To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

[Nostalgic Distortion]

,

So I'm considering buying this, the guy wanted $600 originally but I've got him down to about $450 now. It's a 97, in essentially perfect condition, comes in the original hard case, and aside from some Hipshot open tuners completely stock.

I've been wanting another Semi-Hollow to take some of the workload off my Gibson. If this is anything like the ones I've played it's build quality will be about the same, (or better in a lot of cases) it just won't hold its value as well. To be honest I could really care less about the re-sale value, I just want a great player for not too much money.....

Here's the thing, I've shuffled my guitar collection quite a bit over the past year and I currently have all my bases covered guitar wise aside for a Strat which is kinda weird for me because the Stratocaster has been a mainstay for me pretty much since I started playing!

I don't know if I should grab this while I can & buy a Strat later, or if I should find myself a decent MIM now to mod the PI$$ out of!!! If I buy the IBANEZ I will probably end up putting in a Custom bridge and P.G.N. neck? Whenever I find myself with several hours to fish wires through F-ING F-holes that is!!!!

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

There will practically always be a Strat out there,methinks...

If it'll keep teh Gibby from getting banged up,all the better.

.02

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

There will practically always be a Strat out there,methinks...

If it'll keep teh Gibby from getting banged up,all the better.

.02

That's kinda my thought process as well...

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

Those Ibanez' are players. Can sound as good as most any ES-335, IME.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

I have a MIK Ibanez AS-120TR in addition to my three 335s, and I could honestly make the case that the Ibby is a better-made guitar than the Gibson. I love the Super 58 pickups and would not change them.

I think his price is a bit high: I paid $400 for my used AS-120 in 2003, though I had to buy an aftermarket SKB case. So...??? Only real difference is the level of bling on the AS-120.

But I would say....if your Gibson is your Number One guitar, then you definitely need a Number One-A...a guitar so similar to it that you would haze zero problems if your main guitar went down and you had a gig that night. My Number One is a G&L Legacy and I've got several of them...all set up the same though a couple have different pickups. And even with some great Les Pauls and 335s, I would absolutely dread having to play a four-hour gig with just one of my Gibsons. Grab a Number One-A FIRST and THEN diversify.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

Alright so after talking with the seller some more I decided against buying that particular guitar. He was a little evasive when I was asking questions about the guitar's action & although I'm sure it wasn't awful I was looking for a yes or no answer & he just wouldn't give me one?

I did end up buying something though!!! It's not neither of the for mentioned guitars but definitely pretty darn cool & something I've had my eye on for a while now!!!!



My new 2015 Korina Reverend Volcano!!! It's pobably about the closest thing to a Korina V I'll ever be able to afford (at least one that doesn't say Epiphone on the headstock) & if it's anything like my other Reverend's the build the will be just as good or better anyway!!!

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

M'kay,then...

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy???? 97 IBANEZ ARTSTAR AS-80

You are the Gasmaster.