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Hello,
Can someone give a report on production of this guitar?
On the label in the guitar is written: Made in China, but the serial No. is S07012017.
As far as I know this means: S (samicks-Korea), 07= 2007, 01 = january, 2017 serial number.
The guitar was bought at authorised Ibanez dealer in Croatia , Zagreb.
I can not find information on the net particularilly on the production facillity in China and serial number.
Otherwise, I am working jazz guitarist in Zagreb & have old Gibson ES-335, but this Ibanez works very, very well and is made and looks great.
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01-25-2008 06:58 AM
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Ibanez Artcore series have been made in China for a few years now. I would check Ibanez's site if you have further questions.
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Thanks for reply.
Do you know maybe the company in China which is producing these guitars for Ibanez?
Or maybe Ibanez have their own production facility in China?
Thanks
kirbi49
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Ibanez is a Japanese company (or was), so I sincerely doubt they own a plant in China. Therefore they will, like most other brands, contract with a Chinese manufacturer. Who this is, I have no idea, and don't know how you would find out, sorry.
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A few days ago I tried out an Artcore AF105F that was made in China. Beautiful. Workmanship was flawless, in my opinion. The only reason I didn't walk out of the store with it was my 335 Block Inlay had just arrived by FedEx and I couldn't bring myself to spend any more money on guitars (not just yet, anyway).
But believe me, I'm getting one.
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Ibanez is owned by the Hoshino Gakki company of Japan that has contracts with plants in Korea, China and Indonesia.
Originally Posted by derek
In fact there are two Hoshino Gakki plants in China, Yeou Chern and Sejung.
For all the different Asian guitar brands, there are really only a few companies that produce most of them ... Hoshino Gakki, Hisatake Shibuya, Samick, Gibson, Fender .. there are a few dozen plants in Korea and China that make most of the guitars you'd see at GC. Even Gretsch and Epiphone are now made in China.
Chinese guitars are usually bad to unplayable -- their only claim is they are slightly better than Indonesian made "instruments" which will usually fall apart 6 months after purchase.
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Well, there you go, someone with better information. However, I will have to take exception with your assessment of Chinese made instruments. I have an Eastman Archtop that is of exceptional quality.
Now if you are talking about sub $300 instruments, then yes, I agree, buyer beware.
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Have to agree with Derek. That Chinese Ibanez I tried out at Easy Music was a beautiful, well made instrument. And it sounded just as good as it looked. Been a guitar player for most of my life, and have owned many Gibsons, Fenders and Ibanezes. Own 3 strats, 2 335's, 1 Ibanez and a Takamine Hirade H5 right now, and the Chinese AF105 looks and plays just as good as any of them.
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My Ibanez AF75D is Chinese made and it's a beauty. It's pretty new, so I can't say how it'll last. Like lkmuller, I've had Strats, Les Pauls, 335s and the Ibanez plays as well as any of them in most areas, but for jazz there's just no contest. I was thinking of upgrading it to an Epiphone Emperor Joe Pass - until I played one in a shop, that is. Yuk - I'm sticking with the Ibanez!
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I have to disagree on the general statement about Chinese instruments. I struggle with the political aspect of such a purchase, but in terms of quality, select Artcores and certainly Eastman products represent top shelf work.
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I've played three Chinese-made acoustic guitars (MIDI brand) of the exact same model straight after each other and they have been completely different. I took one home, and it wasn't till after a couple of weeks that I noticed dodgy raised joints, MOP falling out of the fingerboard, etc. I reckon with Chinese guitars, the QA isn't too good. You just need to make sure that the particular one you take home is the good one, because the guitar of the exact same model sitting next to it is not the same guitar.
I also have an Ibanez Artcore (with a Bigsby) which I love, and it is perfect.
Zenskin, since you seem to be a fountain of knowledge (I'm impressed!!), do you know anything about MIDI brand?
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True - the one next to mine in the shop (same model) won't allow you to tune the A string, I recently discovered. I have heard about people having trouble with the tuners on these guitars before. Originally Posted by Noodler
Try 'em in the shops, people.
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I've been playing for more than 40 years and have owned more instruments than I can name. I currently play a Japanese Yairi, a U.S. made Lo Prinzi, and a G&L electric. I love all of them, and none are cheap instruments. Still, my Chinese made Oscar Schmidt 335 copy plays as good as ANY of my other axes. I bought it on an impulse from MF for $129.00. It did require some work, as the setup was non existant, the strings rusty, and one of the pups had a faulty ground. The little bit of work and cash I invested in it was well worth it. A good friend, the lead guitar player in his blues band, likes the three he owns just as well as I like mine.
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Ibanez Artcores are built by Samick in China (Samick also makes some Epiphones there as well)
The AF125 is a superb instrument and you will not be disappointed if you purchase one. As with any instrument, it is best to play the one you buy beforehand.
I have three Ibanez, two are Artcore, and they are are excellent, having no flaws that I can find. One is the AS103 Custom semi-hollow which has the same 5-piece neck as the AF125 Custom full-body. The Customs have a hybrid Super 58 pickup with ceramic magnet support.
I would stay away from the AF models with ACH pickups -- they tend to have a lot of feedback.
I have played several Gibson ES335 semi-hollow guitars and the AS103 is at least as good, if not better with regard to fit-and-finish. The AS103 has a slightly warmer tone, a smoother feeling neck and the placement of the pickups is more comfortable for me.
The AF125 is basically the same guitar with no center-block and a thicker body.Last edited by MarkE; 02-27-2008 at 10:13 AM.
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I just played the af125 at my local shop played and sounded great, im going to now buy online the same guitar, its not going to be different? is it?
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Why don't you buy the one you played? You might be able to buy the same guitar online, but it's not guaranteed to have the same exact feel -- it probably will, but ... Originally Posted by perhapsguitar1234
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Originally Posted by MarkE
I agree. If the one you tried felt good, then that's the one. No two guitars will have exactly the same feel and sound.
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True. It may be gone already but the only thing different about it if I were to order it online would be the action and the feel and probably the amp i used at the store. i dont use marshalls.
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Yes, you're right about that. I've bought two guitars online this year and one last year. Gotta tell you that 2 of the three (a 62 RI Strat and a 335 block inlay) were flawless. After a set up by my tech they played like butter. The third one (a Herb Ellis 165 w/floating pickup), however, came with some flaws in the finish and some discoloration on the fretboard. It sounds so good, though, that it's not going back. Got it set up and it plays effortlessy, but I have to admit that I would not have bought it if I was aware of the issues with the finish and fretboard.
Odds are you will receive a beautiful guitar (I have an Artcore AF105). Enjoy!
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This was helpful reading for me. I recently bought an older Ibanez Artstar AF120, which was made in Korea. The former owner replaced the stock pups with P90s, to play blues and rockabilly. I bought it for jazz and blues, and it's a great instrument in every way. Is there any way to figure its age from the serial# (9170022)?
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I'm thinking of purchasing an Ibanez af125amb but none of the music stores around here have any in stock (special order item). Does anyone own one and have some comments for me. Looks like a very good guitar for the money and reviews seem quite positive from owners leaving reviews at on-line store web-sites (Sweet Water, Gtr. Cntr. etc.) I'm trying to get as much objective feed back as I can. Thanks
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I had one. It is a beautiful instrument, the attention paid to details is impressive, and so is the fantastic finish and eye candy they put on it.
On sound, it is an absolutely great guitar. Also it comes with a wooden and brass bridge for your choice of style.
I have some videos you might want to check for your buying comparison purposes
I had to let it go to make financial room for another guitar, but I would get it back if I could. It works great for Jazz/Blues and also Rock. The pickups are designed to be feedback resistant and it works as per specs.
Something that you will need to work on, is on your string choice. This is part of the fun I think !Last edited by HotClubBrampton; 01-05-2009 at 03:54 AM.
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dont know about the 125 but this year I bought AG95 and its very good.well made, I got the Dark Brown Sunburst which is a beautiful finish, its very playable, light - handy if you stand up to play.one satisfied customer. Presumably yours would come from the same factory
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Yea Ibanez has 4 - 5 models...Epiphone makes nice (inexpensive) 175s'....Aria...Hofner...or vintage (if you have the money)....look for 1975-1980 2355 Ibanez....marveleous...sweet...
time on the instrument........pierre..........
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I had a Joe Pass version from Epiphone for a few years. Had a real good jazz tone but the neck had some serious issues that I couldn't adjust out.
wiz
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