MIJ IBANEZ semi-hollows - Help me make an informed decision!

[Archie]

So, is the AS50 well above the AM50 in terms of quality of construction and sound? I know it's a little bit bigger, so maybe that makes the sound a bit deeper (?)...

The one AS50 I found had some tiny holes drilled onto it, for an adaptor (GR1 Rolland??) which puzzles me because I never heard of such a modification. I can inquire more details about it, I haven't yet contacted the seller. He says that it doesn't affect the guitar in any way, but he would say that wouldn't he?
The AM50 seems to be in a pretty much pristine condition with its original case. And it's a year or so, younger than the AS50.

Both guitars are quite far from where I live, so that includes a long trip just to test them. Or buying from distance and hope for the best??

Sorry 3rd post in a row.

The AM's are a little too small if you want a semi sound. They are great and all but I didn't think they were AMAZING. I had an Ibanez AM205.

Gitman has summed it up pretty well. I had totally forgot about Yamaha SA models. If you can stretch it, go for a Yamaha SA2200. They can be found used for around €1500? Or get an SA1200?

Westone Rainbows are also worth checking out. Cheap guitars but made in Japan with Japanese quality. They just look a bit different.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145268270...Bk9SR7qau77LYg

Here is one: All original, good condition. Looks almost new. 3 piece neck.

Westone Rainbow II | eBay

[pingu]

the imperfection near the volute
looks like it could be a repair

(i would avoid that one myself)

[Archie]

Thanks for taking the time to commenting; just so I'm better informed, what would you call a fair price for an AS50 - or any other Japanese made guitar from the 1980s (there's an AM50 on offer, also for 950 Euros) for that matter.

It's difficult to say. The market is going loopy-loo at the moment. I could tell you the price of everything 3 years ago but now many things have almost doubled overnight.

A good Ibanez AS50 shovel cost you up to £1k, hence why they're not great value anymore. 3 years ago they would be £600 all day long.
An AS80 which is the one I would go for, is now around £1,250 (could be more depending on top figure). But for another £200 you can go straight to the top of the range. So it's all a bit hit and miss right now.

An AM50 should be around £750 but again, people want blood for their guitar at the moment. They demand the highest prices. Often ones that aren't realistic.
Here is an example

Used Ibanez 1981 MIJ Artist AS-50 Semi Hollow Electric | Reverb UK

It's also different on the continent. In Scandinavia guitars are more expensive due to lack of choice. Italy and France has always been exceptionally expensive, whilst the Germans are a little more ermm better priced.

There also seems to be a real lack of choice for vintage Japanese stuff at the moment. I've had a look on Ebay uk and there's not much at all. Nothing to suggest.

If you can bump your money up to the €1500 mark, you're putting yourself in the hot seat of some very good stuff. Otherwise you're scratching around for stuff that imo, is over priced and getting past its best.

[Grigoris]

There was a link for an AS80 for €950 that Gitmo sent, it’s from 1986. Did something happen after 1985 and the prices stay below the €1k mark?

[Jimmy blue note]

I scrolled through the photos, easily overlooking the mods, they don't effect the essence of the guitar, and I got to the neck photo. Instant dismiss. Too many risks. Regrettably, for me, I'd steer clear of this one, as rare and exceptional these guitars are.
Nope, not with grain damage like that.
Shame.

[John A.]

Some other cool affordable options would be the Archtop Tribute line and the Seventy-Seven "Japan tune-up" line
Seventy seven Exrubato JT CR | Japanguitar-handmade

The Seventy Seven JT models are made in the Philippines, not Japan (JT means "Japan Tune-up). The MIJ Seventy Sevens are very hard to find these days.

[Gitfiddler]

I realize the OP is seeking a Japan made semi-hollow. However, the quality of Chinese & Indonesia built Ibanez are worth considering. The quality is very close to the MIJ models, but come in at about half the price. That makes purchasing a brand new Ibanez a bit easier on the wallet, plus it would come with a warranty.

My favorite Ibanez semi is the Japanese JSM100. Mine is an early production model. Man, what an awesome guitar! Fit and finish is top shelf. The Super 58's sound fantastic, and the neck carve fills the hand, but not overly chunky.

In the last several years Ibanez offered Chinese and Indonesian versions of the JSM (e.g. JSM10, JSM20, etc.) that are excellent guitars for the price. If I were shopping for a high quality Ibanez semi-hollow I'd include checking these out. Good hunting!

[Grigoris]

In the last several years Ibanez offered Chinese and Indonesian versions of the JSM (e.g. JSM10, JSM20, etc.) that are excellent guitars for the price. If I were shopping for a high quality Ibanez semi-hollow I'd include checking these out. Good hunting!

Well, I already have a Korean Artstar AF120 so I thought that if I buy another guitar maybe I should aim for the Japanese, but I am not a snob, in fact there is an AS120 from 2003 currently on offer that I'm seriously thinking of buying it, it's just that it feels like buying the same guitar twice (they look identical with mine, only one is a semi-hollow and mine is full hollow) and they probably have another version of the Super 58s which is not the same as the ones used in the MIJ guitars from the 80s, not even sure if they are AlNiCo or ceramics.

In fact if anyone knows I would like their opinion on the current Artstar models made in China and Indonesia like the AS153 and the brand new AS113-BS and how they compare with the AS120 from twenty years ago?

[Grigoris]

After your unanimous messages of concern with regard to the smudges on the neck of the AS50, I have directly asked the seller whether the guitar had had repair done on the neck and for more pictures of the upper neck/volute area.

His reply was that it never had any repair done on it. He had also sent me these pictures:






any thoughts?

[John A.]

After your unanimous messages of concern with regard to the smudges on the neck of the AS50, I have directly asked the seller whether the guitar had had repair done on the neck and for more pictures of the upper neck/volute area.

His reply was that it never had any repair done on it. He had also sent me these pictures:






any thoughts?

I would say that the crack running from the bass side of the neck through the volute is fairly convincing evidence that the guitar hasn't had a repair. But I have a feeling that's not the meaning the seller intended to convey.

[Jimmy blue note]

Ask for a side shot of the area directly under the nut, looking from the side.
If you see radiating checks in the finish, it'll confirm what I fear.
I won't say anything on this myself, you do what you want. I've voiced my suspicions, I'm just curious, if you might have the owner indulge me.

[Archie]

Avoid

[Grigoris]

Avoid

OK, thanks; That was emphatic, loud and clear.

[Archie]

OK, thanks; That was emphatic, loud and clear.

Never willingly pay for trouble, unless you have a predilection for masochism

[Jx30510]

I have an 1980 AS50, and it's the finest semi hollow I've had. I've compared it to new Gibson ES-339 and ES 335, it's just better. It's pretty much on par with my 2002 ES-135 construction wise (which is also a really glorious guitar)
That's for the opinion

Now for the model you're showing us, I would NOT buy it. It has too many structural quirks. That crack on the lower bout.. This alone would keep me from buying it.
The tale that says guitars delaminate over the years, well that isn't true. Mine is from 1980 and is very clean. It just has been well treated.
If you add that suspicious crack on the neck.. This is just a no no. I know what you feel, you're craving for an AS50, one is at your fingertips, and it's hard for you to keep thinking about it.
But just don't do it.
I would wait for a fine example, and in my opinion, up to 1300€ for one in great condition is just an awesome deal. These guitars are just fabulous. And nowadays, a guitar of this rank new is between 2500 to 3000.. (just look at the Prestige models)
If I should add, I tried a few of the newer Ibanez AS200, and the AS50 feels better, minus the bling. Well, the violin burst on mine is just spectacular by the way
Wait for a good one to pop up, and save a little more to be able to have a mint, but maybe pricier example
Here's mine, not a very good picture, sorry.

[pingu]

1285132[/URL]]After your unanimous messages of concern with regard to the smudges on the neck of the AS50, I have directly asked the seller whether the guitar had had repair done on the neck and for more pictures of the upper neck/volute area.

His reply was that it never had any repair done on it. He had also sent me these pictures:






any thoughts?

is that supposed to be pictures of an
as50 but it says ‘made in japan’ on it

bit confused now ….
i thought as50 were all Korean
(still wouldn’t buy that one)

[Archie]

is that supposed to be pictures of an
as50 but it says ‘made in japan’ on it

bit confused now ….
i thought as50 were all Korean
(still wouldn’t buy that one)

Ibanez did not start manufacturing in korea until the early 90’s?
Jimmy Blue Note will know.

[Jimmy blue note]

Ibanez did not start manufacturing in korea until the early 90’s?
Jimmy Blue Note will know.

This was an early Fujigen first generation AS50. This was, in its day, part of the roll-out line-up that Ibanez made immediately following the "lawsuit" guitars, which were largely their tribute to Gibson guitars. They decided that their place was not to imitate at a lower price point, but to make guitars in close collaboration with artists and the demands of the players. So in addition to a large number and variety of small bodied guitars geared towards the rock demographic, they'd make guitars of a spec that hadn't ever been done before. The Fujigen AS50 is a body size between what we know as 339 size and 335. It had top quality fittings, Super 58 pickups, pots and electronics that were cleaner and sturdier than what was being done at Gibson and really tough (but alas thicker) poly finishes.
These guitars of the prototype era proliferated in design when Hoshino established their practice of decentralizing their manufacture to have factories in Korea, Indonesia, China build to the specs of Ibanez from which Hoshino would take the cost/craft and reliability that was best for them and have the Ibanez logo on them.
But in the beginning, there were the progenitors, and this AS50 is one of those. They're treasured, and certainly worthy of hard professional use (and abuse as is ostensibly the case here) and I believe attained a standard of excellence never again achieved by Ibanez. This era proves that they went for it and they got it right.

This one was made in December 1981, an excellent vintage and that guitar was one of over 5000 they turned out that month, so sales were going well for them.

[pingu]

1285255[/URL]]This was an early Fujigen first generation AS50. This was, in its day, part of the roll-out line-up that Ibanez made immediately following the "lawsuit" guitars, which were largely their tribute to Gibson guitars. They decided that their place was not to imitate at a lower price point, but to make guitars in close collaboration with artists and the demands of the players. So in addition to a large number and variety of small bodied guitars geared towards the rock demographic, they'd make guitars of a spec that hadn't ever been done before. The Fujigen AS50 is a body size between what we know as 339 size and 335. It had top quality fittings, Super 58 pickups, pots and electronics that were cleaner and sturdier than what was being done at Gibson and really tough (but alas thicker) poly finishes.
These guitars of the prototype era proliferated in design when Hoshino established their practice of decentralizing their manufacture to have factories in Korea, Indonesia, China build to the specs of Ibanez from which Hoshino would take the cost/craft and reliability that was best for them and have the Ibanez logo on them.
But in the beginning, there were the progenitors, and this AS50 is one of those. They're treasured, and certainly worthy of hard professional use (and abuse as is ostensibly the case here) and I believe attained a standard of excellence never again achieved by Ibanez. This era proves that they went for it and they got it right.

This one was made in December 1981, an excellent vintage and that guitar was one of over 5000 they turned out that month, so sales were going well for them.

excellent infos !
thanks man ….

i’m holding out for an af220
they only made a few in 98
(one day maybe)

[Jx30510]

Yes some AS50 from Korea were made in the 90's. But they aren't on the level of the MIJ ones.
I also had a 1981 MIJ AS200, the AS50 is of the same quality, just a little different.. And I prefer the size and weight of the AS50. The top of the AS50 is also much thinner, and the guitar resonates more than the AS200 (for that reason?).
Mine didn't have the S58 pickups but those cream V2 humbuckers. They were good but I changed for Gibson 57's.
Every time I play the AS50 I'm honestly stunned by it's sound and playability. A guitar I will never ever part with.
They must be some of the best value semi-hollows I've ever seen, no kidding
This is what it was like the day I bought it with the V2 pickups.
I also changed the tuners, Grovers where a perfect swap

[Grigoris]

So, is this normal?

Ibanez super 58 annees 80 | Reverb France

800 Euros for original MIJ Super-58s from the 80s?

Does that mean that the AM50 (not the guitar I posted pictures of - another one) that is currently for sale at 950 Euros asking price is a bargain?

Has the market gone completely out of control?

[Jimmy blue note]

So, is this normal?

Ibanez super 58 annees 80 | Reverb France

800 Euros for original MIJ Super-58s from the 80s?

Does that mean that the AM50 (not the guitar I posted pictures of - another one) that is currently for sale at 950 Euros asking price is a bargain?

Has the market gone completely out of control?

If the seller doesn't make the sale, they're a fool out of touch with reality. If they make the sale, they're a genius and maybe the buyer is the fool.
A satisfying sale is in the eyes of the person who winds up with what they want.

What does it matter what someone else is trying to sell pieces for? You're looking for a whole guitar, right? Are you thinking of buying that dog and selling the pickups?
Not wise

[Grigoris]

Not at all; I was thinking of perhaps buying a cheaper model and replacing the pickups

[Grigoris]

About the current prices...

leboncoin.fr

That is a -Korean- AS120 from 1996...

[John A.]

About the current prices...

leboncoin.fr

That is a -Korean- AS120 from 1996...

You can find them on Reverb for a lot less, though the devil is always in the details.