NGD - 1981 Ibanez Artist AS-50

[WilburBufferson]

I've been on the hunt for a semi-hollow 335-style guitar for a while now. Picked this up a few weeks ago and I have to say it is one of the most responsive guitars I've ever played. I checked under the hood when I gave her a quick setup on the weekend, and it has the famed Super 58 pickups in it. They are bright, in a GREAT way. The only thing this guitar is missing is a Varitone (always wanted one) but I'll probably leave it stock. Why mess with a good thing?

 

[naveed211]

Beautiful, I love the Super 58s and MIJ Ibanez in general.

Enjoy!

 

[SamIV]

Hard to beat some of the Ibanez guitars. I own 4. And its a beautiful plain top to boot.

 

[brookdalebill]

Very cool!

 

[6stringcowboy]

My AS83 pushed it's way right to #1 and isn't giving any indications it won't be there for a long time. I added a Bigsby B6/Towner Tension Bar, a TruArc Serpentune bridge, and some P90s w/treble bleeds on the vol pots. I think the neck is what keeps me going to this guitar.

Congratulations on your AS50, the Ibanez AS line is top level bang for the buck!

 

[Dan R]

It's hard to believe that guitar is 40 years old. Somebody took very good care of it. Great score!

 

[tah1962]

Beautiful guitar! Congratulations.

 

[Dan German]

Nice!

 

[Jakedog]

Great guitar! Congrats!

 

[WilburBufferson]

Thanks for the kind words. Apparently the guitar sat in the case for a decade or more, and was rarely played by the owner who preferred to use other guitars live. Here are some more pictures. I didn't notice this until I took the strings off, but the fretboard is patchy. Could just be the woodgrain? They are not divots. Anyone seen this before? Also, the label was signed. I did some googling and found only one reference to this person signing a guitar of this era. Still bit of a mystery.

 

[6stringcowboy]

I'd wager that some lemon oil would even out the coloring on your fret board. Great example of this model!

 

[schmee]

That's an '81? Wow nice shape.
Frets dont look very smooth, I'd polish those up.
Yeah, maybe just oil that fretboard, you could smooth it up a bit if you want but it's a bit of a pain doing it.

 

[Henley]

Nice guitar, I'm sure it will play quite well....the fretboard and guitar are probably dried out. Get it humidified properly and start some general maintenance. Check the Ibanez 2629 Artist or 2630's,. they are the big dogs of the line and worth the effort to find.

 

[Danb541]

late 70's to mid 80's MIJ Ibanez guitars are some of the best out there. Better than Gibson of the same era IMHO.

 

[WilburBufferson]

You are correct: the frets need some TLC. I didn't bother with that this time in the event that I decide to refret it. I am going to take it to a (good) luthier for a second opinion. The higher frets are quite corroded and I'm not sure that there aren't some humps in certain areas. Nothing obvious at the moment, but I didn't pay a lot for the guitar, so I don't mind spending a bit of money to put her right for the next phase of her life.

 

[Ezee]

Thanks for the kind words. Apparently the guitar sat in the case for a decade or more, and was rarely played by the owner who preferred to use other guitars live. Here are some more pictures. I didn't notice this until I took the strings off, but the fretboard is patchy. Could just be the woodgrain? They are not divots. Anyone seen this before? Also, the label was signed. I did some googling and found only one reference to this person signing a guitar of this era. Still bit of a mystery.

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Those AS-50's are NICE! Many years with a AR-30 - Super 70 pups. I think that signature has something to do with Vedic Astrology. Possibly someone was a Taurus.

Vrishabha Rashifal

 

[nicknklv]

Very nice! It's a very lovely finish on it.
I've got an AS-103 that is wonderful, very comfortable to play.

Looking forward to seeing it after some care has been put into it. Enjoy!

 

[Dismalhead]

That's a beauty. I love those old Artists and Musicians. I had an '81 Musician for about 20 years, finally sold it because it was a boat anchor and I couldn't play it for long.

 

[Henley]

Better than Gibson of the same era IMHO.

I'd agree that some Ibanez guitars of the era were technically better built and might have played better. The golden age of Ibanez mid/late 70's-early 80's had them securing/buying the best woods in the world while companies like Gibson/Fender were cutting costs...and quality control.

Wood and general hardware wise their top of the line could compete with most anyone while their mid-range and lower line benefited from great quality control/setups and the same hardware as their TOL.

That consistency helped them garner a reputation of "better" IMHO. In general, I've owned over 100 vintage Ibanez guitars...mostly right handed. Any Gibson set up and built properly seemed to always sound just that much better. I'm no snob, but I am a realist.

 

[Danb541]

I'd agree that some Ibanez guitars of the era were technically better built and might have played better. The golden age of Ibanez mid/late 70's-early 80's had them securing/buying the best woods in the world while companies like Gibson/Fender were cutting costs...and quality control.

Wood and general hardware wise their top of the line could compete with most anyone while their mid-range and lower line benefited from great quality control/setups and the same hardware as their TOL.

That consistency helped them garner a reputation of "better" IMHO. In general, I've owned over 100 vintage Ibanez guitars...mostly right handed. Any Gibson set up and built properly seemed to always sound just that much better. I'm no snob, but I am a realist.[/QUOTE

I've had 3 Gibson Les Paul's over the years. Probably 8 Ibanez Artists, AR50BK AR100NT, 2618's, 2619's, 2622, I have a 2405 Custom Agent, 2351 Les Paul, and my current LP Style player is a 1977 2651 Ibanez, set neck. I own zero Gibson Les Paul's, I couldn't bond with them, all of the Ibanez guitars were better for me. I agree build quality between the Ibby and Gibson of that era are pretty equal. I've come to the conclusion, I like Ibanez necks. It must be the necks. Regardless, they're both excellent guitars no doubt. You can still grab a super nice late 70's Ibanez Artist in very good condition for $1,500. What a deal! Funny side note, I have a 1982 Gibson Sonex Deluxe that I love.

I've had 3 Gibson Les Paul's over the years. Probably 8 Ibanez Artists, AR50BK AR100NT, 2618's, 2619's, 2622, I have a 2405 Custom Agent, 2351 Les Paul, and my current LP Style player is a 1977 2651 Ibanez, set neck. I own zero Gibson Les Paul's, I couldn't bond with them, all of the Ibanez guitars were better for me. I agree build quality between the Ibby and Gibson of that era are pretty equal. I've come to the conclusion, I like Ibanez necks. It must be the necks. Regardless, they're both excellent guitars no doubt. You can still grab a super nice late 70's Ibanez Artist in very good condition for $1,500. What a deal! Funny side note, I have a 1982 Gibson Sonex Deluxe that I love.