Ibanez AK85 Artcore Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar
The Ibanez AK85 Artcore is a set-neck, hollow body instrument. Ibanez builds the AK85 with a spruce top, gorgeous, flamed maple back and sides, and even a bound rosewood fingerboard. The AK85 successfully delivers the famous Artcore neck, Artcore pickups and acclaimed Artcore value. Other features include chrome hardware, a rosewood bridge for a strong, bright sound and an attractive appearance.
Overall User Ratings (based on 49 ratings)
Submitted December 17, 2009 by a customer from mchsi.com
"One of the very best I've Played"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I don't expect to ever grow tired of it and as long as it stays in good playing order I will not replace it. Should it be desrtoyed in some way I would hunt for another like it. Compaired to others I own and played it fits the bill
Sound
I play rock, blues,some clasical, but mostly Chicken Picken. works well for all. Would not reccomend for metal
Features
Only complaint (but not a big issue) is the location of the pickup switch, think it shold be on the upper bought (personal preference) have had a oops once in a while .
Ease of Use
As easy as any I own or have played, fast neck, Just a few twist of the knobs and a flick of the switch I get the sound I want.
Quality
Found none better reguardless of Price. Form and fit are the best, finish is flawless, Factory setup was fine I adjusted the action to my tastes. I use it one the road at least 2 3 times a month and have had no problems.
From the 3-4 years I've had it I don't expect any thing to be a problem
Value
Love the color, design, and finish. After all of the time I've owned it I still get complementson it. And several (Trusted Freinds)have played it and can't believe it.
Manufacturer Support
Don't know never had to use it in the years I've owned it.
The Wow Factor
Love the color, design, and finish. After all of the time I've owned it I still get complments about on it. ANd several have played it ad can't belive it.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Rock, Blues, Country, Some Calasical
19 of 19 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted June 11, 2004 by a customer from wowway.com
"how do they do it"
i was looking for a replacement for my pm100, being expensive, i
cringed everytime i took it out, boy did i find a replacement, the
ak85 is my no. 1 archtop now.
Sound
with the spruce top and rosewood bridge it has that classic jazz tone
of the gibsons from the 50's
Features
i wish they would have positioned the p/u selector on the upper bout
oppisite the cutaway, my only gripe
Quality
i am a fan of ibanez, i believe they are meking the best guitars in the world rihgt now.
Value
now here's the sad part, i own a $2200 pm100 pat metheny signature,
you can look at this guitar and tell that it's quality, the ak85 is
$449 and it plays, sounds, and feels as good if not better than the
pm100, how do they do it
Manufacturer Support
ibanez is hard to contact, but i've never had to contact them about
any of their products, this is just what i hear.
The Wow Factor
it's a good lookin' jazz box
Musical Style:
jazz and fusion
8 of 8 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 13, 2004 by a customer from earthlink.net
"The Ibanez AK85 is a hidden gem."
I would replace this if lost or stolen without a thought.
Sound
I am a beginning Blues player who started with a solid body Gregg Bennett Torino so when I first heard the AK85 it was love at first sound. I opted for the rosewood saddle and it helps deliver a deep warm sound with sustain that made me want to practice beyond my normal limit.
Features
For me the 3 position switch, volume, and tone control's seem fine as do the pick up's. The pick guard is a nice plus and I think the rosewood saddle really helps attain the sound I want.
Quality
The workmanship is excellent. I've owned it 6 months and no issues. The finish is impeccable. After I adjusted the neck I found the fret's lined up perfectly which was a big surprise.
Value
For the price, sound, and craftsmanship it can't be beat.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't needed to contact Ibanez so don't know?
The Wow Factor
I would say it is traditional in looks and not a flashy guitar.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Blues
Did you find this review helpful?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted June 21, 2004 by a customer from myway.com
"This Guitar with a set of seymor Duncan pickups.Freakin fine."
I own many guitars and I really love this one. With a better set of pickups I could play this puppy till it falls apart
Sound
The pickups are actually quite good for a guitar in this price range.I would like to try a set of seymor duncan custom customs on it,(I have them on another guitar).
Features
Spruce top ,Maple(flamed) back and sides. Rosewood bridge. Man, Ive been playin since the early sixties and I've Never found a hollow body with this kind of components for even twice the price of this one.
Quality
Other than the plasticy looking binding I have no complaints at all. Even the cheap looking binding couldn't have been applied more perfect. Seamless,Even. What can I say.
Value
Are you freakin kidding
Manufacturer Support
I've never had to call them. Damn things near perfect. I've heard both good and bad about Ibanez support.
The Wow Factor
I don't need a guitar to get laid. I didn't buy it with this question in mind
Musical Style:
Anything musical. No rap,hiphop, etc. Otherwise, anything from smooth jazz to country to rock to metal. Even fusion.
1 of 1 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 8, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com
"There's a new kid in town... Ibanez AK85...check it out!"
If It were lost or stolen I'd be sad. For the money I would definetly replace it. If I had more money I would have traded up to begin with.
Sound
Nice round tone. great inexpensive jazz box.
thin sound acoustically. great tone amplified.
Features
Spruce Top. Laminated mahongony/maple neck.
nice pearl inlay on fretboard.
Quality
nice finish. gold tone would have been nicer than the chrome hardware that comes with it.
Value
great value for the money.
Manufacturer Support
I have no experience with them.
The Wow Factor
nice jazz box!
Musical Background:
I've playing for 32 yrs. Studio Touring and Club experience.
Musical Style:
Rock, Blues , Some Jazz
1 of 1 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 19, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"THE JAZZ MACHINE"
Sound
Great Jazz Guitar, ....it is no Gibson but it will keep it up there depending upon your playing ability, that is the only thing that could inexpress it's power.!
Features
All the one's that I needed. Probably change the pickups in the future for something hotter and stronger...but good for now.
Quality
Never had any problem with the material...........it is awesome.
Value
gotta have it!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Manufacturer Support
din't need.
The Wow Factor
Over and Over again.
Musical Background:
Professional session jazz player
Musical Style:
bossa nova, samba, chorinho, contemporary jazz, salsa.
Did you find this review helpful?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 15, 2004 by a customer from vormdesign.nl
"jazzbox, goeed sound, serveral sounds in it, looks great"
hahaha want the GB200 and PM120
Sound
thus is an amazing guitar if you like the jazzsound. When u put it on a recordingset you will hear how full it sounds.
Features
just ok, had to change the strings with 10 jazz-ones. Next time i will put on even thicker for warmer and rounder sound (11 or maybe 12)
Quality
yes good design, electric good be better
Value
getting more value everyday
Manufacturer Support
not needed yet
The Wow Factor
great looks
Musical Background:
musicproducer
Musical Style:
dance jazz disco
Did you find this review helpful?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 3, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com
Ibanez AK85 Artcore Customer Review
Seems durable enough. The wiring is top notch. The hardware is actually very good. It's a great value, and I don't expect it to wear away any time soon.
Sound
The guitar sounded pretty good at a low volume, but when i had to turn up for a show the sound deteriorated. The stock pickups seemed to be pretty lousy, so i replaced them with humbucker retrofit P-90's. Now it sounds incredible.
Features
Aside from the pickups being sub-par, THe guitar looks beutiful. I wish it came with a case hwoever, but for $300 i can nuderstand why they can't throw that in.
Quality
One thing with these guitars...Make sure you try it before you buy it. I played 5 or 6 other AK85 models before I found one that played and looked good enough for me to buy. It doesn't seem like the quality control at the korean ibanez factory is very good. But they do pump out some great guitars! don't let one bad experience give you the wrong idea.
Value
Great deal! even for the asking price it's a great deal. I would definetly get another if this one was stolen.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
The Wow Factor
It's a beutiful guitar, and the name "Ibanez" on the headstock may steer jazz players away, but it really is a wonderful guitar to play.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Jazz, Funk, Jam, Rock
Did you find this review helpful?
Thanks for your opinion!
Please wait.