love for the Ibie Artcores?

Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

Just decent IMO, but better than most low-end archtop guitars. I like that they offered a non-cutaway archtop for a time, both with and without a pickup. But that model didn't last long, of course. I'll be getting the Godin acoustic f-hole guitar in the near future, because I cannot find that Ibanez readily on the used market.

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Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

Haven't played many semi-hollows, but I have played these, and all I can say is, it felt real nice. (no jokes)
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I had both a AS-73 in trans cherry, and an AK-85 in antique violin. Traded them both for an Artstar model (AS120) that I thought was superior to both of them, but they were great for what they were.

They just came out with this model, which is a throwback to the original design of the late 70s and early 80s. Ibanez did these smaller semi hollows long before Gibson came out with theirs.

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Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I really like the idea of them...but in reality, I just don't feel them. But they are cool guitars. Can't hate. It's just me.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I like them, but it's never an enthusiastic "wow! I want one now" response. They sound good. They look nice. They're good for a budget. I'm in that funk now where the money is just NEVER there for a real guitar. :(

So it may be a looooong time before I get another one. Better to wait than get an "eh" guitar.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

yeh they are decent.
But the Ibanez artists from the late 70s early 80s....they are serious guitars.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

Love mine! Wonderful guitar considering I payed like $175 for it new...Had some very small blemishes(Have to look hard for them)...Then converted it over to some Duncans,better bridge,bone nut,new wiring,Grovers...

59 A2 Bridge and a Jazz Neck...

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Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I had a full-hollow, and it was amazing. I sold it a while ago, and now I want another. I noticed that even the cheaper Artcores are made well, and they sound great. Before I bought mine, I compared hollow and semi-hollow guitars from a wide range of manufacturers and prices, and the cheapest Artcore was my favorite.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I had a full-hollow, and it was amazing. I sold it a while ago, and now I want another. I noticed that even the cheaper Artcores are made well, and they sound great. Before I bought mine, I compared hollow and semi-hollow guitars from a wide range of manufacturers and prices, and the cheapest Artcore was my favorite.

I really wanted a lefty Gibson Dot 335,but this Artcore was just too much of a great deal to pass up..I no longer want the Gibson and this fills my semi-hollow body needs..Actually a nice sounding and playing guitar(surprized me)..I play it alot and find it tonally very versatile..Tonally more versatlile than my LP and SG.

Couldn't afford the Gibson anyway..
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

Yeah, when I was shopping around, I kept my price limit at $1000, but I tested out Gibsons, Gretches, Ibanezes, and Epiphones ranging from $200 to $8000, just to compare. In terms of tone and price, the $300 Artcore was the winner. I was always attracted to the idea of getting an Epiphone Dot and upgrading, but the Ibanez looked like a much better platform.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I've played a couple that I really liked, but never pulled the trigger on one.

I REALLY like my MIK ArtSTAR AS-120 though. Excellent guitar. I like the Super '58s as they have a nice vintage tone. I have a Gibson ES-335, too...but in all honesty, the workmanship on the Artstar is better.

Bill
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I've got a couple; a blonde AF105 with a pair of '59's, and an ebony AF75 with DMz's. Both are fully hollow. No complaints here.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

A friend of mine has an AS73 I think it is, set it up for him last night.

It's a nice guitar, nothing truly outstanding about it I think, but it's a good guitar.

I do have one complain: The stock pickups.
I was expecting an open, clear sound.
Instead they're really honky and nasal. Just a bad fit.

I hope my buddy drops some '59s on it someday. I'm talking him into it.
It should be an enormous improvement.
 
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Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

A friend of mine has an AS73 I think it is, set it up for him last night.

It's a nice guitar, nothing truly outstanding about it I think, but it's a good guitar.

I do have one complain: The stock pickups.
I was expecting an open, clear sound.
Instead they're really honky and nasal. Just a bad fit.

I hope my buddy drops some '59s on it someday. I'm talking him into it.
It should be an enormous improvement.

Yeah the bridge pickup was ceramic with a 16k reading...The neck was also ceramic and had a lower reading...I'm really liking a 59 A2 in the bridge and a Jazz N in mine.The stock pickups were nothing to write home about and I agree.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I think, consider the few i have played it falls out like this:

Epiphones run a range from awful to awesome. Just have to find the awesome one.

The artcores i've played were never aweful, yet never awesome.
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

I think, consider the few i have played it falls out like this:

Epiphones run a range from awful to awesome. Just have to find the awesome one.

The artcores i've played were never aweful, yet never awesome.

I agree with you...I installed a new nut and got the neck setup nice for my playing style...Took also the better pickups,ditched the crappy mini pots,new bridge...Sucks that the controls are up under my arm,but I've learned to deal with it...Only cause I scored mine for like half the price on Flea Bay...Thought it was gonna blow up,was so cheap(inexpensive)... ;o)
 
Re: love for the Ibie Artcores?

+1 for Ace's assessment. That's exactly it. They're consistant.

I don't think it's like my SZ for instance, which I truly think it's an exceptional guitar that punches WAAAY above it's price,
and quite a few axes in the SZ series were like this, while some apparently weren't.
Apparently there were a few lemons. Never had one of those in my hands.

I've compared mine to nearly 15 guitars from Korea, Japan and even two Gibson Les Paul Studios from the US of A.
My SZ320 sounds and plays better than all of them.
 
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