Ibanez Artcore AS73

[STRATDELUXER97]

Guys I got a killer deal on one of these brand new for $235....I'm sure I'm going to want to upgrade the pots,the pickups,and 3 way switch...My question though....Do the small shaft CTS 500k pots work,or will I need the longer LP types? I'd like to maybe order and have the stuff I need...

I'm thinking about sticking a Jazz in the neck and a 59B in the bridge,but I will first convert the nut and bridge intonation over so it's left handed...I only grabbed this because it was almost half price and I don't currently own anything in the styles or vibe of a 335..

I Like the idea of maybe using a 250k pot for the bridge pickup after reading through some other posts from you all...

Even at $400,this guitar seems to get great reviews...

 

[tenniso]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

love it. i'd like to have one, with a dimarzio 36th set.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

love it. i'd like to have one, with a dimarzio 36th set.

For the price,I just had to grab it! Normally I'll only buy a left handed instrument,but this one is doable with it's double cutaways....I may leave the stock jack in place and move it to the other lower end of the guitar,so I don't have to fight with the guitar cable...But maybe not? I need to get the guitar and get it setup for left handed and then take the next baby steps... ;o)

Inexpensive Ibanez made in China,but what the heck...If it sucks,I'm sure I could at least get my money back out of it..

 

[Kam]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

That's a beauty, man. Congrats.

I played a right-handed bass for a long, long time with the jack pretty much where that one is and it never gave me any trouble at all. Though, judging by your avatar, I play slung a good bit lower than you so 'your milage' and all that guff.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Those are mega sweet guitars John, congradsd and enjoy!

In answer to your question, you need short shaft pots.

FWIW, I'd give the stock set up a shot for a week or so...those pickups are a lot better than most people think. If you do decide to change I'd also stay with 500k pots all around and maybe a set of 59's...that'd be a great set in that guitar!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Way Cool! Congrats John! I'm back to playing a 335 again. After playing a 335 style guitar for a while, solid body guitars start sounding as flat and unresonant as a plank! lol! Here's a pic of my man Otis Rush playing his rightie lefty...a little inspiration for ya!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Way Cool! Congrats John! I'm back to playing a 335 again. After playing a 335 style guitar for a while, solid body guitars start sounding as flat and unresonant as a plank! lol! Here's a pic of my man Otis Rush playing his rightie lefty...a little inspiration for ya!

YES!

Otis is the man!!!

I was listening to some live Otis Rush just this morning.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Thanks for posting guys....Christian I don't currently have a 59N and that's what I wanted,but maybe I can trade for one,though sometimes the 59N is boomy? You know I've ran into this issue on either my SG or my Tokai Love Rock...Maybe the Jazz Neck is a better choice in this guitar? I do plan on first converting it to lefty,and then we'll listen and evaluate as far as what it lacks or doesn't...That makes the most sense...

Lew awesome and I forgot about Otis....Thanks for that!

Kam....I'll try the jack in it's stock location first so I don't have to drill that extra hole..

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Beautiful guitar John. I'm not much on suggestions for hollow bodies, but I have heard that regular 59's can sound boomy in the neck. Maybe with an A2 mag it might be better, or even an A3. Never played a Jazz, so I can't really comment.

Whatever you do to it, it will be great.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Beautiful guitar John. I'm not much on suggestions for hollow bodies, but I have heard that regular 59's can sound boomy in the neck. Maybe with an A2 mag it might be better, or even an A3. Never played a Jazz, so I can't really comment.

Whatever you do to it, it will be great.

Thanks Jeff...appreciate that...

Well the fix for one of my 59N pickups before,was to switch to A4 and I shortened the bottom length of the screws...I'd prefer not doing it that way again...Since I do have a JazzN maybe it would be worth trying out? I've not used this pickup in several years,so don't remember alot about it? The 59s just seem to work in most guitars and alot of styles can be covered with em..

 

[vegetablejoe]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Wow, what a gorgeous color! And at a great price! Congrats!

I've had a AS73 and AS83 and tried Antiquities, Seths and P-94's in them. Those two A2 sets could use a bit more definition on the lower strings. I currently have a AM73 (smaller-size semi-hollow) with A2Pros which sounds great, although it is a more modern (hi-fi?) sound than the other two vintage-voiced sets. Am still looking for the correct pickup height on this one; may need to bring down the lower end a bit.

I've only briefly tried '59's in a friend's LP, but if the 59N is characterized as boomy in a solidbody, the characteristic may be even more accentuated in a semi-hollow.

My latest toy is a Pearly Gates set in my LP. Although I'm still in the honeymoon stage with this one, I'm starting to believe the PGn would work even better in a semi-hollow. Clarity without the boominess.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

Wow, what a gorgeous color! And at a great price! Congrats!

I've had a AS73 and AS83 and tried Antiquities, Seths and P-94's in them. Those two A2 sets could use a bit more definition on the lower strings. I currently have a AM73 (smaller-size semi-hollow) with A2Pros which sounds great, although it is a more modern (hi-fi?) sound than the other two vintage-voiced sets. Am still looking for the correct pickup height on this one; may need to bring down the lower end a bit.

I've only briefly tried '59's in a friend's LP, but if the 59N is characterized as boomy in a solidbody, the characteristic may be even more accentuated in a semi-hollow.

My latest toy is a Pearly Gates set in my LP. Although I'm still in the honeymoon stage with this one, I'm starting to believe the PGn would work even better in a semi-hollow. Clarity without the boominess.

Thanks for posting....I've had some definate boomy issues with the 59N and my thought was the same as yours....might be "really" boomy in this guitar? I have this kinda gut feeling from years of playing,switching pickups,magnets and so on,that the Jazz N might be really nice...I think the 59B is a no-brainer and works in most guitars...I also feel the the A5 in the bridge of a guitar like this would keep the jangle,retain note clarity,and have a tighter low end,though I also like an A2 in the bridge...I have a set of Seths in my LP and love em,so really depends on the guitar...This guitar has a body(I think)of mostly maple and maple tends to be a bit toppy and snappy...

I've not read too many bad reviews about the pickups themselves,but mostly about the mini pots and the crappy switch....If I get inside the guitar,I'm going to want to change the electronics all together,maybe do the 50s wiring,better caps,pickups etc...I have most of these items here and basically I would just be out new pots,knobs,and a 3 way switch..

 

[vegetablejoe]

Re: Ibanez Artcore AS73

iirc, the stock pickups are decent enough when played clean; just not inspiring when overdriven... nothing like the moan and groan I get when bending lower strings with SD A2 pickups...

...
I've not read too many bad reviews about the pickups themselves,but mostly about the mini pots and the crappy switch...