Ibanez AS103 vs Reverend Manta Ray

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Author Message   Makinglemonade Username: Makinglemonade Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 3:43 pm:    HI! Quick question for you I banez experts...Is the wood on the AS103 (that sells for $749 including case) a solid maple or a laminate. I'm looking to buy a semi hollow and the Reverend Manta Ray has a solid maple top with one f hole. Please give me your input on this, if you would please. Thanks, Steve   Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 5:23 pm:    My reply is in "New Atcores ...", where you asked the same question. Juha   Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 5:27 pm:    "New Artcores ..." And I don't know if I am an "Ibanez expert" Juha   Makinglemonade Username: Makinglemonade Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 7:58 pm:    I'm afraid I don't understand. Steve   Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 6:22 am:    Don't be afraid. You will understand. Take a look at '"New" Artcores on US market'. http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/16 /1001888.html?1188422594 Juha   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 9:15 am:    The flame maple is a VENEER on a laminated body. This also goes for the "original" ES-335 that Gibson made. And that was never a problem. Laminated arched tops (and backs and sides) are stronger, don't crack because of weather changes etc... The only factory that I know of that makes them all solid is the Heritage from Kalamazoo. I think that you can expect more feedback from solid wood. The production of a solid maple archtop takes more time and that added to the more expensive material makes an expensive guitar that is NOT necessarily better than a good laminated one. Perhaps acoustically, but not electrically amplified. Ginger   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:04 am:    The Reverend has interesting spec's: 1. Solid block of mahogany routed out to create the chambers, center block, back and sides. Seems more like a Gibson ES-336 than an Artcore AS103. 2. 14-5/8" lower bout width on the Rev vs. 16" (presumably) on the AS103. Again, seems more like a ES-336 (or AM) than an AS103 from a body width standpoint. 3. Flat top on the Rev vs. (pressed) archtop on the AS103. The Rev has a flat back too but since the body of the Rev starts out as a solid piece of Mahogany with routed chambers, I'm not sure how much the shape of the back (or top for that matter) affects the final tone. In theory, I'm guessing the Rev has more sustain and solid body like characteristics than the AS103.   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:09 am:    P.S. Looking at the cutaways on the Manta, I wonder if Reverend was going after a Johnny A style guitar.   Makinglemonade Username: Makinglemonade Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:13 am:    Thank you all for the input..I'm going with the AS103   Makinglemonade Username: Makinglemonade Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 8:34 pm:    I will have the guitar in hand, day after tomorow and I am looking foeard to it!   Makinglemonade Username: Makinglemonade Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 8:37 pm:    Please excuse my spelling....I am all juiced over the AS103 getting here on Friday!   Benito1300 Username: Benito1300 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 12:26 pm:    Juiciness is understandable in your situation. The 103 is one fine instrument.   Lofapco Username: Lofapco Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:51 am:    Post pictures when you get it!

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