Ibanez Art Series

[DetroitBlues]

I vendor I met yesterday mentioned he was given an Ibanez Artist model.  He was considering getting rid of it, but I really knew nothing of the guitars.  I know I love my Ibanez Acoustic and I know Ibanez is known for great shredding guitar.  But the Artist series are more like Gibson Les Pauls.  Does anyone own one, tried one, or compared to something similiar?  They don't appear to be expensive, but are they worth it?  Anyone know if the parts (pickups and hardware) interchangable with Gibson?

[zagatron1]

Pickups... that's about it. Hardware, well I wouldn't count on it.

[Dan]

I've fooled with one a bit. Some people seem to think they are cheaply made but I believe those same people think all Ibanez are cheap and no their "insert favorite brand here". I do know that once someone starts playing one they seem to love them and there's about 6 million youtube videos of "ART" guitars of various flavors.

I would be interested in the model which is similar to a 335 and as I think most of you know, I love Ibanez guitars.

[DetroitBlues]

I'm not sure they make one like a 335.  Most I believe are more like the ES-175.  Full hollow bodies.

[Dan]

I guess you're right, I was thinking of the "Artcore" series which has a few models the AS73 being the one I'd be interested in.

[zagatron1]

Aw, c'mon man, treat yourself to a AS103 instead.

[Viper]

I own an 1981 Ibanez Artist with the tri sound pickups. It's a heavy guitar but you can't beat the sound. I also own a Gibson Les Paul custom and a Fender Strat Custom. The guitar is well made and plays like a dream when properly set up. As far as swapping the hardware with Gibson, I haven't tried it so I don't know if it would work or not. My 81 is the same as the Ar Prestige model now offered it is known as an AR300CS. Ibanez is also making a reissue of the 1981 Artist with Gibson going off in some weird direction with there new crap. I'll stick with the Ibby.

[DetroitBlues]

My next guitar purchase will be my first (and possibly last) high end guitar.  I'm looking for a Heritage H-157 in Ebony.  For those unfamiliar with Heritage guitars, its their verision of a Gibson Les Paul Custom.

[zagatron1]

Those are nice, well built guitars. You might as well say they're affordable Gibsons since they've got the old Kalamazoo joint and some former Gibson employees crankin'  them out, so they do have the Gibson touch.

[Dan]

Where would buy one, I can't seem to find any prices online for them?

[DetroitBlues]

You cannot buy them in stores, no one carries them in stock.  You go through a dealer and order one.  Otherwise, you can go to their forum and become a member.  Members sell to each other much cheaper than you'll find anywhere including Craigslist, Ebay, Guitar Center's used gear.  That's how I plan on getting one.  Imagine getting a Les Paul Custom for less than $1500

[GreyBee]

Where would buy one, I can't seem to find any prices online for them?

There are several stores listed in the Heritage Web Site.  Wolfe Guitars in Jupiter, Florida is one.  Here is a link:  http://www.wolfeguitars.com/
Prices are not widely advertised, but you can contact Wolfe Guitars or lurk on the Heritage Forum and get a feel for it.

[DetroitBlues]

They are a dealer, but I think the Florida one is one of the few that may have some in stock...

[kurtdaniel]

can't say I've been too impressed with the art guitars, the pickups are a bit awful even for an entry level guitar, but they are solid guitars for use in guitar tutorial.

[DetroitBlues]

I saw really old LP copy this in a local 2nd hand shop and considered picking up as my beater guitar for slide, they wanted $40 for it.  Probably need a host of stuff to get it to work, but looked rather cool...