What IS it? An Artist? HELP!

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Author Message   Elecktrokatt (Elecktrokatt) Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 5:32 pm:    I picked up a black artist Ser #F804737, which I think means; June,1980, 4,737th unit produced. It's got a set neck w dot inlays, an arched top, white (aged to creme) binding along the front edge of the body-neck and headstock, gold hardware, a Gibralter bridge and quick change 2 tailpiece (no cloud),Ibanez tuners, what look like creme colored PAF style pickups (I think they are original as they have 3 height adjustment screws each), someone changed the knobs to brite white Gibson style speed knobs at some point, but in all other ways it looks identical to an AR100BK(?), except there is no inlay design on the front of the headstock below the IBANEZ inlay and the trussrod cover is NOT inscribed "Artist". I've been combing the web. I can find Black 1980 Artists that look just like it...except for the headstock. Which leads me to beleve that it's either extra rare or (more likely) less valuable. Either way I'm very pleased with it. It looks and plays GREAT! Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!   Elecktrokatt (Elecktrokatt) Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 5:40 pm:    Here are a fiew (CRUDE) pics; See what I mean?   Fox (Fox) Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 7:30 pm:    Hi Electrokatt! What you have there is an AR 50, the "little brother" of Artist series..   Elecktrokatt (Elecktrokatt) Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 4:23 pm:    Hi Fox, Thanks for the info! What else can you tell me about the AR-50s? About ARs in general. This is my first Artist. I found it used in a music store that specializes in vintage guitars, "The Gear Trader", in Huntington Beach, CA.. The place was full of beautiful old Les Pauls, SGs, Semihollow Gretches w Bigsbys, Teles, Strats...etc. This lil Ibanez was the only one of its kind in there. I started visiting it on a weekly basis, till finially...well, you know. The owner-Brian-was real good about comin'down to a price I could work w. I've had LPs, SGs, Strats and a fiew Deans. I was looking for a PRS when I found this. So, the AR50s are the low end, no frills, bottom of the Artist line I take it. I am amased that there is so much good craftsmanship put into it; the binding, solid hefty mass, hardware, the way it holds tune, the voicing....reminds me of my LP. Very collectable. Everybody and his uncle collects LPs, SGs, etc...Ufda. What is the going price range for a guitar like this? I haven't seen an AR50 on e-bay yet (only been watching a week or two). I paid $200 for it, w a hardshell case. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I'm new to the Artist owners clan and to this web site....so educate me? Thanks, Ekatt   Fox (Fox) Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 8:48 pm:    Ekatt! No way is the AR50 a low-end guitar, however in the Artist line-up it´s second from start.. There is also AR30.. In it´s own right it is a well-built solid "workmanlike" guitar, lacking only in the "eye candy" sector of guitardom... I suggest that you try "AR50" in Utilities/Keyword Search, there is a truckload of info available. *wink wink* Keep in touch! fox from da far north =)   Elecktrokatt (Elecktrokatt) Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 11:54 pm:    Thanks Fox! No, the AR50 is not a low-end guitar, I stand corrected. Thanks also for the-try "AR50" in Utilities/Keyword Search-tip. Toomuchinformation, but good. What had me confused (after combing the web, looking at old catalog scans, etc...) is that I found an old (1980?) catalog page scan w an AR50 (w headstock inlay & artist inscribed trussrod cover) but it was listed as coming w chrome hardware only. Where the AR100 still had dots but also had gold hardware-like mine. I dunno, the more I learn the more it seems like the folks at the old Ibanez factory did a lot of mix'n'match, "kulges", transitional and "Well Taki, if we're out of chrome hardware then just put gold on the 50's for today, until the chrome shipment arrives tomorrow.", kind of stuff,(When I see this in my mind, the lip movement doesn't match-up w the words). I am an utter novice in this forum, and as such, I'm sure your'e right, AR50. That being the case, I am thrilled w this little "Black Beauty" and look forward to finding and owning even more "eye candy" endowed Artists in the future. Thanks again! Ekatt   Munch (Munch) Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 4:00 am:    You got that right guys. the Artists are real eye poppers. John and Maniac Mike both have some beautiful AR305's with the burl mahoghany top - scrumptious!! Here is a photo of the only solid Artist I own. Its a 1978 2622. This was the top of the line in its day and featured Super 80 pickups and active EQ. This model was favoured by Steve Miller, with him endorsing it in Ibanez ads of the day. Regards, Mark   Maniac (Maniac) Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:09 am:    Ekatt , The AR50 at $200.00 with case is a STEAL ! They came with and without the inlay on the headstock and the ARTIST on the truss rod cover. Also, some had the belly cutout and some did not. I also noted that a few have a thicker binding at the cutaways than others. I have about 6 black AR50's with these various features and they all sound the same to my ears. Email me for pics if you like. My very first Artist was a black AR50 and I paid $500.00 for it with hard case. I still have it and play it regulary. As for the chrome hardware, some also had what appears to be Nickle tuners instead of chrome and both hold up much better than the gold plating as we all see with the fading of the gold plating. Munch, I just love the look of your pictures with the tweed amp next to the guitars. Really sweet ! Cheers, Maniac   Elecktrokatt (Elecktrokatt) Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 6:28 am:    Thanks Maniac! Yes, I'd very much like to see those pics. Munch, that is a beautiful "1978-2622"! Ekatt   Acetan (Acetan) Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:58 pm:    I just got an AR50 with some conflicting features: K80xxxx with uncovered Super 70's, chrome Gibralter bridge and Quick change; these are all standard AR50 hardware, but then it has 2354TV knobs instead of Sure-grips and GOLD Valve Tune machine heads. Thing is, everything looks original. Looks like it was assembled by someone after a three cocktail lunch LOL.   Johns (Johns) Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 7:41 am:    Could it be an AR100? The control layout is different and the headstock has an inlay.   Yogi (Yogi) Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 9:04 am:    My '81 catalog shows an AR-50 with Super70 Pickups, headstock inlay and even the knobs seem to be original. As for the tuners: Probably a previous owner changed them or maybe someone was indeed heavy on Sake Juergen   Johns (Johns) Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 3:34 pm:    Acetan: Sorry about stating that the control layout was different. I was thinking of the AR30 that we were discussing so much, last week. Yogi: Thanks for supplying the '81 catalog scan. I guess the only mystery left is why the gold tuners? (because they look nicer?) A gold bridge and stop tail shouldn't be too hard too find, if Acetan wants to go completely gold.   Acetan (Acetan) Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 7:06 pm:    I think I'll try to find a set of chrome Ibanez Valve Tune machine heads to replace the gold ones.

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