My birthday is early next week, and having recently sold my Teardrop 12-string to a fellow board member, I was after something hollow-bodied. I'd convinced myself I needed a Casino or something suitably Casino-esque, but tried out a few other hollows and semis (Gretsch, Hofner) in local guitar shops. A few minutes with a Peerless Songbird settled it for me. Problem? On a strict budget, and they were asking a little more for the Peerless than I could manage. Solution? Ibanez ASR70.
It showed up yesterday.
Took a bit of a chance ordering sight unseen, but I've been dead impressed with all the other Artcores I've tried, and the guys at Dolphin (our #1 fans) were very happy to price-match and do me a deal with the case thrown in.
Initial impressions...wow. Burst looks much better than the stock photos would have you believe. Hardware and finish is all very very neat...tuners are smooth and solid, and the little knurled rubbery edges to the control knobs are cool. Setup was spot-on out of the box...not a single rattle or buzz. Neck has a nice comfortable "Goldilocks" profile...not too fat, not too slim, just right. I think the pickups are pretty quiet for P90-types, but plenty of output...not sure if they're "proper" P90s but they sound great (remind me a lot of G&L MFDs, actually). The hollow body just adds that lovely rich bloom to everything. Cons? The fretboard seems a little dry and scratchy, and could do with oiling.
Trying not to gush too much in the honeymoon phase, but so far I'm well chuffed with it, and I reckon it feels like a lot of guitar for the money.
New fangled trading feedback link right
here!
Comments
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
Looks lovely. I don't know what it is about Japanese guitars? Every one I've ever had has had a dry board. Maybe it's the climate, or the way raw timber is processed?
Anyway happy BDay when it comes, and HNGD!
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
http://www.meinlshop.de/images/product_images/popup_images/s/openable-truss-rod-cover-for-ibanez-artcore-sr-shape-reverse-headstock-models-4pt3xa0005-4pt3xa0005_0.jpg