AS-200 Question

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Author Message Wlove2630 Username: Wlove2630 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 9:05 pm:    So I have someone that clams to have a 1980 as-200 with super 70 pickups installed. anyone have experience with these that could tell me some differences in sound/quality? dubbs Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 7:23 am:    Ask if the pickups have an engraved logo. That would make them Super 80's which was standard in '79 and possibly on some early '80 models (which technically were the 2630, not the AS200). mk Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 8:24 am:    MK: I have an L79xxx AS200. It's defintely not a 2630. It doesn't have engraved covers like the typical Super 80s. Next time I have the strings off, I'll take one of the pups off to see what it says inside. Here's a clip from the 1980 Semi-Acoustic German catalog that shows the AS200 and says it has Super 70s (so did the AS100). Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 8:34 am:    I have a '79 (H79XXX) and it is a 2630. Maybe in the fall of '79, the change from 2630 to AS200 was made. Based on the ad, maybe there was a short transition period w/ Super 70's prior to 58's. mk Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 8:44 am:    MK: Being that L stands for Dec., I assume mine was made to 1980 specs. And it looks like the 1980 model was the transtion. The 1981 German catalog shows the AS200 to have Super 58s. Phatphred Username: Phatphred Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 10:53 am:    My 1980 AS200 accords in every other respect with this catalogue entry, which I believe to have been for the US market so I have always assumed it has Super 70's. I always thought the '70's were brighter than the '58's, but that will also be governed by the materials / construction of the guitar they're fitted onto. Strangely, the floating mini humbuckers on my 1977 Johnny Smith are also called Super 70's, though I don't think you could fit the guts into the much smaller cover. A little bird tells me that I should shortly be the next custodian of a 1980 AS400 and that is said to have '58's. Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 12:56 pm:    Not to highjack this thread, but... "A little bird tells me that I should shortly be the next custodian of a 1980 AS400 and that is said to have '58's." What's up Phat?! Back to the thread topic... Super 80's are a bit microphonic and more trebly than Super 70's or my personal favorites, Super 58's. 58's are closer to PAF warm tones. Tim Phatphred Username: Phatphred Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 1:38 pm:    All, and pics, in good time, Tim. My observation, if it helps Wlove2630, who, after all started this thread, imho, is that if a great guitar and great pickups have lived symbiotically together for the last 26 or so years, their match will surely be greater than the sum of the parts. I would fall in love all over again with either combination and would expect the sound to be a discovery. These guitars (the "golden era" ones) never cease to amaze me with the depth of their tone and response. It's not just how they were made, but how they have aged. Hearing is believing and, if you go in with open ears, and let the guitar do the talking, you won't be disappointed, 58's or 70's. Michael mentions '80's. Were these not the ones used on the predecessors, the Artist 2630's with the flying finger logo? I don't think they found their way onto the AS200. Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 1:51 pm:    Correct...my '79 with Super 80's is a 2630. mk Blues Username: Blues Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 7:40 pm:    Guys, I also have a 1980 AS200 with Super 70's. BLUES Wlove2630 Username: Wlove2630 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:35 pm:    blues, how would you compare it to later 80's models? any idea what a good prce would be nowadays? this guy wants $1400... Blues Username: Blues Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 6:11 pm:    2630, I believe the AS200 with super 70 pickups is not as mellow and warm as the AS200 with Super 58's. I must admit I haven't played my AS200 with super 70's in a long while. To me the super 70's have more of a bite lending itself to blues/rock and then jazz. Now a days the $1400 price tag seems fair. I purchased my AS200 in the late 1980's for about $400.00 BLUES Wlove2630 Username: Wlove2630 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 11:38 pm:    thanks a lot, you have all been very helpfull, I appreciate all the replies and knowledge Whit

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