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Ibanez AS103 Artcore Custom Electric Guitar (with Case)

The Ibanez Artcore Custom AS103 is a semi-acoustic electric guitar that features an all-flame Maple body, 2 Ibanez Custom 58 humbucking pickups, and the new fine-tuner equipped Quik Change Ultra tailpiece, which offers easier string changes. Learn More...

    • New $749.95
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $187.48
    • free ground shipping
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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Quality:
The instrument was obviously made at a breakneck pace, probably by new employees. The intonation was way off. The pickups were looser than they should have been. The only reason I would take it on the road is if I were hoping it would get stolen.

Value:
No

Sound:
It sounded no better than other semi-hollowbody guitars that cost way less.

Ease of Use:
The guitar came with such a bad buzz that I couldn't tell.

Support:
I could have called technical support if I would have stayed home from work anc called them during their short business hours.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
This is the real bonus for the buck. I expected, like other asian made models I've had/played to be unimpressed with the fit and finish. I returned an ESP LTD for just that reason in the past. I was thrilled to receive a guitar at this price that looked so good down to the smallest detail and felt so solid. Frets, inlays, binding all just as should be. No last minute fixes. Finish a heavy gloss over vineer, but I've seen this screwed up before. Nice and even. Controls solid and smooth. I fully expected the pickguard to be plastic with decal wood grain slapped on. Nope, wood to it's core. Tuners look cool with the mother of pearl design, but will have to see how they hold up.

Quality:
This is a 10 when considering the price and what can be spent on much inferior products. I'd love a John Scofield model and have played a couple gibsons that I would rate higher, but when you realize that they cost 2-3 times as much, this can't be beat.

Value:
See above.

Desirability:
I wanted a decent sounding, decent looking semi-hollowbody for a fair price. I got a great sounding elegant looking guitar for 100-200 less than I had to spend.

Sound:
Out of the box this guitar impressed. First, after shipping it was in near perfect tune. Nice acoustic sound. I won't say that it's better than more expensive models, but it could give many a fair competition. Amped the sound is clear thru the 58s. Nice range of sounds. Fantastic thru a muff dist. Surprisingly holds up with full metal dist. Sweet and singing thru flanger. I put on 13s for a deeper sound and it did not disapoint.

Ease of Use:
Again sound wise a winner. Playing is smooth even with the 13s. Not a shredder, but it's not meant to be. The body shape is comfortable to sit with and it hangs well from a strap.

Support:
No idea.

Overall:
I have some break-in time to go thru and will truly road test fully, but I foresee this guitar staying prety much stock. I will do the straplock thing. If at some point it seems needed I would go with locking tuners. I may upgrade the pick-ups, but right now that seems unlikely.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Comes with a nice hardshell case .I like the strings that came with this wonderful guitar but will probably put some Ernie Ball heavy/skinny strings that seem to work well for most of my guitars and the style i play which is country/blues.

Quality:
Mine came perfectly set up and i have absolutely no complaints at all with quality control or craftsmanship.Excellent work and attention to details.

Value:
Couldn't find a better guitar even at two or three times the price.I can't imagine anyone not being totally satisfied.

Desirability:
This beautiful guitar is very desirable and i would be proud to take her to meet my folks:)

Sound:
Sweet mellow tones,but perfectly capable of hard driving Rock sounds.Very versatile axe and worth twice the sale price in my opinion.

Ease of Use:
Fast low action and slick smooth fingerboard makes this axe a real treat to play!

Support:
No need so far so i will pass on a rating.I am sure though the folks at Ibanez must be supportive to their customers since they apparently take guitar building very serious.

Overall:
If this one was lost or stolen,i would beat it as fast as my feets would take me to find and buy another.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I will only deduct 1 point in this area.I could have given a 10 if it had come with a set of Gotoh 510 tuners.Fit and finish are perfect and the frets are finished as good as any that I have ever seen.

Quality:
As I said before absolutely perfect fit and finish

Value:
I can honestly say that I would have paid twice the sale price and still would have considered it a bargain

Desirability:
I guess all guitar players consider beautiful guitars sexy and this baby is extremely beautiful.

Sound:
I love the sound of the custom 58 pups..very versitile from warm and mellow jazz to screaming rock and anything in between.

Support:
Have had no need yet,so cannot comment.

Overall:
If lost or stolen I would most certainly run not walk to buy another one

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