AS103NT Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Ibanez Collectors World » Hollow & Semi-Hollow Body Guitars » AS103NT « Previous Next »

Author Message
Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 3:35 pm:   

This one should be fun to watch. http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-Artcore-AS103NT-Semihollow-Guitar-BRAND-NEW-COND_W0QQ itemZ7417387870QQcategoryZ33043QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
You never know how low (or high) things will end up selling for. Sounds like it's in great shape and could end up being a deal for someone.

One (trivial) side comment. It bugs me a little when people list a used guitar as new. I guess I know what they mean - i.e. like new. Still, it kind of bugs me. Why not just describe it as "like new". It's almost as annoying as "mint", when mint is preceded by "...aside from dings, a small scratch and some fret wear, it's mint." :-)
Phatphred
Username: Phatphred

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 4:21 pm:   

The more I read about these Artcores around here, the more they look to be tomorrow's new classics, a second golden era which will, I suppose, come to an end when the standard of living of the Chinese craftsmen makes their product less competitive in the wider market, as was the case with Hoshino.

Sorry, but I just don't like their brash, in your face, looks myself.

I have a hunch this is one for laying aside unmolested while its value slowly starts to creep up....

Wild, one thing's for sure: it ain't gonna get any newer!
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:21 pm:   

Phred, I was just thinking the same thing. Ibanez really got it right with the Customs. They will indeed be looked back upon as sought after classics. Maybe I should buy 100 of them to pay for my daughter's college :-)

The look is questionable, I've always liked blonde guitars. I think maybe a pickguard swap would tone it down. Check out the blonde AS200 pictured below

What's Ibanez going to do when we run out of low wage countries to build affordable guitars? Maybe we'll have completely automatic production, or replicators by then :-)


as200
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:24 pm:   

1
2
3
4

More images. with the addition of a maroon tortoise pickguard could go a long way in cleaning up the look.
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:31 pm:   

1
2
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:32 pm:   

3
4
Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:19 pm:   

Wow, that AS200 is goregous. Sven - is that your guitar?

The natural finish on the customs are strange - more of a white wash. I wonder why they didn't go for a more conventional blonde shade.

I installed a rosewood pickguard which improved the looks 200% in my opinion. I have an ebony pickguard on order (from e-Bay) that I think will look better. I tried the Benedetto, but it was too skinny.
Phatphred
Username: Phatphred

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 5:01 am:   

Funkle, I want to marry that blonde AS200!

After China, there will be other parts of Asia. Indonesia is possibly ripe, and then there's the vast continent of Africa. The story will just go on repeating itself. There was a time when automobiles and guitars even used to be produced cheaply in the USA. What Ibanez did to Gibson Nissan and Toyota did to Ford and GM.
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:25 am:   

Funk~

Man, you scared me for a moment with that AS200NT photo! I ran and checked my closet for Blondie. She was resting peacefully, thankfully.

AS200NT
Garyelcrrt
Username: Garyelcrrt

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:25 am:   

Gotta disagree with you there, Phatphred. Gibson, Ford, CHevy, Chrysler -- they all did it to themselves. The Japanese only picked up the pieces. Don't know your background, hope you aren't offended, but my personal opinion is that our colleges have been training Business majors that the only way to succeed is to generate as much profit as possible in the shortest amount of time even if it means abusing your employees, that at the top all businesses are the same, and that if you push your people hard enough, spectacular growth can be achieved and maintained indefinitely. Its like none of them ever heard of, or understood, that once everyone has a car, even an older one, you won't be able to sell as many of them as before. As an example, my (now fired) boss once opened a staff meeting reading from an article about how much the national economy had slowed, then demanded we all forecast a 15-20% growth for the next fiscal year. Later, he would threaten to fire any manager who did not meet "his own" forecast. Now I'm REALLY off topic, so I'm running away now.
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:27 am:   

"What Ibanez did to Gibson Nissan and Toyota did to Ford and GM."

In this case, it goes beyond just labor costs. The US, formerly an innovator, had gotten really complacent, Q.C. and R & D were in the toilet. There was a lot of resentment at the time, but we needed a good kick in the a$$.

I digress. D, that is not my guitar, just pictures I lifted off of the walkin.co.jp site - always good for some eye candy. The amber one is from the Ibanez Japan site from a few years ago.

It's a shame Ibanez did not go with a mahogany neck and ebony fretboard on the AS103.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

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:




Thank you for supporting Ibanez Collectors Forum. Please help your favorite Ibanez guitar site as we endeavor to bring you the latest information about Ibanez custom vintage electric and acoustic guitars. Here you can discuss ibanez, guitars, ibanez guitars, basses, acoustics, acoustic, mandolins, electric guitar, electric bass, amplifiers, effect pedals, tuners, picks, pickups.