| Author |
Message |
Stugotts
Username: Stugotts
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 8:06 am: | |
Hi All, I am new here, and new to Ibanez guitars. I bought an Artcore AF 85 2 weeks ago and I love it. The serial # is S03110535. Can anyone tell me when this guitar was made, 03 maybe? It is not really important but It would interesting to know if it is maple or sycamore. I play jazz mostly and this guitar has the perfect tone for my recording. Thanks, Stu |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 11:48 am: | |
Stu,
That would be an '03. The US Ibanez site says it has Flamed Maple top/ sides/back. And the world site says Flamed Sycamore top/back/sides. It is possible that they have used both woods at various times. The 2 woods look very similar - figured sycamore is a little tighter/neater, and more costly. The spec probably refers only to the decorative outer ply, the inner plys could very well be composed of other materials. Unfortunately, these materials are rarely listed.
-Sven |
Stugotts
Username: Stugotts
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 2:24 pm: | |
Hey Funkle, Thank you for the info. This is a very solid instrument no matter what wood was used. I looked over many many guitars over a 2 month period, but I kept coming back to Ibanez. I don't think there is a better value out there. Stu |
Wildfield
Username: Wildfield
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 2:37 pm: | |
"I don't think there is a better value out there." - Stugotts
I agree. Some folks criticize the Ibanez Artcore series and compare them to guitars that cost twice as much. I for one have found the Artcore guitars to be a great value. Just wish they had a differently logo - I'm not fond of the lightning bolt. Having said that, I don't mind the version they used on my AG195. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:25 pm: | |
It's the future baby! China is capable of producing higher end instruments as well. If you've ever tried one of the $1000+ Chinese Brian Moore guitars, you know whit I'm talking about.
-Sven |
Stugotts
Username: Stugotts
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 8:10 am: | |
Hey Funkle, China is taking over the world! (I hope not)!! When I ran a search for Ibanez serial numbers there was no number starting with "S" for guitars made in China. On some sites it said "S" stands for Samick. Do you know if Samick and Ibanez have any relationship ? By the way, this is a great site, loads of info. Thanks again,} Stu}} |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 10:07 am: | |
Yes, Samick has made some Ibanez models. But in this case I don't think it stands for Samick, which is based in Korea. |
Eastmongo
Username: Eastmongo
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 10:07 am: | |
Is this mean Samick has the factories both in Korea & China? The samick make guitars in China for Ibanez? Actually, Is this talking about Artcore line ups? |
Zhen
Username: Zhen
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 10:22 am: | |
Stu, yes. S stands for Samick. artcores (and mostly all ibanez acoustics) are produced at samick's chinese guitar factory. greg bennett and samick guitars are produced there too, but there are ibanez's representatives who watch the quality... that's why ibanez guitars produced at the same factory as greg bennett and samick are of a higher quality... |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 10:47 am: | |
Zhen, I did not know that Samick had a Chinese facility.
As far as the quality goes, there is nothing magical about Ibanez involvement. It is a modern, automated factory, and quality control can be set, along with the level of finish, just like it can in Japan or Korea. They can produce an inexpensive entry level guitar just as easily as they could produce a high quality, high end guitar. Ibanez has chosen to use Japan and recently Korea for the higher end models, but other brands build high end guitars in China.
-Sven |
Stugotts
Username: Stugotts
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 11:22 am: | |
Since finding this site, I do not even do Ibanez searches any longer, I find all the info I need right here. Thanks guys.. Stu |
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