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Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 9:00 pm:   

I ask the question beacuse- i bet there are a lot of people that just browse through ICW looking for the best Ibanez guitar they can get for their money,and really have no clue as where to start.It doesnt matter if its vintage or current.It would also make a good reference point when you hit search.It might be helpful if you list what the guitar is worth,or what you think its worth.
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 8:09 pm:   

very sad!
Tubescorcher
Username: Tubescorcher

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 10:55 pm:   

Hey Fingers,
I'm a big fan of the Artist's. All though they are every increasing in value. The S series I'm finding out are great players.
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 11:38 pm:   

Cool! I had an s- series w/ Ibanez EMG style pups very nice guitar.I think it was made specifically for drop tuning?The guitar was very sexy,i forgot the color but it ws like a darkgray w/ sparkles,black hardware,and those redish prophylatic funky tuners.
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 11:40 pm:   

Not an Artist though ^
Silverstrings
Username: Silverstrings

Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 11:45 pm:   

hi Fingers.

I play an '81AR500AV and a 540STN.

Both these guitars more than allow for a great range of sounds and tones. Although I am now starting to search for a hollow body to add greater diversity and develop new music playing styles(perhaps one of the GB series).

To say which is the best allrounder could be a misnomer to which ever model the title is assigned. Evey player is after that guitar that when picked up, and at the first touch of the strings, feels like they were made for each other. Ok, so that sounds holistic or organic but we have all experienced picking up a beautiful and expensive guitar only to find that it did not feel right.

I suppose that in many ways not only does the player choose the guitar but the guitar also chooses the player. i have always belived that each and every guitar is a living entity.



I think I hear the nurse calling - must be time for my medication.
Tubescorcher
Username: Tubescorcher

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 7:36 am:   

Silverstrings,
I'm really digging my new 540stn. Wow! The tonal range even on the 6 string is amazing. I too have an '81 AR500CS though.
Peace!
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix

Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 7:53 am:   

Gotta say that the archtops do it for me more than any other Ibanez I have owned. And I've had a fair few over the decades.

six
Petruz
Username: Petruz

Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 8:49 am:   

fingersmcoy, ibanez has produced three models that are universally acclaimed, not only by us ibanez freaks. here they are:

solidbodies: AR (the higher the better)
semiacustics: AS200
hollowbodies: GB10

that's what people say. a kind of natural selection.
Texasbob
Username: Texasbob

Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 10:03 am:   

I played a cn250cw for 20 years , really liked, but not a high end model. I currently have a af105f that I really like, again not at the top of the chain. Have played, and wished i had bought, some early artists, sorry dont know the model #s, all were outstanding. would some day like to get a gb(blonde of course)
bob
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 10:18 am:   

When you ask the question about 'best all around player'...and then add the qualifier...'for the money', you get a wide range of possibilities.

All of the newer models made in Korea or China are good values. Just pick one that suits your playing style and you can't go too far wrong...for the money. That includes solid body and semi-hollows.

But for me, I'd keep an eye out for good deals on some of the MIJ pieces that are still available at reasonable prices.

Personal favorites: Anything with 'GB' on the headstock. Early 80's semi-hollows. Most MIJ Artist models.

Just my 2 cents.
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 12:29 pm:   

Speaking of GB models, did anyone see this '77 GB20, in excellent condition, on ebay?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=1802666&mpre=ht tp%3A//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D110086563974
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier

Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 2:50 pm:   

I think generally speaking semi-acoustic guitars, based on the Gibson ES-335 model are the most versatile.
But what always plays an important role is the quality of the pickups. In order to cover the bebop/cool jazz/fusion repertoire you need a nice warm sounding decently wax-potted humbucker in the neck position. For blues you blend it with the sharper treble bridge pickup. In rock this bridge pickup can play a more important role, so you change the blend more in the bridge/treble direction. The ideal most versatile humbuckers are the Gibson Classic '57 (PAF) and its derivatives, for Japanese guitars the Burstbucker (as I understand it has metric spacing). For Ibanez the most versatile humbucker is the Super 58.
So a jazz/blues guitar can be used in rock music.

But...
I met some guitarists who used a Les Paul Custom in jazz music with great success (same pickups, same controls) and I know a jazz guitarist/ conservatory professor from Belgium who plays a hand built Stratocaster copy in jazz music. And he gets a real good jazz sound out of his strat. I you close your eyes, you'd swear he's using a full size jazz box.

I think this proves that the choice of materials (wood, electronics and strings) is more important than the model.

I guess I could get practically the same result with an AR with two Super 58's and two volume and tone controls as on an AS model with the same electronics.

But if you play rythm guitar it's wise to use a pickguard. So perhaps for rythm guitar a Performer is a good option.

I'm getting more and more interested in these models, especially the higher types, because of the combination of features. The only thing I miss is a set neck, but that's not necessary to create a good guitar.


Ginger
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 6:07 pm:   

From my experience, i would say the super58s are a great sounding pickup,im not sure the Bustbuckers are the same pickups.I would have to do a side by side test comparison.One thing i do know is the Burstbuckers have these harmonic nuances that ive havent heard from any other pickup.My Epip. Les paul Joe Perry Boneyard has a set of the B.Bs.awesome pickups!But i would have to say the 58s are a close second.Check this puppy out http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=229&CollectionID=6 Couple of things i dont like about the Boneyard are- the cheezy tuners,and the toggle switches,are prone to failure.Sorry not an Ibanez *Using the Boneyard as an example for the sake of discussion.
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 8:40 pm:   

Most of the '75 to '81 Ibanezes are gonna be a good bang for the buck, especially when compared to other brands from the same era... and right up to today actually. Craftsmanship, versatility, playability, tone, sustain, aesthetics... These Ibanezes will beat headstocks with "G's" and "F's" on 'em, most every day of the week Regardless of cost factors. An ar500 will match wits with any LP out there. Plus... it goes to 11. An LP only goes to 10. When you think of what you gotta pay for a headstock with a "G" or "F" on it, to me, there's no comparison really. So... that's my humble opinion. Keep in mind, whatever you pay for a decent Ibanez today will probably be worth double in a few years, it seems to be heading that way. (I want to include my '83 ar1200av in here too, even though it's an '83, it still deserves a mention, it's worthy.... although past the '81 range.) If you get a shot at a decent ar1200... I suggest going for it.
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 9:08 pm:   

I can see a couple of votes for the AR500.I def. wana pick an AR500 in the near future.
Snowjays
Username: Snowjays

Registered: 09-2004
Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 11:13 pm:   

Hi Fingers, well for over 20 years I've used an '81 AR500av and a '78 2700 mainly for the versatile range with the eq setup. My other main players were a Gibson SG, Musician MC200 and a Ibanez LP Jnr.
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 10:40 am:   

I said it above , but will say it again, an ar500 is a formidable instrument. Covers alot of ground and can be a monster. Great range of sound/tone too. Basically... a beast... and whatever you have to pay for it, within reason of course, you really should jump on one. I miss mine alot and want another but it seems whacky 'cause I have the ar5000, but I will STILL get another ar500 anyway, that's how much I like them. I always thought I'd prefer the AV finish over the CS but... I dunno, there's alot to say for a nice CS/Flamer. An ar500 is probably the next axe I will destroy my finaces with, if it pops up. You can't go wrong with an ar500.
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy

Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 8:51 pm:   

How bout Jazz boxes?
Emckenrick
Username: Emckenrick

Registered: 10-2001
Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 7:30 pm:   

You'll find some beautiful JP 20 's (c. 1980) out there for under 2 G....maybe under $1500. Very undervalued in the scheme of things.
Strings
Username: Strings

Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 12:58 pm:   

Yeah Zilla, especially the elusive '79 AR500!! ;
Jchester
Username: Jchester

Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 12:50 am:   

For sonic versatility (at least for passive electronics), in a solid body, I've been able to get all I ever wanted out of a 2451 or L6S. Tele to LP... it's all there & way easy to control.

But I also have to agree with Ginger... a 335 type will get you from ultra-mellow to screamin' in a heartbeat.

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