My 1982 AM205

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Author Message Trumpus Username: Trumpus Registered: 04-2005 Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 1:58 pm:    Hey all, A friend just let me know that this forum existed, and this is my first post. I have an '82 AM-205 and i LOVE this guitar! I got it 4 years ago for $450. While it is a great guitar, it definately shows its age. Its got a lot of scratches, and a few large, noticable dings, including a chip in the wood on the top of the headstock. THe hardware is pitted and oxidized and the knobs are in bad shape. Additionally, the previous owner installed coil taps which are ok, but not great, and an onboard preamp. When i first got it, the preamp, when engaged, produced a god-awful distored sound, so i had it disconnected and the switch was turned into a standby switch. It has some shielding issues and has a decent hum when run through a long line of effects. I played this guitar as my main axe in my previous band, but now that i've moved away, I want to focus my attention on fixing this guitar up. Any suggestions? I know there will be some purists that will say not to change anything, but i would love to get it looking and sounding the way it should, as it is a beautiful guitar! Trumpus Username: Trumpus Registered: 04-2005 Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 2:22 pm:    ...oh, pickup suggestions would be great too. I believe its got Duncan's in it now, though i cant recall! Brian Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 3:48 pm:    It looks like the only "hardware" that are not original are the pickups and an up-side-down truss-rod cover. If you can find a luthier who can do a good job mending the extra holes, then I would re-wire the guitar back to its original state with a pair of Ibanez Super58 pickups. Ericibanez Username: Ericibanez Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 7:36 pm:    By the Way That's a nice guitar. The AR 205s sound really good with the Super 58s as Ace has said. Of you go non- ibanez the PRS Hollobody pickups sound really great on a semi as this. BUT no coil slpiting options (wich I think is stupid of PRS) But over all If I could redesign an AR 205 I would put in Super 58s but use a 4 pots an have it wired up like a Jimmy Page Les Paul. You can get the schematic on Gibsons web site. That's the max for versitility in a 2 Humbucker guitar as this. And with push pull pots you don't need to drill into the body like on the above one. Trumpus Username: Trumpus Registered: 04-2005 Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:21 am:    Eric, I assume you meant AM (not AR) 205. Yeah, overall the guitar is nice. The pickups would be great to replace, and the truss rod cover is easy enough to flip. Any ideas where to get the Super 58 pickups? Are they still produced? Can they be tapped? Ideally i would like to remove the taps, but if i can't find someone to patch the holes well, then i might at least keep the switches in the guitar! Brian Benm Username: Benm Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:26 am:    Hey Senator!! I've seen Super 58's on ebay from time to time but I'm not sure where else to find them. I have a '83 AM255 and I really like the 58's in there. Ben

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