Need Advise on AF200

[Joao (Joao)]

 Dear all guitarists,

I'm a Jazz Guitar beginner learner.Recently, think to buy my first Jazz Guitar. Any one can tell me more detail information and comment about AF200, is it good for the beginner? And any other good suggestion (Price should be around US$700-1500). In my town, AF200 sell price is US$1200, is it reasonable?

Joao

[Funkle (Funkle)]

 Joao

This would certainly make a fine instrument for a beginner, maybe a little overkill, but I guess you can never have too good of a guitar.

$1200 sounds good for a new AF200. I've seen them go used for $600-800. The AF200 is is a fairly high end Japanese made jazz box, comparable in quality and cosmetics to the signature models (Benson or Metheny).

I searched the market pretty thoroughly for a jazz box in the $600 range, and what I found were a lot of similar guitars, all made by Samick in Korea. I think the best of the lot was the Korean made Ibanez AF120, available for $600-800, it is the same size as the  AF200, and although it is $100+ more than the other Samick made boxes, it has better sounding pickups, and it seems to hold its value really well,. The Washburn J6 stood out as well, mainly because of the beautiful quilted sycamore finish.

I think the used market is worth pursuing as well. There are some great old Ibanez jazz guitars out there. The 175 copies made in the 70s and 80s are readily available for around $600-800 and are highly regarded. There are also the much rarer L5 copies, which go for about twice that. I am VERY happy with my $400 FG100 - I think this is a real sleeper - it is in the league of Ibanez models costing 2-4 times as much, it hasn't caught on yet with the collectors.

-Sven

[Johns (Johns)]

 Joao:

I have an '88 AF200. At home, I play it the most of any of my guitars. That's because it has very good acoustic sound and is perfect for practicing without an amp.  

The neck is very similar to the other Artist guitars that I love to play (AS200, etc.), so practicing on the AF does not create a "feel" problem when switching to the @!## or ARs.  

Unfortunately, playing it mostly unplugged puts me at a disadvantage in being able to recommend it's electric qualities. I can say that it's loud. I've never had it turned up loud enough to feedback. But I've never used it in a jam with someone else, either.

I got mine for $670.00 US on ebay in May of 2001. It's in 9.0+ condition with an excellent hardshell case. I saw a used one at a recent guitar show (June '02) and the dealer was asking $1100.00 for it.  

Having said all that, I wouldn't pay $1200 for anything for a beginner. If you paid that much and gave it up, I think you'd have a hard time getting your money back. However, if you really want to spend $1200.00 you could probably find a '78-82 George Benson model, play it for a year and if you decided to sell it, get what you paid.

[Johns (Johns)]

Funkle:

You got a great deal on the FG100. Here's a nice one, but the Buy It Now price is not encouraging for someone after a deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=908312662

I still don't understand why they never offered an FG200 with some extra MOP and gold hardware.

[Joao (Joao)]

 Thanks Johns and Funkle,

Thank you ver much on yours advises. I jsut think that if i spend a US$1200 to buy a middle class jazz guitar, then i can use it a long time.  
And In my town (I'm come from Hong Kong). It is very difficult to find a used guitar.(especially jazz guitar). How I can found a used jazz guitar.

Joao

[Funkle (Funkle)]

 If you are willing to buy sight unseen, you could find something on eBay and inquire if the seller would ship internationally. You might want to check with some carriers and inquire about shipping costs, insurance, and duties/taxes.

-funkle

[Johns (Johns)]

 Joao:

Using the Utilities menu, on the left, do a Keyword Search on "Hong Kong" or just "Kong". You'll find messages from one or two persons in that area. You could email them and ask how they've been able to find and buy guitars.

Hope this helps.