Ibanez AS103-NT semi-acoustic

**Gitfiddler** · 12-20-2016, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Meggy

I do agree about Ibanez having a certain consistency, regardless of where they have the guitars made. For a company that does not (I understand) have it's own factory, and contracts various companies to build it's models, I think that's actually a great achievement. Wherever made, all their models seems to have a certain Ibanez-y identity to me.

A long time ago - mid 80s I guess, when I was at music college, I remember a fellow student having an LR10 - as I recall, it had some very distinctive looking fingerboard wood - quite light in colour, and with a pronounced reddish hue. Not sure if that was a type of rosewood, or something else. I also remember that there was some kind of packing with black material on top, behind the f-holes, which I'm sure was factory-fitted. That would have been to reduce any tendency towards feedback of course. Probably quite a sought-after "vintage" Ibanez model now. That guy looks like he might be a half-decent guitarist...

Ibanez LR10's came standard with beautiful Brazilian Rosewood fretboards, feedback resistant foam stuffed into the cavity, and capped with F-hole shaped plastic covers. Wonderful guitars...and another testament to Ibanez's quality. I sold mine after pursuing semi-hollows with chunkier neck profiles. LR10's were a bit too thin for my big mits.

**Meggy** · 12-21-2016, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Ibanez LR10's came standard with beautiful Brazilian Rosewood fretboards, feedback resistant foam stuffed into the cavity, and capped with F-hole shaped plastic covers. Wonderful guitars...and another testament to Ibanez's quality. I sold mine after pursuing semi-hollows with chunkier neck profiles. LR10's were a bit too thin for my big mits.

Appreciate the information, cheers, nice guitars. When I think back to the 80s, there were all sorts of nice guitar models floating about, now considered rare and desirable, and perhaps I should have bought one or two more while I had the chance. But I was young, foolish and skint!

**GNAPPI** · 12-21-2016, 07:42 AM

Does anyone here wish that other git companies with dubious quality records would read threads like this?

joaopaz · 12-21-2016, 10:01 AM

Wonderful guitar, congrats!
Have a few Ibanez myself, and they are all special and great, no exceptions.

**Meggy** · 12-21-2016, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by joaopaz

Wonderful guitar, congrats!
Have a few Ibanez myself, and they are all special and great, no exceptions.

Thanks! I do also have a 1980 Ibanez JP20 Joe Pass model archtop, and that's great, but to be honest, this new one feels like no less of a guitar to me.

joaopaz · 12-21-2016, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Meggy

Thanks! I do also have a 1980 Ibanez JP20 Joe Pass model archtop, and that's great, but to be honest, this new one feels like no less of a guitar to me.

Wow, that's one great axe, your JP20

I have ... a 70sn "2387 Rocket Roll" (Flying-V), an AS153, AFJ95, AR325, and sold (and regret) an AVN1 ... an SAS32EX.
They are/were very different, in age and style - but there are common traits: extremely well built and finished, stable, great sounding.

On the other hand I had several guitars from a famous F-brand, and sold them almost all - no regrets

...as you said, and I agree.... in general terms no Ibanez seems less of a guitar to me too.

**Meggy** · 12-22-2016, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by joaopaz

Wow, that's one great axe, your JP20

I have ... a 70sn "2387 Rocket Roll" (Flying-V), an AS153, AFJ95, AR325, and sold (and regret) an AVN1 ... an SAS32EX.
They are/were very different, in age and style - but there are common traits: extremely well built and finished, stable, great sounding.

On the other hand I had several guitars from a famous F-brand, and sold them almost all - no regrets

...as you said, and I agree.... in general terms no Ibanez seems less of a guitar to me too.

A great collection there, you seem to have most bases covered! I really do like those AR models, and sometimes wonder why they aren't more popular. And I bet your AS153 is a stunner. My JP20 is a lovely guitar, and with a bit of history and distinctiveness about the model and design, and it's very well made certainly, but I was totally serious about my comparison - if I'm any judge, then the overall quality and workmanship on the AS103 is just as high a standard. As you say, a remarkably consistent company - they seem to have the ability to transfer that high quality wherever the guitars are made.