Ibanez AK80 Artcore Full-Hollowbody Electric Guitar
Spruce top with Sycamore back and sides. ART-W wooden bridge with VT60 tailpiece.
Overall User Ratings (based on 3 ratings)
Submitted November 22, 2011 by a customer from aol.com
"Great sound, great value"
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I expect to keep this one forever. Would replace it if lost.
Sound
Got it for jazz. It sounds like it's supposed to. On neck pickup it sounds like a Gibson 175 (which I can't afford).
Features
Great fit and finish. Smooth tuners.
Ease of Use
Neck and fretboard fit my hand perfectly. Easy to play, fast neck.
Quality
Perfect finish and cosmetics.
Value
Exceptional value.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't dealth with them.
The Wow Factor
Is becoming my favorite guitar. Also have Gibson ES333 and Fat Strat.
Musical Background:
Have played for 40 years
Musical Style:
Rock, blues, jazz
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Submitted August 28, 2012 by Ernie Cassidy in New Edinburg, NS
"My favorite guitar."
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I love this guitar. It isn't perfect, but it's close. At some point, I may drop the action at the nut a tiny bit (arthritis in my thumbs), but it's not a big priority. Stays in tune amazingly well, for a true hollow-body. No rattles, hisses or pops from the electronics, and seems bomb-proof - which doesn't keep me from babying it.
Sound
Not as 'woody' as I expected, and the ACH Humbuckers are a bit brighter than I'd like. I'm thinking about a Parsons Street Alnico 2 or a Duncan APH1 for the neck position. However, I just got a Bugera V22 - my first tube amp - and that has made an amazing difference. Warmed everything up so nicely, I'm holding off on the pick-up swap.
Features
Overall, the features a great. I was not enchanted with the stock bridge, especially given the bright sound. Intonation was an average, not optimal. I finally swapped it out for a roller bridge on a rosewood base. This improved the sound a bit, which I wasn't expecting, and intonation is spot-on and easy to adjust if I change strings.
Ease of Use
It's simply great. For anyone with good hands, the action at the nut is fine and you can adjust the bridge to suit. The pots work well and give you a nice range of tones in conjunction with the 3-way switch.
Quality
I've had this instrument for about 9 months. So far everthing is holding up. It certainly seems well and solidly made.
Value
I think it's a bargain. I haven't played $3000 guitars, but I've seen reviews by others who have and they were very impressed with the AK-80. "Just as good." was one comment I read.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to call/eMail Ibanez.
The Wow Factor
The Wow factor, for me, is the appearance and build quality, more than the sound. Though, as mentioned above, the new amp has made a real difference in that. I suspect the sound is pretty darn good...it's just not quite at that 'jazzy' sound I hear on CDs. Of course, there are a lot of variables involved in getting that sound, including technique. Bottom line, of five guitars in the house, it's still my favorite. The one I play every day.
Musical Background:
Playing for 40 years, most of that acoustic, only got into electrics 3 years ago.
Musical Style:
Folk, folk-rock, pop, blues...none of it to brag about.
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