Looking for a good hollow-body guitar for up to 800$.

[Lexidus]

Hello guys, this is my first post on this forum and I would like to ask You for a piece of advice. I am currently looking for a hollow-body guitar for up to 800$ as the title says. I would particularly like to ask You about these models I am onto:

1. The Ibanez AF255BM
2. The Ibanez AG95 DBS

Another question is, how different are these two guitars, the price of the first one is about 150$ higher but is it worth it? I know that they have the same 58 PU's, just as every "higher model" (over 75) of Ibanez Art guitar so why do they vary in price?

Thank You in advance for any answers.
Jacob.

[Jim Soloway]

One's an Artstar and the other is an Artcore. The Artstar is a higher designation and generally has a few upgraded appointments. I believe all of the recent Artstars also have an Ebony fingerboard. I can't find any current specs for the AF255 so I wonder if it's been discontinued. The AG95 is a 15 inch guitar which some will love and others will hate. In its current incarnation it is probably my favourite Ibanez arch top. (It's quite a different guitar than the older version that had the wood front on the tailpiece). Very comfortable and really a good sounding instrument.

[skykomishone]

You should check this fresh post in the F/S section. THis looks like a pretty great deal in that price range:

FS - Peerless Monarch (17&quot

[Lexidus]

I have found the specific specs of the AF255 model : Ibanez AF255BM Review | Chorder.com .

And yes it's probably been discontinued, I have stumbled upon it by chance on a random online music shop, and it is probably one of a few leftover guitars available for sale in my country (Poland). Still the question is, are the small upgraded appointments worth paying for? Will they synergistically make a difference?

Is it true that the AG models are less prone to feedback because of their smaller sizes?

[Jim Soloway]

One of the many mistakes I've made buying and selling guitars in the last few years was selling my Artcore AFJ91 and replacing it with an Artstar AF151. The Artstar looked nice and had fancier wood but the Artcore was a much better sounding guitar. That may not be a universal truth but it was my experience with those two guitars.

[Lexidus]

And how about the Peerles Monarch "skykomishone" linked to, how is this guitar compared to the Ibanez Artstars/Artcores?

[Jim Soloway]

At the level of the Artstar or maybe a bit higher but it's a very different guitar with a floating pickup and pick guard mounted controls.

[pingu]

One of the many mistakes I've made buying and selling guitars in the last few years was selling my Artcore AFJ91 and replacing it with an Artstar AF151. The Artstar looked nice and had fancier wood but the Artcore was a much better sounding guitar. That may not be a universal truth but it was my experience with those two guitars.

That's interesting Jim , any idea why that is ?
Is it just the random bits of wood factor or
a function of the design d'y think ?

(I just got a used AFJ81 which sounds pretty good to me)

[Jim Soloway]

That's interesting Jim , any idea why that is ?
Is it just the random bits of wood factor or
a function of the design d'y think ?

(I just got a used AFJ81 which sounds pretty good to me)

A lot of people don't agree with me on this but I think it's the ebony fingerboard. It makes the attack faster and that made the guitar sound thinner and not nearly as warm or rich as the AFJ91.

[mr. beaumont]

Godin Kingpin.

[TH]

One of the many mistakes I've made buying and selling guitars in the last few years was selling my Artcore AFJ91 and replacing it with an Artstar AF151. The Artstar looked nice and had fancier wood but the Artcore was a much better sounding guitar. That may not be a universal truth but it was my experience with those two guitars.

That's interesting Jim , any idea why that is ?
Is it just the random bits of wood factor or
a function of the design d'y think ?

(I just got a used AFJ81 which sounds pretty good to me)

Not to intrude on a question directed to Jim, but I agree, the Artcore is an instrument to seek out. You need to understand that price is not necessarily an indication of whether something is better for you. You also need to know that the prices of Ibanezes fluctuate and something less expensive from one year may be a better playing/feeling than something that looks better and is more expensive the next year.
That's because there is no Ibanez factory. Ibanez is a name for an entity that shops guitars from factories all over the far east, gives specifications and electronics to be incorporated and they all converge in one place (Bensalem PA for the USA) where they are all united and set up in a facility there. Before that, they came from factories like Fujigen, Cort, Samick, factories in Korea where very likely Peerless, Epiphones and Robellis were made, and the nameless sweat shops in China and Indonesia...
Bottom line, specs, quality and build differ considerably. But I do know that the Artcore was a designation of a line of guitars that always came in with surprisingly good quality and were always built well.
That's why you'll find specs so similar, guitars that feel so different.
That's why the specs change (maybe a factory raised their quality, paid their workers a little more, made a better guitar and changed their bottom line... Hoshino says "I'll buy cheaper from your buddy down the street now) and the guitars will change noticeably within a year's catalog.
That's also why, if you can try them side by side, it's way better than you can get from a spec sheet.

Yeah, Jim, I've seen a good guitar run, and then a factory change, nicer colours, better hardware and change of designation, but the old guitars were better. I'd run to the seconds room and grab an "old stock" while I could. Shiny and new is a hard guideline when you're talking Ibanez.

For anybody that cares.
David

[rlrhett]

When you are talking inexpensive guitars, there is no substitute for playing them. There is often as much variability within a particular brand and model as there is between different makes or models. This is not like choosing between a Ford Focus or Toyota Corolla. Any Focus will drive just like any other.

The good news is that unlike cars, a really good guitar can pop out of the assembly line at any time that is an order of magnitude better than the rest. There are some real gems out there as good as guitars many times their price. You just have to play them.

[Jim Soloway]

For the OP ... Something else you might consider, we have a member here from Poland who is world class player. His member name is kris. You might want to contact him and see if he can give you some ideas of what you can find in Poland. He's knowledgeable, a good guy and a wonderful player.

[entresz]

My recommendation would be a Godin 5th Avenue - in my opinion they're far better instruments than their fairly modest price would suggest. The only thing I didn't like on mine was the 16" fingerboard radius - I am used to a 12" radius. Aside from that it was a good looking, sweet sounding and easy to play guitar. I sold it about a year ago, I wish I held onto it.

[Jx30510]

Epiphone Es175 Premium
I don't know if I've had a really good one, but with Thomastiks Bebop 12-50 and new Grover Rotomatics 102 tuning keys, it must be one of the finest guitars I've ever had..
just a joy to play and FA BU LOUS sound

[rio]

You might want to check out the Cort Yorktown. They are affordable and sound very good. There is a guitarist named Alessio Menconi who has L5's, a very nice Johnny Smith etc. but he still uses his Yorktown and I think that really says something. It has made me want one too - here is the latest video he made using that guitar

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[TOMMO]

Lots of choices by the way it looks. Just adding my modest two cents regarding Ibanez: I chose an AFJ95 for my first archtop two years ago and never regretted it. Workmanship, fit and finish are immaculate and I like the sound of it, too (without being experienced enough to comapre it to morer expensive archtops).