Help me choose

[hebaton]

Looking a quality vs price and my tastes, It comes down to two different options, both Ibanez.
So I am going to buy either a PM200 Or a AF2000

Anyone want to convince me wich one to choose ?
Someone have experience with both ?

[marcwhy]

Have you played either, and which do you like (more)?

They are both nice guitars; the PM (new) is about $1000 more than the AF. At that price range, though ($3600), you're getting into "custom, hand made" guitar land by several high-quality luthiers, so I'd be wondering, "Why not a custom guitar?" (unless you don't want to wait).

Can't go wrong with either Ibanez, though.

Happy hunting!

[Archie]

Have you played either, and which do you like (more)?

They are both nice guitars; the PM (new) is about $1000 more than the AF. At that price range, though ($3600), you're getting into "custom, hand made" guitar land by several high-quality luthiers, so I'd be wondering, "Why not a custom guitar?" (unless you don't want to wait).

Can't go wrong with either Ibanez, though.

Happy hunting!

Even a high quality luthier at this price point would likely not be able to create something as polished as a high end Ibanez.
They have manufacturing down to an art.
The only advantage you’d get with a custom maker is options and risk, plus a longer waiting period.

[hebaton]

Have you played either, and which do you like (more)?

They are both nice guitars; the PM (new) is about $1000 more than the AF. At that price range, though ($3600), you're getting into "custom, hand made" guitar land by several high-quality luthiers, so I'd be wondering, "Why not a custom guitar?" (unless you don't want to wait).

Can't go wrong with either Ibanez, though.

Happy hunting!

I am not aware of a custom builder expereinced with archtops, under 5K USD

[Jim Soloway]

Going through the specs side by side, there are some differences.

The neck on the PM200 has 22 frets. The AF2000 is slimmer and has only 20 frets. Do you need the extra two frets on the PM200?

The neck on the PM200 is a bit bigger (width and depth). Do you feel more comfortable with a bit more or less girth in the neck?

Of course the PM200 has one pickup and the AF2000 has two. Would you use the bridge pickup on the AF2000?

Just going by the photos, given that PM200 has two additional frets, I would assume that the position of the neck pickup position on the PM200 is closer to the bridge. If that's the case then I would expect it to sound a bit brighter and thinner than the AF2000. Does that matter to you?

The maximum body depth on the PM200 is 4 1/4". The AF2000 is 3 3/4". Would one be more comfortable for you than the other?

So it starts there. What's important to you? Given the reputation of the Japanese made Ibanez archtops, I would assume that both would be beautifully crafted but the differences in specs are real and only you get to decide which match your needs and wants better.

[Jimmy blue note]

I've worked on, played and known both of these guitars quite well. Yeah I'd get either one of them and be happy for the rest of my life. As far a quality, I wouldn't put one over the other. Both of these guitars have uncanny consistency of production so you're going to get a good one either way. I worked QC and inspection for Ibanez, and I can attest to the absolutely highest level of fit, feel and sound from each and every Japanese Ibanez I ever touched.
If I were to recommend one, it'd be based on my own tastes which are certainly not yours. But let me ask you, do you like the versatility of two pickups when you play?
Do you like the crisp woody attack of a maple laminate (maybe kinda in the realm of Joe Pass Virtuoso sound) or a softer rounder sound of a spruce based wood (maybe in the very general ball park of Lage Lund's guitar)? Yeah yeah yeah, before everyone starts pointing out the vast differences in details between a Gibson 175 and a custom built, I'm talking GENERAL sound, attack and decay of the harder maple laminate and the more compliant spruce sound.
Here's the truth though, when you're playing, most if not all people won't be able to tell what you're playing or whether you're happy with it, but if you're inspired by the particular and individual guitar, you can be sure they'll hear THAT.
Seriously, as Markwhy asked, have you tried them? At this level of comparison, and at that level of investment, it comes down to "What kind of haircut looks better on me?". If you play them, you'll know which one you can take as your partner, which one you can grow with.

Me, I'd take them both. :-)

[ccroft]

It's all been well said already. I'd just put a finer point on something: do not discount the importance of which one you just like better, for whatever reasons. (not much help I guess...)

[st.bede]

It's all been well said already. I'd just put a finer point on something: do not discount the importance of which one you just like better, for whatever reasons. (not much help I guess...)

Sometimes intuition is useful. I assume that my mind is more nuanced then just what is easily available to my conscious thought process.

Often that is why I have to play a guitar first before buying.

I think also that is why, when I pick up a guitar, sometimes I just know in a few seconds, of playing that I hate or love it.

I have not sold many guitars that I have loved at first playing.

I have sold guitars that I think should work, but I never really bonded with.

(I sold a pretty rare PRS. I doubt that it can be replaced within any reasonable price, but it never really worked for me. I made money off it. That was nice).

[hebaton]

Well, unfortunately I can't afford both. I have tried an AF2000 but not the PM200 I do however have a PM20 here on loan from a friend and an LGB30.
I can have fun with both, but I seem to go back to the PM20. Where I live, tryouts are not an option. The one thing stoping me from absolutely loving the PM20 is that I find it a bit dark and closed in. But I expect the PM200 would offer a larger colour palette.. no ?

[Karlos]

Well, unfortunately I can't afford both. I have tried an AF2000 but not the PM200 I do however have a PM20 here on loan from a friend and an LGB30.
I can have fun with both, but I seem to go back to the PM20. Where I live, tryouts are not an option. The one thing stoping me from absolutely loving the PM20 is that I find it a bit dark and closed in. But I expect the PM200 would offer a larger colour palette.. no ?

Ciao, quale hai scelto?