Ibanez Collectors World: Ibanez Artist AM205 "Stagemaster" (September 1983)

Ibanez Artist AM205 "Stagemaster" (Se... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Ibanez Collectors World » Hollow & Semi-Hollow Body Guitars » Ibanez Artist AM205 "Stagemaster" (September 1983) - for sale -ebay

« Previous Next »

Author

Message

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:21 am:

I have decided to sell my AM205 ... its on ebay now for anyone interested :-)

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Ibanez-AM-205-Sept-1983-Hollow-Body-Guitar-w-case_W0QQitemZ73 44113102QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These forums were a big help when I needed information about this guitar.

Thank you very much :-)

Soulchaser
Username: Soulchaser

Registered: 06-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 7:18 pm:

I am bidding on this guitar. Have waited a long time for one. The plus for me is that it is located in my home country. No duty or boarder hassles. Needless to say, it will be expensive. If I am lucky enough to win, there will be a real nice MC300 Musician for sale.

Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 8:46 pm:

Cool! I'm in. Let's all bid on it :-)

Just kidding.

Zipurman, Maybe my mentioning a "feeding frenzy" in the other Am205 thread prompted you to sell? It looks like a great guitar and I'm sure it will fetch a good price. As I said, AM205s have been scarce this year.

Anyone want to take a guess on the closing price?

Pitviper
Username: Pitviper

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 9:17 pm:

I'd say $1100...if it was a lefty..I'm afraid she would be mine...lol

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 9:23 pm:

Funkle, your comments may have encouraged my decision to sell, but I was already planning on putting it on ebay. I was actually surprised at how scarce these guitars have become.

Now that I have taken all these pictures and really looked her over, I almost feel like changing my mind :-)

... its a nice guitar, I hope who ever gets her takes care of her.

Orange
Username: Orange

Registered: 12-2004

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 3:27 am:

These are great guitars, The pickups are not so great though. I was lucky enough to pick one up a few months ago for $800 USD cash. Put a late 1960's pat sticker Gibson pickup in the bridge and it now sounds amazing! Who ever buys that guitar will be very happy with it. I searched a long time to find mine.

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 1:54 pm:

Here are some more pics of this guitar
http://www.intricatenetworks.com/ebay/zipur/pics/

Also, I am getting a gazillion emails on this, so here is some more info:

The neck is straight and the action is good.
The only frets that show any wear are 1 and 2 and the wear is slight.
The electronics are good, a slight crackle in the one tone knob between levels 8 and 10.

This guitar has been used over the years, but it has also been taken care of. If anyone requires more info, pics, etc ... let me know.

Soulchaser
Username: Soulchaser

Registered: 06-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 2:37 pm:

Zipurman, lots of nice pics. But can we see a nice clear shot of the neck heel please.

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 2:46 pm:

I will take the pic tonight.

Stony2004
Username: Stony2004

Registered: 07-2004

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 3:33 pm:

damn, zipurman, this is a real beauty!!!

Acetan
Username: Acetan

Registered: 09-2003

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 5:00 pm:

This is the first "book-matched" AM205 I've ever seen. Very interesting.

Ace

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 9:44 pm:

I added some more pictures to (pic 497 to 531)
http://www.intricatenetworks.com/ebay/zipur/pics/

After taking the picture of the neck heel I noticed a crack in the finish where the neck meets the body. The crack is on the top of the neck only and is only a finish crack, it is cosmetic. I have taken some pictures of this as well as a ding at the end of one of the forks of the neck that I missed.

I also notice that there is a signature on the Ibanez sticker inside the hollow body, is that on all 205's? There is no serial number on the sticker either, should there be?

Any ideas on the book-match? I have seen this in other models but after some searching cannot find another AM205 like it.

Stony2004
Username: Stony2004

Registered: 07-2004

Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 12:10 pm:

these finish cracks seem to be not seldom on these models. Mine AM 200 has one and an AM 205 model of a friend of mine has also cracks in this area. Its not nice but its only the surface lacque.

Orange
Username: Orange

Registered: 12-2004

Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 7:46 pm:

"I also notice that there is a signature on the Ibanez sticker inside the hollow body, is that on all 205's? There is no serial number on the sticker either, should there be?"

My Am205 super edition also has the signiture with no serial number on the sticker.

"Any ideas on the book-match? I have seen this in other models but after some searching cannot find another AM205 like it."

Mine is also bookmatched here are some pictures of mine which is just like yours.

http://members.shaw.ca/justinsauctions/ibanezam2056.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/justinsauctions/ibanezam2051.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/justinsauctions/ibanezam20599.JPG

Also finish cracks are common on these guitars. My AM205 and my AM255 both have some slight finish checking in places.

Arney
Username: Arney

Registered: 10-2004

Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 5:18 pm:

There's a little over three days left on the auction and the current bid price is $901.00.

I think the price is going to take a BIG jump in the last 30 seconds of the auction...chuckling.

Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001

Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 9:54 am:

Orange:

My '82 AM205 (not a Super Edition, not bookmatched) also has a handwritten signature on the inside label.

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:37 pm:

Thanks for the feedback, I look forward to seeing what it auctions for. If you require any more info, email me or message in this thread and I will reply.

Sonar
Username: Sonar

Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 4:01 am:

DAMN! I just checked and the bid has hit almost $1,500.00!

I feel awful lucky with the "Buy It Now" auction for one without bookmatching that came up a couple weeks back (Ebay auction #7338673007)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7338673007&rd=1&sspagename=ST RK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Decent deals ARE out there to be had, so keep the faith!

The neck pickup is a real dog and the electronics wiring is largely junk, but the neck tweaked out perfect on the PLEK machine in Baltimore, MD.

She WILL be getting frets this year....and now I feel better that it's worth the further investment. :-)

It's a great player and wonderful neck.

Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 10:08 am:

Sonar:

It ended at $1,866.64US. That's a lot!

You got a good very deal on yours! It looks in fantastic space shape.

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 11:18 am:

Sonar,
If you don't mind me asking, where in Baltimore do you take your guitar to have work done on it? I am looking for a high quality shop. I am in Pennsylvania, so certainly within driving distance of MD, NJ, DE, etc. Thanks!

falcon

Sonar
Username: Sonar

Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

Falcon,

The shop is Philtone Guitars on Fort Street in Baltimore (http://www.philtone.com). Very nice guy. Honest and communicative.....not just a "drop it off & pick it up next week" kinda shop....Phil really works with you and wants to know everything about you to do the best job.

The PLEK machine is fabulous if you understand it and the concepts. I expect ANY guitar of mine (especially 20-year-old+ guitars) to need serious attention to get them to my standards.....and this PLEK machine is like a frickin' CAT scan of a guitar's playing nature. It has no bias, no excuses....just mathmatic fact.

Phil's currently refretting and installing Voodoo pickups in my Ibanez AM50AV.It's gonna SMOKE!

Make a Saturday appointment and bring Phil out for a couple beers or lunch at the very cool local bars (he's a sucker for Rolling Rock....go figure!) :-)

Zipurman
Username: Zipurman

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 1:43 pm:

Johns:

It went for $1,866.64 CDN - the US value amount was $1558 USD.

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 1:59 pm:

Sonar,
This sounds like just what the doctor ordered for my ol' Iber. Thanks for the good reference.

falcon

PS - at PSU (my alma mater), Rolling Rock was the beverage of choice...

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 2:00 pm:

Zipurman,
Hope your buyer got a great axe!

Orange
Username: Orange

Registered: 12-2004

Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 1:05 pm:

Holly Crap!! Great price! Makes me want to sell my AM-205 Super Edition, I'd let it go for $1560

These are great playing guitars, They stay in tune and have perfect intonation, The electronics suck but swap out what you dont like and its an amazing insturment.

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 2:56 pm:

Orange,
serious offer?
falcon

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:36 pm:

Orange,
One more question, since I'm new at the restoration game...

What kind of electronics do you like to use when you do the swap out?

best,
falcon

Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001

Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 5:17 pm:

Orange:

I'm also curious about what electronics you use as replacements for stock Ibanez equipment.

Tim_gueguen
Username: Tim_gueguen

Registered: 01-2003

Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 2:46 am:

It was funny to come across this thread, click on the auction link, and see it was for an auction in Swift Current, since I'm sitting here a couple hundred kilometres north in Saskatoon!

Orange
Username: Orange

Registered: 12-2004

Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 2:23 pm:

I only replaced the bridge pickup since I rarely use the neck pickup, The pots and switch are original, I replaced the pickup with a late 1960's Gibson Pat Sticker T top pickup which gibson used from the late 1960's to the mid 1970's. I found the original pickup thin/trebly and buzzy when distorted. Now the guitar has a thick rich more defined tone when distorted. I find the original pickups sound muffeled and not clear. Thes guitars are outstanding when it comes to build quality and are only lacking in good pickups.

Falcon: I wasn't planing on selling it but I might consider it at that price, Email me if interested.

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 9:35 pm:

Orange,
thanks for sharing what you have done - electronically. If you'd like to send me a picture and description of your axe, I'd enjoy taking a look. Just click on my name. Best, falcon

Orange
Username: Orange

Registered: 12-2004

Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 1:14 am:

Sonar
Username: Sonar

Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 11:15 pm:

Falcon,

If you're planning a cleanup/reinvention of the electronics in one of the Ibanez AM- or AS-style guitars, you might think about a plug-in style quick disconnect for the pickups that can be accessed without pulling the entire wiring harness.

Pickup changes are a nightmare on hollowbodied guitars like these, but a connector (perhaps the small Molex connectors) will let you change the pickups quickly and easily.

I just hate seeing folks "settle" on something they installed only because it's such a problem to do anything else.

I'm having the Molex connectors installed on my AM50 & AM205 when I have the complete wiring harness rebuilt (CTS pots, Switchcraft jack, quality cap, etc.) to go along with the installation of Peter Florance's Voodoo pickups.

Say I want to sell one of these guitars later....or just change pickups again....well, I'm only one easy "snap" away from the change rather than an entire wiring harness removal. :-)

Just a thought.

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 6:45 pm:

Sonar,
Thank you very much for the great idea!
falcon

PS - do you have a recommendation of where you are having the work done (who?)

Goodasaf
Username: Goodasaf

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 7:03 pm:

hey falcon!
do you currently own a 205?

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 10:21 pm:

Goodasaf,
Yes, technically - awaiting delivery. My first Ibanez. I know I have a lot to learn. I've also never had to deal with a vintage guitar that needs just a bit of restoration. Why do you ask?
falcon

PS - This is my first... but I'm actively planning others.

Sonar
Username: Sonar

Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 3:44 am:

Falcon,

Get to a good luthier (I'd suggest Philtone Guitars mentioned earlier).

If you don't get a plan and someone knowledgeable to assist you, yor AM205 might end up looking like this:

http://www.marcblum.de/img/am205/am205_body.jpg

Goodasaf
Username: Goodasaf

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:52 am:

hey thanks
i asked because of your last remark...
trying to built a whole fleet ah?

Falcon
Username: Falcon

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 9:17 am:

Sonar, Goodasaf, et al,
Thank you for your posts. I am learning my way in this world slowly - and lovin' it! I am considering another Iby right now (and I have a friend who is also looking for an am205), but I am hoping for many children.

... again, thanks for being so welcoming.

best,
falcon

Acetan
Username: Acetan

Registered: 09-2003

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:27 pm:

Another AM205 went for close to $1,500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7345844683&rd=1&sspagename=ST RK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Ace

Sonar
Username: Sonar

Registered: 07-2005

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 8:12 pm:

Acetan,

Look like we'll all be meeting here after each AM200/AM205 eBay auction to commiserate!

Goodasaf was in there sluggin' with some big buck bidding. I wonder if anyone else here was bidding....or WON!

I just hope we aren't all bidding against EACH OTHER EXCLUSIVELY!

Acetan
Username: Acetan

Registered: 09-2003

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 9:29 pm:

For those of us who have started collecting Ibanezes when they were much lower priced, these steadily increasing costs are both comforting and alarming. On the one hand, I'm glad my collection is appreciating, but then at the same time, I'm bracing myself for the "sticker shock" that will come with my future purchases.

Ace

Goodasaf
Username: Goodasaf

Registered: 08-2005

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 10:49 pm:

i really tryed but 1300$ was my top...

Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001

Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 11:54 pm:

Yes, the hollows and semis have really shot through the roof! I wonder if the AM200s will follow suit?

I bet we all wish we'd stocked up on AM205s and AS200s when they were under $1000 :-)

-Sven

Acetan
Username: Acetan

Registered: 09-2003

Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 1:47 am:

Hi Sven,

I think it is a sure bet that the AM200's will appreciate as well. Eventhough it is newer, the AM200 is sufficiently unlike the AM205 that it will be looked at as a different model and will have its own appeal to collectors. I wish the AM255's will ride the wave also as I have one gathering dust.

Ace

Ibanez Collectors World Home Page

Thank you for supporting Ibanez Collectors Forum. Please help your favorite Ibanez guitar site as we endeavor to bring you the latest information about Ibanez custom vintage electric and acoustic guitars. Here you can discuss ibanez, guitars, ibanez guitars, basses, acoustics, acoustic, mandolins, electric guitar, electric bass, amplifiers, effect pedals, tuners, picks, pickups.