted an should have next week.

**whiskywheels** · 08-06-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by henry b

The finish at the "f" holes ,bridge had not been centred after removing packing under it ,fret buzz. and scratchplate in an unacceptable condition as well as the strings.. just pissed me off ,for a brand new guitar,,rant over.The shop offered the replacement guitar ,which I accepted an should have next week.

Very disappointing to hear a Vintage being supplied in this condition. I guess the excellent reputation of Ibanez is why you wanted one in the first place. So are you having another Vintage, or will you wait for the Ibanez to come in September?

**henry b** · 08-07-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by whiskywheels

Very disappointing to hear a Vintage being supplied in this condition. I guess the excellent reputation of Ibanez is why you wanted one in the first place. So are you having another Vintage, or will you wait for the Ibanez to come in September?

I,m getting another " Vintage" I was suitably impressed with the size, asfar as playing comfort was concerned ,better than the Ibanez [to me]. I also preferred the style of the Vintage as to the AF ,just think it was a better guitar all round. Albeit QC is an issue that should be improved.

**whiskywheels** · 08-10-2009, 12:52 PM

Looks like some of us are doomed to disappointment in our attempts to 'upgrade' or improve our instruments.
I've just started a new post regarding the faults with my new Peerless, and Sir Henry b has had problems with his new purchase.
In the words of a recent book title...."Is it just me, or is everything crap these days?"

**henry b** · 08-10-2009, 07:19 PM

I ain,t no Sir ,sir. just plain old, but not that old ,but old enough old. Hopefully to-morrow I will get a call from my local music shoppe to collect my new new six stringer , fingers crossed.

**henry b** · 08-12-2009, 10:54 AM

I Am now the proud owner of a Vintage vsa575 , everything this time seems to be spot on.Again put it through it,s paces with the Cube 60 and it sounds better than I first remembered. Have not got a case yet the one in stock was over a ton so am trying to negotiate a better deal as he charged the full retail price for the axe and he has sold my trade-in already no doubt making profit. Will post pics later when I get a chance.

**whiskywheels** · 08-12-2009, 10:59 AM

Good news, and hope you continue to enjoy it.
Did you ever manage to get hold of an Ibanez AF75 to try out? I presume you chose the Vintage after the Ibanez delivery time was set back, but did you see any reviews or get any recommendations about the Vintage?

**henry b** · 08-12-2009, 03:21 PM

No I didn,t try the af75 ,I thought I wanted it because it was a popular make/model, but obviously it was not to be. I had always liked the 175 and when I found it in the Vintage range I decided to go for that instead and have not been disappointed although a hundred mullahs more than the af. Did find some positive reviews on the www and went for it. Also got a pro Hiscox case .. so I am now well and truly skint.

**henry b** · 11-02-2009, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by henry b

I,m also waiting on an artcore75 ,hope it,s not delayed as well .Someone else on here has an Ibanez semi on order ,can,t remember who though.

The Artcore that I had ordered finally arrived this week , I,m glad I did not wait for it as the guitar I bought a" Vintage vsa575 " has a better action and overall finish and having a slightly larger body , it is more comfortable to hold also the pups to me were more pleasing..

**Tarek** · 12-21-2009, 12:15 PM

I have both the Ibanez Artcore 75 and the custom 105. The Artcore custom one is built more fansty (binding, nicer headstock, tailpiece and controls, and all etc.) and the fret ends are rounded very nicely and the guitar LOOKS like an upgrade from the Artcore 75. But get this, the maple on the Artcore custom looks very dull, and the guitar sounds like wet blanket. The Artcore 75 has very pretty flamed maple all around. I was surprised to find out that the Artcore 75 sounds more jazzy and plays more smoothly than the Artcore custom. The Artcore custom buzzes once I lower the action to my liking whereas the Artcore 75 has a superb low action without buzzing. In setting the intonation on the Artcore custom, I position the wooden bridge where I got perfect intonation on all strings except the A string! It is never intonated perfectly. So, I had to reposition (tilt) the bridge to get the A string to near good intonation and now all the strings are not in percet intonation, so the whole thing is messed up! I removed the wooden bridge off the Artcore custom and replaced it with the tune-o-matic that came with it, and guess what? I still have problems with the A string intonation no matter what strings I use. The Artcore 75 supposedly has weaker pipckups but their output is louder than my Artcore custom. Not sure why, but the Artcore 75 seems like a wok horse and sounds more jazzy. I also have the Peerless Monarch and plan on buying another Peerless model (maybe a Cremona) real soon. But regardless, I will not let go of my Ibanze Artcore 75. The Artcore custom can go for all I care. Email me with comments at [email protected]