New Ibanez Artists?

Kirfew

I was just perusing MusiciansFriend earlier today when I saw this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-ar320-electric-guitar/h83133
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-ar325-electric-guitar

Could it be that Ibanez is finally reissuing a proper Artist (not those funny arx320 ones)?
I hope so, but there isn't anything about these on the Ibanez website.

guidothepimmp

Artists (proper ones) were reintroduced in 2004 for a bit before they changed them to those not so great arx , art etc.

I believe they are now doi.ng the traditional style artists again.

I think they're great guitars, especially those super 58 pups

BluJu

Oooh. Those look lovely.

Still want an 80's one to add to my collection though.

Are they MIJ?

Kirfew

Brendon "BluJu" Neuhaus wrote: Oooh. Those look lovely.

Still want an 80's one to add to my collection though.

Are they MIJ?

No idea, I hope they are though.
I have a 1983 AR30 and it completely dominates my friends R30000 Gibson! It's got different pickups than the stock ones though, IBZ USA FS-1 or something, which someone told me were used on the top-spec roadstars.

Psean

Man, I'm getting serious Artist GAS. It'll have to wait a few years though☹
BluJu, what year is your AR3000?

singemonkey

I doubt they're MIJ at those prices. Don't get too hung up on it though. Lots of top-notch MIC guitars coming out these days. Depends on the factory and the quality control so it's worth waiting on reviews.

DonovanB

I met a chap from a popular clothing company who imports clothing from China and he said you get what you pay for. So quality is possible...

singemonkey

Some Japanese companies train Chinese staff and management to improve production quality too. Some ESPs even get assembled by such trained personnel and then given the once over + setup back in Japan.

Kirfew

They seem to have the same bridge and pickups (Super 58s) as the most of the old ones, so I hope they build them right!

BluJu

Psean wrote: Man, I'm getting serious Artist GAS. It'll have to wait a few years though☹
BluJu, what year is your AR3000?

I recall it being a 2004. It's a limited reissue of an 80's model I think.

Badapple

I wouldn't mind buying one of these. No cash though lol.

Psean

Brendon "BluJu" Neuhaus wrote:
Psean wrote: Man, I'm getting serious Artist GAS. It'll have to wait a few years though☹
BluJu, what year is your AR3000?
I recall it being a 2004. It's a limited reissue of an 80's model I think.

Awesome. Sweet guitar ?

TomCat

I have and ARC300 and I've been very happy with it.

Modded with Tonerider Alnico IV in bridge and neck and Graphtech Nut..... ? ?

DonRoos

Man that AR325 gives me serious GAS.

flatfourfan

Ooh the AR325 looks nice.

I hope that they are on par with the older ones.

I had an ARX 320 and now I have an AR artist 300..........almost similar, but the AR 300 is just light years ahead of the new issued ones on so many levels.

Kirfew

Aha! Just saw this now!
http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/Series-ar

ZarK

I'm guessing they should bring out a MIJ Prestige model at a later stage -if not available already? I played one a while ago back-to-back with some vintage Gibson Les Pauls amongst other guitars. Similar tone and sustain to a Les Paul, better quality/finish (imho) and significantly more comfortable to play... I'd love to own one at some stage!

Psean

Thanks