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Post by LTB on Mar 16, 2020 20:11:36 GMT -5
As some know, I was contemplating buying a Jazz Box style Guitar Kit. After weighing what I Would spend not only in cost but time trying to make one as good as I could I came to the conclusion that I would spend probably twice as long as some here to build one as I have no experience with finishes and fret work. Then there is basically dumping all the cheap hardware and electronics I figured I could easily surpass what I spent today and possibly have an inferior guitar "to boot". Soooo when Sweetwater offered 0 percent interest 36 month equal payments (approx. $21 a month) until April 1st I had been reviewing several and decided this to be the best for my buck. Mine was one of two they had left. I chose mine not necessarily just for the 6lb. 4oz weight but because the back was much better book matched than this one. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AF95FMAYS--ibanez-artcore-expressionist-af95fm-antique-yellow-sunburstThe only negative I see is the "Gold" hardware. Would have preferred Chrome or Nickel as they are much easier to keep but I will not complain |
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Post by LTB on Mar 17, 2020 9:36:59 GMT -5
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Post by Leftee on Mar 17, 2020 9:41:33 GMT -5
Beautiful!
These guitars punch above their weight, for sure.
I’ve got an AM93L that is stunning and a great player.
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Post by LTB on Mar 17, 2020 10:33:44 GMT -5
Beautiful! These guitars punch above their weight, for sure. I’ve got an AM93L that is stunning and a great player. I almost went for an AM93. It was actually my first choice but the 2 I liked were on back order and I needed to take advantage of the Sweetwater 0% interest 36 equal monthly payments so I went for my 2nd choice. I like them both almost equally. |
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Post by Leftee on Mar 17, 2020 10:39:58 GMT -5
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Post by LTB on Mar 17, 2020 14:15:25 GMT -5
Yep, I liked that tailpiece. Like I said, I slightly favored it because of less feedback issues. Those Super 58's are nice aren't they. I had a cheaper model Ibanez Hollowbody a few years ago. It had ART1 and ART2 crappy pickups in it and I was wishing it had Super 58's but then not only were they a bit expensive they were hard to get too. Anyway I know and you know you have a fine guitar |
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Post by Leftee on Mar 17, 2020 14:19:47 GMT -5
I had looked at the lower-end Ibanez SHBs, but I always new they would want a pickup swap.
Yes, these pickups are great.
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Post by LTB on Mar 17, 2020 14:31:47 GMT -5
I had looked at the lower-end Ibanez SHBs, but I always new they would want a pickup swap. Yes, these pickups are great. So, riddle me this, how is the "gold" plated pickups and hardware holding up? I prefer chrome or nickel as they are easier to keep. Also, how does that plastic nut doing? Some day I will probably change it but not soon unless it is crappy Oh, BTW, I decided to remove the B5 Vibrato today or tomorrow on the SG...I want more tuning stability for more than 2 or 3 songs |
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Post by Leftee on Mar 17, 2020 14:41:07 GMT -5
My body chemistry seems to go ok with gold hardware. It’s holding up fine.
The nut has been fine. I don’t feel the need to change it.
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Post by LTB on Mar 18, 2020 11:37:34 GMT -5
My body chemistry seems to go ok with gold hardware. It’s holding up fine. The nut has been fine. I don’t feel the need to change it. Thank you, those are the things I needed and wanted to hear. My guitar is out for delivery as we speak.  |
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Post by Duke on Mar 18, 2020 11:43:42 GMT -5
Very nice!
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Post by Leftee on Mar 18, 2020 11:55:57 GMT -5
My body chemistry seems to go ok with gold hardware. It’s holding up fine. The nut has been fine. I don’t feel the need to change it. Thank you, those are the things I needed and wanted to hear. My guitar is out for delivery as we speak. You might want to change the nut. Our standards might be different. 😊 |
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Post by LTB on Mar 18, 2020 13:31:29 GMT -5
Thank you, those are the things I needed and wanted to hear. My guitar is out for delivery as we speak. You might want to change the nut. Our standards might be different. 😊 No worries, as long as no excessive tuning, string height or binding issues fretting first few frets It plays and sounds good I am fine. Some day I might change to a tusq or bone nut |
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Post by Charente on Mar 18, 2020 14:14:33 GMT -5
Beautiful.
I'd be tempted to do a Steve Howe and play prog rock on a jazzbox.
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Post by LTB on Mar 18, 2020 15:50:34 GMT -5
Ok, I got the guitar in. I love just about every thing about it. The one very minor thing is the 3 position switch orientation I may change. I am used to Gibson where you switch almost straight up and down. This guitar is at a 45 degree angle. I see their mindset and I may leave it and just get used to it, we will see. I will give it some time and see where my preference lies in a few days. I keep trying to throw it straight down (90 degrees) instead of at an angle from strings to pots (45 degrees). Easy fix. The nut seems fine depth and height wise. Tone, intonation are fine after Bridge position adjust once the protective material was removed from between bridge wood and body. The tuners are great, very smooth and right tension. Overall very happy with the guitar. Not as much feedback issues as I thought it would have the bedroom volume levels I play. Fit and finish are great! Had to reposition and tighten the screw/nut on the pick guard as it had slid away from the pickup shroud. Not a problem  The neck, frets, and fret board are great so far. Easy cording and playing barre chords and notes. (better then my Gibson SG Standard even). People that complained about the thin neck of the SG will like this neck. Rounder and thicker making it great and easy to play.
Loving this guitar so far. Comfortable and light weight. We'll see how it does on down the road. Barring the switch throw direction I like it |
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Post by Leftee on Mar 18, 2020 16:07:11 GMT -5
👍😎👍
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Post by LTB on Mar 18, 2020 16:28:35 GMT -5
Maybe I am too picky about tone, play-ability and other things but I have found very few (including my Fender Basses, a Martin D16GTE acoustic, Gibson and others that I did not need to change something on them but this guitar is darn near perfect out of the box. Pickups, neck, feel, intonation, hardware, frets...I can't fault anything so far. As long as there isn't premature failures this guitar will remain as is..."One very happy camper". This costs half of what my Gibson and Fender American Pro bass cost and it is soooo sweet! |
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Post by Leftee on Mar 18, 2020 16:35:13 GMT -5
I’ve always found Ibanez to be great bang for the buck.
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Post by LTB on Mar 19, 2020 5:27:25 GMT -5
I lowered the pickups (especially the neck) quite a bit for a sweeter tone and it is sweet now (for me that is). They had both neck and bridge pretty high. They do have the Pots and cap apparently configured in a 50's style wiring scheme
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Post by SoK66 on Mar 19, 2020 8:53:43 GMT -5
Nice score!
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Post by LM on Mar 19, 2020 11:42:14 GMT -5
That's a handsome and classy guitar.
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Post by Highstrung56 on Mar 19, 2020 13:35:47 GMT -5
I have that exact guitar. Purchased from Sweetwater in 2018. Plays and sounds great! I changed the strings to flatwounds and the pick guard to black. For me, It's actually a pretty versatile guitar. I purchased it because I wanted to play some jazz on it. The humbuckers sound good on rock stuff too!
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Post by LTB on Mar 19, 2020 20:24:32 GMT -5
I have that exact guitar. Purchased from Sweetwater in 2018. Plays and sounds great! I changed the strings to flatwounds and the pick guard to black. For me, It's actually a pretty versatile guitar. I purchased it because I wanted to play some jazz on it. The humbuckers sound good on rock stuff too! I found for Rock the pickup height as it came from Sweetwater would be good For Jazz I think lowering the pickups really made it sweet sounding What flats did you put on it? Are they Pure Nickel, Nickel Plated or no Nickel at all? What size? Thanks, Gary Also my previous comment about changing the orientation of the Pickup selector switch from it's 45 degree angle to 90 degree (like Gibson and many others) is probably not an option. As the F holes are a little wider it looks like the body of the switch would show. However having wider F holes is nice as the controls and switch are close facilitating faster replacement if ever needed plus easier to get my fingers in and as anyone knows with an Archtop changing pots etc is not a quick and easy process. |
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Post by Highstrung56 on Mar 20, 2020 14:37:52 GMT -5
I have that exact guitar. Purchased from Sweetwater in 2018. Plays and sounds great! I changed the strings to flatwounds and the pick guard to black. For me, It's actually a pretty versatile guitar. I purchased it because I wanted to play some jazz on it. The humbuckers sound good on rock stuff too! I found for Rock the pickup height as it came from Sweetwater would be good For Jazz I think lowering the pickups really made it sweet sounding What flats did you put on it? Are they Pure Nickel, Nickel Plated or no Nickel at all? What size? Thanks, Gary Also my previous comment about changing the orientation of the Pickup selector switch from it's 45 degree angle to 90 degree (like Gibson and many others) is probably not an option. As the F holes are a little wider it looks like the body of the switch would show. However having wider F holes is nice as the controls and switch are close facilitating faster replacement if ever needed plus easier to get my fingers in and as anyone knows with an Archtop changing pots etc is not a quick and easy process. I installed these: D’Addario ECG23 XL Chromes Flat Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Extra Light Gauge, 10-48 I might try your suggestion of lowering the pickups. Also I may move the strap button from the back of the body to the side up by the neck. |
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Post by LTB on Mar 20, 2020 20:03:03 GMT -5
Thanks, I ordered a set after reading your reply post and listening to this video
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