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Message |
Brutus1999
Username: Brutus1999
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:23 pm: | |
Okay--I've been looking at Ibanez hollowbodies for while....something that could play jazz and smoooooth blues (as opposed to crackly fender style blues which are also nice). The smaller body ones interested me since I ain't that good and there's no point in adding another obstacle (big body) to getting better.
I was thinking about the AS50, but the Japanese models were/are expensive, and the Korean ones, with bolt on neck, etc. seemed to be a step down. I have heard some criticisms of the Korean AS50, though I suspect it is a pretty good guitar.
Then I started to check out the AM50. It seems like the AM50 from Korea is not much of a step down from the AM50 Japan (different bridge and tailpiece...). Both have a set neck and same pickups. So I figured that it might be a 450 or so guitar..........THEN.......late one night, while my wife was asleep and I was ill and running a fever and exhausted, just for the heck of it I just slightly overbid the previous bid on what looks like an early Korean AM50. Imagine my panic when I won---
Price was good ($250, but the axe was from AUSTRALIA-- sea shipping was only $60, which seems like a lot, but you might pay $40 or more within the USA, so it didn't seem so bad, but THEN, for only another $40, I could have it air mail and insured. Something like this---I have to have it insured. Suddenly...it was $350, counting shipping.....)
I was so debilitated from the illness that I left the web page on the computer when my wife went to check her e-mail the next morning.........SOOOOOOOO.........now I'm a' wonderin'
Did I do a stupid impulse buy? I guess a lot of the answer depends on the condition of the guitar. It did NOT look "mint", but it seemed to have no cracks, etc. I'll let you know that when I get it.
But in the meantime: How DOES a Korean AM50 with set neck compare to the apparently well-sought after Japanese AM50? (I did check out speakeasy's page...)
Thanks for any info you might have on this....
brutus1999 |
Brutus1999
Username: Brutus1999
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:32 pm: | |
If you'd like to see some pictures of my Aussie-sent AM50, it is on "Ibanez Artstar" "Completed Items"
This is the item number:
7400775811
This is the web page
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBANEZ-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-ARTSTAR_W0QQitemZ7400775811QQcategory Z33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
any info would be helpful,
thanks, b99 |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 9:50 pm: | |
I listened to these guys when they all said, " Go with the Japan models you won't regret it." And guess what?? I DON'T. |
Joevocht
Username: Joevocht
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:28 pm: | |
Brutus, you will not be sorry, because I bought an AS120 on e-bay, paid 450.00, and am not even interested in paying the higher price for the Japanese models because the neck, super 58's and excellent workmanship leave nothing more to be desired...Enjoy!!! |
Brutus1999
Username: Brutus1999
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:33 pm: | |
Not to be dismissive of your joy, but the important question for me is not whether you are happy with a Made in Japan Ibanez semi-hollowbody.
I'm sure you are.
I know that I would be.
Do you know where I can get one for about $250 or $300, plus shipping? Do you have an extra one to sell me at that price?
My question is about the model I did purchase---just trying to get some more info on it. And after it arrives, I'll probably bother you all with questions about strings!
b99 |
Brutus1999
Username: Brutus1999
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:40 pm: | |
ARRRRRGH--one problem with forums----postings are not always sequential by idea (whatever that means).........anyhow, my comment starting with "not to be dismissive" was for Jazzman and not for Joevocht who has the comment right above mine because he squeezed in a note while I was writing my response. Anyhow, I know that you all have advice on set up, strings, etc., so I'll be back for that from all of you (including Jazzman, who can probably give me some suggestions about Jazz on the AM50......) |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:51 pm: | |
Brutus:
I'd say that you did good for $250.00. You got a decent AM guitar with a case. The main complaint about the Korean guitars from this period (I'd say this was an '87) is the hardware and electronics. However, these are not hard or real expensive to change out, if and when you might care to upgrade.
If your budget was twice what you spent, then waiting for a Japanese made AM or AS would make sense.
I'm pretty sure your's has a maple body and mahogany neck. I don't know if the pickguard and knobs are original. |
Brutus1999
Username: Brutus1999
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 8:56 am: | |
I had thought that they continued using the Super 58 pickups when they moved the AM50 to Korea...............the pickups in the picture looks the same as the Japanese Super 58 pickups, ....but of course I can't tell since I don't know that much about it. Does anyone know if the pickups are the same?
If the pickups are the same, then doesn't that mean that the electronics are the same---or might there be significant differences in the quality of the switches, etc..... |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 6:52 pm: | |
Oh man, I appologize. I read really quickly and went gun slinging to fast.
Let me help you with strings, since I read twice and you are asking about set up.
Personally I use D'addrio 11's with a WOUND Gstring. you get a good tone out of those puppies. Before that I used some Dean Markley (sp?) 12's and they were pretty bad •••. You got an even fatter tone. It is a personal choice and a choice of style too. If you are playing chord melody no one is going to argue the fact you should have 13's or something really heavy. I am into more horn like lines and my chops are improving with every transcription. As a result of sheer hand fatigue I go with the the 11's. When I was using 12's and higher it aggrivated tendonitis in my arm.
Before that I used Pyramid Flat wounds. Totally not worth the 30 something dollars a set. If you go with flat wounds go with D'addrio. They are kind of like Broccolli, it is an aquired taste. I personally think flat wounds are for full semi hollows.
With any string guage change you going to have to do a setup. |
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