Ibanez AS153: Opinions?

[Fhede]

Hey bodies!
I have my eyes in a AS153.
I am a happy owner of an AS73 (upgraded with a DM Air Classic Set.
I guess that the quality of the 153 is clearly higher than the 73, and about the tone? The necks have different woods.
Is the AS153 a High-level guitar or is a mid-level axe?
Should I keep the AS73 or go for the AS153? What do you think?
Thanks guys!

 

[Mark the Moose]

I have an as83 (older model replaced by as93) with some upgrades. There seems to be a large jump in quality from the 73 to the 83/93, but I don’t know how much you would notice the change in quality above that. If it was me, I’d ditch the 73 and spend an extra $100 for a used as93, OR if you’re going to spend big just get a Gibson or Heritage.

 

[3-Chord-Genius]

I never met an Ibanez Artcore guitar that I didn't think was fantabulous.

 

[Tonetele]

Good choice. ibanez have made great guitars for decades.
I had an Ibanez Artist in the 80s and stupid me sold it.

 

[boredguy6060]

I’ve been a huge fan of Ibanez since the 70’s. There are many posts here where I have strongly recommended Ibanez products over their competitors.

The AS -153 is gorgeous and no doubt sounds as good as it looks, and you should dive on it ASAP.
The 3 piece neck with ebony fingerboard, the Super 58 pickups, the beautiful flame maple top, is just stunning.
Don’t be distracted by all the jabber about the Super 58 pickups, they’re fantastic and if you don’t agree, they’re easy enough to change.
Good luck
I’m envious.

 

[DugT]

I think it totally depends on how cheap you can get the AS153. Would you be able to try it before you buy it?

You might also see if you can get an even better deal on an Ibanez AR series guitar. They are the solid body version so they are heavier but they are easier to work on.

 

[Tonetele]

P.S. They even made a "lawsuit" Les Paul that John Fogerty used for an entire concert ( only bringing out his Gibson Black Beauty for the encore.)Saw him in '73. We used to get the exact same guitar for $160 AUD. Now they're worth ten times that. I know as I'm looking.
Ibanez were a Spanish company bought out by Fuji -Gen who made Burny, Greco, Tokai and Fernadez. All good guitars.Check out eBay and you'l be amazed at the prices/value of these guitars.

 

[Guitarteach]

Try before you buy..

 

[raysachs]

I really like the ebony fretboards on the higher level Artstars and the pickups are a bit of an upgrade, but the AS 73 is already such a fine guitar I think you might be underwhelmed by the difference. I’d see if I could play the AS 153 and see if you can feel or hear enough of a difference to matter...

 

[Dismalhead]

A few years ago when I was into semi-hollows and hollows I researched them. The AS153 is a great guitar.

 

[Fhede]

Thanx for your comments.
My AS73 costs USD 450.
The AS153 costs USD 900.
(Argentine cheap prices)

 

[boredguy6060]

Perhaps you don’t hear the difference between the As73 and the AS153 that justifies the price difference, but there is something to be said for the beauty of the instrument.
Personally I enjoy and appreciate the features of the guitar that just add beauty.
I know it doesn’t make it sound better, or play better, but I never get tired of just enjoying the beauty.
But, that’s just me, everyone can decide for themselves.

 

[Fhede]

I think it totally depends on how cheap you can get the AS153. Would you be able to try it before you buy it?

You might also see if you can get an even better deal on an Ibanez AR series guitar. They are the solid body version so they are heavier but they are easier to work on.

I already have a AR300 1980!

And my AS73 and my princess

 

[DugT]

I already have a AR300 1980!

View attachment 618821

And my AS73 and my princess
View attachment 618822

Do those two guitars sound real similar?

 

[Mike Stone]

I had an AS-153 for a few years. It was fantastic. The only semi that could beat it was my current Gibson Custom Shop 335. The Ibanez felt better than all the regular production Gibson I tried!

This is the 335. I’d say get the Ibanez if you don’t wanna pay 5k

 

[Fhede]

Do those two guitars sound real similar?

No, they are different. I will record home-video to show you as soon as I install the pickups in the AR300. In the pic the AR300 has a Seth Lover set, I will try an Antiquity set and a Klein Duke set.

 

[Fhede]

I had an AS-153 for a few years. It was fantastic. The only semi that could beat it was my current Gibson Custom Shop 335. The Ibanez felt better than all the regular production Gibson I tried!

This is the 335. I’d say get the Ibanez if you don’t wanna pay 5k

View attachment 618827

That 335 is perfect!

 

[boredguy6060]

In 1978 I was going to Musicians Institute in Hollywood part time.
Just down the street was a Guitar Center. They were having their annual Green Tag Sale.
The Ibanez Artist EQ was regularly $499.99, but the Green Tag Sale was everything that had a green tag was 50% off.
So I bought the Artist EQ in a Violinburst for $250.00.
The EQ feature was horrible, it was suppose to be a volume boost, but the excessive noise that it added made it useless to me.
Everything else about it was beautiful, the nicest guitar I’d ever owned at that point.
Ibanez use to alway have the inner back page of Guitar Player magazine.
For several years whenever I’d get a copy I first flipped to the back page, and for at least a year or more the Artist EQ model was on the back page.
I drooled over that guitar with its smooth transition neckjoint and the MOP/ Abalone neck inlays for a couple of years.
When I finally was able to purchase it, I thought I was in heaven. I couldn’t afford a case for it and it was a little tacky to carry it around without a case. But I had to at least show it to my personal instructor at my next session, but several kids I passed in the hallway stopped me to get a good look.
That wasn’t my first Ibanez, but I was so jazzed to finally own one.

 

[bumnote]

I have a 2017 Ibanez JSM10...which is very similar to the AS153. It's a fantastic guitar. The only real mod I did was change out the stock tuners, they weren't bad...but I found some Gotoh tuners at a good price. I did change the switch tip and pickup rings to black, but obviously that's only for appearance.
The fret ends on my JSM10 are the best of any guitar I own. I actually like the stock pups, they may get swapped someday, only because I have custom wound Duncans sitting around gathering dust. I do have a "Golden Era" 1981 Ibanez AM50, think Gibson 339, and the JSM10 is very comparable to it. The current Super 58's aren't a bad, low attempt to replicate the real thing. They're close.
A few month back I bought a Gibson 335 Traditional, and sent it back. The 335 was perfect, but I couldn't justify owning that and the JSM10...I'm not that good of a player. Some of the parts of the Gibson were made with higher quality parts...tuners, pots and pickups, but the level workmanship that went into in the 2 guitars were equal. The finish is perfect, just not nitro, the fret board is a slick great feeling ebony, and the flame top is grit looking. The shortcomings of the JSM are easily overcome, CTS metric pots, swap out he tuners and maybe the pickups (matter of individual tastes) and it's half the cost of the 335.

 

[Henry Mars]

I would try it first. Then I would go for it. One of the best players and the best value in its price range. I'm holding out for an AS200.