AM205 -AS 200

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Author Message Emilio Username: Emilio Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:10 am:    Just thoughts... I owned a am205 for some time,lovely instrument,I bought a AS200 (82)last weekend and i am in heaven, I think I will sell my am 205(83)(very very mint), I know they're different but still.... I'm confused......... cheers emilio Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 7:24 pm:    emilio, My AM200 doesn't sound anywhere near as good as my AS200, but I do like the size and weight of it - much more comfortable when sitting in front of the computer. -Sven Ecm1117 Username: Ecm1117 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 1:19 am:    I've been lurking here for a couple of years (the best place by far for Ibanez fans) and while I've read some brief tonal comparisons between the AM-205 and AS-200 models, I'm still really curious on the subject (especially after reading Funkle's comments above). My main guitar for the past two years has been an '84 AM-205. It's hands-down the best playing guitar I've owned; in fact, whenever I test out other guitars in hopes of finding another gem, they almost always pale in comparison (the latest casualty being a brand new and rather pricey ES335 Dot Reissue). I walk away from such experiences with a big smile on my face knowing I've found an instrument that fits me like no other has. Here are the things I enjoy the most about my AM-205: - Top-notch craftsmanship - The neck contour is the best I've played - Versatile sound (from jazz to blues and hard rock) - Comfortable size - That burled mahogany looks so good! As far as its shortcomings, IMO, there are a couple of minor ones: - A bit more neck-heavy than I'd like - Neck pickup tone can be a bit dark for some applications - Bridge pickup is surprisingly twangy Which brings me to the AS-200. It's not too difficult to imagine how this model might sound compared to the AM-205 based on size and tonewood differences. Unfortunately, I've not been able to do a side-by-side comparison. I play jazz-type music and I keep wondering if, like the original poster, I'd find even more pleasure in playing an AS-200. I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but I'd LOVE to hear any thoughts, opinions, and observations by ICW posters who have had experiences with both of these models. How do they differ in tone? It would also be really interesting to hear soundclips of the two models being played through the same rig, by the same person. Any takers? Thanks for your time! Jonathan K. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:07 am:    Jonathan, I bought my '80 AS200 purely because the price was right, and intended to clean it up, try it, then sell it. But I ended up really liking the tone. The guitar is heavy, large, and uncomfortable, but makes up for it with a great personality The main thing that sets it apart from other semi's is that it has a very powerful high-mid resonance. It is loud acoustically and you can really feel it resonate. More so than the ES335s and Korean Ibanezes I've tried. It has a lower peak frequency than my AM200, which can get a little mousey at times. But the higher than my AG195, which is deep and mellow. The AM200 does it's own thing - more of a funky jazz, Paul Jackson, Lee Ritenour kind of sound. This is not really my thing. But the AS200 can cover the same territory with much more authority. It can get a good jazz/blues lightly overdriven tone too (Scofield, B.B. King). I'm in the process of changing pickups, and will post a review after the change. Maybe the AM205 is in a whole different league, I don't know, because I've not spent enough time with one. Shel Username: Shel Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 3:35 pm:    Hello All, I've been a 'fly on the wall' of this board for a few years and have enjoyed the various personalities here. Finally I can offer an opinion on something: Years ago i put a Duncan '59 in the neck position and a JB in the bridge of my '81 AS200 --very nice-smooth, powerful and versatile My Am255 is darker sounding,with less variation between pickups, but easier to carry during a gig and has the trem when needed. Ecm1117 Username: Ecm1117 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 9:42 am:    Thanks for your replies! Very helpful. I hope I get to try an AS-200 soon. Maybe a new Scofield JSM model is a close enough substitute . . . Funkle, I don't think the AM-200 and AM-205 are any different tonally; the differences between those two models seems to be purely cosmetic. Anyone else want to put in their $.02? Emilio? Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 11:40 am:    Emilio: I have never played an AM205, but I'm not sure that the difference between a trem equipped guitar and not, could be described as only "cosmetic". I have an AM200 and two AS200s. Both AS200s are much more versatile in sound and usage. The AM200 is a more comfortable instrument and looks fantastic. But I always take the AS200 when I play with others. It never, ever let's me down. Yes, it's heavier and is not comfortable to play sitting down. But I've played my best chops on it. Gawler Username: Gawler Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 1:30 pm:    Hey Emilio, just wondering if you could post some of the pictures of your AM 205. It will be nice to see your mint guitar here. thx Emilio Username: Emilio Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 4:50 pm:    http://eshare.hpphoto.com/FilmStripHome.aspx?JobID=a8e8db51-981e-4a89-84fa-a133a 8d67680&SKU=HP Ecm1117 Username: Ecm1117 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 2:07 am:    Johns wrote: "I have never played an AM205, but I'm not sure that the difference between a trem equipped guitar and not, could be described as only "cosmetic"." I agree; but I was comparing the AM-200 with the AM-205, neither of which has a trem. The trem model you must be thinking about is the AM-255. The main differences I see between the 200 and 205 are the pickguard and f-holes (the 200 has a fancier wood pickguard and bound f-holes). The headstock style might be another difference between the two. After reading all the threads on these models as well as the responses above, I'm starting to see a pattern emerge: while both AM-205s and AS-200s are appreciated and sought-after by collectors and players alike, when it comes to choosing between the two for use in real playing situations, the AS-200 seems to have the upper hand. Interesting. Jonathan K. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 8:02 am:    Jonathan: Sorry about that. I misread your message and was thinking you were comparing the AM200 vs. AM255. Now that I've got my glasses on and brain engaged in forward, I agree with you that the differences between the AM200 vs. AM205 should only be cosmetic. Even though I own a near mint '82 AM205, I think the AM200s are more appealing with the upgrades you mention. But that's just my opinion. I agree with your summary of the AM200/5 vs. AS200. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 11:39 am:    "I agree with you that the differences between the AM200 vs. AM205 should only be cosmetic" I'm beginning to think that may not be the case. I have not directly compared it to an AM205, but my AM200 has a few shortcomings in build quality compared to the older guitars. And it just does not have the resonance and tone I have heard described of the AM205. I will not be sure until I can do a one on one shootout. -Sven Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 10:06 pm:    Funkle: Can you be more specific about the shortcomings of your AM200? Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 11:35 am:    John, I posted my thoughts on the guitar here: http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/12/11133.html Besides the questionable neck joint and interior construction, The veneered pickguard is made of a piece of masonite, rather than plywood, and has warped badly over the last 15 years. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 11:37 am:    I'd like to add that I have since come to believe that the center block is spruce (not a 2 X 4). Ecm1117 Username: Ecm1117 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 8:29 pm:    Funkle, so the center block on the AM-200 is one piece of spruce? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the AM-205's center block looks like it's made of three layers - maple/mahogany/maple. I wonder why Ibanez decided to change that. Johns, I really wish the AM-205 had bound F-holes. They look so much better! Jonathan Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:24 am:    I think it is actually 3 plies. It has a large spruce block with thinner maple on both sides. I have to think that if they didn't take the time to get a tight fit on the neck, they didn't get a good fit of the center block to top and back - I think this is crucial to good sound. I'd like to see a later '90s AM200 to see how the construction is. The Am200s do look better with the bound f-holes and veneered pickguard.

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