AS83 vs AS103

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Author Message Soulive88 Username: Soulive88 Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 11:30 pm:    Hi I'm looking for a jazz guitar, and I'm leaning towards a semihollow because of the easier access to the upper frets. I've been interested in both the AS83 and AS103 for quite a while, but haven't been able to find a store where I can try either one. I was able to try an AS73 and the full hollow AF105, and I couldn't tell any difference between the standard artcore pickups and the custom 58s. The neck on the AF105 was nicer than the AS73's, so I'm assuming that the AS103's neck would also be better. I would just order the 103 online, but I'm not crazy about the pale natural finish. I prefer the darker finish of the AS83, but more importantly I want a guitar with a good neck. Can anyone tell me how the two models compare, and also how the AS83 compares to the AS73? If the AS103 is considerably better I could justify spending the extra $300 and get used to the color. Thanks, Rich Jazzzbo Username: Jazzzbo Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006 - 12:40 am:    i had the as 83 and i still have the as 73. they seemed quite similar, except the 83 was a little fancier , the as 73 has to be one of the best cheap guitars out there, and excellent guitar to start with, good player, comfortable, etc etc, many people swap out the pick ups , good luck-- jazzz Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006 - 3:58 am:    Look whats up for grabs.... http://www.ibanez.com/scofield/ Guildibanez Username: Guildibanez Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 11:03 pm:    I like the AS83 very much. Especially with Gotoh 510 super tuners added and GHS flatbrite strings. Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 12:57 am:    I think the Artcore Customs are worth the extra money. If you plan to play the guitar seriously (gigs, jams, etc.) the Artcore Customs are better - better necks, better fretboards and better pickups. Base model Artcores are an excellent value and excellent student level guitars. I wish they had Artcore guitars 25 years ago when I was a poor college student want to learn jazz guitar. Ratfinks3 Username: Ratfinks3 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 4:16 am:    Were you playing the new AS73G with the super 58's and full arch top and back? I found that neck to be a bit clubish and not the patented Ibanez neck so to speak. Sounded like 58 pickups to me though. I also liked the archtop/archback as it now covers the horns. The as73 does not. Only the 73G model. It was priced at 349.00 USD. The 103 and 105 is good as well. They are just different artcore's. You wont get a vintage Cort Artstar sound out of them. If that is what your looking for. Also the Cort necks are a little thiner. Especially at the 5th fret. The new Artcors, are a very different and very nice Ibanez (I made it a point to play all the new ones over the past few weeks) with the new style flashy woods, knobs, pickups with super 58 stamped on them. (even thought they are not the same) I'm curious how they will hold up and sound in 10 years. Heck, we may be talking on here between our milk of magnesia and fibre milkshakes about these guitars then. I remember when Artstar was just another Ibanez. Then I remember playing a 70's Ibanez and thinking DOes that say Gibson or someting else. But it sure has a great neck and is a lot cheeper in price. Later guys. Rat Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:39 am:    Every Artcore under type number 103 has ACH1 and ACH2 pickups (ArtCore Humbucker 1 and 2). And no, the new Super 58 Custom pickups are not the same. I read they are ceramic. Ginger Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 9:11 am:    Hi, AS103 and AGS83 video tests/demonstrations can be seen at www.guitaretv.com. Language is French, so I didn't understand anything but the music. BTW, What is the difference between alnico and ceramic humbuckers? I guess I'll purchase AS103 anyway. Greetings from Finland Juha Ratfinks3 Username: Ratfinks3 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 3:21 am:    The AS73G I played was not the same guitar as the AS73. We compared them hanging next to each other. I played the black 73G and the pickups did say in small lettering on the lower right facing the guitar "super 58". I was under the same impression that only the 103 and 105 up had 58's. Your very correct Ginger, they are not the same 58's as our older Artstars, but they are a big improvement from last year I think. Especially the body with the arched horns. That supprised me. They must be competing with Robelli or Brownsville. They all have the arched horns I believe. The neck on the 73 was a terrible let down. Talajuha Username: Talajuha Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 6:38 am:    Problem solved I browsed ICW and some other webpages and found out the difference between alnico and ceramic pickups. Alnico magnet is also electric conductor while ceramic (ferrite) magnet is not. This causes (slight?) difference in the pickup's tone (among some other things). Some players like the traditional alnico tone and others like whatever good enough tone? There is the same kind of question of preference when speaking of tube/valve and solid state amps? Juha Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 7:04 am:    I have both. Most of mine have alnico. Though I have 2 with ceramic, the AS103 and a AX model. The ax pups I don't fancy but the AS103 to me sounds sweet. Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 12:04 pm:    Soulive88~ How much are you looking to spend? There are some nice vintage AS models popping up here and there.

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