Ibanez/Washburn/Hagstrom ?

[abracadabra]

I've come down to Ibanez.
AS103 or AF125 (AF125 is cheaper than AF105 )
AS103 which is 100Eur cheaper than AF125.
Is it worth to add 100Eur for AF?

I know, that AS is semi hollow, but still cannot decide between those two.

Looks that on AS i'ts easier to reach upper frets and it's more resistant to feedback.
But is it possible to get good jazz tone (a la Benson) from semi?

p.s.
Samicks (RL5) ar interesting too, but don't know why, but don't trust them...

Just a word of caution on the AF125. I don't know which one you're after, but the ones I've seen in shops seemed very garish to me. It's just my opinion, and many people love these guitars, but to me the many colours and shades seemed a little off. Just in case you're buying online.

I've only played an AS103 for five minutes in a shop, so I can't really comment. It plays well though.

No luck on the AK series? Or the PM35?

[mambosun]

I'm still found of my Ibanez Artstar AS120 bought 13 years ago, very good guitar and plugged into the right amp, it's very easy to get the sweet jazz tone.
A few month ago, I decided to buy my first archtop (more or less in your budget ) and I strip my shortlist down to 2 models: Gregg benett JZ4 and Hangstrom HL550.
The two models are very good & likeable in terms of perceived quality, fit and finishings and of course sound; however , unplugged the JZ4 won, deeper tone, more natural sounding guitar than the Hagstrom which is very important to me.
Plugged, both are very good, but I finally bought the Gregg Benett
I just prefered the unplugged sound, excellent playability, finishing, and more traditional design.
I shorlisted the Aria F71 too, but was not 100% convinced I would feel confortable with a "cutaway-less" body.

[backliner]

I've come down to Ibanez.
AS103 or AF125 (AF125 is cheaper than AF105 )
AS103 which is 100Eur cheaper than AF125.
Is it worth to add 100Eur for AF?

I know, that AS is semi hollow, but still cannot decide between those two.

Looks that on AS i'ts easier to reach upper frets and it's more resistant to feedback.
But is it possible to get good jazz tone (a la Benson) from semi?

p.s.
Samicks (RL5) ar interesting too, but don't know why, but don't trust them...

I like fully hollowbody for jazz, and love my Ibanez AF-75 even after having had some higher end guitars. Yes it's low end, but the build quality isn't. I might get another used one because they are very inexpensive here in the US, just so I can have different strings and maybe put a wooden bridge on it.

The Washburns I have had were nice too, but it's been a few years and I haven't handled any recent ones.

[Mr77FM]

This post has been here awhile. However, I agree with Mr Beaumont, 100%. Washburn, all the way. Just my opinion and experience the Ibanez, are way overrated and priced.
If it feels good and in the budget go for it.

[xuoham]

No both have Super 58s, unless the Ibby website is wrong. It also says S-58 on my pups (I have the AF105).

Sorry to resurrect this post, but i found it by chance looking for some Hagstrom info.

I very happily own an AF105 (2 HB version) and i'd like to fix this misunderstanding i see on many forums.
Due to a mistake on some Ibanez websites people think the super 58 custom are ceramic.
NO, they are alnico. Only the ACH1 & ACH2 available on cheaper models are ceramic, and it is obvious right away when you play them: brighter, but no guts, depth, no surprise.

If it is embroiled S-58 on the cover, then for sure it is a super 58 Custom.
The original super 58 has nothing written on the cover.

The super 58 Custom is a great pickup, a tad brighter than the regular super 58, which i actually like.
With a bit of roll off of the trebles you definitely can get this meaty sound.
I thought i was going to replace the neck pu with a Seth Lover, which i have on my other Iby, but it's just very fine.
Plus this one is wax potted, maybe a non potted p.u on a full hollow would be too much with the feedback.

Just in case someone is googling some info on the AF105, which i did six month ago, and i was very glad someone corrected this bad info (ibanez forum ?) it really helped me.

[GNAPPI]

I'm going to buy my first archtop, but cannot decide which.

Ibanez AF125 ~ 900Eur


I don't have a 125 but do have an AF100 (discontinued for the 105) and it's beautifully made... the 125 is even more so.

Acoustically it's on a par with my 575 or 175 but electrically it's so-so. I bought my AF100 for $400 Delivered in immaculate AS NEW condition so IMO if you can find any of the 100 series used or on sale I think they're really worth the money. If you're like me you may want to change the pups but hey for the money you can't go wrong.

[Arnesto]

Why not the Hofner J17-E2 555euros

[jasonmi3]

I have a PM35 which is really a nice guitar for the money. It is not on par with my ES-165 but I still enjoy playing it.

[xuoham]

What is not on par ?

The PUs ? The wood ? The neck ?

Thnx

[jasonmi3]

Good Questions. It is A) the sound of the ES-165 was what my ear wanted to hear and B) The feel and construction of the Gibson is just superior but of course it costs three times as much as the PM35. Now I have made efforts to make my PM35 sound like a Gibson prior to my ES-165 purchase. I replaced the stock Custom Super 58s with Gibson Classic 57's and upgraded all the wiring and POTS (the stock POTS where scratchy) and it got closer to what I was looking for but not all the way. Note, that the pickup upgrade was an improvement (to MY ears) but not substantial really. Those 58s are really nice pickups as it turns out by way of comparison. BTW, I just checked the Ibanez site and the PM35 is no longer listed, just the PM120 (which costs about the same as the Gibson) so it looks like it has been discontinued.

[xuoham]

Yes, the PM35 is being replace by the PM2 (custom 58) and there will be a new PM200 (silent 58).


Thanks for the infos.
Good to know about the only minor improvement from the stock pickups.


edit: whole 2013 catalog available at Dropbox - Ibanez2013CAT_catalog_EU_low_high.pdf - Simplify your life

cheers