Help me ID this Artist please.

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Author Message Pdangel1 Username: Pdangel1 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 3:44 pm:    I've just purchased an ARTIST that I think is an AR100? It's black with cream binding. It has no serial number anywhere. It has the smaller headstock with MOP inlay. The pick-ups are low-end GOTOHS. The tuners have nothing on them but they look like GOTOHS? Finally, the bridge is a Gibralter 2 (says made in Japan), but it just feels like a Korean guitar. Does anybody know exactly what this is or have a catalog scan? I can send pics via e-mail if it helps? Thanks. Pdangel1 Username: Pdangel1 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 3:46 pm:    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7302144127&ssPageName=ST RK:MEWN:IT Jim_donahue Username: Jim_donahue Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 7:52 pm:    Strange guitar. Gibraltar II Bridge so it is japanese, But the two point pickups and the tuners? Even the knob's are wrong on this one? I would believe it to be a 1983 AR50BK But I am not 100% on this, It specs out to this and also explains teh lower price tuners. JD Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 01-2002 Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:14 pm:    JD..Look at the headstock-definately not made in the 80's ! Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:15 pm:    Jim: I thought that the narrow headstock didn't come along until '86-'87? Jim_donahue Username: Jim_donahue Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 9:51 pm:    The Gibraltar Bridge was never used in Korea or so I thought, but I did not really notice the headstock until you mentioned it, So Now I am thinking back to Peerless company in Pusan Korea, This was part of the IIDA company back then and the first place Ibanez started making some electric guitars around 1987. My guess would be that they shipped parts from Japan to Peerless and made these in Korea. That would be the solution to the Cheap machine heads, The Two point pickups, and the knobs. But we never carried any of these models at Hoshino USA, I remember they made some hollow bodies they offered us but we did not take them, Chesbro may have. Also No serial number. The lowest Price AR we carried at that time was the AR120. So this must be what it is, the model number? No idea Jim Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 12:41 am:    Knobs and tuners can be changed, serial numbers can be removed. The narrow "Artstar" headstock puts it in the '89 to '97 range. It has features of both an early '90's AR200 and a late '90's AR200. I'll venture a guess that it's a late AR200 from the '92-'93 era, or an early AR200 from the '97-'98 era. BTW, what does a Korean guitar feel like? Are they slimy or something? Steve Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 7:56 am:    BTW, what does a Korean guitar feel like? Are they slimy or something? LOL Steve, maybe he means cheesy! Pdangel1 Username: Pdangel1 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:23 am:    The 1991 Japanese catalog shows an AR100 that meets the description verbatum, but why no serial number? There is no evidence of tampering. The bridge and tailpiece are absolutely Japanese. What factory used stickers insted of engraved s.n. #'s? Pdangel1 Username: Pdangel1 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:28 am:    It's nice and heavy. The binding job and dot inlays look cheap upon close examination. The fretwork is good quality. It plays real well though once set up proper. The plot thickens???? Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 12:52 am:    What 1991 catalog do you have? There is no AR100 in mine. Only the AR200 and AR300. What is the big deal about where it was made? If it feels good, sounds good, and looks good, whos cares who built the damned thing? Steve Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 01-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 8:08 am:    Steve.....I give ya a lot of credit-very sensible remarks..this string started because someone couldn't identify a NEAR MINT artist guitar purchased on EBay for less than $400 ! I sold the guitar and the answer is YES the guitar sounds great, looks even better and feels great-and was a steal at the selling price ! The only real question is Was is worth the price of admission ? Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 1:42 pm:    $400 for ANY model Artist in "Near Mint" condition is a bargain. ANY Artist. Steve Pdangel1 Username: Pdangel1 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:54 pm:    I was never trying to figure out it's value or if it was worth it or not. I just like to know exactly what I have. I own 2 Korean Ibanez's and even a Chinese Artcore. The mystery of not knowing the year and model bothers me more than the land of origin. It has no s.n. #, that is confusing... I came on this forum looking for assistance not an argument. I figured you guys had expert advice or insight? Sorry if you are offended by that. The Japanese 1991 catalog has an AR100. The Jemsite guy has it on his web page. Thanks.

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