anyone got or had experience with an Ibanez Artwood (AW40CE-NT)???

Atmarama

Im looking to buy this good looking Ibanez Artwood AW40CE-NT for R2000, but i will not rest until i have everyones reviews & experience with this fine instrument.

check it out
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/country/frame_southafrica.html

geemobee

I have this one and love it!

inflames

Excellent guitars. At R2000 it is a super cheap price as well!

Vintage-Vibe

Beware the electronics if it is the SST preamp - that's my only gripe - MULTIPLE problems for my clients!

slyd

Heeyy . . .
I have the Ibz Artwood AW35RECE
It plays, feels and sounds awesome !
It has the SST preamp, but have not had any problems or client issues with these (as compared to the Fishman Classic series preamps)
If it feels good to you, I would'nt hesitate ? specially at that price 8)
GO FOR IT !

Vintage-Vibe

@ slyd - I think you missed the point of my post? If you read my profile you'll see what I do for a living ...
(By clients I meant MY clients, not me personally)
My point is I have nothing against the guitar, but the preamps have a proven track record of being faulty several times too many - as were the replacement preamps - hence the reason you don't see Ibanez acoustic/electric model guitars on the floor at Marshall Music Cape Town - it was becoming too much of a risk for potential buyers - repeat comebacks on multiple examples!

I'm quite sure yours works quite well, but the benefit of doing setup & repair work is that I DON'T have an emotional attachment to these things - I just see the pros & cons for what they are ...

Interesting on the Fishman - the Classic 4 for eg. has always been one of the more stable ones statistically for me - still, it just goes to show for every 9 gems in a batch there can always be 1 turd!

Sometimes I wonder if it isn't sheer fluke whether we end up with a "good one" ... ?

@Atmarama: I agree w/slyd - R 2000.00 is a good deal, just be thorough when you check her out - take along a decent cable & fresh 9volt when you check it out !
Double check the tuner functioning etc to be safe - good luck!

slyd

Vintage Vibe wrote: @ slyd - I think you missed the point of my post? If you read my profile you'll see what I do for a living ...
(By clients I meant MY clients, not me personally)

uh Gareth . . . I did went to skool ? I know what you meant !! hehe
I was referring to my clients for which I also do repairs, mods, setup etc. As my guitar work is only part-time, you've obviously been exposed to more of the issues surrounding these preamps, and I will take your observations under advisement.
I was just giving my 5c worth, which has now decreased to 2c ?
regards
Dave

Vintage-Vibe

No worries - we can all learn something from each other - you should put your work in your profile signature! ?
I just have a sore point with that particular preamp as it's caused so many clients unneccessary grief in the past
Opinions are like as*holes, we all have one (hopefully) ?

Regards,
VV

Atmarama

Vintage Vibe wrote: @ slyd - I think you missed the point of my post? If you read my profile you'll see what I do for a living ...
(By clients I meant MY clients, not me personally)
My point is I have nothing against the guitar, but the preamps have a proven track record of being faulty several times too many - as were the replacement preamps - hence the reason you don't see Ibanez acoustic/electric model guitars on the floor at Marshall Music Cape Town - it was becoming too much of a risk for potential buyers - repeat comebacks on multiple examples!

I'm quite sure yours works quite well, but the benefit of doing setup & repair work is that I DON'T have an emotional attachment to these things - I just see the pros & cons for what they are ...

Interesting on the Fishman - the Classic 4 for eg. has always been one of the more stable ones statistically for me - still, it just goes to show for every 9 gems in a batch there can always be 1 turd!

Sometimes I wonder if it isn't sheer fluke whether we end up with a "good one" ... ?

@Atmarama: I agree w/slyd - R 2000.00 is a good deal, just be thorough when you check her out - take along a decent cable & fresh 9volt when you check it out !
Double check the tuner functioning etc to be safe - good luck!

Cool guys thanks for that! My brother bought the artwood - he's very stoked, although it has a crack in the soundboard that must get repaired. Came with a hardcase and a few accessories too! Seems like a good gigging/road guitar. Electronics work great on it - but it's the older model so no tuner... Funny thing is his girlfriend's guitar (Cort) has the fishman classic 4 and that has been known to give some problems like disconnecting randomly etc. But seems to have corrected itself now.......

Thanks for your good input guys!

Vintage-Vibe

Enjoy! ?

Atmarama

Vintage Vibe wrote: Beware the electronics if it is the SST preamp - that's my only gripe - MULTIPLE problems for my clients!

Dear VV,

Your prophetic words have come to be - it seems the preamp may be bugging out. Sounds ok, just hardly any volume... Since Im very sure this must be out of warranty etc what would you recommend doing to get it up and going? A new preamp? A good fix?

Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

Vintage-Vibe

Hi 'rama

Sorry to hear ... :'(

1st thing is always the battery - if it measures below 7.5 volts it's time to replace (any decent multimetre should give you that answer)

Sadly, the issues I experienced were IMHO due to poor construction/design of the preamp.
If you are not experienced with a solder iron etc I would suggest taking it to a shop like Andy McGibbon's (don't know if they're close to you?)

The problem is usually in one of 4 areas: the jack socket (I think yours is an XLR/jack combo?)
the integrity of the piezo element under the saddle
cable connections to the preamp

OR option 4: The preamp's internal components - a more painful problem.
If you don't know how to work on these things, pop in to Andy's ...

GOOD LUCK!

VV