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Average of 17 User Ratings
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Customer Reviews
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Love at first sight...
Posted by Ibanez/customer/for/life from Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan 15, 2010
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist
Reviewer's Play Style: Classic Rock, Blues, Reggae, Ska
I walked in to my local guitar store to find a Les Paul to satisfy my Classic Rock needs. I found this guitar off to the side with no one really looking at it. Instantly I fell in love with the craftsmanship. The finish I got isn't available here but I'm sure the finishes available are also spectacular.I plugged it in to a fender blues jr. and my heart melted into my fingers as I played. I started playing and automatically fell deeply in love. I could get those NICE jazzy cleans and gritty hard rock tones. Undoubtedly the most versatile guitar I've ever played. Bought it on the spot and even looking at it now, it makes me want to cry. One of those rare guitar finds for me that is ACTUAL love. As long as you don't play metal, this guitar will satisfy your every need. I would buy this one again FOR SURE. Please give Ibanez your business. They deserve it.
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Best Kept Thinline Secret
Posted by Fastelder from Baltimore on Jan 11, 2010
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: 40yrs playing.
Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, Jazz, Gospel & Worship
Well, I saw a picture of this on a used forum and fell in love with it. I was looking for a jazzbox and while this really isn't it, It has a style and grace all it's own. It was set up with light strings (9-42) and I liked the way it played and kept it that way. As far as play, the neck has a shape that just plain suits me. It's thin, but still wide enough to move around on. I have to say it is the fastest neck I have ever played.
The construction is a work of art in itsef. I dare you to find a better fit and finish for 2-3 times the cost. It is a semi-hollow, which means in this case, the neck continues or joins a block that runs through the center to the heel. You can get a good amout of LP-style sustain because of this. i find it well suited for Blues and light Jazz, although you could do anything short of metal with it. If you're pining away for a ES335 - there is no doubt that this will satisfy your heart - BE CAREFUL! you may never move up from it.
If there is anything negative about it, I would say that it's the typical Ibanez HSC. The Tolex just seems to peel off when you look at them.
If you are looking at this axe, You won't regret owning it.
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Unique, Versatile Rocker with classic undertones
Posted by Alexander from Philadelphia on Dec 28, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Professional musician (church)
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Alternative, Indie, religious
My search for the ultimate thinline hollow body rock box is over. I waited months to get this and now that I did I think I made the right choice. Right off the box this guitar's setup is very playable. The neck pickup is great for warm jazz and indie tones while the bridge pickup offers plenty of grit for leadwork or rhythm with lifted mids. The middle setting is balanced and musical, good for approximating acoustic clean sounds. I switch styles a lot and I'm able to get everything I need. Expecting to be able to chug away to a heavy metal song is unrealistic. But for everything else, this axe is a wonderful complement. It controls feedback well enough to be able to handle saturated gains in driving rock or pop punk choruses. It cleans up enough for those jazz cleans. The case that comes with it is plush and rugged. The finish is gorgeous. And the price is very right. Some musicians won't be able to settle for anything that's not a Gibson Dot or a Rick 330. I understand. But if you don't feel like dropping 3 grand on a semi hollow, don't overlook this product. It is professional grade in every respect but the price.
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Satisfies the 335 GAS!!!
Posted by magnido45 from Garden Grove, CA on Dec 28, 2008
Experience w/product: I have heard about it
Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist
Reviewer's Play Style: Blues
You won't find a better performing, production line semi-hollow anywhere else for the price!!! The AS103 is definitely Custom Shop Quality!!! 100% playable right out of the box - action is just right and neck is fast and thin like a 60's style on the Gibson 335's. The construction and cosmetic quality are absolutely flawless (no exaggeration. The frets are immaculately dressed and all the parts are screwed on straight and tight). plays acoustically loud unplugged and sustains well. I'm liking this semi-hollow more and more, every time I pick it up. The D'addario 10's were okay, but stringed her up with Ernie Ball 11's and that took her voice to another level. Just getting used to the pickups (not as hot as Gibson '57s) and I think there's a reason for that. Turn up the amp a little and the clear and woody tones are captured beautifully. The product photo does not do this guitar justice. In person, the guitar looks 100 times better! If you want to find a guitar that will out perform this one, you will have to pay the $3,000 price tag...but don't count on that as a guarantee.
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Versatility.
Posted by Moses, RL from Vancouver B.C. on Nov 21, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz,classical, country, blues.
I have been playing this guitar for three years now, and every day I pick it up is a treat. The range of tone produced by this guitar is amazing. I bought this guitar to be an in between for my jazzbox and my solid body, now I find I play it more than any of my other guitars. The neck on this thing is so comfortable, the neck pickup produces and unbelievable fat tone while the bridge position gives you tones of twang. I play this through my 68 Garnett stack and every time I am floored by the sound of this guitar. It is a must have for any one.
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