For the price I'm not sure how Ibanez does it, I owned an Artcore as well, no problems with either guitars. For a long time I wouldn't have even considered an import guitar in this price range. This ARC300 played great right out of the box, I'm talkin all the way to the last fret and the strings are fairly low too, Intonation was spot one, proably the finest factory set up I've ever seen. The finish is great, not a flaw to be found. The tuners are Grover styled no namers but they do a good job and feel solid, the guitar has a quick change tail piece on it with some fine adjustment knobs, very solid hardware. The inlays are a nice touch. I've played guiars that are more resonant than this one but once plugged in it delivers, pickups are not as nice as the Super 58's but are descent, great axe for the money!

This guitar is a complete steallll. It played great for me right out of the box, but you may wanna get a local guitar shop to set it up for you. the pickups sound great. Very smooth. Sings your chords and screams your leads. The switch fell out of joint on me after the first 3-4 months of playing it. Great guitar. Cheaply priced but built like a tank. I get compliments on the finish and sound of it allll the time. If your thinking about getting it over an epihone go for it. But I wouldn't say over a gibson unless you don't wanna spend the cash.

I wanted to buy a Gibson LP Standard and ended up with something a lot better, both in quality and price. Japanese product, made in China (who cares anymore), best quality than ANY LP I have seen in the stores over the last 5 years. PU's need replacement, so I ordered burstbuckers. Smooth, sleek, lighter, perfection. Just plug in and play this queen.

I've been playing the thing for a while. The action when I first got it was set very low, the strings would smack the frets violently. The Daddario strings were very good but I usually switch out for Super Slinky Ernie Ball. The color is beautiful, mahogany, rosewood fingerboard I believe, the top is flamed maple, quite appealing. Those pickups are very good for Ibanez, at this point I'm going to stick with them. I put The q-Parts straplocks on them, but other than that it has been left alone.

The guitar plays great. It sounds fat and sings beautifully. I'd recommend this guitar over the Epiphone guitars, but as for Gibson I'm not too sure...

I'd have to recommend this electric. Definitely a bargain for a great product.

Beautiful guitar, finest neck I've played, I think. I've bought 2 Ibanez guitars now in the past year, both for $400 or less. What a steal. I would not even look at a Gibson if I had the money for one. This guitar BEGS to be played. Love it!