Acoustic recomendation, 70's model

[backer60]

Sorry Dave! Thought you had one...see what a good friend I am, Im wishing you had yet another nice guitar in your collection! Lol!
The vined ibanez you have, is that the accoustic one that I saw on the bay during the late summer and fall last year?

[espiti]

The "grail" for me - as some of you know - is the Series I Artwoods, built in the late '70s after Tama was discontinued. [...]

Ditto.

[BCy2k]

Yeah - if we're really talking about THE Ibanez "Holy Grail" of acoustic builds, it's the series I Artwoods, followed by the series II Artwoods. It's almost indisputable. That said, the Tama builds from '77 to '79 sort of ARE Artwoods for all intents, and visa versa. Same builders, same facility. The Artwoods are probably more elegant based on the high end models I've seen.

I'm just partial to the pre 1977 Tama builds.

[jeffsailor]

BC,

Have you (or anyone else I guess) had the chance to test drive the new Artwood Studios? I'm curious to see what they're like. Unfortunately, none of the "Ibanez" dealers near me seem to have any in stock.

js

[BCy2k]

Not yet Jeff - I'm very interested to play one though. Seems like Chaz has expressed interest in these too, but no one seems to have one in stock yet. 

[chazmo]

BC,

Have you (or anyone else I guess) had the chance to test drive the new Artwood Studios? I'm curious to see what they're like. Unfortunately, none of the "Ibanez" dealers near me seem to have any in stock.

js

I continue to look, but I haven't gone into any of the "big box" stores where they might be (Sam Ash, Guitar Center, etc.)..  My local Ibby dealer has not had one in all year (and I've checked!)

[chazmo]

Yeah - if we're really talking about THE Ibanez "Holy Grail" of acoustic builds, it's the series I Artwoods, followed by the series II Artwoods. It's almost indisputable. That said, the Tama builds from '77 to '79 sort of ARE Artwoods for all intents, and visa versa. Same builders, same facility. The Artwoods are probably more elegant based on the high end models I've seen.

I'm just partial to the pre 1977 Tama builds.

That's correct, for sure, BC.  Same folks at the end of the '70s that made a transition from Tama production to Artwood in 1978.

I don't know about "more elegant," but what I really like about the Artwoods was the concept of everything being wood (even the pickguards).  It was only the series I that actually kept to this motto, though.  Ibanez just couldn't afford to continue producing these things.  Kind of a shame.

I love the Tamas, Bob.  They're arguably more important than the Artwoods from a collecting point of view since they were the end of the line.

Series I artwoods often fly under the radar because no one knows that they're special and Ibanez re-used just about all the model names so you have no idea that a series I AW-100 is more guitar than a current model.

[BCy2k]

I don't know about "more elegant," but what I really like about the Artwoods was the concept of everything being wood (even the pickguards). 

Yeah - I think the wood pickguards on the series I AWs are extremely cool. Plus some of that tasty work they did on the head stock like the one in your avatar. To me that stuff rocks!

I love the Tamas, Bob.  They're arguably more important than the Artwoods from a collecting point of view since they were the end of the line.

Series I artwoods often fly under the radar because no one knows that they're special and Ibanez re-used just about all the model names so you have no idea that a series I AW-100 is more guitar than a current model.

I think they're both amazing builds. As far as finding deals on early Artwoods under the radar, this is one of those deals where knowledge truly IS power. Problem is I can't even find a BAD deal, let alone a good one! LOL!

[Outlaw]

OMG! that is beautiful wood work, she is a beauty, show us more pics of her! she reminds me of the "SYari" with all that wonderful craftmanship.

[JohnS]

Last week, I joined the Japanese made Artwood club, buying Bob's (BCy2k) Series II AW-30. I'm very happy with it. So happy, that I want more, more, more! Artwood Series I and TAMA, here I come. 

Here's my first impressions, when I compare the AW-30 to my '81 M340, I'm pretty surprised. Construction-wise, the M340 is a very good alternative. I didn't A/B it to my '78 NW40. But I've compared the NW40 to the M340 and so I don't think there will be any surprises when I do get around to it.

When I compare the AW-30 with my '72 Martin D35 (both solid spruce tops and rosewood back and sides), the AW-30 is much brighter. Maybe when I change the strings, the Martin will brighten up. But I doubt it will be close to the AW. There are other differences in materials between the two guitars that could account for the big difference in sound: rosewood vs. ebony fretboard and bridge, 2 vs. 3 piece back. Not sure if the saddle and nut are bone on the Martin, but the AW is plastic. None of this is meant as a criticism of the AW. The AW sounds very good, just not as close to the Martin as I expected.

The biggest reason that I wanted an alternative to the Martin is that it's harder to play than my Ibanezes. The AW has a slightly longer scale (between 3/16 and a 1/4") and the fretboard radius has more of a curve. I think those are the differences that make the Ibbies feel "easier" to play for me. Surprising, the neck shapes are not that dissimilar.

[Mongo]

Last week, I joined the Japanese made Artwood club, buying Bob's (BCy2k) Series II AW-30. I'm very happy with it. So happy, that I want more, more, more! Artwood Series I and TAMA, here I come. 

I see Bob passed on to you more than just a guitar, it seems you also gained an addiction, ...I mean appreciation for Series I/Tama. I KNOW exactly what you are going through. I dare not go looking or I will soon be finding more acoustics I just HAVE to 'try'. I'll be looking to put together a James Taylor tribute gig to justify my collection.

We have GAS, VIS, and now VTS (Vintage Tama Syndrome).
I don't think there is a cure... 
 

[BCy2k]

We have GAS, VIS, and now VTS (Vintage Tama Syndrome).
I don't think there is a cure... 
 

Of course -  first you have to want a cure. 

To which I say screw that! 

The only acoustics that will get me GASsy now are post 76 Tamas and series I Artwoods. I avoiding looking right now just because I need to start showing a little restraint. Which as most of you already know . . . I totally suck at. 

[backer60]

Rubbish. Restraint is overated...

[Mongo]

We have GAS, VIS, and now VTS (Vintage Tama Syndrome).
I don't think there is a cure... 
 

Of course -  first you have to want a cure. 

To which I say screw that! 

The only acoustics that will get me GASsy now are post 76 Tamas and series I Artwoods. I avoiding looking right now just because I need to start showing a little restraint. Which as most of you already know . . . I totally suck at. 

Not only am I not wanting a cure, I find it to be highly contageous. Once someone gets the bug, they get motivated to feed it and share it.

[backer60]

Mongo, from what Ive seen around here, thats not an issue....resistance is futile!