Ibanez AS73 Artcore Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

Feature:
Remember; this is in the context of a $350-range mass produced guitar: This beauty comes with no pick guard or tremelo. I am more than satisfied with that setup, although, I've always enjoyed using a quality tremelo. And,it can be added if necessary. A Pick guard just isn't a critical item, and again, it's easily added after the fact. What you do get are two excellent pickups, a decent set of tuners, a very good bridge and tailpiece and a superbly finished neck, head and body.

Quality:
As I alluded to in "Features", you are not going to get this kind of quality materials and construction for this price in other brands without some long and careful shopping --- and maybe a friend in the guitar selling business. I found the general fit and finish to be as good as instruments costing twice as much. As far as dependability, I've had mine for about 6 months. It holds its tune very well. I haven't played gigs since the 50's and 60's, so it will not have to suffer the road as my SG's and 335's did, so I can't really say at this point. What I can see from experience is with the full body, neck and head binding and general construction, it should wear fine. You have to care for any grade of instrument.

Value:
Get one now. Don't wait.

Desirability:
I musically bonded to this understated beauty after a couple of blues runs through my trusty Princeton. She now spends about 4 hours a day in my immediate clutches. Sex appeal? Maybe not, but I'd take her anywhere that I'd take my wife.

Sound:
Sound is so darned subjective; if you don't think so just sit down with a group of guitarists and ask them to describe their favorite rock/blues/jazz, etc, guitar sound. You will hear the same guitar and setting described in many seemingly opposed ways. My best description of the overall sound of the Ibanez AM 73 is warm throatiness without the usual "Jazz" guitar muffle. And It can scream as clear or distorted as you want, but just as quickly give you those full, rich, clean lows. If I compared it to a voice type I'd say it was a Ray Charles. My old ES 335's were similar, but not as throaty (new word?).

Ease of Use:
Now, a real deal maker for me --- the neck: It is fairly wide and flat and simply feels great. Frets are on the wide range and the action was low right out of the box, but easily adjustable. This guitar neck, although bound, which on more cheaply made guitars can feel clunky; feels smooth and clean. The frets were well finished; no sharp ends. My only "rather" on usability is I'd rather have a better balance; it is somewhat neck heavy. Not a big factor, but something that needs getting used to. I don't notice it now, until I play other semi- hollows.

Support:
Short story about ZZounds: I'm retired on an extremely 'fixed' (read that as small) income. I researched and shopped local and internet sellers for the best guitar I could afford for what I had to spend. I chose mostly based on cost balanced by quality. With that in mind, I ordered a 'blemished' AM 73 with no small amount of trepidation. The Salesperson assured me that it would be in excellent condition. It arrived on time and very well packed. Unfortunately, a gouge was evident in the inner packaging, barely evident on the outer box. The blow had hit precisely on the top of the three way toggle switch, busting the switch handle off down in the threads. The guitar itself, looked spotless. It played great right out of the box. I called the ZZounds and explained the shipping damage. But no other blemeshed 73's were available, and a new switch would take days to ship from the factory. The salesperson spoke to his manager and within 5 minutes a brand new, factory fresh Ibanez AM 73 was on its way overnight. That, my friends, is top shelf support. Enough said.

Overall:
I've been a prisoner of music for about 50 ---- Jeez, 50??? ---- years. I've owned and played the good, bad and indifferent, from a pristine Gibson L7 that toppled down a high, winding attic staircase to its total destruction, to SG's, ES 335's, any number of Fenders, Gretchs, Guilds, and many lesser knowns. If I still owned half of the guitars I owned in the "days", I would be wealthy. But, for me, in the final take, an instrument either has a 'presence'---a life to it, Or, it sits there inert; just a hunk of highly polished woods with knobs. I'm sure many of you have had instruments of both kinds---many more by far of the inert type. But, for those 'live' guitars It doesn't always mean you have the greatest playing or sounding guitar; it does mean you have a special connection to that particular instrument. You are happy to pick it up and play it any hour of the day or night. We are emotional beings and we want to use emotionally 'live' instruments that convey those good vibrations. I like this dark (somewhat sexy) brown 73. It is becoming a valued friend. It talks to me (my wife has voiced some concern about that). And, when I really relax and play it well, it has some neat things to say.

Feature:
This guitar has reasonbly good stock equipment on and one can really go to town and add all the pricy extra's with little or no changes. for it's price, once again, it cannot be breaten!

Quality:
The attention to detail is very good, as for the cheaper accessories (inlays etc), one cannot really see the difference, hence a thumbs-up to good workmanship

Value:
Compare, what's there to compare? It's a model that surprises and intrigues. If you are saving up for a cheaper guitar, save some more, it will be well worth it!

Desirability:
No contest! the other players think I am a pro with an endorsment, the ladies think I have $$$. this axe MAKES you want to play better!

Sound:
Fantastic tonal response, a real "players" guitar! compared to others in its price class, it shines!

Support:
The Warranty is the standard Ibanez. but from where I bought it, I'll rather take my chances at home than send it to them. Inspect and test everthing before comitting your money, and if the supplier won't budge, move on.

Overall:
This guitar will be played until the frets are level with the fingerboard! Buy one! it's so unique, you'll stand out.