2004 AR3000

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Author Message   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 8:03 am:    Hey Captain, I just wanted to know if this guitar is Japanese or is it Korean?   Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 9:04 pm:    Hey Freaky, it's a Japanese Prestige series model. We got a couple in for this years release,they are beautiful to play and 11out of 10 in the finish department too. Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 10:01 pm:    Thanks, I am seriously considering one for my collection. That makes me lean more towards the "GET IT" voice in my head!   Johns (Johns) Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:02 pm:    I've decided to finally give this AR a chance. The only thing it's missing, compared to the AR300s of the 70s and 80s, is the Tri-sounds. And maybe the majority of players don't use them anyway. If you consider the beautiful top, the Prestige neck, wood pup surrounds and that they brought back the cloud tailpiece, it's arguably a cut above the original AR300s. So, if I was going to buy a new model guitar, I'd go for this baby right out of the chute. How much are they anyway?   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:43 pm:    They list for $1999.99 I don't know what they retail for. But they are the sweetest thing they have to offer in the new AR line.   Orval (Orval) Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 4:53 pm:    retail can be as low as cost plus 10, or around 1100 usd.   Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 7:19 am:    Johns, I agree, maybe the next one will have the tri-sounds....The Captain will ask the question for you. Hey Orval, can't see why you would need to discount so heavily a guitar of this quality...strange days indeed :/ Captain Ibanez   Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 1:06 pm:    When you can get an original AR300 for well under a grand, the price of the AR3000 seems rather high to me. But what do I know, I play bolt-ons that "suck" Cheers Steve   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 8:08 am:    I've been pricing this item and GC told me $1399.00 up front before they place the order. thats really steep. I found a better offer under a grand that I think I'll go with if I decide to. The thing about new verses the old is that I've never owned a brand new electric except for the 2nds Ibanez's I own but they have minor flaws.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 8:27 am:    Well I went ahead and ordered this guitar. I have to wait until June to get it. when I do I will post some pics of it.   Tom Scoggan Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 5:12 pm:    Hi. I'm a long-time reader but first-time poster to this board. I ordered one of the new AR3000's a few months ago, and it just arrived last week. I got mine for about $1200 new. This is truly a breathtaking guitar! I also own an AR2000, and while I absolutely adore that guitar (I sold all of my other electrics after I got it!), I have to admit that the AR3000 is an upgrade. For one, the flame top on the AR3000 is much more vivid and three-dimensional than the one on the AR2000. By comparison, the flames on my AR2000 look shallow and asymmetrical. Perhaps this is coincidental, since the only examples I've seen first hand have been my own. (Not to digress too much, but has anyone noticed how dark and ugly the AR2000 and AR3000 photos on the Ibanez website are? They don't even come close to portraying the true golden color of these guitars.) Anyway, besides the block inlays, the other big difference between the 2000 and the 3000 is the thicker body of the 3000. It makes a noticeable difference in tone, and it also gives the guitar a more solid feel. All in all, I highly recommend the new AR3000. I only wish that Ibanez would re-release the AR5000 w/ a vine inlay. I can dream...   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 10:38 pm:    Tom, are the frets on the 2000 the same as the 3000? I noticed that the catalog says medium sized frets on the AR3000 and large on the ar300 and AR200BI. But when you look at the parts orders on the website they asre the same part numbers. Iv'e noticed discrepancy betwwen the USA and Europe websites when it comes to fret size on the AF85VS I bought a few months back. The USA says large frets and the others say small and the guitar came with small frets. Now lets get the facts straight here people. When I am paying good money for a new guitar I want what the catalog says I am supposed to get.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 10:40 pm:    By the way your description of the AR3000 makes me more glad that I'm getting this one.   Tom Scoggan Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 9:15 am:    Yeah, the frets look and feel the same to me. My only complaint w/ both the AR2000 and AR3000 (and I realize that I'm in the minority here) is the lacquered neck. I have rather small hands, and I find that the finish makes it very difficult to smoothly slide up and down the neck, especially when playing chords fretted w/ the thumb. I wish there was an Artist guitar with a smooth satin finish. Does anyone know if they've ever made one of these?   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 11:49 am:    I am not aware of any, perhaps some of the other members know the answer to that.   Spiro (Spiro) Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 8:09 pm:    The AR 200 BI is a satin finish... Not a Japanese Guitar but satin   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 8:47 pm:    Yes I forgot about that one. I had the chance to try one out at a freinds house. The whole guitar is satin Black Iron. It's a decent guitar for the price! It weighs a lot I know that but It sounded ok. I had it cranked through a cheesy little Marshall student amp so I didn't quite get the fullness of its capability but i know I couldn't put it down for hour.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 7:23 am:    Tom where did you buy your AR3000? USA?what State?   Tom Scoggan Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 2:57 pm:    I bought my AR3000 from Music123.com. Come to think of it, I've given those guys a lot of business. Since I tend to pamper my guitars, I'm kind of a snob when it comes to buying new vs used!   Johns (Johns) Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 3:55 pm:    Tom: It got dropped right at your door for $1200? Anything extra for shipping, etc.?   Tom Scoggan Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 1:52 pm:    John, Well, the list price is around $1500, but they did a price match (against a little mom and pop place...I forget where) down to $1200. Shipping was free. Pretty good deal, huh? I've bought about 4 guitars from that place.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 2:51 pm:    My 2004 Ibanez dealer catolog has it listed at $1999.99. I wonder where they got the 1500 from?   Tom Scoggan Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 12:36 pm:    No, what I meant to say is that their normal "sale" price is $1500, but I was able to get it for $1200. Their MSRP is still $1999.99.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 3:21 pm:    I am getting my AR3000 tomorrow afternoon. It's been 2 months of waiting and finally its in YAHOOO!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 9:12 am:    I got my new guitar and its sweet. I still haven't plugged it in yet. I need to get some oil for the rosewood pup surrounds and fretboard and a nice polish cloth. You can't order that stuff on the USA Ibanez site. Any way Johns will be posting some Pics of it for me this weekend. It came with a silver stamped Prestige instruction book with all the tips and set up specs for each prestige model along with 12 months of Rolling Stone magazine.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 11:35 pm:    i have to say that this guitar feels like an old friend. That Prestige neck is very comfortable. It feels broken in already. Smooth action and all. Plays just as good as any new LP by the Big G company. Actually I like it better. Still haven't plugged it in yet but Fathers Day is gonna be nice when I break the amp out and plug my baby in!   Ericsson (Ericsson) Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 2:16 am:    You can get linseed oil at an art supply store, many people use that to oil fingerboards... you'll only need a drop or two for the whole board, a little goes a long way!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 9:31 am:    Thanks for the tip Ericson! I will look into that.   Spiro (Spiro) Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 5:25 pm:    Ibanezfreak1960 Congrats on your new purchase.. You can use Linseed oil if you like but it sort gets sticky after a while and using too much will make it hard to refret the guitar.. You are better off using something that will come off easily.. (stay away from lemon oil) Alot of people use Bore oil (as used in wooden clarinets and the like) Again as ericsson stated A little goes along way.. When linseed oil dries, it becomes a type of finish.. Linseed oil is used in oil based paints to thin them down so I try And stay away from it... Another trick is to get the board and frets polished (Ala Gibson LP Custom style) You can also darken the wood a little bit if you like to give it that Ebony look with one of 2 products.. 1 Black oil dye (fiebings) as used in saddlery.. 2 Steel wool immersed in white vinegar until it dissolves.. this makes rosewod react with it and makes it naturally darker (again as used by Gibson and PRS) Anyways have fun!!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 6:10 pm:    Thank You Spiro, I almost bought a bottle of some stuff at guitar center that was mainly lemon oil but I told the sales guy forget it. I don't think he was very educated. He said to rub it on every time I change strings and i said no way dude I'll look into it 1st and get some advice. I want to do whats best for the wood to perserve it and such. Hold on let me read the book that came with it....Well it says to wipe down after playing which I always do. And then it says to use polish for dirt build up. I tend to stay away from polishes because they leave a residue that get on your fingers and ruin the tone of strings. I don't like any foreign matter on my hands when I play. I usually use a fine cloth dampened and a very small amount of mild soap on it for a poly or laquered finish. This Prestige book covers all types of Ibanez finishes> Ok it says a fretboard with no finish should be wiped with a cloth and small amount of fingerboard oil or good - quality lemon oil. For frets that become dull or rusted looking, mask of the fingerboard and use #0000 stell wool. And listen close to this.... You can polish the frets with a smooth rounded metal object such as the tip of a guitar cable to make them smoother. (I think I'll pass on that one) For metal parts that become dirty, wipe off with a small amount oil and soft cloth (don't say what type of oil). So I am open to suggestions on what to do. Well, hopefully Johns will have my pics up soon so you all can see it. Cheers everyone! Brian   Tonedef (Tonedef) Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 11:24 pm:    Spiro--what don't you like about lemon oil? I have been using Formby's lemon oil with good results on rosewood fretboards. If you are careful to use it sparingly and then wipe off whatever does not soak into the wood, I don't see a problem (but maybe I am missing something). You are definitely right on the $$ about linseed oil leaving a sticky residue. I have never seen that with lemon oil unless you use too much. Tonedef   Spiro (Spiro) Posted on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 3:29 am:    Lemon oil is a solvent cleaner!! It is used to clean waxes and the like off of wood prior to polishing.. I know that alot of people use it on guitars but I spoken to violin makers and also to French polish manufacturers and they have said that it is too acidic and should only be used to clean wood and not as a polish! bore oil has been used for years to preserve the inside of wooden wind instruments from saliva.. Your fingers already have an acidic sweat on them so why add anymore! i have used bore oil now for years and found it the best.. (easy to remove if you need to dress the board.. just a bit of warm soapy water).. As i stated above violin makers have steered me away from it..   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 7:19 am:    I'm gonna have to agree with Spiro. I always wipe the guitar down well after playing. And the fretboard gets cleaned pretty good while doing that. Very rarely on my guitars would you see any dirt bulild up from sweat unless I't a hot humid gig I am at. But even then I keep a cloth on my guitar stand for wiping in between songs. I hope that the bore oil is available in the USA.   Tonedef (Tonedef) Posted on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 7:45 pm:    I am always looking to learn something, but I am not sure I agree with your assessment of lemon oil--at least the Formby's I use. It contains other penetrating oils in addition to the lemon (which I'm betting is there for cleaning). I have used this stuff for years on all types of porus woods and like it very much. According to the label, it is formulated not to leave any sticky residue and will replenish oils into the wood--which it seems to do well. You can literally see the dry wood suck this stuff up. I would recommend you give it a try on any kind of dark open grained wood object you might have (I suppose it would work on maple, spruce, pine, etc.--but I have never tried it on non-porus woods) and see what you think. I'll look for your bore oil and see how it works--I hope it is better! Tonedef   Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 7:24 am:    I agree with the majority here - I've used Formby's lemon oil for at least 20 years on all of my non-finished fingerboards and I'm very happy with the condition of all of these guitars. The real key is to replenish the oils naturally found in the woodto keep the wood healthy. If linseed oil didn't leave a residue, it would be great. Remember that wood is a plant. Hmm...vegetable oil? I've used it in a pinch. Works fine. Maybe I'll try sunflower oil next time.... CraigJC   Spiro (Spiro) Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 5:33 pm:    Lemon Oil is fine.. But I have stopped using it because i found something better, and was also told not to use it.. I think that any oil should be used sparingly anyways.. Try and keep it away from the end grain (between frets that is) and you should be okay.. The best trick I have found (again from an experienced Guitar Repairer) is to oil the board leave it for a day, wipe off any excees and then buff the whole fretboard on an arbour buff with tiny amount of compound and voila! a nice permanent shiny fretboard.. It just gives it that finished off look. This really works well for those boards that have the finger markings sort of left on the board... Buffs the frets at the same time.. Will take a picture for all to see over the weekend..   Ericsson (Ericsson) Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:57 am:    The pics at last! Looks like a really nice guitar, have a look at Ibanezfreak1960's new guitar:   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 8:00 am:    Thanks for posting for me Ericsson, as you can see this is a beautiful guitar that plays perfrect.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 2:59 pm:    Spiro< are you saying that oil tends to swell the wood in the fret slots? That sounds true to me I will be careful with it.   Spiro (Spiro) Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 5:06 pm:    Lovely guitar Ibanezfreak!!! Actually the wood softens the end grain and makes the frets unstable..   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 5:50 pm:    Thanks Spiro, I really like it. So my question is how often should the fretboard be oiled?   Johns (Johns) Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:00 am:    So, what kind of neck joint does this model have?   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:35 am:    I'll get ericsson to post the neck joint.   Tonedef (Tonedef) Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 7:56 pm:    That is a beautiful guitar! By the way, what shade of nail polish is that? Tonedef   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:19 am:    Ha ha, thats my daughters foot not mine. she was standing around by the case. You can see a reflection of the US flag in the bridge pup.   Jimmys (Jimmys) Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 7:28 am:    Hey Ibanezfreak, that's a great looking guitar you have there. You guys can get some great deals over in the US. Here (Australia), the same guitar probably costs between $3000-$4000AUD. I know one shop sells the AR2000 for $3,800 or so as their list price. I lived in Virginia, US, and found one for $1200US in 2001. I passed on it but it was heaps cheaper than over here, even with the exchange rate. On the fretboard oiling, I have an 81 AR300 which I have had since 83 (I bought it new - must have been sitting in storage for a while before I bought it). I have played this thing heaps over the years and have never oiled the fretboard. Apart from wear becoming apparent on the board from my fingers, it still looks fine - it's probably lucky that it is virtually black wood anyway (ebony), but am I missing out on anything by not oiling it? Cheers, James   Tonedef (Tonedef) Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 1:43 pm:    Hey Ibanezfreak----I'm glad to hear that, as I was going to deduct points for not having matching fingernails! Jimmys--we have been debating that very point. Some think it a good idea, others are opposed or will only use a certain oil--and then sparingly. I guess you will have to decide for yourself... Tonedef   Jimmys (Jimmys) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 4:58 am:    Hey Tonedef, I think I'll keep not oiling mine. Cheers, James   Ericsson (Ericsson) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 5:13 am:    Ye olde neck joint... sorry Bri can't open the hoshino pictures, that's not a .zip file you sent. What kind of email program are you using? {image} {image} {image} As for oiling the fingerboard, it's not usually necessary if the guitar is properly stored with the right humidity. But lots of guitars dry out over time and a little oil can be a big help for feel and looks too...   Ericsson (Ericsson) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 5:14 am:    Crap! I must have Ibanezfreak1960 disease!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 8:40 am:    I am using AOL. I can try to send the pics in a regular email like these ones but there are 20 some pics and I'll have to do it in 3 or 4 emails.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 10:29 am:    Ericsson I sent them on my msn account in regular email. The zip file worked when i sent it to my neighbor for a test so I don't know whats up with that. Anyway you can post those in the Vintage section under Hoshino visit, thanks again my computer will not let me upload pics and its getting me frustated.   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 10:36 am:    Also there are 2 number 5 emails I missed a 4 somehow.   Tonedef (Tonedef) Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 12:18 pm:    Jimmys, I am with you. I have never had any bad luck with Formby's lemon oil, so I will keep using it. Wood contains oils which deplete over time. I think after the wood dries out enough, it is happy to get a little help! After reading all the opinions I am going to make sure I use it sparingly, try to keep it away from the frets, and let it dry thoroughly before I re-string. I could see how it might react negatively with metal. If I lose a few frets--Spiro you told me so! So far no wood buffs I know have heard of "bore/boar" oil. If anyone finds any, please let us know. Tonedef   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 6:58 pm:    I finally got a chance to test this AR3000 today through one of my amps. I gave the neighbors a loud ear shattering performance of the "star spangled banner" with my Tubeworks amp and my new Ibanez PH7 phaser stompbox. This guitar sings! I am getting ready for nightfall so I can accompany the fireworks displays. happy 4th everyone!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 11:46 am:    Johns, did you get to see the neck joint that I had posted for you? And if so how is it compared to older models?   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 8:04 am:    Hi Captain, I have been considering adding some mini toggles to this AR3000. I have a question or 2 about it. Can the stock super 58's that this baby comes with be split? And if so what wires go where? When I opened the cavity for the pots and switch I found the wires are all white. So it makes it very hard to know what is what here. My plan is to have a split coil option for each pick up individually. Can someone please post my cavity pics if I email them to you?   Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 9:32 pm:    Freakydude, if you want tri sounds, buy a AR300CS,don't go hacking up a brand new prestige model....for goodness sake what's the world coming too. Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 10:24 pm:    Well maybe the hoshino folks should release a new model with at least duo sound. I could deal with that. If I changed it to that it wouldn't be a cosmetic change so are the old duo sound tone pots available from your end? And would the stock pups be able to be changed to it?   Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 10:46 pm:    Yeah, I've got those pots still, and the pickups won't be a problem either,Super 58's with these rock ! Talk to me offline about prices. Cameron   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 7:27 am:    Thanks Cameron, I actually like the duo sound a lot. It is a feature my ST prototype has and since iI retired that guitar I'd like the same feature on my AR. Are the rocker swithes on the Jet kIng the same as Duo Sound just different switching method? Check your email Capt. Thanks   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 7:28 am:    correction SWITCHES. No lisp here!   Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 10:06 am:    No freakydude, the Jetking switches are a 2 way switch,they split the humbucker, BTW, probably the O'l Cappys favourite Ibanez axe for many years...look out for the Captain Ibanez signature model with both push/push volume and tone pots and Japanese Super 58 pickups and a tree of life inlay in the neck done in Blue New Zealand Pau shell, pearloid machine heads as used on your AR3000VV, and my signature at the 12th fret and my Captain Ibanez mask engraved into the tailpiece...hmmm happy day's Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 12:30 pm:    I hav3e the stock JTK1IV and although I have not plugged it in yet I like the way it feels! I'll take it to my next rehearsal and try it out. But I'd love to see the JET King worked to the balls like that!   Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:11 am:    Can anyone tell me what kind of metal is under the gold plating on these Gibralter 2 saddles? I am having problems with strings breaking (the plain steel G, B, and E strings. I am using the factory guage strings 46-10.I'd hate to have to a file to them. Thats why I am a fan of the brass saddles.   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 6:44 pm:    after not seeing the ar3000 at summer namm, and then not shown at winter namm, and not finding it in the 2005 catalog, i realized that the prestige artist had been dropped from the lineup. i contacted hoshino usa and found that they did not have any left in stock in usa or japan. i really wanted to play one before i bought it, but i found one at a dealer via ebay and bought it. the important message here, is that the 2004 artist ar3000vv, is the last premium artist to be built in japan.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 8:50 pm:    I noticed that too Orval. That is why I am glad to have bought one. I wonder what the production numbers are for this model? The AR2000 ran for a couple years but this just 1. When I oredered mine they were not stocking them at Hoshino USA they were by order only. I was told that they got no more than 2 a month in.   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 8:50 pm:    i played an ar2000vv and was very pleased with the neck, so i am anxious to get the ar3000vv to see how it compares. a few years ago, i told JD that i liked the ar2000vv but that if i was going to spend that kind of money on a guitar it would have to be adorned with at least block inlays and fancy gold hardware. so, thanks JD i am glad that ibanez built it, and i will follow through on my word, i bought it. it sure feels good to be able to buy a collectors piece while they are brand new.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 11:20 pm:    I'm sure you'll love the 3000. I hardly ever play it just to keep it new but when I do it's guitar heaven!   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 6:05 am:    To close this thread once and for all...buy what you want...lock it away....but make sure you change the Silica Gel bags every 12 months in the case...No discrimination wether its a AR2000 or a AR3000....enjoy....appreciate..and add value to future Ibaneezers' Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 7:53 am:    I can't kill this thread sorry Cappy, I just had mine out this morning for the 1st time in a month or so and I forgot how nice the neck is on this thing. It's one of those guitars that are few and far between that the player becomes one with if you know what I mean. Orval did you get yours yet? If so how is it?   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 6:10 pm:    yes, i got it. i was somewhat cautious about buying it, because i was concerned that they might have changed the neck shape from the ar2000. if they did, it is undetectable. its a fine guitar and i am very pleased to own it. mij, single year issue, premium construction. its sure to be a classic.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 9:55 pm:    I agree with you! Glad you like it.   Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 11:51 am:    Here's an interesting one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11843&item=4370263346&rd= 1   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 3:04 pm:    Yeah...watch out for this guy. For quite some time, once a month, he posts 2 Ibanez auctions, one for an AR-3000 and an Andy Timmons(?). Never an actual picture of the guitar and he has no feedback. He's definitely a scammer. The auctions are subsequently removed...watch out!   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, April 01, 2005 - 3:33 pm:    Looks like it was removed quickly!   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 7:29 pm:    The scammer is at it again... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11843&item=4370870140&rd= 1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11843&item=4370870131&rd= 1   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 8:16 pm:    This dude has 15 pages of musical instruments all starting at a 1 dollar bid. They removed quite a bit already! BEWARE   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 6:53 am:    Freaky, to be honest...when your in love with just one axe in the tool shed..ya need to step outside the door sometimes and stand back in admiration of what you have and be very comfortable in knowing that you have the right tools for the job. I have scaled back again..something that Cappy does every so often, and now with my current range of Ammo..the sexy blonde AF105NT Artcore Custom, Splice Girl(RS440) and the pinnical..the 1 of 25 in the world AR250AHS PW Artist...I am more than pleased....but when I let my 95 BL500LB re-issue go to a good home..it didn't matter any more....step back and feel the sunshine on your hands not the wallet Captain Ibanez   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 7:17 am:    I'll tell you the more I look at that AF105 the more I want one. I think i'll be adding that one sometime this year!   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 5:09 pm:    Looks like there are still some new AR3000's out there. JimLaabsMusic has them listed as "in stock". Not sure if it's because they sell a lot more accordians than guitars in Wisconsin or if they just haven't updated their website. The price they are quoting is creeping up toward the original MSR price, and maybe that's why they're still there, if they're there. (If their they're is really there)   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 6:54 pm:    Carey: that listing is from 4 years ago. They just never took it off their site. Believe me...I've searched high and low for them many times. They're next to impossible to find...(unless you ask me ). mk   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 8:24 pm:    "They're next to impossible to find. . . (unless you ask me." I did ask, and again thanks. I am enjoying the guitar very much. One does wonder about the previous owner though. . . black magic marker over the Ibanez logo on the case, very strange replacement job on the nut. I'm just glad it fell into your hands before the previous owner had it any longer than he did. I was having a hard time believing you were selling it, even though I was grateful to be getting it, until I found out you had TWO. My goodness, life just ain't always fair. But now that you've spread the wealth, it's a little bit fairer.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 10:29 pm:    Careycorson congrats on being the new owner! Give us a report after you test drive it a few times. What happened to the nut? The original is bone.   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 9:16 am:    As Carey said, I thought it had been replaced as it looked nothing like the original on my other AR3000. It also wasn't seated/angled 100% right. mk   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 10:31 am:    OK...I've decided that I will sell my other AR3000. This one is truly a collector's piece. Details in the Classifieds section... mk   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 9:10 am:    Here are some updated pics of mine. I have 3 warranty hang tags 1 on guitar and 2 in case. A new cloud for later on. The prestige Manual(not shown)The bridge and truss rod socket wrench(courtesy of HUSA). The original pick and pack slip from the HUSA warehouse plus case and key. The pics are low res but WTF....   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 10:13 am:    Johns, how come I am losing quality when I reduce the pics with Fastone? If anyone would like to see high def pics of the ones above I'll email them to you. This guitar has been played only a few times. This guitar is NOT for sale!}   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 1:04 pm:    Freak: I use MS Paint. Easy to do: choose Image, then Strech/Skew, then enter the horizontal & vertical scaling %. Try it and compare vs. Fastone, assuming you're using Windows. mk   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 3:46 pm:    I will mK thanks. Ithought Fastone was the same thing basically since it ahs the same feature. I also think I need a better camera to start with.   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 2-2001 Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 8:06 am:    Freak: From the look of your pictures, I wouldn't say that there is a "quality issue". Compared to your originals, I'm sure you see a difference. But we can't see both and compare. That said, when reducing images and compressing them, you will always loose some quality.   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 12:43 pm:    Well, I've had the AR3000 for a week now, and am really enjoying the guitar. It's a pleasure to look at, to hold, and to play. The neck just feels so "right." I cannot believe how many different sounds I can get from this guitar. The main reason I switched to an Ibanez 2617 from a Les Paul Custom was because I could get many more tones out of it (not to mention the binding, pickups, and carved top) The 2617 had the LP tone, PLUS other tones. From what I remember of the 2617 (may her Katrina-soaked soul rest in peace), the AR3000 has the 2617 tones, PLUS a bunch of others. Thanks again, Michael, and good luck with selling your other one (I think, since I can't believe it's a good idea to sell it)   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 1:38 pm:    Do you agree with me that the coil taps sound great and add lots of versatility, or are you just using humbuckers? The irony here is that if I were to keep one, in hindsight, it would have been the one I sold you due to the taps. And yes - I love the AR3000 Prestige neck. mk   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 4:22 pm:    Mk, Yes, I do agree with you that the coil taps sound great. Without using the coil taps, I seem to be getting the sounds I could get on the 2616. The taps open up another world of sounds -- almost like having access to a Strat/Tele sound at the pull of a tone knob. CC   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 4:32 pm:    If I were just collecting guitars, for future value, I certainly would have rather have had the other, unplayed one, without the botched nut replacement, but since I'm going to be playing this guitar - I got the right guitar for me. CC   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 5:16 pm:    I agree. mk   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 8:41 pm:    Carey: I think the AR3000 I sold you came from the factory with the taps. I opened up my 'stock' AR3000 and found that the Super 58 wires are white. They are not multi-colored which means that in addition to the taps, your pickups would need to have been swapped for tappable Super 58's. Although it's possible that someone made these changes after the fact, I suspect it was ordered from the factory with that configuration. ICW member Hasenobu showed us an AR3000 with trisounds which was factory customized, therefore, ordering a customized AR3000 was definitely a possibility. mk   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 11:34 pm:    Are you sure those pups are 58's? Hasenobu said that the fuji custom shop did the mods on the trisound model.   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 7:44 am:    The pups in the AR3000 I sold (w/ push pull taps) were definitely Super 58 - they were stamped on the back. As far as the pups on the tri-sound model, I don't know for sure, however,as long as they were 4-wire, like mine were, they could have been used with a tri-sound. mk   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 2:11 pm:    I didn't know if you pulled them or not to look.   Chazmo Username: Chazmo Registered: 3-2007 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 10:11 am:    Freak, just wanted to chime in on what a beauty that 3000 RE is. Oh, and some of the others were talking about what they used to oil the fretboard... I use bore oil, which is a product made for woodwinds (clarinets, oboes, etc.).   Careycorson Username: Careycorson Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 3:27 pm:    Michael, Thanks for the update on the likelihood that those "taps" were factory installed. I'm still enjoying the guitar as much as I can -- I had to take a bit of a break for me to recover from open-heart surgery, but I'm on the mend, and the guitar is getting played more regularly. It's been quite a comfort in course of my convalescence. Carey   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 4:32 pm:    Carey~ Hope you have a 100% recovery!! I played my AR3000 last night after many months of not doing so. That will NOT happen again. That is one fine instrument, better looking and playing than most PRS I've ever touched. I got so aggressive with it, I popped the high E string. Oh well, it was time for a change anyway. Enjoy playing that great guitar as you mend from surgery   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 6:48 pm:    Carey: We hadn't heard from you in a while...I hope you're ok. mk   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 4:21 am:    Chazmo, thanks you! i haven't played her for a while but have plans to very soon. Carey glad to hear you are ok!   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 4:24 am:    Oh and Tim, I have been neglecting mine as well. I really should play it more often than I do. Its been months for me.

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