| Author |
Message |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 12:22 pm: | |
Well, over the weekend I finally joined the ranks of the collectors here, when I picked up this sweet, sunburst 1978 Artist Series hollowbody. She's something of a hybrid between an L4 and an ES-175, methinks. Gold-plated tuners, pup covers, an L4/L5-style tailpiece, "Artist" headstock and inlay... Very, very nice. Apart from the bad oxidation on pup covers and a little on the tuners, as well as crystallization ofthe pickguard, she's in gorgeous shape.
Most importantly, she sounds phenomenal! Very full and earthy, plucky tone on the bridge. I'm in heaven.
Anyone here want to add there two cents on this baby? I've googled like crazy and havent been able to find much info on the Artist series hollowbodies from '78. |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
Got some pictures you can share with us?
Ace |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
Bionictooth:
Glad you are enjoying your new Ibanez. Can you upload pictures of it or include links to pics, so we can see what we're talking about? |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 1:17 pm: | |
Hey, sorry guys... I had to run out of my office and didnt have time to read up on how to post... Here goes.
These are the original photos from the seller. I took some better and more detailed ones over the weekend at my house and will post ASAP
Thanks guys!
 |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 1:24 pm: | |
BTW, I would like to say thanks to those of you here who answered my questions and gave advice over the last several months as I was shopping around for a "lawsuit" hollowbody. It became a borderline obsession. Special shout-out to BigMike who answered endless questions and humored me along the way! I'm truly in love with this guitar and have that feeling I had when I was in high school, where I cant wait to get home and jam!!! |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 1:47 pm: | |
Bionictooth:
I believe this is a model 2635. Do a keyword search on 2635 and Jazz Artist and you'll find a few messages that refer to this model. There really isn't much, though. |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 2:22 pm: | |
Yes! It does appear to be the 2635-- mine has the ebony fretboard as well. The photo on that old thread is a much better representation of the finish and quality of this model. She absolulely glows. The other thing worth noting is the neck, which i found to be very cozy and fast.
On Saturday, I took the guitar to a nearby shop to have it setup and when the tech guy opened the case a small crowd quickly gathered around. It's a striking instrument with an equally impressive sound.
How rare are these? Also-- where do I look for replacement pup covers? These are the gold-plated ones with the butterfly emblem engraved in the center.} |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 4:06 pm: | |
Bionictooth:
They are fairly rare. I think we've only had mention of 2 or 3 on this board. And only one document sighting in a price list.
You can put an ad in the Free Classified section to see if anyone has spare "butterfly" embossed covers for sale. Or troll ebay like the rest of us. 
But first, take that pickguard off the guitar and put it in a sealed plastic bag. It's deterioration is giving off a toxic fume that is eating away at the guitar's metal parts. It's a slow, but sure death, if you don't get it isolated. Finding a correct replacement won't be easy. Either live without it, have one made up by a custom pickguard fabricator, or if you're handy with plastics, make one yourself. |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 8:31 pm: | |
Thanks Johns. Yeah, the pickguard is removed and banished to a parts shelf forever and ever. Nasty little sucker. The guitar looks SO much better without one anyway...
} |
Bigmike
Username: Bigmike
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 12:49 pm: | |
Greg,
You did good, I was hoping you'd find something that really grabbed you and it seems you have. Me in the meantime I found a '69 Gibson Super 400 and got it. Boy talk about going crazy !! I'm selling some of my lesser guitars - thinning the herd down to just really good stuff.
BigMike |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:36 pm: | |
A few more pics of my 2635.
 |
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:07 pm: | |
Bionic~
Sweet 2635. I bet she sounds great. Amazing how insidious that darned gass-induced tarnish is on metal parts. You might check the upper-most frets for beginning signs of it there too. Some gentle '000' grade sanding will help eliminate it for good now that the guard is off. |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:20 pm: | |
GuitarTim-- Yeah, there's a hint of it on the upper frets. The pickguard from hell! |
Hollowbody
Username: Hollowbody
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 3:21 pm: | |
Hello Bionic,
Think your, by the way very good looking "ES175", is not an Artist Series Ibanez.
Cannot see the headtsock clearly but is should be one of the "castle type"
All Artists do have star inlay on the fretboard and have the so called "double lining" white and pearl all around the box.
On the German Ibanez site http://www.ibanez-vintage-page.de/ you can find on the bottom of the page the complete Artist Series line up from
73 to 77
Regards,
Hobo |
Aroee
Username: Aroee
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 9:24 pm: | |
That is in fact the newer version of the Ibanez Artist hollow body. I believe they started making them like that around 1978. |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 7:57 am: | |
Correct Aroee. Sorry Hobo. It's an Artist alright.
six |
Bionictooth
Username: Bionictooth
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 1:23 pm: | |
The headstock has the plate that says "Artist" and the serial # reads '78.
Update: I've had the opportunity to use the guitar live on three occasions-- the most recent being over the past weekend-- and I am beyond satisfied. Tone-wise, this may be one of the most intriguing guitars i've ever owned. She's able to jump from a very earthy and deep jazz tone on the neck to a biting, crunchy bridge sound. I'm definitely smitten. |
Bigmike
Username: Bigmike
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 8:46 pm: | |
Bionictooth: YEAH BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad you like it. |