Ibanez AF2000 or Eastman ER4

[rob taft]

Rob, You are mixing up Robs . I mentioned the body width or depth. I don't have that guitar so I took the dimensions of of Ibanez's web site. To be honest, it sounded too large so I checked two other retailer's website and they sounded the same figures. Case of garbage in and garbage out. Now maybe Ibanez is referencing the overall depth from back to top of arch but I assumed it was rim depth. As that is a common measurement.

That said, my comment regarding the ER4 and not trying to find one guitar to do it all still stand. Especially when one has either the financial wherewithal or owns said guitars.

[Rob MacKillop]

Oops, sorry

[Cavalier]

My question is for Rob Taft. On your ER4 built with the floater what effect did that have on the acoustic volume and tone? I was surprised by the volume of the set in pickup version unplugged and was curious if there was much difference. I'd guess not a lot due to the neck and body construction but I am curious. I have noticed most Eastman's do have good acoustic sound.

[Rob MacKillop]

Forgive me for doubling a post I've just created in the Showcase, but it is relevant to the discussion here. Ibanez AF2000 straight into the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface, into my iMac. A little reverb added.

[jazzkritter]

Rob McKillop I apologize when you said you agreed with all of my post i figured you agreed with the size comment. Sure would not put words in your mouth. Ive heard how Scotsmen can fight. Nope, wouldn’t do that)

Heard how a Scotsman handles his AF2000 and thats pretty darn good too!

Other Robs…. Yes it seems the world has taken the Ibanez web measures and are repeating them ad infinitum along with the marketing text too lol.

[Rob MacKillop]

Apologies for not being too careful, jk. Truth is I never really think or care much about measurements and tone woods. I need to get the guitar into my hands, see if we can converse. This 2000 is a fine conversationalist!

[rob taft]

Cavalier, In answer to your question, the difference was noticeable but not significantly so. The ER4 is a surprisingly loud guitar acoustically given its shape and body or rim depth. If I had to do it again, I should have just refretted my first ER4. As it stand my custom ER4 is a beautiful guitar and has superior fret work and finish. The assembly, fret work and finish was done by Otto D' Ambrosio but I probably spent another $300 in trying various Krivos pickups and finally ended up putting in a routed KA which necessitated a new pickguard.

[Cavalier]

Thank you Rob, they are nice guitars. Good candidates for a hybrid approach. I liked the one I played and did wonder what a floater or top mount would change.

[Bengeejump]

How did you get a custom Eastman?

[frabarmus]

I believe I’m the only one currently on this forum who has the AF2000

To the OP:

The AF2000 may take many months to arrive, after ordering it. I would definitely recommend it but I must report that I've ordered mine in October 2022 (at a local shop in my town) and I was told it would arrive in March. Now it's June and yet it hasn't arrived. At the end of the day I wouldn't be surprised if it'll take a whole year!

I'm not complaining... just warning you, in case you need it soon. I've already got two archtops, including an Ibanez AF55, so it's ok to wait, I know I'll love the AF2000, It's very similar to the JP20 I had back in the mid 80's (of which I didn't like the 25.5 scale length and the, almost central, pickup placement). The AF2000 has a 24.75 scale length, slim neck and correct (for me) pickup placement. Looking forward to it!

[pingu]

I bought Rob’s AF2000
a few months ago

my impressions

yes its great (for me)
very comfortable
looks good
sounds round and wonderful

Its all I’m playing now
(was playing an AF120 before)

my AF2000 is a chunk better
in every way ….

I think you’ll love yours when
you eventually get it

[st.bede]

I ended up with a used clean PM100 for a great price. It is very nice. A good amount of time later, I decided that I was going to eventually get a guitar with a floating PU. I found a used one for around the going price, maybe a bit under.

My 3 “jazz” guitars:

Simi, Ibanez Prestige Am205AV

Full laminate, Ibanez PM100

Solid archtop (the top is thick so it is more of an electric), Peerless Monarch

I also think I get some cool jazz type sounds out of my Eastman Romeo LA.

I am pretty set and really happy. I am still rolling through some string changes to dial in sounds. Also there could be some PU changes happening.

I also have a handful of other guitars. I am probably at my maximum number, so I might sell one and grab an ER4.

Thanks to everyone and their insights.

[Karlos]

I bought Rob’s AF2000
a few months ago

my impressions

yes its great (for me)
very comfortable
looks good
sounds round and wonderful

Its all I’m playing now
(was playing an AF120 before)

my AF2000 is a chunk better
in every way ….

I think you’ll love yours when
you eventually get it

Hi, can you explain what kind of sound I could get from the af 2000? I have a yamaha sa2200 and I would like a warmer, softer, jazzier tone. Do you think the ibanez would be better or should I keep my yamaha? Thanks

[dconeill]

... no desire to spend anything over $2800.

I have basically narrowed down the [candidates] to include the Ibanez af2000, and the Eastman er4. (There could be more [candidates] out there ...).

... I make most of my gigging money from what we used to call the top 40. I basically play in a bunch of bags/books and cover a bit of ground. In all my endeavors, I tend to play cleanish to clean. However I do like to sonically explore things.

My two fav jazz guitar players would be: Jimmy Raney and John Scofield. Kenny Burrell and Joe Pass are [next]] ... (I also like Pat Metheny ...)
For me it is good to have a guitar that I can use for a number of things.

So [what should I buy]? ... Should I just buy another tele and call it a day?

You have conflicting requirements. Burrell - solid spruce top; Raney - many different guitars; Pass, Metheny - plywood top hollowbody; Scofield - semihollow. 25.5" and 24.75" nominal scale lengths. Ebony and rosewood fingerboards. Maple and mahogany necks. Wooden and metal bridges. New prices of these guitars typically over US$4000.

There's no one guitar that will do all these things. You should visit the place where you keep your musical sensibilities and figure out what it is you really want.

Remember #1 - nobody but you cares what guitar you play.
Remember #2 - the sound has to be the most important criterion.

Maybe try a midpriced semihollow from Ibanez, Eastman, D'Angelico, or Epiphone to see if you like that style, but that's my prejudice. From your post it sounds like you don't quite know what you're looking for.

[Rob MacKillop]

Hi, can you explain what kind of sound I could get from the af 2000? I have a yamaha sa2200 and I would like a warmer, softer, jazzier tone. Do you think the ibanez would be better or should I keep my yamaha? Thanks

You can hear me play it in post #29 above.

[2bornot2bop]

You have conflicting requirements. Burrell - solid spruce top; Raney - many different guitars; Pass, Metheny - plywood top hollowbody; Scofield - semihollow. 25.5" and 24.75" nominal scale lengths. Ebony and rosewood fingerboards. Maple and mahogany necks. Wooden and metal bridges. New prices of these guitars typically over US$4000.

There's no one guitar that will do all these things. You should visit the place where you keep your musical sensibilities and figure out what it is you really want.

Remember #1 - nobody but you cares what guitar you play.
Remember #2 - the sound has to be the most important criterion.

Maybe try a midpriced semihollow from Ibanez, Eastman, D'Angelico, or Epiphone to see if you like that style, but that's my prejudice. From your post it sounds like you don't quite know what you're looking for.

There’s simply no replacement for owning an ARCHTOP.