An AF75 BS-12-01 model I bought new. Strictly a beater guitar that sounded muddy and dull out of the box. I took it to Mike Lull in Bellevue, Washington. He and his team stripped it down to the smallest detail and reworked it from the top down. New everything. I wanted a sound that was unique and I got a pretty good tone for the outlay. New tuning keys, nut, frets, pickups (Gibson humbuckers), pots, wiring, 3P switch, jack. Plays very clean now through all areas of the neck. No hits, no misses. My question is; How many of these guitars are there and who else has taken time to clean one up? I'd like to play this M.L. Ibanez through my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King 2 x 12 against a Gibson ES-175, just to compare. I've listened to an ES-175 before and they are sweet. However, my Ibanez now reminds me of the licks Santana plays as well as Lindsey Buckingham. Anyone else reworked an Artcore?
I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
- Thread starter Alioli49
- Start date
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
Pictures or it never happened.
Pictures or it never happened.
El Dunco
Sock Supplier to RHCP
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
I have a Les Paul style Ibanez Artist Series. I don't think it's quite the same as the Artcore. I thought it was a steal for a set neck slab of mahogany with nice aesthetics and it is more comfortable than the Gibsons. There is nothing dull about it besides the stock pickups but who keeps those? A Duncan Distortion, '59 and some locking tuners later and you would never have guessed I scored it for under $200.
I have a Les Paul style Ibanez Artist Series. I don't think it's quite the same as the Artcore. I thought it was a steal for a set neck slab of mahogany with nice aesthetics and it is more comfortable than the Gibsons. There is nothing dull about it besides the stock pickups but who keeps those? A Duncan Distortion, '59 and some locking tuners later and you would never have guessed I scored it for under $200.
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
I had one of those years ago but I really liked the stock pups. What eventually moved it on down the road was realizing a big hollowbody was uncomfortable on my small frame, at the time. Maybe things would be different, now, but I don't know. It was an AG95 or whatever they called the ones with the florentine cutaway 10yrs ago.
Glad you got yours sorted out.
I had one of those years ago but I really liked the stock pups. What eventually moved it on down the road was realizing a big hollowbody was uncomfortable on my small frame, at the time. Maybe things would be different, now, but I don't know. It was an AG95 or whatever they called the ones with the florentine cutaway 10yrs ago.
Glad you got yours sorted out.
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BriGuy1968
New member
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
I just picked up a 2005 Artcore AS83 this year. I haven't done any work to it yet, but I love how it feels and plays. The ACH pickups aren't horrible, but they don't do anything to excite me either... so those will eventually be coming out. I'm thinking a nut change is coming too, along with switching to '50s style wiring. Other than that, I feel like it's a good, solid foundation.
Funny how a good setup and some tweaks can take a guitar from "meh" to "sweet!" Glad it worked so well for you!
I just picked up a 2005 Artcore AS83 this year. I haven't done any work to it yet, but I love how it feels and plays. The ACH pickups aren't horrible, but they don't do anything to excite me either... so those will eventually be coming out. I'm thinking a nut change is coming too, along with switching to '50s style wiring. Other than that, I feel like it's a good, solid foundation.
Funny how a good setup and some tweaks can take a guitar from "meh" to "sweet!" Glad it worked so well for you!
Artie
Peaveyologist
DirtyBluesBoy
New member
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
I have an AS73 (ES-335 copy) and I love it. Haven't given it the makeover you have. But I can honestly say it's the most comfortable guitar I've ever played. I switched out the stock pups to a set of P-rails and now the baby sings. I'm going to continue to spruce it up as I can afford to. I'm thinking I'm going to put a bigsby on it. But I'd rather have a bunch of Ibanez guitars than one gibson. This is my main electric.
I have an AS73 (ES-335 copy) and I love it. Haven't given it the makeover you have. But I can honestly say it's the most comfortable guitar I've ever played. I switched out the stock pups to a set of P-rails and now the baby sings. I'm going to continue to spruce it up as I can afford to. I'm thinking I'm going to put a bigsby on it. But I'd rather have a bunch of Ibanez guitars than one gibson. This is my main electric.
BriGuy1968
New member
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
When you pick up your instrument you want to feel inspired to play.
If it does that for you, it's a good guitar.
When you pick up your instrument you want to feel inspired to play.
If it does that for you, it's a good guitar.
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jtougas
New member
Re: I am driving an Ibanez "Artcore"
I've got one of those, too, and I love it.
I also have one of the red ART-100s, in the same vein as Beer$'s axe... great guitar for the money.
I've got one of those, too, and I love it.
I also have one of the red ART-100s, in the same vein as Beer$'s axe... great guitar for the money.
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