New Ibanez Thinline Hollowbodies

**newsense** · 01-19-2021, 11:04 AM

I see that Ibanez is making another attempt to launch a fully hollow thinline, this time using the AM body shape. The models available seem to depend upon which territory you are located, however there is at least an AMH90 at around $500 and the Made in Japan AM2000H at around $2000. They have humbuckers rather than P90s, so not quite a Casino competitor. Certainly seems to be aimed at the Jazz and Blues communities.

AM | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

**icr** · 01-19-2021, 11:11 AM

I'd like to see where the studs for the bridge are inserted. Probably not in the top alone without some other supporting structure.

**newsense** · 01-19-2021, 12:54 PM

Good point - there is surprisingly little detail concerning the construction

**kris** · 01-19-2021, 12:55 PM

AMH90 is interesting.

**pingu** · 01-19-2021, 12:56 PM

thanks for the info Newsense
i had a look at the link

its difficult to tell from the website
if those two models are in fact hollow

(they do have trapeze tailpieces so I’m hopeful )

how can we confirm the hollowness of these models please ?

**Doctor Jeff** · 01-19-2021, 02:54 PM

The ratio of F-hole to top seems high...

Just kidding...it's not a bad looking guitar, and I particularly like the woodgrain on that Artcore Expressionist.

Always good to have more options re' hollowbodies.

**neatomic** · 01-19-2021, 03:06 PM

there has to be a block underneath the in body fixed bridge....a guitar with just that small block is usually still called a full hollow...like epi casinos...

if the block extends beyond that , then it's a semi hollow

the am with trapeze tailpiece could very well be like the casino...full hollow with small block under fixed bridge

cheers

**newsense** · 01-19-2021, 04:10 PM

The Ibanez Facebook page refers to them as full hollow body. Not sure whether this is reliably definitive. Somebody should volunteer to buy one to confirm true hollowness!

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**Gitterbug** · 01-19-2021, 04:26 PM

"Another attempt" is kinda downplaying Ibanez's commitment to guitars with appeal to the jazz community. With the new additions, there's got to be some 50 full and semihollow models offered. (Too many, if you ask me.)

**newsense** · 01-19-2021, 04:57 PM

I was referring to the previous, shortlived AS style full holowbody that was in the catalog a few years ago, but sadly discontinued, presumably due to poor sales. That is why I referred to the new AMH models as "another attempt" .

I didn't mean to sound disparaging - I've been very happy with a number of Ibanez that I have previously owned.

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**Gitfiddler** · 01-19-2021, 05:30 PM

Sweet design!

**Lobomov** · 01-19-2021, 07:45 PM

The new AM2000H hollow thinline currently clocks in at €2500, with the new AF2000 Archtop (replacing the AF200) clocking in at €2400

I dunno .. Ibanez seemed cheaper not that long ago .. I guess we gotta give them 12 months and see if it's a new release type price that will slowly drop?

With a PM100 and PM120 in my collection, I'm not really in the market, but who knows .. might always get tempted?

I do have a fondness for Ibanez guitars despite the poly finish and all .. They make good stuff

**Zigracer** · 01-19-2021, 09:22 PM

The one the pic above looks suspiciously like a Gibson Johnny A - I like it!

**Gitfiddler** · 01-19-2021, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Zigracer

The one the pic above looks suspiciously like a Gibson Johnny A - I like it!

My thoughts as well.

**jazzkritter** · 01-19-2021, 10:13 PM

Me I’m thinking the AM93ME with the ebony top.
650$ at Sweetwater.
Hmmmm..

HOWEVER found this on Sweetwater:
The Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93ME electric guitar gives you the best of both worlds — the warmth and resonance of a semi-hollowbody and the compact handling ease of a solidbody....If you've been wanting a semi-hollowbody, check out the Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93ME.
The perfect balance between solid and semi-hollow
The Ibanez AM Series guitars walk the line between solid and semi-hollowbody. The AM93ME's comfortable, compact double-cut body features a solid center block that gives you the sustain typical of a solidbody, while the ebony archtop, back, and sides form an acoustic chamber that vents through dual F-holes to give you the added warmth you expect from a classic semi-hollowbody guitar. The design is a delicate balance, and Ibanez nails it, giving you a guitar that combines the warmth of a semi-hollowbody with the compact dimensions of a solid.

**Lobomov** · 01-19-2021, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by jazzkritter

Me I’m thinking the AM93ME with the ebony top.
650$ at Sweetwater.
Hmmmm..

HOWEVER found this on Sweetwater:
The Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93ME electric guitar gives you the best of both worlds — the warmth and resonance of a semi-hollowbody and the compact handling ease of a solidbody....If you've been wanting a semi-hollowbody, check out the Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93ME.
The perfect balance between solid and semi-hollow
The Ibanez AM Series guitars walk the line between solid and semi-hollowbody. The AM93ME's comfortable, compact double-cut body features a solid center block that gives you the sustain typical of a solidbody, while the ebony archtop, back, and sides form an acoustic chamber that vents through dual F-holes to give you the added warmth you expect from a classic semi-hollowbody guitar. The design is a delicate balance, and Ibanez nails it, giving you a guitar that combines the warmth of a semi-hollowbody with the compact dimensions of a solid.

Hard to see on the Ibanez page, but the stoptail piece indicates a centerblock on the AM93 ... I think you want the AMH90

Edit: Nope .. Both Sweetwater and Thomann have that one labelled as a semi-hollow too ... oh well
Edit2: Then the bridge with the pins going into the body made me suspecious and I looked up the AMH2000 too .. Thomann has that as a semi too .. Apprently they're all semi-hollow? .. Oh well .. never mind then

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 01-19-2021, 11:25 PM

Don't forget that during some of the 1970's, the ES-335 (always a semi) had a trapeze tailpiece.

**smallie_stalker** · 01-19-2021, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by neatomic

there has to be a block underneath the in body fixed bridge....a guitar with just that small block is usually still called a full hollow...like epi casinos...

if the block extends beyond that , then it's a semi hollow

the am with trapeze tailpiece could very well be like the casino...full hollow with small block under fixed bridge

cheers

The Sweetwater listing for the AM 2000H says it is a semi- hollow. Lots of conflicting info out there right now but either way IMHO it's a pretty sweet looking guitar. Might have to start saving my pennies.

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**pingu** · 01-20-2021, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Lobomov;[URL="tel:1091997"

1091997[/URL]]Hard to see on the Ibanez page, but the stoptail piece indicates a centerblock on the AM93 ... I think you want the AMH90

Edit: Nope .. Both Sweetwater and Thomann have that one labelled as a semi-hollow too ... oh well
Edit2: Then the bridge with the pins going into the body made me suspecious and I looked up the AMH2000 too .. Thomann has that as a semi too .. Apprently they're all semi-hollow? .. Oh well .. never mind then

i was afraid of that ...
oh well back to the drawing board

**newsense** · 01-20-2021, 03:53 AM

The lack of real detail on construction is annoying. However it is interesting that Ibanez choose to differentiate the models with the trapeze by putting an H in the model number. H for hollow? Or H for "hey, look, I'm a jazz guitar?"

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**Average Joe** · 01-20-2021, 06:01 AM

Just to add to the confusion, they're mentioned as a fully hollow in this video, around 1:14:30

I'm interested either way

**Lobomov** · 01-20-2021, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Average Joe

Just to add to the confusion, they're mentioned as a fully hollow in this video, around 1:14:30

I'm interested either way

I guess we will just have to see ... He did single out the as2000 as semi-hollow snd the am2000 as fully hollow

Now Im just 100% guessing, but there is the possibily that its a PRS like or Gretsch like thing where you have a post under the bridge, but not a full centerblock?

**newsense** · 01-21-2021, 07:56 AM

Andertons are definitely describing the AMH90 (and AM2000H) as full hollow guitars with a block for the bridge and "bracing" along the length, and distinguish that from the AM93 which has traditional semi-hollow centre block construction. This video was made in conjunction with Ibanez (part of their all day Ibanezathon live stream today).

**Jerzy** · 01-21-2021, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by newsense

Andertons are definitely describing the AMH90 (and AM2000H) as full hollow guitars with a block for the bridge and "bracing" along the length, and distinguish that from the AM93 which has traditional semi-hollow centre block construction. This video was made in conjunction with Ibanez (part of their all day Ibanezathon live stream today).

Do Andertons understand the phrase "full hollow guitars"?

**jazzkritter** · 01-21-2021, 11:18 AM

Maybe we can start a fight over this ?
’Lets get ready to rumble!!’

And in one corner we have:
Both Sweetwater and Thomann have that one labelled as a semi-hollow too

And in the other corner we have:
Andertons are definitely describing the AMH90 (and AM2000H) as full hollow guitars

In the third corner we have:
Ibanez.com has the AM series in the hollow body category but says nothing about the build except: The AM was released by Ibanez for the first time in the early '80s. Though smaller in size than other hollow bodies,

In the fourth corner, a bit more confusing:
the Ibanez AR series, similar but under electric guitars not hollow body says :
Hollow Body Construction

Oh, Ibanez.