Ibanez Artcore

RobK · 2009-10-19T21:52:16+00:00

Just want to find out if anyone has an opinion the Ibanez Artcore range (AF, AG, AGS)? Some are hollow and some semi-hollow, but can they be played as an a...

Ibanez Artcore

FenderBender

How about this one in CT?
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Ibanez-Artcore-AF75-Archtop-guitar-W0QQAdIdZ162999921

RobK

Thanks Graeme - saw that already and have contacted the seller.

singemonkey

If you get it, write us a little review ?

Keira-WitherKay

when i was still playing mainstream jazz at casino's i looked at an ibanez like the one being offered in gumtree..... and settled on the cort jazz guitar instead........ the model is called a yorktown ......and it comes in sunburst or the gorgeous blonde it is way better build and tone ...so if you in the market for a cheap jazz semi ....... consider the cort or at least compare it ....... cos it offers fabulous value for money

singemonkey

A buddy of mine had a Cort jazzbox too and it seemed like a really nice guitar.

RobK

I don't remember seeing much around in Durban shops as far as semi-acoustic/hollow guitars go. I know Coastal usually have stock of a few in the Ibanez range, but then again, they have a big Ibanez range, in general - they import them, if I'm not mistaken.

The rest of the shops I've wondered through maybe have one or two and I don't remember the brand names (some of them hang high on the walls and have no external branding). Have never seen a Cort, although I've seen Cort electric and acoustic guitars around.

I'm not rushing into a purchase - this isn't your normal bout of GAS. ? I got interested in the semi-hollow guitars after PeteM showed me his Gibson ES-330. Loved the size and the way it sat in my hands. I know there's no way I'm shellling out the kind of cash Gibson want for their models, so I'm looking at brands that have a reputation of making good quality instruments at a more resonable(to me) cost. Ibanez, I believe is one and from reading opinions on this forum, Cort are another. The thing is that I would really like to play a few of them - even with my limited playing knowledge and experience, I can still strum a few chords and finger pick a few notes and know if I like what I hear. Unfortunately the limited availability of brands means I don't have a big selection to choose from.

Anyway, if anyone does have more thoughts and opinions on these types of guitars (not just the Ibanez - maybe I should change the topic title ? ) feel free to add them (and thanks for the opinions so far).

Oh, and as for the review, dunno whether it will be of any use, but I'll write up what I think about the one I do eventually get even though it will most probably be very biased (it will, after all, be my guitar ? ).

Sorry for the longish post. If it puts you to sleep, I suggest you print it and use it as a sleep-inducing aid ?

Keira-WitherKay

heres the link to cort sa ... seems bothners imports them...this link is to the jazz box guitars they make 2 ... i owned the yorktown and did top line pro gigs with it and it never sounded or felt cheap and nasty ........ and always had good tone........

good luck with your search

http://www.cort.co.kr/english/products/common/list.asp?series_id=40

RobK

Thanks.

I've seen the Cort Source mentioned on a few international sites. I'll see if Bothners here do have them.

AlanRatcliffe

The Cort and the Ibanez are both amazing guitars for the money (wouldn't surprise me if they were made in the same factory).

Generally, your deeper full-hollow body guitars sound better unplugged, but will be more prone to feedback when plugged and played at volume.

The Cort Yorktown is a full hollow with a deeper body and a trapeze tailpiece (more like an ES-175), while the Source is a semi-hollow with a centreblock and a stop tailpiece (more like an ES-335).

The Artcores have a wider range, including models with smaller bodies (like the CS-336) and models with Bigsbys (like a ES-355).

On the upper end of the scale, the Ibanez GB-10 is well worth a look - smallish, but deep full-hollow body.

RobK

Thought I'd update the thread, for interest. Got the guitar a few weeks ago.

Ibanez AGS83BBG - http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/images/eg2009/AGS83BBG_NTF_12_03.gif

As far as looks go, I love the finish - a matt, more natural feel. Also looks a lot better in person than in the pic. The bridge, tailpiece, pickup covers, tuners are some sort of brownish chrome colour that go very well with the wood finish. The strap buttons were too but had to remove those to fit the Schaller strap lock buttons. Personally I would have gone with different colour knobs - don't think the black suits them too well, and they look too plasticky and a bit out of place.

I don't really know how to describe the sound. All I can say is that it the sound coming from it seems more open (if that's even the right word ? ) than my other solid body guitar. I've also noticed it sustains much longer. I like the bass on it, which is deeper, but also a lot clearer sounding (I think that might have to do with the thicker strings too).

Sorry, don't have any recordings just yet, but will try make some soon. This was just for some basic info.

aubs1

Hell Rob, that is one awesome-looking guitar.......wow........congratulations man....... :applause:

I love stuff that "looks" stunning, besides just having good sound.

Squonk

Very tasty Rob ?

What is that "lightning with a circle" under the Ibanez logo?
Does it sound Jazzy? You mention the bass sounding a bit deeper...

RobK

The lightning and the circle seem to be part of the logo. I'll take a closer pic later.

As for Jazzy, I'm told if I roll of the tone a little I can get a really cool jazzy tone. Haven't tried ?

As far as the bass goes, I can only compare it to the bass on my other guitar (a Hamer SATF). The bass on the Ibanez sounds a lot deeper and cleaner/clearer. On the Hamer it's a bit dull and flat. Don't know whether the differnce in string gauge has a part to play (.10 -.46 on the Hamer, .10-.52 on the Ibanez). Also maybe has to do with the semi-hollow thing on the Ibanez.

Danny-B

RobK wrote: The lightning and the circle seem to be part of the logo. I'll take a closer pic later.

The lightning in the circle is the artcore logo. Very cool guitar! Those Artcores are good jazzers - I owned one and a friend of mine has one of the high end ones. Very lekker!

Stoner-Riff

LOVE my AG75 . . .

. . . but was not excited about the stock pu's.

Good for a mellow jazzy feel, but i wanted sexy, raunchy and just plain dirty.

So i had to get just that !
Got some TV Jones TV-HT's . . .

Now this guitar really sounds good.

AlanRatcliffe

Very...
Very...
Very...
Cool!

I was looking at those recently, but from the clips they weren't quite what I was after. How's the hum BTW?

Stoner-Riff

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Very...
Very...
Very...
Cool!

I was looking at those recently, but from the clips they weren't quite what I was after. How's the hum BTW?

If you play in fuzzed-up garge style band, like Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Black Keys, or even the White Stripes, there is no hum what so ever !
And in the middle pos it is dead quite, even at loud giging volume !

Ray

I just bought the Ibanez AG75 from MusicMadness a week ago. BTW check what these okes can do for you, I was happy with price and arrangement. Really like the guitar. Still got to set it up. Will give it a bash this weekend or take it somewhere if too much hassle. Not an expensive guitar so I will take a crack at it myself. Intonation and want to lower the action a bit. Not sure if I should replace the nut or just groove the existing one. I dont like the strings that came on the guitar so will change them for some semi flats or flats. The manual says comes with .10's and I'll stick with that. OK, so I'm pretty new to this whole thing but let me tell you what I think. To play it unplugged is not going to give you a full sound of an acoustic guitar. The neck feels really comfortable for me. Seems a little more meaty than another Ibanez neck I have. I was thinking to experiment with swapping out the pickups and probably will still do that but the stock ones are not bad IMO. Guess you can get better but probably going to pay more for them than I payed for the whole guitar. Also, just seems to be a slight scratchy feeling when bending some notes so the frets may need some attention. All in all, I believe that Ibanez and Yamaha give you quality for your money. I've been doing the prowlin and couldnt get the same happiness from lowere end more pricey brands (non eye gougy stuff an' all). But that's an opinion.

singemonkey

Wow. Looks like a wicked machine.

+1 on Ibanez and Yamaha giving value for money.

TomCat

Stoner Riff wrote: LOVE my AG75 . . .

. . . but was not excited about the stock pu's.

Good for a mellow jazzy feel, but i wanted sexy, raunchy and just plain dirty.

So i had to get just that !
Got some TV Jones TV-HT's . . .

Now this guitar really sounds good.

Those are single coils are they not....I hear they are very raunchy.....Is it possible you post a few clips clean and with the Muff....I've been looking at those as an upgrade for our AFS75T......