Ibanez AS 153. Still happy with yours?

[blackcat]

Just about to take the plunge on either an Ibanez AS 153 or an Eastman T386. I would be interested in/grateful for any feedback on either, but wonder in particular how any long term owners of the AS 153 reflect upon their purchase?

Like the sound of the AS 153 insofar as several clips on YT allow, but hate that pickguard. 'Gold' plating not my favourite, but fret finishing and overall package looks good for the price.

Not sure about the 1 3/4" nut/neck with on the T386 and dislike the ungainly headstock - all else seems fine.

Would love any feedback from established owners / players. Thanks in advance.

David

[silvertonebetty]

Just about to take the plunge on either an Ibanez AS 153 or an Eastman T386. I would be interested in/grateful for any feedback on either, but wonder in particular how any long term owners of the AS 153 reflect upon their purchase?

Like the sound of the AS 153 insofar as several clips on YT allow, but hate that pickguard. 'Gold' plating not my favourite, but fret finishing and overall package looks good for the price.

Not sure about the 1 3/4" nut/neck with on the T386 and dislike the ungainly headstock - all else seems fine.

Would love any feedback from established owners / players. Thanks in advance.

David

I haven’t played that model ibenaz before but from experience I’d go the ibenaz . They have amazing necks on there semi hollows very different from the wizard neck on ther solid body. If I was to buy another semi it would be an ibenaz. They are just that well built


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RuffRider]

I have an Ibanez AS 153. I picked it up expecting to get the sound of a Gibson 335. I got it from Sweetwater so I didn't have a chance to try it out before the purchase.
I didn't like it at all. It just sounds dry. That's the best way I can explain it. It's not like a 335 at all.
I kept it in hopes that it would grow on be - but it's been six years now and I still don't like it.

[Jimmy blue note]

I have an Ibanez AS 153. I picked it up expecting to get the sound of a Gibson 335. I got it from Sweetwater so I didn't have a chance to try it out before the purchase.
I didn't like it at all. It just sounds dry. That's the best way I can explain it. It's not like a 335 at all.
I kept it in hopes that it would grow on be - but it's been six years now and I still don't like it.

Exactly what I feel. Change the pickup. Duncan 59 would do it. Don't torture yourself any longer. I can't overstate the change it'll make on your life.

[RuffRider]

Exactly what I feel. Change the pickup. Duncan 59 would do it. Don't torture yourself any longer. I can't overstate the change it'll make on your life.

Yes - that's a good ideal. But the guitar is not on my mind right now. I only take it out when I am servicing the in-case humidifier.
I have at this time 30 guitars.

[Jimmy blue note]

Yes - that's a good ideal. But the guitar is not on my mind right now. I only take it out when I am servicing the in-case humidifier.
I have at this time 30 guitars.

Ha. Well that's a dilemma in of itself. Maybe it's better this way. If you switched out that PU, I think you run the serious danger of falling in love with that guitar. Better to keep it as a pretty object to be admired; that is a nice finish.

[Gitterbug]

Surprised about the above negative comments. This particular model is on my shortlist, having 4.5 to 5 stars from various reviewers. I've had two Ibanez thinbodies and three archtops, all with Super 58 Custom PUs. Absolutely nothing to complain about, just matters of taste. Then: why not just one, to stick to? You know - over 20 years, changing music styles, and GAS, yours or someone else's.The neck of an AF-120 was too thin. The two AF-105s were ripped off my hands by aspiring jazz guitar novices. A spalted maple AS-103 lasted long, a potential investment. I had it parallel to a Yamaha SA2200 and actually preferred its tone. Eventually, both had to go in a big inventory reduction. If I had more money, space and years ahead, they'd still be around.

[Jimmy blue note]

Surprised about the above negative comments. .

Negative for the person posting. The longer you play a single instrument, the more it becomes something you really understand the nuance of and the more exact one's idea of what is possible and the equipment that will get you there. One person's negative impression of a guitar is another person's praise of exactly what they need.
Different people have VERY different ideas about what they consider perfect. People who have some idea of perfect that doesn't come through a lot of blood sweat and tears have that wonderful luxury of buying perfect and never having that idea shattered.
Hope everything you wind up with is a rare treasure to you. Don't listen to other people's opinions when you have a bird in your hand.

[RuffRider]

Before I purchased the AS 153 I played a lower ranked Ibanez semi hollow body guitar at the local Guitar Center and I liked that one very much. But that particular guitar had been hanging in the store a long time and had been damaged. So I did not buy that guitar and ordered the higher end model "AS 153" from Sweetwater. The cheaper guitar was much better sounding than the higher priced guitar.

[Jimmy blue note]

Before I purchased the AS 153 I played a lower ranked Ibanez semi hollow body guitar at the local Guitar Center and I liked that one very much. But that particular guitar had been hanging in the store a long time and had been damaged. So I did not buy that guitar and ordered the higher end model "AS 153" from Sweetwater. The cheaper guitar was much better sounding than the higher priced guitar.

Ibanez guitars, particularly the AS line (semi hollowbody) is indeed a very disparate collection. There are at least 3 factories where they are made separately. Now they look the same on paper, specs and such but depending on which guitar at which particular point in time, an AS73 may indeed be far superior to an AS103 at that time. There is no Ibanez factory, their guitars are made in different factories that provide the best dollar for product for Hoshino Gaki the parent company.
Many times I'd find a particular guitar from a "lower" place on the line, but that particular one would be charmed in some extraordinary way. I'd put it aside and buy it on buy day and immediately switch out the hardware I didn't like. I accumulated some absolutely top notch professional grade instruments that way, and I'd give them away to students who showed particular promise and couldn't afford a pro instrument.
The AS83's at the time were very pretty and very nicely built. I think they may have come from Samick at that time. You never know though, unless you're on the inside and kept up on the factories of origins.