Ibanez AG195-AV

[Ibaneezer_Scrooge]

Ebay Item Number #320292893771


I will not be bidding on this, but I know there are posters here who  would want to.

Good luck.

[jazzzbo]

I have seen about 2 of the above mentioned models on fleabay, just a few weeks ago, they both took alittle time to sell, actually an ICW member was really raving about that model, I also see some interest on fleabay regarding the AF 200 ARTSTAR, one sold for around a grand last week and the other is approaching  the same amount, jazzzzz

[mwmeci]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AG95D-Electric-Guitar?sku=512564
Obviously not the same guitar as the one at Musician's Friend. Are the pickups Super 58's? Is it Artcore or Artstar? Were they made in Japan? What was the list price? It's a sweet looking guitar!

[mwmeci]

Appears to be a Artcore United model judging by the lighting bolts on the headstock.

[toms_korber]

Yup - United model, only 75 of those were made in Japan by Fuji Gen in 2003/04.
For more info check  "Artcore United Collectors World"
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/hollow-and-semi-hollow-body-guitars/artcore-united-as193-ag195-af195/

[gemberbier]

Yup - United model, only 75 of those were made in Japan by Fuji Gen in 2003/04.
For more info check  "Artcore United Collectors World"
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/hollow-and-semi-hollow-body-guitars/artcore-united-as193-ag195-af195/

Fuji Gen made the JAPANESE necks and ASSEMBLED them using CHINESE guitar bodies in order to lower the manufacturing cost.
They laid the last hand, so that's why they have F serial numbers.


Ginger

[mwmeci]

The bodies must arrive from China unfinished, right? Then Japan paints, applies finish coat, electronics, neck, etc.

[toms_korber]

I guess it would be difficult to apply the finish to neck and body seperately. The finish on my United AS193 (and the binding, too) definitely looks like it was done in one go, so I guess the bodies arrived from China "bare naked". I think the body of a jazz box (except for top models made from solid wood) or a semi is the least important part, because it's basically just a "cigar box" made from plywood.
All the hardware of the United models, pickups and pots are MIJ, too.

[jazzzbo]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but, if  my ag75 cheap artcore jazz box has the exact same pick ups as the above guitar, will there still be a major difference in sound, ie, is the body different, will the neck scarf etc make a difference, is there a major difference in woods used etc etc, ?  jazzzz

[toms_korber]

There's no such thing as a stupid question - just stupid answers... 
I hope this isn't one
1. The Chinese Super 58s are different from the MIJ ones
2. the neck is different, too (3-piece mohagony/maple/mohagony on the United)
3. the bridge and tailpiece also

so, even if you put MIJ pickups, pots, bridge and tailpiece on a MIC Artcore, you'd still be left with the different neck - might make more sense to buy a United while they are still affordable. They won't be, once the general guitar buying public learns about "our little secret" (and the $ and the US economy recovers)!

[jazzzbo]

I dont intend to make any upgrades on my artcore, my question remains, will there be a very noticeable difference in tone, due to a different wood body, neck, neck joint etc, other than hardware, and if pick ups were the same, jazzzz

[Ibaneezer_Scrooge]

<<< They won't be, once the general guitar buying public learns about "our little secret" (and the $ and the US economy recovers)! >>>


I honestly do not believe that these Artcore United guitars will ever be collectible.   The value simply is not there based on what you can get for similar dollars.

And the bursts are ugly...just two tone...circular rather than following the contours of the guitar.

Woods aren't great either.

The fact that they made just a limited number of them, does not guarantee collector status.

There has to be a strong demand for them.

Over time, this will be a forgotten line of guitars.



But I have been wrong many times before about this sort of thing.

So...If you are collecting these, I wish you well and much luck.

[toms_korber]

jazzzbo:
if you don't make any upgrades, the pickups won't be the same - regardless of what some people here might tell you...
Will there be a very notable difference? No - at least not as notable as the difference between black and white...

Ibaneezer:
what exactly would you get for similar dollars? Most likely not anything that's been made by Fuji Gen...
So the bursts are ugly and the woods aren't great either? Have you ever actually seen one in real life?

Nobody would have thought 10 or 20 years ago that any Ibanez guitar would ever fetch top $$$...


But guess what - I've been wrong may times before, too!   

[Juha T]

Hm, ... 

AG75's original pickups are ACH1/2 .

MIJ and  MIK Super58s exist, MIC Super 58 Customs exist. Who has seen MIC Super58s and on which guitar? Also I thought they exist but then ... ?

There are a lot of Fujigen made and other quality guitars for sale in the price range $800 - $1100 (starting bid - BIN of the Artcore United on eBay).

BTW, MIC AS103 is the best ES-335 type guitar in its price range. 

Juha

[toms_korber]

There are a lot of Fujigen made and other quality guitars for sale in the price range $800 - $1100 (starting bid - BIN of the Artcore United on eBay)

For $800 I'd gladly buy any mint or very good condition Fuji Gen-made AS100/200, JSM, GB or PM... 

MIC AS103 is the best ES-335 type guitar in its price range

it probably is -
but the United series are most likely the best jazz boxes/semis in their price range (ca. $1.300 ORP). If you don't believe me, believe the other people on this forum who have seen one in person...