Author |
Message |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:22 am: | |
Moving this discussion from the tail end of another one in Replicas, per Johns's suggestion (thanks): Following on to what Ginger was saying on another thread about buying "now" what was quality back "then" (in other words, if it was made well back then, it's more collectible now) of the current crop of Ibanez guitars (Artcores, more specifically) are there any that are quality-made, or are they all B-grade? I'm thinking in particular of the AWD83TTRD (the RD stands for RED), which I've seen hanging in a local music store for quite a while. Every time I see it, it calls my name... "Chuck! Chuck! Buy me!" Thoughts? Here's a pic of the one I like:
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Laurentb
Username: Laurentb
Registered: 4-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 12:18 pm: | |
When it comes to looks it certainly qualifies for becoming a collectible one day, but did anyone here play it already? I'm curious how it plays and sounds. |
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 4:32 pm: | |
I would rank the Prestige line a good contender for highly valued collector pieces Ibanez produces these days. They will be the most rare and of course the already sought after J Custom. |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 2-2001
| Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:02 pm: | |
I think the ARC500NT is very impressive! I haven't played one, though.
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 7:48 am: | |
John if this is made like the AS103 then its a good player. The only beef I have is the saddle on my .010 E string. It keeps cutting the string and breaking it quite often. So I am now going to get out the mini file set and get rid of the shap edge. |
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy
Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 7:58 am: | |
chuckee i doubt very much the Artcore you posted will be worth very much in the future.Even currently sellers are giving them away.I know i gave mine away. It just didnt get the bids i thought it would and it had upgrades.I refuse to sell low to mid end Ibanez guitars any more. |
Emckenrick
Username: Emckenrick
Registered: 10-2001
| Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 8:33 am: | |
This one's a beauty that would be destined to be a collectable one day IMO Ebay Item #200112391689 |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 1:49 pm: | |
Fingers, understood that they don't seem to have a future now, but are they well made? When I bought my 2630 in 1978, I didn't consider whether it was well made or not. I was young and foolish, I wanted a Gibson ES-335 but couldn't afford one, and I saw a WAY COOL LOOKING Ibanez hollowbody and bought it instead. The AWD83T looks way cool to me now (and I'm still somewhat foolish). The only question I have is, underneath, is it a quality instrument (as the 2630 turned out to be) and will it stand the test of time? |
Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy
Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:17 pm: | |
chucke:It def. is a nice looking guitar and prob. plays great also- but as far as it holding its value or becomming a collectors piece i have my doubts.Unless there is something unique about a certain chinese made Ibanez guitar, i would say it would only go down in value.This is only my opinion some might want to weigh in and give theirs.P.S. As far as quality goes the chinese made guitars go dont seem to have the wearability as the Japanese made guitars.I guess you could say that about most products made today vs. vintage products of yesterday. |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 1:54 am: | |
I think the United series will have the best chance to become collectibles among modern productions. |
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier
Registered: 5-2006
| Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 9:39 am: | |
I agree with Acetan. Ginger |
Pitchpocket
Username: Pitchpocket
Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 10:13 am: | |
AG 195 and AF 105 Artcore United. Very few made and you never see them on the bay.
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Fingersmcoy
Username: Fingersmcoy
Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 7:12 am: | |
Very nice.Is that Korean made Pitchpocket? |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 2-2001
| Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 10:52 am: | |
Was the AS193 part of the Artcore United series? If so, here's an '04 AS193 getting ready to go off on eBay: Ebay Item #230131747180 |
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim
Registered: 4-2001
| Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 12:17 pm: | |
SOLD for only $620!! Somebody will be very happy with that deal. The headstock says 'Made In Japan', but I thought the Artcore United NECKS were MIJ, but the body assembled in China? |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 12:28 pm: | |
The United series trio: AS193, AG195, and AF195. |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 2-2001
| Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 9:28 am: | |
GuitarTim: $620.00 seems very reasonable to me. I've never played one, but have eard great things about them. Well, the "headstock" was made in Japan. Maybe the body has a label that says "made in China"? |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 2:36 pm: | |
What do you think of Artcore Custom "limited editions": AS103SM-NT, AF105SM-ABR? And AF125NT? Will they be collector's items after 10 or more years? Has anybody seen other special colours? Juha |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 2-2001
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 8:22 am: | |
Juha: The Japanese site shows two Burl Mahogany Artcore Custom models: AF105BM-NT and AS103BM-NT Many of the other Ibanez sites, including Australia, are offering the AWD102NT.
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Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 11:36 am: | |
It has been a while since I visited ibanez.co.jp . BM stands for Burl Maple. If AS103BM and AS103SM had pickguards of same colour as the body (my eyes don't like rosewood here) I would say they are very beautiful. AS103NT looks more cool and sophisticated. I guess I'll have to purchase AS103BM and NT so I have all (known) colours Seems there are occasionally different colours (and models) around the world. E.g. AS93 is VLS on ibanez.co.jp and BLS on ibanez.com . AW102NT is on the European(?) Ibanez catalog and I have seen it on web shop sites. If you compare Artcores (at least those numbered greater than 80) with any brand's models in the same price range you will see that they represent better handicraft and are better set up straight from the box. Juha |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 11:49 am: | |
Ooooooh. How much for the AWD102NT? Can someone send me a link for a site that will ship to the US? |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 5:02 pm: | |
Chuck, Axemusic, Canada, maybe? http://www.axemusic.com/product.asp?numPageStartPo sition=1&PT_ID=29&P_ID=11591 Juha |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 5:33 pm: | |
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, their site says they only ship to Canada. Maybe I can ship to Vancouver and drive up there? Grrrr. |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 2-2001
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 5:47 pm: | |
Juha: You're right about the BM=Burl MAPLE. I'm so used to typing Burl Mahogany. Besides, Burl Maple is a little strange looking. Maybe I'd change my mind if I saw it in person. However, I'm not likely to get to Japan anytime soon. |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 8:04 pm: | |
John, I guess it is about what colours guitars have had for ages (-burst etc). Eyes get used to traditional colours. At first I didn't like AS103NT (NT different from older NT) and then AS103SM very much but now they are not at all "strange looking", and I may even accept SM's rosewood pickguard one day. Juha |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 1:58 pm: | |
I found an American store that sells the AWD102NT: http://www.drumcityguitarland.com I emailed them about the guitar and they sent me an email and it sounds like a FANTASTIC deal. I may have to jump on one: 1-week delivery from order date SALE $ 719 Includes Ibanez hard case We include an Ernie Ball strap,8-picks,extra set of strings and an Ibanez tee shirt w/guitar purchase ! Our Tech will set the Guitar up to your specs at no-charge Please call (303)421-4515 for more info --Jason Drum City-Guitar Land,Inc 9225 W 44th Avenue Wheat Ridge , Colorado 80033 Phone (303)421-4515 Fax (303)421-1155 |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 5:04 pm: | |
Aawww, that is less than 540 EUR. It costs around 700 EUR in European web shops (670 - 740), shipping included or not, and no extras. Pickups are Super 58 Custom not Super 58 as Drum City's web page says. Juha |
Sabeking
Username: Sabeking
Registered: 6-2006
| Posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 7:50 pm: | |
What about the Artist ARX500? I think that is a good looking guitar. Stacey |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 6:49 am: | |
ARX500 is good looking indeed. I'd say like Ibanezfreak said about ARC500: " if this is made like the AS103 then its a good player". It would be nice to get some of ICW's AR fans to test ARC/X500, AR300 and other current Artists. Juha |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 4:45 pm: | |
Chucke, Did you purchase an AWD102NT? Eagerly waiting for your review. Juha |
Alexpolo
Username: Alexpolo
Registered: 5-2007
| Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 3:31 pm: | |
Do you think guitar like rg2228 will be collectible some day? |