Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

[Slim Bobbins]

Hi all, I have a nice AS73 being delivered to me today. Have a graphtech 6010 nut that will be going on next. I am a Beatles type of player sound wise, not musically lol mainly rhythm. I just nabbed a neck 36th Anniversary PAF DiMarzio DP103BK with a nickel cover . Not even delivered yet. I was going to pair with another 36th bridge. Have read excellent things about the Air Classic for a slightly more Beatles vibe. Not opposed to selling this 36th neck for something else. Have heard Seth Lovers are amazing but not really in my immediate price range. Hoping to invite some input. Thanks.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

I have a nice AS73 myself..... Antiquities made it a keeper.

 

[freefrog]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

Hi,

May I suggest to fit it with a Gotoh GE103 bridge? It has improved the resonance of an AS73 that I've modified.

If I had to use an AS73 as a "Beatles sound machine", I'd personally mount Filter'Tron style HB's rather than PAF variations. Or I'd pair the PAF's with a VariTone (a properly wired one with a beefy inductor) because IME, it's a good way to obtain Beatles style sounds.

FWIW, I've also tried Rowe / De Armond vintage single coils in an AS73 : such PU's have a nice "cheap vintage tone" à la Beatles in this guitar IMHO.

Whatever is your choice, good luck in your mod...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

Welcome to the forum!

I never really recommend changing pickups right away- you might change your mind if you have to 'correct' a tonal issue with the guitar- too bright/dark, etc.

 

[Slim Bobbins]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

Hi,

May I suggest to fit it with a Gotoh GE103 bridge? It has improved the resonance of an AS73 that I've modified.

If I had to use an AS73 as a "Beatles sound machine", I'd personally mount Filter'Tron style HB's rather than PAF variations. Or I'd pair the PAF's with a VariTone (a properly wired one with a beefy inductor) because IME, it's a good way to obtain Beatles style sounds.

FWIW, I've also tried Rowe / De Armond vintage single coils in an AS73 : such PU's have a nice "cheap vintage tone" à la Beatles in this guitar IMHO.

Whatever is your choice, good luck in your mod...

For 25 bucks, referencing the Gotoh GE103 bridge, I'm certainly down. Hunting the right one now on the bay. Did you do any tuner swaps out?

 

[Slim Bobbins]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

Welcome to the forum!

I never really recommend changing pickups right away- you might change your mind if you have to 'correct' a tonal issue with the guitar- too bright/dark, etc.

Nah I will be modding it. New graphtech 6010 nut, 36th Anniversary PUPs, new harness plus orange caps. Then whatever other trouble I can find like the gotoh bridge piece. Just got done crazy gluing the neck some to fill in some voids and dents from time and wear.

 

[freefrog]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

For 25 bucks, referencing the Gotoh GE103 bridge, I'm certainly down. Hunting the right one now on the bay. Did you do any tuner swaps out?

I've mounted temporarily a set of "tulip" Gotoh tuners then a set of vintage style keystone's but the overall resonance suffered of it. This guitar needed only a new bridge.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Ibenez Artcore AS73 Humbuckers Upgrade Pickups

Which era of the Beatles?