Tesla_HV
Tele-Afflicted
There is a Ibanez AS83 hollow-body listed locally. Anyone have any experience with this guitar? It appears to be very much like a ES-335.
Ibanez AS83
- Thread starter Tesla_HV
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Tesla_HV
Tele-Afflicted
Yes, i owned one at some point. Nice guitar, but the parts were terrible. The goldplated Gibraltar bridge was peeling instantly, the pickups were microphonic. The neck is kinda thin.
The tuners were ok. Playability was great, as usual with ibanez. The sound was in the ballpark of a 335.
I'm actually considering buying one used, again.
The tuners were ok. Playability was great, as usual with ibanez. The sound was in the ballpark of a 335.
I'm actually considering buying one used, again.
Tesla_HV
Tele-Afflicted
Thanks for the response. What would you say that a typical used value would be?
I would pay 250 for one, people list for 350 though.
If you can find an older AS80, it is better. in my experience. From owning the AS80 and playing the AS83 in guitar center.
I liked the playability of the AS83 more than the Epiphone Dots (again, in guitar center)
ymmv
Actually I am thinking of the AS73
If you can find an older AS80, it is better. in my experience. From owning the AS80 and playing the AS83 in guitar center.
I liked the playability of the AS83 more than the Epiphone Dots (again, in guitar center)
ymmv
Actually I am thinking of the AS73
Tesla_HV
Tele-Afflicted
Yeah the one listed locally is for $375. I'll pass. It's not like I'm lacking for a guitar now. Thanks for the response.
The 83 is pretty much a 73 dressed for the ball, and trying to be a Gibson rather than an Epi Dot. And I hate 'gold' hardware.
But as I keep saying, lower end Ibby semis/hollows are a bloody good deal. No idea on US prices though.
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Bongocaster
Friend of Leo's
It kind of seems that Ibanez has gotten rid of a level on their hollows and semis. The step up with the inlays instead of dots and other nicey nices, but still with chrome instead of gold hardware. My AK85 is like that. Spruce top, wood bridge instead of tune-o-matic style. nicer tailpiece, nicer neck, nice inlays. But still has the chrome hardware which I prefer over the gold.
Like the still available, and not terribly expensive, AKJ95 you mean?
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Ibanez has got a large variety of hollows and semis, you should take a look at their website...
Thanks for damning my guitar with faint/no praise BTW. Classy
dog fart
Friend of Leo's
Thanks for damning my guitar with faint/no praise BTW. Classy
Oh that was just awful, I mean YUK! The only difference between that guitar and a trampoline is people take their shoes off before they jump on a trampoline
Something like that? Actually it's a fine looking guitar that's certainly better than any semi-hollow I've ever owned. I want to thank everyone for posting their semi-hollows. They have given me GAS for tones I don't have covered and I can't just run out and buy a 335. Now if I can just keep the names and numbers straight.
ReaL Madras
Tele-Afflicted
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gee.
Tele-Meister
I have an ibanez as83. I bought it about 2 years ago with a nice case and set up for about $350. It plays great. The build quality is Rock solid. I swapped out the pickups for dimarzio air classics and it just rings and sings. I put a tort pickguard on it and those rubberized knobs. Dressed it real nice. Getting ready to buy some new tuners for it although the stock ones aren't bad. It's one of my favorites. I mostly play jazz guitar on it. But if I crank up the amp with the bridge pickup I can get a nice Malcolm young-esque tone.
Bongocaster
Friend of Leo's
Like the still available, and not terribly expensive, AKJ95 you mean?
image removed
Ibanez has got a large variety of hollows and semis, you should take a look at their website...
Thanks for damning my guitar with faint/no praise BTW. Classy
Oops. I didn't mean to dis your fine guitar just reacting to your mention of our mutual dislike of gold hardware.
Meanwhile, Ibanez has different offerings for different countries and they definitely cut down on the number of models for the US a while ago. Haven't really looked lately.
I had a 70s Futura and this one. Ibanez makes the good stuff.
No harm, no foul. I was just messin'
Brit humour doesn't travel well, I really ought to remember that
vintage clubber
Friend of Leo's
I have an AS73 that I have upgraded/redone all of the electronics and dropped in a set of the Kent Armstrong hand wound Rory Gallagher series humbuckers. I'm very happy with it.
Jeff R
Tele-Holic
AF 175 which I paid $275 for new. It had sat in the shop for many years and they just wanted to clear it out. Plays great, I haven't changed a thing except strings on it. Don't have a Gibby or a hollow Gretsch to compare it too, but I lowered the pups and she works out just fine for me.
J. Hayes
Friend of Leo's
I've had an AS-83 for a couple of years now. i bought it used for around $250 or so and modified it a bit. I kept the original pickups but had it rewired with only one volume and tone control. The bottom two knobs I had replaced with "pull Pots" activating a coil tap and a phase switch. I also installed a Bigsby Palm Pedal string bending device. I also had an acess hole cut in the back with a Les Paul type cover plate for it so I could get to the pots easily without having to go through the F-holes. I'm on vacation in West Virginia at the Hampton Inn on their computer so I can't acess the "My Pictures" section of my computer or I'd post a picture of my guitar. If this thread is still going when I get home next week I'll post one....JH in va.
J. Hayes
Friend of Leo's
Here's a shot or two of my AS-83 with all the mods. I really like this guitar and it's a keeper for sure. The picture of the back with the access plate is actually of my Epi Sheraton but it's the same type of plate as on the Ibanez.....JH in Va.
Attachments
Tesla_HV
Tele-Afflicted
That appears to be the same color as the one listed locally. The one here is a hardtail and is still listed. I was actually hoping that it would sell and therefore would not continue to obsess and GAS for it.
Dismalhead
Doctor of Teleocity
Now that is one of the models to get. They don't make them anymore. They run about $600 used, and you see them occasionally up for sale. No upgrades necessary, and you'll be making beautiful music for a lifetime.
I think the AS153 is the modern equivalent, and they run about $1K new.
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