NGD - Ibanez Artcore as53 TKF

[weepingminotaur]

I think this usually retails new for about $400 USD? It was used at the music store where my kid takes voice lessons, but in great shape. Got them down from their price of $355 to $296 (well, I'm in Canada, so it was in Canadian dollars, but I'm listing everything here in USD equivalent). Funded it further by selling a couple of DiMarzio pickups I wasn't using to my local guitar store earlier in the week.

Took it home and plugged in just now. Actually pretty well-setup, and the strings look and feel new-ish. Just needed a tuning (obviously) and will need a cleaning in days ahead. Otherwise, the stock Infinite pups sound better than I expected. This will be strictly for jazz, so I was pleased that my basic "Summertime" and "Black Orpheus" and "All Blues" chords sounded suitably rounded and mellow. Soloing was enjoyable. I expect I will swap out the pups eventually for some Phat Cat Silencers (or maybe some Seth Lovers?), but for now, it feels good to have a semihollow, even if it's a budget guitar.

 

[ICTGoober]

I have a blonde AS-73 which plays as nice as the Ibanez Lee Ritenour I had back in the 80's. Loaded with Antiquities, it sounds incredibly sweet - but you needn't put in something that high dollar.

 

[Mincer]

Cool guitar, and good choice of songs for the first songs, too!

 

[Securb]

I have always been interested in those. Beautiful guitar with a minimalistic design.

 

[weepingminotaur]

I have a blonde AS-73 which plays as nice as the Ibanez Lee Ritenour I had back in the 80's. Loaded with Antiquities, it sounds incredibly sweet - but you needn't put in something that high dollar.

Yeah, Antiquities would be amazing, but a bit pricey for a budget guitar. But hey, Phat Cat Silencers aren't that much cheaper either.

 

[weepingminotaur]

I have always been interested in those. Beautiful guitar with a minimalistic design.

Yeah, I'd been eyeing this one for months. Waiting at the store while my kid had voice lessons, I pulled it down off the wall a couple times and played it unplugged. It sounded good and felt good too. Nice smooth neck. Will probably throw some 11-50 Chromes on there but that won't happen for a while. I want to play the current strings, since they're actually in decent shape...

 

[Artie]

Interesting color. I love those thin body Ibby's. Nice score.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, Antiquities would be amazing, but a bit pricey for a budget guitar. But hey, Phat Cat Silencers aren't that much cheaper either.

Even a set of 59s would be fantastic.

 

[Artie]

Even a set of 59s would be fantastic.

59's are SO underrated.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Even a set of 59s would be fantastic.

How do you think they'd do for jazz? That's pretty much going to be the only thing I play on this guitar.

 

[jeremy]

id think theyd do quite well for jazz. usually its the neck pup for that kinda thing. not many playing jazz on a bridge pup that ive seen unless it goes into fusion

 

[weepingminotaur]

id think theyd do quite well for jazz. usually its the neck pup for that kinda thing. not many playing jazz on a bridge pup that ive seen unless it goes into fusion

Oh for sure. I don't think I've spent more than a minute on the bridge pup since I bought this guitar. It's neck all the way. Maybe middle if I want a bit more bit occasionally.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, a 59 or Alnico II Pro for Jazz would be great. If you can find a deal, an Antiquity or Seth Lover would be fantastic, too. But I was trying to stay on the cheaper end.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Hmm. I might just go 59. I have a 59 neck in a Les Paul and I'm not happy with it there. When cash becomes available, I may order a Jazz neck and a 59 bridge. Jazz would go into LP, both 59s would go into Artcore.