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

[Grigoris]

Since this model has been mentioned on the thread; if anyone has got 4000 Euros to spare:

Ibanez lr 10 1982 | Reverb France

[gitman]

You'll eventually find one for an acceptable price, just be patient, watch and wait. But since you seem to be absolutely fixated on that model then it might just take a little longer ....

[gitman]

IBANEZ AS 80 MADE IN JAPAN 1986 - #7423923 - su Mercatino Musicale in Chitarre Elettriche

[Fusionshred]

Can't devote time to read through this whole thread, unfortunately. However, I've been a player of Ibanez guitars for 40 years and have been associated with some high-profile Ibanez artists in the rock world in the past.

If you have an opportunity to get a vintage Ibanez semi-hollow MIJ in good condition, do it. The AS-200 is the flagship. Originally called an Artist model, and then an Artstar, and then, when Ibanez introduced "Prestige" as the designation for their MIJ models, the AS-200 became a Prestige model, as is its successor, the AS-2000. There were several smaller-bodied semi-hollows as well through the years, but the AS-200 and its variants are 335-sized, basically.

The AS-180 was also made in Japan - same materials as the 200, but with chrome hardware, dot inlays and a black pickguard. That is a phenomenal guitar if you want something with more of an ES-335 aesthetic and less bling and if you can find one.

The Korean AS-120 was also a good choice, probably made with the same level of craftsmanship as its MIJ brothers, or very close to it. The new Chinese and Indonesian models are good for what they are, but have the potential to need some attention (fret leveling, etc.), unless you acquire a used one that has already been dialed in. In this respect, price point is a good indicator of what to expect.

But, yes, there is some validity to the mystical MIJ Ibanez vibe.

[Jimmy blue note]

The AS-180 was also made in Japan - same materials as the 200, but with chrome hardware, dot inlays and a black pickguard. That is a phenomenal guitar if you want something with more of an ES-335 aesthetic and less bling and if you can find one.
n dialed in. In this respect, price point is a good indicator of what to expect.

But, yes, there is some validity to the mystical MIJ Ibanez vibe.

SOOOO Rare as to be almost a rumour.
Good post. Thanks!

[Grigoris]

Thanks all for your input.

And thanks gitman for the link to the AS80. I have already contacted the seller, see why he is selling it, etc.
Just testing the waters.

By the way, would you know what is the best platform, the most secure in case something goes wrong, to buy a second hand online? Is it Reverb, ebay or other? I am thinking of asking the seller to put the ad on another - international - site, since mercatinomusicale is in italian and maybe doesn't offer any guarantee for transaction outside Italy (even though Turin is 4hrs away from where I live)...

[Grigoris]

So I have contacted the seller of the AS80, perhaps he's on this forum too (gitman, could it be you? )

He told me one of the volume pots is not working properly, going from 0 to 10 without anything in between. How does that sound to you? In any case a visit to the luthier is obligatory but replacing pots on a semi-hollow, that's probably time consuming = man hours = extra costs...

And regarding the price, does 950 Euros seem excessive? For a 1986 MIJ AS80?

[Jimmy blue note]

And regarding the price, does 950 Euros seem excessive? For a 1986 MIJ AS80?

If it's in really great shape, and you're a player and not a collector, and you have the money and it's not going to adversely effect your survival, then a pot is not a big deal.
You can check Reverb.com and see how it compares with others, there are 3 Artists up there now you can compare with. Personally, knowing that they're long past production and feeling the way I do about the Fujigens, I'd get it myself if there are no signs of finish checks at the heel join or under the nut. I'd take it to a really good tech, have everything set to EXACTLY the way I wanted, frets polished, fingerboard oiled, all fittings snugged down and good German pot replacing the wonky one.
Then I'd stop obsessing about the guitar and start putting that devotion into being a worthy player for a guitar that can and will do you justice however far you decide to take it.

For a little over a grand US dollars, I'd call it a bargain.