Ibanez AF120

This is a 2001 AF120 made in Korea. It has a sold top although the body is laminated. There are two Ibanez 59 humbuckers and they sound great. This is essentially the same guitar as the George Benson model but for about 1/3 of the price. I compared the two and there's not much difference. It has a rosewood bridge and a nice set of pearl tuners. Basically this guitar has everything an archtop jazz style guitar should have except the high price.

I play jazz with 12-52 flatwounds through my little Peavey Bravo tube amp or my Guitar Port on my computer. It has a very mellow jazzy sound on the neck pickup with a clean sound and also performs real well for blues using distortion. The sound compares favorably with anything on the market.

The neck had too much relief when I first started playing it in the store but I straightened it out and the action is now second to none. I have tried every Gibson, Guild, Gretsch, Fender, Heritage - anything I can get my hands on and have found very few that have action as good as this guitar. The frets are beautifully finished and everything is as neat as a pin.

The guitar seems to be well-built. I wouldn't think there should be any problems with the finish or hardware. I have owned it for six months but it is babied so I don't know if it will stand up to abuse.

I haven't got a clue and don't want to know

I have been playing for forty years and have owned everything you can imagine. Something that always gives me a kick is getting a bang for the buck and boy, have you got it here. Don't get me wrong, I like the Gibson ES-175 but three grand??? - give me a break. This guitar plays at least as well as the Gibson. The only guitar that gives as much bang for the buck is the Heritage. The 575 model can be had for about $1,500.00 which isn't bad but again, when comparing the two the action is better on the Ibanez and the sound about the same. Of course, the Gibson or Heritage have more snob appeal but the fact is that the Ibanez is one hell of a guitar. I can't give a guitar of this type any higher recommendation. Try one out - you'll see what I mean.

This guitar was built Feb. 2002. It is made in Korea but is very well constructed. It has laminated maple sides and back but the top is spruce with a very nice sunburst finish. The finish is top notch with no flaws at all. The neck is also maple with a rosewd fingerbrd which is bound. The headstock & F-holes are also bound and the body has a 5 ply binding on top and back. The pearl inlays are very well done and fancy. It has 2 gold humbucks made by Ibanez. The tailpiece is their own design with a plastic piece with AF on it. This is the same tailpiece as the Pat Metheny model. What I like about this guitar is the slimmer body size, 2 3/4, like the George Benson GB10. The frets are medium jumbo and are smooth as silk. It came with a nice hardcase.
How can Ibanez make such a good playing instrument for $800?

I play light jazz and folk songs like James Taylor stuff. Generally, songs that I like in the last 30 yrs. I use a Evans 150 RMS amp. Many times I plug directly into a Mackie mixer with no effects at all. I do not use any pedals, the only effects I may use is a little reverb from my amp and the fingers on my hand. The sound is very clear with mellow jazz tones and treble if you need it. To kill the feedback problem, I stuff an old thermal pants into the upper F-hole. Have I started a new trend? I kills the feedback and I have played it loud. The thinner body and the fact that the pickups are cleaner may be also responsible. I like the sound, does not sound muddy like a Gibson.

I changed the strings to my favorite, Elixer 10-46. I may try some GHS bright flats, 11-47 down the road. The action, fit and finish are top notch to me. I just took it home, lowered the action and have played it as is. It's made me a couple of grand in the last few months. Payed for itself in 1 week, this is a players working instrument. Don't think just because it's made in Korea that it's cheap. I've owned $2500 Gibsons that have issues before you even get it home.

No back up is needed. Just play the guitar and remember that it only cost $800. If you want a better guitar buy a Gibson for $2800, just hope it doesn't turn into a nightmare for you. This is an inexpensive good sounding guitar that is so easy to play. What more would you want?

I haven't dealt with the company yet. I don't see any problems.

I've been playing for 40 yrs. I've had more Gibsons than you have socks. I had an Ibanez GB10 but I liked the sound of this guitar better. It is as fancy as the George Benson but more versatile cause it has built in pickups. The pickups are clearer and sounds good in a combo setting. The only thing that bothers me is that it is made in Korea and should be a piece of junk. But it isn't, it's probably one of the best guitars I've bought. It plays so easy and sounds so sweet. I would honestly say that Ibanez makes excellent jazz guitars.

My Ibanez AF120BS was made in Korea in 2002. The top is solid spruce, and the body is laminated maple. It has 20 medium frets. There is a volume and tone control for each of two humbucking Super 58 pickups, and a three-way switch selects which pickups are engaged. The electronics are passive. My AF120 has a brown sunburst finish, but a natural finish is also available. The body style is full-hollow with a single cutaway. It's only three inches thick, so the low end isn't as muddy as other jazz guitars I tried. The bridge is ebony with a standard archtop tailpiece. I'm not sure what brand the tuners are, but the guitar stays in tune well. The AF120 comes with an Artstar neck, which is of medium thickness and C-shaped. There are pearl and abalone inlays on the fretboard. The case cost $130 extra. Overall, everything you'd expect to see on a jazz guitar is on the AF120.

I bought this guitar mainly because of its sound. I play jazz and some blues. I was looking for a guitar with a warm, rich, but not muddy, tone; like what Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, and Barney Kessel were able to achieve. I compared it against a Washburn J-6 Montgomery and an Epiphone Emperor II Joe Pass. The Joe Pass produced very little sound acoustically. Amplified, it sounded very dull and boring, without the punchiness that I wanted. When I rolled back the tone, it sounded muddy. The Washburn J-6 sounded good unplugged, but its sound when amplified lacked definition with lower notes, even with the tone control up all the way. The Ibanez AF120 produces the tone I was looking for. When it isn't plugged in, it sounds good. When it's amplified, it sounds even better. It's very quiet when it's not being played. It's capable of producing a wide variety of sounds, but I usually keep it on the neck pickup for a good jazz tone.

It's beautiful. The sunburst finish is magnificent. If I'm not mistaken, this guitar, or a very similar one, is featured on the cover of Joe Pass's "Virtuoso Live" album. I bought the guitar from Brook Mays Music, and they set it up for me, so the action is just the way I want it. They also adjusted the pickups. The output jack was slightly loose, but the guitar tech fixed that, and it hasn't come loose since I bought it. I only have two problems with it. The area under the end of the neck where it meets the body isn't finished quite right. However, I don't think it's supposed to be; the area isn't visible by anyone except the player. The plastic "AF" on the tailpiece looks stupid, but it doesn't really detract from the overall appearance of the guitar.

Everything seems good enough to last. It's build very well. The finish seems well done, and the plating on the hardware doesn't look like it'll come off any time soon. I don't know about the strap buttons; I've always played it while seated. I'd play it live without a backup.

I've never dealt with Ibanez. I own a RG170 in addition to this, and it's never needed repairing. However, Ibanez has a warranty on it. Brook Mays gave me two free set-ups within the next year, so I'm pleased with them.

I've been playing for three years, and this is my first jazz guitar. I own an Ibanez RG 170 solid body guitar and a Crate GX-15 practice amplifier. If it were stolen or lost, I'd buy another one. I love the tone. It's a great value for the money.

Beautiful insrtument, kicks butt over the Epiphone Sheriton II which is it's closest rival. I am very happy with the price $150 < than internet ads for a NEW insrument. Great sound from rock to jazz [which is the target]. I traded my acoustic + bass + solid body electric for one of these bad boys!!!

Sound kicks butt!! No popping when switching pickups, a good bluesy tone. Using a Fender Chorous DSP amp or just straight acoustic, sounds great. Might want to change from flat wounds to slinkys but thats about all. Music style is everything from bluegass to modern.

Set-up just trippin'

Haven;t used it enough to know the long-term useage but hasn't got out of tune yet after a couple of days of beating on it.

Haven't used this feature yet!

Been playing for about 10 years! Wanted an acoustic-electric that fits the bill in both. This one does the trick.

Hollow-bodied jazz box (laminated). Two Ibanez Super58 humbuckers w/ volume and tone. Three position pickup selection switch. Got this in late 1997. Made in Korea. Came with nice hardshell case complete with black satin cover. Had problems keeping it in tune. Seemed to be slippage from the tuning heads. I replaced them with Sperzels and all is well.

I bought this to be my jazz guitar (pick and fingerstyle). I bought it with a Fender Princeton Chorus and I was never too enamored with the sound of the combination. Couldn't seem to get the fat,warm jazz tone that I was looking for. I recently got a Fender Cyber Deluxe and was able to come closer but not there. Super58s just sounded a bit too thin. I then replaced the Super58s with Benedetto A-6s. A big improvement. Fatter, warmer more even sound. I had been using round wound strings but after I installed the A-6s I decided to go with flat-wound D'Aquisto's. Now the Pat Martino/George Benson sound I was seeking is there and I am happy. Now I'd give the sound a 9. With the original set-up it's more like a 5.

The action is was okay but not great from the factory. Let's face it this is not a $3000 handcarved archtop. I played an Epip Joe Pass that thought had neck/action had a better feel off the shelf. When I installed the pickups I adjusted the bridge and now the action is much better. The finish is a nice antique sunburst. Nice to look at. Although the black plastic "AF" on the tailpiece is pretty cheesy.

I am not a gigging musician but I don't see any durabilty issues.

N/A

I have been playing for about 26 years. I own a Fender Cyber Deluxe, a Fender Princeton Chorus, a Carvin Bolt-T kit strat, and a Taylor 812c. Now that I have added the A-6s and the Sperzels I love this guitars sound. The only other jazz guitar in this price range that was available at the local shops in Portland, Maine was the Epi Joe Pass. It had some visible imperfections so I went with the Ibanez. If this were lost or stolen I would probably replace it with a Heritage and put the Bennie A-6s in that. For the price this is not a bad guitar. Particulary with the upgrades. I am not impressed with the Super58s I have a hard time believing that this is the same pickup that Pat Metheny uses in his guitars

New 99-00 Ibanez AF120. 20 frets. Spruce top, maple back - sides- neck - rosewood fretboard and bridge. 2 volume 2 tone and 3 way pickup selector. Double humbucker, Super 58's. Tobacco sunburst. It is a hollow body, but not a full jazz box, more in between a 335 and a 175. Neck is good size not to fat not to thin. Did not come with a case, and had to order one. Expensive $170 list, got it for $120. Very pleased with features. Payed $699 new. A couple of down points. I noticed that the neck and headstock are not one peice. But rather jointed together about an inch before the nut. Also the pickups do not seem to be tight to there frames causing movement and vibration noises, and the input/output jack is loose. I am very suprised and glad with the awesome action!

Suits musical style good. I play jazz and this is my first jazz guitar. It is prone to feedback, just like all other hollow bodys. Very many sounds possible, I play it with the neck pickup and about 2 - 4 on the tone knob. Only dislike is the feedback, which is part of the style of guitar.

Action is awesome, no buzz, sounds great. Pickups are at correct height but are not secure to there frames, causing vibration. Bridge seems fine. Only flaws are the loose pickups and loose output jack.

Havent played live yet, but seems very sturdy. Hardware looks good. Overall very good reliablity.

Only problem, had to order expensive case.

Have been playing for 6 years. Other gear I own is a PRS Custom 24, Mesa boogie DC-5, Eden world tour bass amp, Swr 4x12 bass cab, and Pedulla MVP-5 Bass. Should have asked to get pickups solidified. Love the action, sound, and ease of use. Hate nothing. Best buy for price range.

Ibanez AF120, jazz style electric semi-hollow. After reviewing Ibanez's 1995 catalog it appears that they combined their lower end jazz boxes(af80,120, and 200) into this model. I purchased this guitar new in 2000 over the internet. It features a spruce top, maple back and sides, one piece maple neck, gold hardware, super 58 pickups, plastic buttons on the tuners and a plain headstock. In fact the headstock is the newer large headstock, which I like better than the older reverse headstock.This is my third jazz type guitar, I have owned an older af100? (80's),an an epi joe pass. This guitar is nicer than my older Ibanez, the joe pass has more "flash" however this guitar has more of a "lets get down to business" feel. Nice les paul type case arched case.

I play through a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI and it sounds great. I love the pickups(I only use the neck pu,)and have no intention of changing it. Much better than the pickups on the joe pass. It came with jazz strings which sounded great but my fingers (and nails) can only stand
10's with a wound 3(I play fingerstyle).

Fit and finish are very good, maybe a little better than the joe pass.
I changed the strings, lowered the action and set the intonation. Very easy. The bridge was knocked out of alignment at some point during shipping but with this type of bridge that is not uncommon and easy to fix.

I think this guitar will hold up well. The finish looks thick and may take some abuse.

Have not dealt with the company.

I have been playing about 30 years and have gone through alot of guitars. I flip flop between jazz and classical. Before I purchased this guitar I was playing a Gibson Les Paul. I wanted something more comfortable to play sitting down. Like I said I owned a joe pass and considered purchasing another or one of the other epis. One thing I was looking for was the short scale, very comfortable to play. I know this guitar is made in the same factory as the epis but I was looking for something just a little cut above the epis. I think Ibanez has traded off some of the "flash" of the epis in favor of playability. I am very happy with this guitar.

This is a 1998 hollowbody single cutaway jazzbox with two Super 58 pickups (same as on their pro models) dual volume and tone controls, and a three way switch. Solid spruce top, maple body, gold hardware, nice abalone inlay on the neck, and the best factory hard case I've ever seen with satin cover sheet and even a custom wipe rag. For what it's designed to do I guess the features are average, but the quality makes for a better score. "Features for the money" would definitely be a 10.

Sound is what it's about when you buy a guitar, or it should be anyway, especially buying a new one. Having had the pleasure of playing a friend's 1966 Gibson Super 400, my expectations of a jazz guitar were stratospherically beyond my wallet. Thank the Universe for Ibanez. This is no vintage Super 400, but it is equal to or better than every ES-175 I compared it to, for about one fourth the price (half if you pay retail). I shopped the budget models (Epiphone, Hohner, etc.) and nothing was remotely close. A custom shop L-5 was nicer, but...$$$ and more $$$. I play through a Roland Jazz Chorus 120 and this guitar just sounds the way a jazz guitar should. The controls actually DO something and you can find everything from ultra smooth velvety background to delicate detail to a real ballsy twang without having to punch anything to the max. When you do, lookout. This guitar can SCREAM then flow seamlessly into rhythm before the listener knows what hit them. Set your pitch shifter to octave and you've got instant George Benson. In fact, George Benson plays an Ibanez custom shop version of this design. All in all the sound is excellent and there is surprisingly little feedback compared to the Gibsons.

This guitar was set up at a rock'n'roll shop - who knows why - so it was strung a little light. Other than that it was perfect. I changed it to medium light flatwounds and made a slight tweak on the neck and it plays like silk. The sunburst finish is flawless and looking all around the body and neck you can see the real artistry invested in this product. Fit and finish actually kick Gibson's butt on some models (Gibson shoppers beware, the quality isn't as consistent as it once was) The only thing that keeps Ibanez from scoring a 10 here is the cheesy tailpiece emblem. It's black plastic with a gaudy "AF" in white. I'm working on it.

Everything seems excellent with one minor exception. The cord receptacle worked loose a few times at first. I tightened it well then put a SMALL spot of clear glue joining the nut and exposed threads. So far - so good on that. I am very careful with my guitars, but the finish on this one would be fine even if I wasn't. This is one of those "see to believe" jobs. Time will tell.

The biggest reason I got such an incredible price on this guitar is that the dealer no longer carries them. He was just tired of dealing with the company and made that very clear before taking my money. He, and I, endorse the guitar enthusiastically, but company support to the dealer was slo.......ow, and to me was rude. The dealer actually had two of these in stock but the other will have to be sold without the case. Ibanez kept promising to send it, but.... My direct experience with Ibanez had to do with the cheesy tailpiece emblem and plain black pickguard. I want to replace both with tortiose shell and I am willing to pay a reasonable price. The Ibanez custom shop HAS the parts but refuses to sell them to me because I'm not a big name musician or an Ibanez dealer. I asked another Ibanez dealer about getting them and he said he gave up on those guys years ago and suggested I find ANYBODY else on the internet. E-mail me with connections!

This guitar does so many things so well and is so beautiful it's hard not to give it a 10, even with no company support. I've been playing steadily for three years and I hang out with some long term guys who've really done their homework and they all want to play this little Ibanez. That's got to say something. It just feels good to hold and does what you ask of it smoothly and cleanly. The body is a little thinner than a Gibson so it's easier to manage and still plays with sonic and visual authority. If I had to pick a favorite feature it would have to be the neck. It's pretty thin (front to back) making those stretchy jazz chords very accessible to average players, and the fingerboard radius is "just right". If it were lost or stolen I'd probably move to an L-5 or a D'Aquisto, but unless you're willing to pony up a few grand, I'd have to say the Ibanez is unbeatable.

Incredibly nice guitar in this price range. Set up as most hollow body jazz guitars with two pickups and appropriate controls. The Super 58 pickups (same as the Pat Metheny and George Benson models) and rosewood bridge work together nicely for classic jazz tones. My one complaint is the nut. It's made of some kind of composite and was poorly cut. I'm having it replaced with a bone nut. Other than that the workmanship is impressive. This guitar sounds as good as most with similar setups in any price range.

This guitar provides a good range of jazz tones from both pickups. I play it through old Fender amps and it is very full and rich harmonically. I also have a Tele and a Strat. This guitar compliments them nicely and fills a space sonically that the other two can't. It can do Joe Pass tones all the way to Duane Eddy.

The guitar was setup great right off the showroom wall. Materials and workmanship are excellent, except for the mediocre nut.

I will use this guitar for jazz and blues gigs. The only worry that I will have will be in protecting it from scratches and dings.

I have nop history with Ibanez support.

I've been playing since I was a baby and have studied most styles of modern music in some form or another. I gig regularly and feel happy to have added this "voice" to my tone quest. They seem fairly consistent in their quality, and their quality is good enough in my opinion. This guitar is a definate keeper.

This is a hollow body jazzguitar featuring two "super 58" humbuckers (the same pickups used on the Pat Metheny guitar) with two volume and two tone controls. It could very well be compered to a Gibson ES175, though the box is thinner (it's 3 inch deep). But this does'nt really mean enything if you mount some nice big strings on it (I use 0.13-0.54 flatwound and the guitar sounds as fat as any gibson I've compered it to.) The only problem that I could find with this guitar is the neck, wich is very thin compered to the typical Gibson ES175 neck. So if you are used to those nice big necks, this guitar may take a bit of getting used to.

I use this guitar for jazz playing and it does the job very well. I usually play throug "Peavy Classic 30 amp". Some times I also use a Boss Chorus pedal when i play in the fusion area. But no matter what I'm playing it sounds great.

When I bought the guitar it was a bit noisy, but the shop repared it right away and since then it hasn't given me much trouble.

I have bin playing with this guitar for 2 years now and I have relied quite a lot on it, without ever having problems. The finish on this guitar is very solid, and stil looks new after two years of playing. I think that Ibanez have made a very nice guitar, that you can rely on in any way.

This guitar is better than any guitar that you can buy for the same amount of money (Epiphone for instance). It sounds and looks great. I've compared to a Gibson ES175 and they sounded identical, actually the ibanez has lesser feedback than the ES175 because of the thinner box. It's the perfect guitar for people who don't wan't to spend many 1000 bucks just because of the name written on the guitar. (like when you buy a gibson). If I should replace this guitar it should be for a D'Angelo or some other handmade guitar.