AM-200

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, October 03, 2005 - 2:21 pm:    Given the recent auction for a very nice AM-200... Is the AM-200 on a par with the earlier AM models? Is it MIJ? I guess the ArtStar label (vs Artist) has me unsure...   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2005 - 9:52 am:    bump   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 5:32 pm:    Michael, I wish I could give you a direct comparison between the AM205 and the AM200, but I can share some thoughts on the AM200. Yes, it was made in Japan. Artstar was the designation Ibanez used during the late '80s & '90s for it's semi & fully hollow guitars, whether MIJ or MIK. Overall it is a very nice guitar, fancier in some ways than the AM205 - bound f-holes and veneered pickguard. The quality is decent, but there are a few nagging details that wreak of cost cutting: The pickguard is made of masonite, with a layer of burl veneer on top. There are some warpage problems with mine, which I feel could have been avoided if they had used plywood or some other more stable substrate. When you remove all the hardware, revealing the insides, there are a few issues. Compared to my '80 AS200, the center block is like a piece of swiss cheese it has been routered so extensively. and there is a large gap between the neck assembly and the body. See my earlier post on this for photos. So in summary, while the overall sound and quality are good, it doesn't have the solid build or resonance of my AM200. Until I can dissect an AM205, I guess I'll never know for sure. I do feel the value of the older hollows and semis has become disproportionately high. Which has been great being on the selling end, and being lucky enough to find them at bargain prices. But as for whether they are worth grand and a half? Compared to Gibsons, they are a steel, but they are becoming the priciest Ibanez models. -Sven

Add Your Message Here Post: -Color- Black Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Orange Cyan Gray White -Font- Arial Courier Symbol Times Verdana -Size- Smallest (-2) Small (-1) Normal Large (+1) Largest (+2) Enter Item number: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Post as "Anonymous" Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: