Ibanez Artcore Opinions

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message   Secretgunner Username: Secretgunner Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 7:49 am:    Hello everyone I play dirty rock n roll, blues and a lot of acoustic fingerpicking on the Epiphone Dot I have at the minute, I wondered if those styles would be just as well suited to a full hollow artcore like the AF-85 / AK-85? At the miute my heart is leaning towards a AF-85 because it is gorgeouszz, but if anyone rates other models above that i'd be very glad to hear, plus any other experiences with them. If I get one it needs to be real quick because the place that sells them has 10% off for 2 days!! Also, whats the ability for solos like, is it much different from a 335 style semi? Thanks! Any help would be muchos appreciated.   Craigjc Username: Craigjc Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 9:06 am:    I have a brand new AF75D. Was debating on buying a semi-hollow, but the full hollow was more fun to play. Great tone and workmanship. Superior to the Epiphone. Go try one and you'll see what I'm talking about. Two things you'll need to consider: 1. Access to highest frets is tough. Almost worth considering a Jeff Healey manouver to get to these frets !! 2. At high volumes, these babies howl (they're true hollow body guitars). Foam Rubber in the f-holes would probably help, but I haven't tried it yet. All things considered, and 335-style guitars within my price range, I ended up with the AF75. Going out and doing head-to-head comparisons really sold this guitar. If I had bought a guitar based on pictures and descriptions alone, I would have ended up with something very different. Glad I took the time to test-drive a bunch of different guitars.   Secretgunner Username: Secretgunner Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 9:23 am:    Yeah, the problem is that I haven't any access to trying them before I buy in the UK, which is bad. What is the highest fret you can reach confortably by the way? Usually I dont really bother going much past 15 anyway. Was there any reason in particlar you went for the AF75 rather than the AK85 and AF85?   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 2:20 pm:    I think playing high gain music with any fully hollow guitar may be problematic, depending on how loud you play. The AG75 is based on the George Benson model, which was specifically designed to minimize feedback. The AG75 I tried sounded great. It had a very full tone.   Andyroo Username: Andyroo Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 6:31 pm:    AK-85 owner here....I love mine. I play jazz and clean blues with it, and I did swap the pups with some HB sized P-90's from vintagevibe.com, but not because the stocks were bad, I wanted a P-90 eqipped guitar. I've got as AS80 with them Super 58's, so I wanted something different. I love the neck, I have no problems with fret access, and I think the AK-85 is rather beyootiful too. The spruce top, although not solid of course, is pretty and grainy. And I like the rosewood bridge. I thought it would be difficult to intonate, but it's a snap. I'd say it would suit my needs no problem if I wanted to play it dirty. But as it is now, it's set up with flats and I stay mostly clean. Before I changed the stock pups, I did experiment with some dirt, and I was very impressed. With the P-90's, it's a lot more fun to dial in a touch, but that's not what I use this one for. Anyway, best of luck. If you can't try before you buy....then go with your gut. Either way, they are very nice guitars for a very nice price. droo   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 11:32 pm:    The artcores don't have 58's in them.   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:29 am:    Shame on you Freaky, they have Chinese Super 58 spec pickups, and to be honest with you, the pickups that are in these guitars including my ARTCORE AF105 kick some serous •••. I don't think that my gold plated pickups vary that much to the 895.00 model Lets be honest, China today, is nearly...notice I said nearly as good as the old days..not long to go to perfection..just needs old school like me, Mr Roadster, JD and Jeff on the ground. And they thought that they work long hours now Still just to clarify for all here that the guys from Fuji are overseeing procedures here in China, henceforth my praise for the Artcore Custom AF105NT and all the other Artcores in the range....we are doing it "ol school" Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:44 am:    So the ACH1 and the ACH2 are same as 58's?   Craigjc Username: Craigjc Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:57 am:    What is the highest fret you can reach confortably by the way? Usually I dont really bother going much past 15 anyway. Was there any reason in particlar you went for the AF75 rather than the AK85 and AF85? - secretgunner Fret 15 would be quite reachable. Why did I choose the AF75? It was in stock and I liked the "Gretsch" orange color with cream pickguard/etc. The AF85 is a beauty, but I got what I consider to be a really nice guitar for under $300. I couldn't pass up the deal. Bought the original case with it, too. So the ACH1 and the ACH2 are same as 58's? - ibanezfreak1960 Only the AF105 has Super 58s in it. The rest are an ACH1 and an ACH2. They're not the same. ACH pickups have ceramic magnets and Super 58s (at least the original ones) have Alnico 3. The ACH pickups are fairly clean and bright - not a terrible pickup. I think playing high gain music with any fully hollow guitar may be problematic, depending on how loud you play. - funkle Yes, it can. But at moderate volumes, it can be controlled, and a real blast! Had a strange urge to heat up the Hiwatt, pick up the AF75, step on the Ibanez Mostortion, and play "Snowblind" by Black Sabbath last night. Wish I could have seen myself!! Black Sabbath on an orange hollowbody!! ROFL. Um, it sounded great, by the way.   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 8:13 am:    Craig, thats way 2 much info overload for this time of the night...please...learn to love a Artcore regardless Cappy   Secretgunner Username: Secretgunner Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 9:01 am:    Ahh jeez that orange one does look great actually! But hey I can't keep adding more guitars in the mix , so it's still AF85 or AK85 for me. Which would you guys say was the most 'visually striking' out of the 2? I've looked at them so much I can't tell myself anymore! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46649&item=7330793019&r d=1&ssPageName=WDVW http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46649&item=7320993674&r d=1&ssPageName=WDVW Man I love buying guitars.   Andyroo Username: Andyroo Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 9:13 am:    "the artcores don't have 58's in them" I never said they did. I've got an Artstar AS80 with the 58's. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. droo   Andyroo Username: Andyroo Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 9:18 am:    I'd agree that the ACH's aren't terrible pups, I did do some A/B 'ing with my 58's before I changed out to the P-90's. I'd say the 58's were warmer and more articulate. The ACH's were a bit sterile, but clean and clear. I like the AK-85 for looks, but that's just me :o) droo   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 10:55 am:    Guys please demo these guitars with a amp that has some reverb or a amp with transistors or a valve amp first before we all pass judgement Cappy yes I'm tired, but, I'll be back soon   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 10:58 am:    Good Night all see ya all 2morrow for some more in depth stuff. Ya tired Ol Cappy Captain Ibanez   Lespaul Username: Lespaul Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 2:54 pm:    Last year I bought a Chinese AF75D in turqoise as a birthday present for a friend of mine. Frets and nut needed some attention but other than that a VERY nice guitar, fresh out of the box. Really nothing wrong with it. The bugger plays it through an AC30 and he can play as loud as he wants, no problems at all. Paul   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 4:33 pm:    Here is my 2003 AF85VLS. I gave this away as a Christmas present to a friend who was in a drug rehab under the condition he would stay clean. He has since turned back to drugs so I retrieved it back before it ended up in a pawn shop. Glad to have it home!   Jazzgeetar Username: Jazzgeetar Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 6:44 pm:    Here's an album of my AF105 Let me know what yous think! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dspilka/album?.dir=/9f97 While I was at it I took a couple shots of my AM50 too: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dspilka/album?.dir=f2cb   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:53 pm:    Secretgunner: Between the two, for me, striking is the flame maple. But I love the ES175 cutaway, too. Mix the two, leave it natural and I'll take it. Oops, that would make it a 2355m. Actually, the AF105 and AF105f are my Artcore favorites.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:58 pm:    Sweet 105 Jazzgeetar. That one is on my to get list this year. If you look at the middle picture of my 85 you'll see where the 105 money went. Just to the left of the headstock is a 12 week o9ld Beagle puppy that the wife and kids made me buy. They mentioned all of my guitars and what coulde I say?   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 4:57 am:    Freaky, you'll love the AF105NT when ya finally get one. I love mine One thing though, with the D'adarrios that they come with 10-46, they sound bit thin and twangy. I have set mine up with GHS Semi Flatwound 12 guage strings, these strings are great.I find now that this type of string makes this guitar even more versitle for all types of music..rock jazz, etc. Another thing I'm inpressed with is just how strong the neck is on it.Usualy when you go up a couple of string guages you'll get some movement in the neck angle...not this one it's still the same as the day I set it up Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 7:19 am:    Thanks for the info Cappy! When I get it I'll try those strings out on her.   Jazzgeetar Username: Jazzgeetar Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 1:35 pm:    Thanks Ibanezfreak. Like the puppy too! Yea, no idea why the AF105 came with round 10s...I put flat 11s on mine...sounds so nice, love the thing.   Guildibanez Username: Guildibanez Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 11:20 pm:    I put GHS Brite Flats 11 - 50 on my new AF105F and it came alive!! A great guitar with singing tone. I also have a AK85 which has a wonderful tone of its own as well. I put the same brite flats on it as well. The spruce top adds some mellow presence.   Secretgunner Username: Secretgunner Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 8:03 am:    Thaks for all the replies guys, amazingly helpful indeed. Johns, you say the flamed maple, which model exactly, on the Ibanez site, both AK85 and AF85 say flamed maple Also, whats a "ES175 cutaway"? Nice AF105 by the way, I would maybe have got natural but I already have a natural Epiphone Dot (for a bit of Beatles on the roof style!)   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:49 am:    Theres a story behind Lennons Epi. It's actually the same one as the 1966 tour with the finish stripped off.   Secretgunner Username: Secretgunner Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 7:24 pm:    Yeah I remember reading that actually, he thought it'd have a better tone I think. Yeah, it was a Casino too, but I couldn't afford one of them yet, it's something to aim for i guess!   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:36 pm:      Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:42 pm:    oops too big, here is the casino after the finish change   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 9:13 am:    There's a nice orange AF75D on eBay now for $259 BIN with case http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7331425638&rd=1&sspagename=ST RK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Only 5 hours to go! -Sven   Crambo Username: Crambo Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 3:10 pm:    I am thinking of buying the ibanez af105F. I am looking for my first archtop. I like a warm and jazzy sound. Is there anyone having any exlpirience with the 105F?   Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 12:51 pm:    Crambo, Try the ICW Search utility, in the menu to the left. Search AF105F. AF105F has been discussed several times on ICW. Juha

Add Your Message Here Post: -Color- Black Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Orange Cyan Gray White -Font- Arial Courier Symbol Times Verdana -Size- Smallest (-2) Small (-1) Normal Large (+1) Largest (+2) Enter Item number: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: