Ibanez AS53, cheap, but how good could it be?

[Meggy]

I find myself toying with the idea of getting one of these, and fitting better pickups. I was impressed by this YouTube review, and particularly the demonstration of the guitar's acoustic response and volume at the beginning. To be honest, I think with the frets given a level and dress, and better pickups fitted (both of which I can do myself) it might play and sound just as good as an expensive semi-acoustic. As far as the simple control layout is concerned, I think I'd prefer that to the 4 control layout.

But just wondering what opinions you all might have, cheers.

[pingu]

That thing sounds great ...
makes me wonder about the af55
too ,
those cheap ibz
gotta be great bang for the buck man

[jim777]

I just got an ASR-70, which is the fully hollow AS body with P90s, and it's a great bang for the buck guitar. It's got a buzz on the F# on the high E string 2nd fret but other than that it is good to go and doesn't need anything except a quick trip to the shop to sort that fret. Much cheaper than a ES-330/H-530 and great upper fret access to boot

Honestly, Ibanez makes some of the most playable necks in the business; I have never had one that didn't feel great in your fretting hand and I've had 20+.

[Little Jay]

Wow.......I must admit I'm pretty blown away by that review!! It sounds freaking great!

I've been gassing for an ES-330 a long timw so now I am all of a sudden very interested in the ASR-70...... oh the GAS......!

[Meggy]

That thing sounds great ...
makes me wonder about the af55
too ,
those cheap ibz
gotta be great bang for the buck man

Cheers pingu - I'm trying to talk myself out of getting one (having talked my way into the idea in the first place) - it's a classic case of GAS striking I know. But it does sound great there, and I couldn't help thinking that it would be easy to put some better pickups in, and a nice setup, and then surely that would be a fine guitar. There does seem to be a lot of the acoustic quality/resonance coming through in the tone, which I would have thought is a key attribute of a good semi-acoustic. I think I'd be looking more at the AS53 than the AF55 personally, as I'd want to sometimes use a few effects or a bit of distortion - I guess I'm thinking Larry Carlton kind of sounds. But all these cheap Ibanez guitars seem quite cool to me - I like the understated satin finishes and clean bling-free look.

I just got an ASR-70, which is the fully hollow AS body with P90s, and it's a great bang for the buck guitar. It's got a buzz on the F# on the high E string 2nd fret but other than that it is good to go and doesn't need anything except a quick trip to the shop to sort that fret. Much cheaper than a ES-330/H-530 and great upper fret access to boot

Honestly, Ibanez makes some of the most playable necks in the business; I have never had one that didn't feel great in your fretting hand and I've had 20+.

Wow.......I must admit I'm pretty blown away by that review!! It sounds freaking great!

I've been gassing for an ES-330 a long timw so now I am all of a sudden very interested in the ASR-70...... oh the GAS......!

I hadn't heard of the ASR-70, and from googling it, the model seems now to be discontinued. Does sound to be a great model to get I must say, although experience has taught me that I tend to prefer humbuckers to P90s. Sorry if starting this thread has got the old GAS going Little Jay, very irresponsible of me!

[voxss]

nice review and playing too...the finish reminds me of Harley Benton...different League of course

[GNAPPI]

I don't know why everyone immediately wants to change the ACH pups in the Ibanez gits?

I cannot find fault with them.

The AS series are much better than their price suggests.

[Meggy]

I don't know why everyone immediately wants to change the ACH pups in the Ibanez gits?

I cannot find fault with them.

The AS series are much better than their price suggests.

That's a very fair point to make - I guess I was making the assumption that the pickups wouldn't be to my liking. I have experimented trying a fair few pickup sets on some of my guitars, and have found with humbuckers (and single coils for that matter) that ceramic magnet types just seem to have a certain cold or brittle quality - it can be quite a subtle thing in some instances, but still seems to be undeniably there. My favourite sets of PAF type humbuckers have alnico 2 or 3 magnets, and are "low wind" types for the neck pickup - this formula seems to give warmth but with clarity and articulation.

But having said that, I can't deny that the chap in the video above gets what I'd call a very good sound from the guitar, and despite the fact that he himself expresses reservations about the pickups. So, if the stock pickups sound good, so much the better I would have to say - I'd have to buy the guitar and try it out for a while to make a decision on that one. I'm teetering on the brink of putting in an order somewhere at the mo! - dangerous...

[pants]

I have a 2003 or so as83 (artcore line, not in production any more) which is fantastic for the $350 I paid used. I like the ACH pickups and the fit and finish is pretty impeccable considering the price. I haven't had to fix it up in any major way. The newer models I'm not so keen on the odd matte finishes. Feels like it deadens the thing. Here's a crappy little clip.

[Nestoguitar]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member and I thought I'd share my experience with Ibanez. First of all I'm a lefty and don't have the luxury of walking into a retailer and trying out stuff. Fortunately for me a local store just happened to have a brand new Ibanez yellow sunburst AM93, even before playing it I struck with its quality feel and stunning looks. Picked her up and with in 5 minutes I was floored by the playability and tone and bought it on the spot. I have been so pleased Ibanez, just this year I have also bought their AG95, and Violin Sunburst AS93 lefties; and like the AM93 they too were virtually perfect out of the box. In fact I spent over a year tweaking my Gibson Les Paul Standard and Epiphone DOT to see if I could come close to the Ibby feel and playability, (with limited success).

BTW, other than their size and finish the AS93 and the AM 93 are essentially the same guitar (Super 58's etc.) I assumed sound wise they'd be indistinguishable, although they do sound similar, they are clearly not identical in tone. The AM93 is a little more tighter, sweeter/warmer and controlled, with the AS93 being a tad more open, slightly brighter with more bass and robust in it's signature. I must say that the AM93 advantage is it's smaller size makes it a better option for practicing while seated or even playing around on a couch. The AG95 being a smaller full hollow body is simply sensational. My biggest challenge is to figure out which Ibby to play, but that is not problem with my Gibson LP or Eppy Dot which are now semi retired in their cases.

I'm a bigger guy and as expected the larger AS93 contours to my body type a little bit better so I will probably sell my AM93. If anybody is interested or you know a lefty I will probably list it here first.

Thanks

[citizenk74]

, Nesto!

[Nestoguitar]

Thanks citizenk for the warm welcome.

Nesto

[LtKojak]

While the AS53 is an affordable but good choice, if I'm on the market for the "best" affordable semi-hollow, my choice would be hands-down a second-hand Epi Sheraton. I like the 2010 and later models due to the "Mickey Mouse" ears, which mimics the Gibson '63 335 model.

All-maple construction and a laminated neck made the tipping point for my decision.

Add good pickups and good quality harness, and you'll get an instrument that would give a hell of round for its money to any bigger-name brand semi-hollow, and then some.

For some to me unknown reason, Sheratons simply LOVE the Electric City Pickups Freedom set. A match make in Heaven, if you ask me.
Freedom Set of Two

Another cheaper but good choice for'em is an A3n/A2b-roughcast-modded Seth Lover set.

HTH,

[Meggy]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member and I thought I'd share my experience with Ibanez. First of all I'm a lefty and don't have the luxury of walking into a retailer and trying out stuff. Fortunately for me a local store just happened to have a brand new Ibanez yellow sunburst AM93, even before playing it I struck with its quality feel and stunning looks. Picked her up and with in 5 minutes I was floored by the playability and tone and bought it on the spot. I have been so pleased Ibanez, just this year I have also bought their AG95, and Violin Sunburst AS93 lefties; and like the AM93 they too were virtually perfect out of the box. In fact I spent over a year tweaking my Gibson Les Paul Standard and Epiphone DOT to see if I could come close to the Ibby feel and playability, (with limited success).

BTW, other than their size and finish the AS93 and the AM 93 are essentially the same guitar (Super 58's etc.) I assumed sound wise they'd be indistinguishable, although they do sound similar, they are clearly not identical in tone. The AM93 is a little more tighter, sweeter/warmer and controlled, with the AS93 being a tad more open, slightly brighter with more bass and robust in it's signature. I must say that the AM93 advantage is it's smaller size makes it a better option for practicing while seated or even playing around on a couch. The AG95 being a smaller full hollow body is simply sensational. My biggest challenge is to figure out which Ibby to play, but that is not problem with my Gibson LP or Eppy Dot which are now semi retired in their cases.

I'm a bigger guy and as expected the larger AS93 contours to my body type a little bit better so I will probably sell my AM93. If anybody is interested or you know a lefty I will probably list it here first.

Thanks

Appreciate your thoughts and insight Nestoguitar, and indeed welcome to the forum. I'm not a particularly big-framed or tall chap (about 5'11") but somehow I'm still more attracted to the larger sized ES335 type semi-acoustic models. I do have an old JP20 Joe Pass model Ibby, which is lovely for those times when I do want to go full hollow-body archtop - not the loudest archtop acoustically, but it gets a terrific vintage kind of tone amplified, and is surprisingly resistant to feedback. Best of luck with the sale of the AM93 if you decide to go ahead with that, I'm sure someone would snap that one up.

While the AS53 is an affordable but good choice, if I'm on the market for the "best" affordable semi-hollow, my choice would be hands-down a second-hand Epi Sheraton. I like the 2010 and later models due to the "Mickey Mouse" ears, which mimics the Gibson '63 335 model.

All-maple construction and a laminated neck made the tipping point for my decision.

Add good pickups and good quality harness, and you'll get an instrument that would give a hell of round for its money to any bigger-name brand semi-hollow, and then some.

For some to me unknown reason, Sheratons simply LOVE the Electric City Pickups Freedom set. A match make in Heaven, if you ask me.
Freedom Set of Two

Another cheaper but good choice for'em is an A3n/A2b-roughcast-modded Seth Lover set.

HTH,

I did have a look at the Sheraton, and you make some good points in it's favour LtKojak - I guess if I do decided to go ahead with a large-bodied semi-acoustic purchase, and find one second hand at a good price, it would have to be worth a look. The pickups you suggest would be too much for me to justify, although I'm sure lovely-sounding things. For myself, I've had good luck buying pickups from Chris Hernandez in the US, and also I recently found a good UK pickup maker with very friendly prices, who made me a really cracking set of humbuckers recently (low wind A2 neck and hot-wound A4 bridge, both rough-cast). Appreciate your good thoughts though, and cheers.

[Meggy]

GAS works in funny, if perhaps predictable ways, with me - I now find I'm starting to look with interest at the Ibanez AS models higher up the range. Although I still feel there is a certain charm about the AS53's basic, satin-finish aesthetics. Besides the (arguably) better Super 58 pickups, what else does paying more get one I wonder? i.e. in what other ways is a higher up AS model actually superior?

[jim777]

I just got an '81 As200, but it went into the shop due to a faulty output jack. The ASR70 went in with it (to keep it company) to get the low fret looked at. Picking them both up on Saturday, can not wait

There are soooo many semis out there I would absolutely love to try, tops on my list being the Ibanez GB30 and the Godin Montreal Premiere. I'd likely be in trouble if there was a Godin dealer with a decent stock anywhere near me!

[m_d]

GAS works in funny, if perhaps predictable ways, with me - I now find I'm starting to look with interest at the Ibanez AS models higher up the range. Although I still feel there is a certain charm about the AS53's basic, satin-finish aesthetics. Besides the (arguably) better Super 58 pickups, what else does paying more get one I wonder? i.e. in what other ways is a higher up AS model actually superior?

I had (still have, in the process of selling) an AM93. For the price, I feel the hardware should be better; same basic hardware on the AM/As153. The 53 has the same hardware as those. I wasn't crazy about the finish on the 93, while very protective it's also perennially shiny, in two years its aspect hasn't changed at all. A good guitar nonetheless, good sound, great neck and playability. But too expensive in my view, especially if planning on upgrades. The much higher quality, handmade Eastman t386, for instance, is a much better deal in my view than either a 93 or a 153. In that light, the 53 looks like a very interesting option if you're planning on changing parts. A 53+upgrades would be better spec'd than a 93 for a similar budget.

[Meggy]

I just got an '81 As200, but it went into the shop due to a faulty output jack. The ASR70 went in with it 9to keep it company) to get the low fret looked at. Picking them both up on Saturday, can not wait

There are soooo many semis out there I would absolutely love to try, tops on my list being the Ibanez GB30 and the Godin Montreal Premiere. I'd likely be in trouble if there was a Godin dealer with a decent stock anywhere near me!

Thanks for this info Jim - an '81 AS200 would have to be a very nice guitar indeed I'd have thought, fault jack or not. So many guitars to GAS over, so little time I know!

I had (still have, in the process of selling) an AM93. For the price, I feel the hardware should be better; same basic hardware on the AM/As153. The 53 has the same hardware as those. I wasn't crazy about the finish on the 93, while very protective it's also perennially shiny, in two years its aspect hasn't changed at all. A good guitar nonetheless, good sound, great neck and playability. But too expensive in my view, especially if planning on upgrades. The much higher quality, handmade Eastman t386, for instance, is a much better deal in my view than either a 93 or a 153. In that light, the 53 looks like a very interesting option if you're planning on changing parts. A 53+upgrades would be better spec'd than a 93 for a similar budget.

Appreciate these thoughts, even if a bit more on the negative side than I might hope for. I can understand that something like the AS93 could be viewed as a bit of a neither one thing or the other kind of guitar - too pricey to be a bargain, but not really in the higher-end guitar league either. And if I was paying more partly for the super 58 pickups, then that wouldn't make sense if I changed them anyway. And it will do me no harm to check out the Eastman offerings of course!

[m_d]

Thanks for this info Jim - an '81 AS200 would have to be a very nice guitar indeed I'd have thought, fault jack or not. So many guitars to GAS over, so little time I know!



Appreciate these thoughts, even if a bit more on the negative side than I might hope for. I can understand that something like the AS93 could be viewed as a bit of a neither one thing or the other kind of guitar - too pricey to be a bargain, but not really in the higher-end guitar league either. And if I was paying more partly for the super 58 pickups, then that wouldn't make sense if I changed them anyway. And it will do me no harm to check out the Eastman offerings of course!

Yes, I realize my opinion about ibanez's offerings is a bit more on the negative side than usual. They are good guitars, some of them might even be great. Mine could not more than a transition guitar and I did not consider the "next up" model, the 153, a competitive option. The 93 did keep me happy for two years. It was my very first semi and I didn't even know at the time whether that design would suit me or not. Ibanez should update some details and refocus on the fundamentals; the new "distressed" models are not a very promising or serious direction IMO.

[pants]

Yes, I realize my opinion about ibanez's offerings is a bit more on the negative side than usual. They are good guitars, some of them might even be great. Mine could not more than a transition guitar and I did not consider the "next up" model, the 153, a competitive option. The 93 did keep me happy for two years. It was my very first semi and I didn't even know at the time whether that design would suit me or not. Ibanez should update some details and refocus on the fundamentals; the new "distressed" models are not a very promising or serious direction IMO.

I have a limited experience with the more recent offerings. I picked one (not sure what model actually), up at a store a few months ago and didn't even end up plugging it in because the finish felt weird and the whole thing just seemed cheap and toylike. My 2003 as83 however, is a stellar offering that I got for $350 at the time. The new finishes look neat from afar but I hate them up close. Might be worth looking at the used market. Or if you play the new ibby and it speaks to you, then don't let Internet strangers dissuade you.

[m_d]

The new finishes look neat from afar but I hate them up close.

Exactly what I think, although it didn't strike me at first. It dawned on me over time.

[pants]

Exactly what I think, although it didn't strike me at first. It dawned on me over time.

Its kind of like that vinyl flooring in "planks" done up to look like wood. In photos or from far away, it's pretty neat. When you're in the room, you're like what is this tacky bs?

[Meggy]

Its kind of like that vinyl flooring in "planks" done up to look like wood. In photos or from far away, it's pretty neat. When you're in the room, you're like what is this tacky bs?

Oh dear oh dear chaps - sounds like the finishes must be a bit awful! I was thinking they'd just be a typical kind of poly finish - maybe not as nice or tactile as a nitro or rubbed finish, but acceptable and perfectly serviceable. But it would seem to be something notably worse from what you're saying. I was rather liking the look of this model (forgive the link to a shop):

Ibanez AS73G-NT - Thomann UK

...but I assume this could be an example of the finish type you're not keen on - looks OK in pictures, but not up close?

[m_d]

Oh dear oh dear chaps - sounds like the finishes must be a bit awful! I was thinking they'd just be a typical kind of poly finish - maybe not as nice or tactile as a nitro or rubbed finish, but acceptable and perfectly serviceable. But it would seem to be something notably worse from what you're saying. I was rather liking the look of this model (forgive the link to a shop):

Ibanez AS73G-NT - Thomann UK

...but I assume this could be an example of the finish type you're not keen on - looks OK in pictures, but not up close?

I'd say the simpler the better. That natural looks OK. But really it's difficult to tell from pictures. Do you have any way of seeing it first? On mine there was a sunburst and the wood was figured, which may have compounded the problem. I'd rather pay for solid hardware instead of faux sunburst, gold and inlays, myself, which is why in retrospect the simpler models make good sense as solid "modding platforms".

[pants]

Oh dear oh dear chaps - sounds like the finishes must be a bit awful! I was thinking they'd just be a typical kind of poly finish - maybe not as nice or tactile as a nitro or rubbed finish, but acceptable and perfectly serviceable. But it would seem to be something notably worse from what you're saying. I was rather liking the look of this model (forgive the link to a shop):

Ibanez AS73G-NT - Thomann UK

...but I assume this could be an example of the finish type you're not keen on - looks OK in pictures, but not up close?

It looks like the 73 has a glossy finish, the 53's "flat" finish is what I wasn't keen on. Hollow Bodies Artcore - AS53 | Ibanez guitars