Ibanez Artcore

**manu68** · 11-02-2009, 10:31 AM

Just to add a comment about the artcore guitars.

Yesterday, I put on new strings on my AF125. Thomastik swing 11-48 instead of d'addario chromes.
I have also installed the wood bridge delivered with guitar, instead of the metallic one.

It is just unbelievable. It is just a new guitar. The sustain unplugged has dramatically increased. The sound is very good balanced.
Ans I don't say anything about the amplified sound !!

I really don't know if it comes from the strings or the bridge, but it makes a huge improvment.
I you own an Artcore guitar, you must try the wood bridge immediately !!!!

**monkmiles** · 11-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Agreed that the wood bridge helps alot on these artcores. The one on my AK105sm sounds great.

**abracadabra** · 11-02-2009, 03:08 PM

That's it. Next time I change strings I'll try the wood bridge. I just needed someone to push me over the edge.

**millman** · 11-30-2009, 05:08 PM

Hi all!!! I'm new here and to playing. I have an AS73 and so far it seems to be a pretty good instrument for the money.

**Anandbhat** · 11-30-2009, 06:19 PM

Welcome to the forum,Millman!
I have an AS73 also (bought it since it was recommended on the website under the 'gear' section).Mine is Transparent Cherry Red.
I think it's great value for the money.
I did change the neck pick up to a Lollar Charlie Christian and have the frets polished,action adjusted etc.
Plays great now!
Anand.

**millman** · 11-30-2009, 07:43 PM

Anand, I have the same model. I have wondered if changing pickups would make much of a difference. At present my amp is pretty low grade, so I don't know if I could tell if there was any improvement. Right now I think I'm going to save for a new amp ( probably a Traynor) and then work on the pick ups. Any information or guidance anyone can provide will be geatly appreciated.

**rcishere** · 07-21-2010, 11:37 PM

Hi gang,

I'm new to the forum. I've noticed that some of you have mentioned Charlie Christian pickups and Traynor amps in this thread. Coincidentally, I own an AK95. I love the sound and feel of it. The wooden bridge on the guitar is a plus. I have recently changed my stock pickups to Charlie Christians (HCC) from Vintage Vibe Guitar, made by Pete Biltoft. They sound great at half the price of the Lollars and CC's.

**RoyaleT** · 07-22-2010, 04:33 AM

Very nicely played. The HCC's/ Fender sound is sweet.

**Norman931** · 07-22-2010, 12:18 PM

Anybody else have one like this? I'm enjoying mine very much!

**jbear** · 07-22-2010, 08:45 PM

AK100 and AS103...they blow me away every time I pick one up. I have guitars costing four times as much as these that aren't any better. Artcore Customs are crazy quality for the price...hell...for any price!

**heavyblues** · 07-26-2010, 07:07 PM

I have an Ibanez AF95. I wish they made a thinline version thats like the AF/AK serious, but without a soundblock. I'm thinking Eastman t146sm, but an AF105/AF125 version!! I really think this would be a great idea rather than offering the AS103 alone.

And yes, artcores are awesome for the price, wow. If I ever get another one, it will be the AS103!

**praesentire** · 07-27-2010, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by manu68

Just to add a comment about the artcore guitars.

Yesterday, I put on new strings on my AF125. Thomastik swing 11-48 instead of d'addario chromes.
I have also installed the wood bridge delivered with guitar, instead of the metallic one.

It is just unbelievable. It is just a new guitar. The sustain unplugged has dramatically increased. The sound is very good balanced.
Ans I don't say anything about the amplified sound !!

I really don't know if it comes from the strings or the bridge, but it makes a huge improvment.
I you own an Artcore guitar, you must try the wood bridge immediately !!!!

Planning on getting my AF75 fitted with a wooden bridge and a Tusq nut next month. Can't wait!

UPDATE: Just got my guitar back from the shop. +1 for Stew-Mac ebony bridge and Tusq nut upgrade. The tone mellowed out yet retained definition and now has increased sustain. I can only describe the new tone as "tasty".

**Norman931** · 07-27-2010, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by heavyblues

I wish they made a thinline version thats like the AF/AK serious, but without a soundblock. I'm thinking Eastman t146sm, but an AF105/AF125 version!! I really think this would be a great idea rather than offering the AS103 alone.

AFS series is thinline, no center block. Pictured in my post above. Of course, it also has a Bigsby. It is very comfortable to hold and play.

**musicjohnny** · 07-27-2010, 10:33 AM

I purchased a brand new Ibanez Artcore AF 105 not too long ago, it's a GREAT jazz guitar. Unfortunately though, financial circumstances are forcing me to have it up on sale, so it is on ebay if you're interested.

**rvf263** · 10-15-2010, 03:50 AM

Just traded for a AF105SM the other day and it arrived yesterday.
Been playing through a JC-55 and it sounds fantastic and feels great!

Beautiful guitar!

**abracadabra** · 10-15-2010, 08:32 AM

I love mine too. Just don't put 12s or above on it!

See the other thread on broken tailpieces..

**jayx123** · 10-18-2010, 03:51 AM

One of my guitars is a AG75, this guitar does looks cheezy, but I went to a local music store and saw this guitar on display and asked to have a go at it, I was amazed at the sound of this guitar even with the stock pups and lite gauge. I asked them to bring me a new one it sounded really bad I had a go at 3 more new ones which didn't sound good and then decided to take the one which was on display I replaced the neck pup with a gibson classic 57 now this guitar sings, you can hear how it sounds on my myspace page all the recordings there is with this guitar.

I was amazed to hear so much difference in sound from one guitar to the other

**Russ Kapp** · 10-18-2010, 11:03 PM

I have the discontinued AF 100 model Ibanez custom series with the super 58's on board. It was amazingly on sale for awhile at 50% off including the case !! Don't know if any are left since this was almost a year ago....mine is anything but dull and muddy. I'm pumping it through either my ZT Lunchbox or Tech 21 Trademark 60. Sounds awesome through both. I orginally had the AK 85 with the Bubinga hardwood with the ACH stock p/u. I have to say I personally like the super 58's in the custom better as stock

**woyvel** · 10-19-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Norman931

Anybody else have one like this? I'm enjoying mine very much!

I love mine! No swirly stuff on mine, though. \

I switched to flatwounds and, like others have said, it's like a different guitar. I saw a used Artcore in a store that had been there a while and I told the guys in the store to put flats on it and it would sell. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Next time i went in it was gone. Hmmm.

**Russ Kapp** · 10-19-2010, 06:17 PM

Right on, woyvel.....mine was the swirly, curly AK85 TRD.....As an aside, I was told that in Africa their native wood, Bubinga, is traditionally sent to the trash heap as scrap.....??

**Russ Kapp** · 10-19-2010, 06:24 PM

....and my apologies for moving somewhat outside the scope of this thread, but the hardwood trash sorta reminds me of when I was researching the CA Gold Rush and mining history while I was living out there on the west coast and finding out the Gold Guys ( and Gals? ) after they exhausted a motherlode or vein left GIANT piles of slag behind that were chocked FULL of SILVER !! ......:^)

**abracadabra** · 11-15-2010, 08:07 AM

Look at the stuff Ibanez is hiding in Japan:

C'mon Ibanez, share it around with the rest of us!

SJ500 | Ibanez guitars

**RoyaleT** · 11-15-2010, 08:58 AM

Nice, but definately a hands on before buying at a list of almost $2200US.

**Georgebenson&hedges** · 11-19-2010, 01:22 PM

That SJ500 is a beaut!!!

I've decided to sell my Artcore AK105SM purely as I have my Foster now and can't justify having two nice instruments the amount I play at the moment. Great instruments though.