Ibanez AS200

Probably made mid 90ies. Other features mentioned right before.

Captures evereything from clean Jazz to Hardrock, depending on personal style, amp and gear. Best Pickups I ever played in 30 years - very sensitive responding on how hard or soft you strike. Deeply breathing, playing that guitar through a compressor is just a sin! Never weak or muddy.

Once I started playing on it, I couldn't stop...

No lack of tone wherever played. Even on 22rd fret tones come thick and punchy. I recently played an 60ties 335 - in comparision it weaks.

Typical dislikes on semibodys: Especially lower strings e, a, d don't give that singlecoil/solidbody-brilliance. To contrast sharp-edged rhythm e.g aganist a soundfilling gorgan in the band, I prefer Tele- or Stratocaster.

Tuning is a little hard. First time I thought "oh, oh", but was surprised then: once tuned, it remains stabile thru the night.

Everything on this guitar feels and stays absolutely worthy, highly professional and solid.

No experience.

If stolen, I would by it again. Such a nice guitar is a must in my guitarist life.

I play for 30 years. Some other guitars I own and play live: Fender Strat 1964 and 1981, Fender Tele 1980, Brian Moore 1996, DeArmond Semi Special 2001, Epiphone Emperor II Joe Pass 1995.

My AS-200 is a 1981 and is certainly the best guitar I ever owned. 2 Super 58 pickups plus the tri-sound switch. Flamed maple top and the best quality luthiers work I've ever seen. The neck begsa to be played and action and intonation are very first class.

This baby sounds Scofield, use whatever amp you want, you will always have that sound that is so very special for a AS-200. No other guitar in this world has a sound like this. Pressure, warmth, jazziness and presence. This guitar is versatile but it has that SPECIAL sound, sweet as a melon.

This lady is professional in every way!!!!!!!!!

The binding has nicely aged to yellow and it has some finish marks but that just adds character. This guitar is my main guitar since more than 20 years now and I would never sell it, it's worth a million bucks now. Reason is, the older it gets, the better the sound.

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I play this guitar through different amps like Fender, Boogie, Roland. If this guitar were stolen my life would change on the spot, I wouldn't know what to do, honestly. This is MY guitar, if you know what I mean. It has phisically become a part of myself. This is MY guitar, .....MY guitar and you can't have it, never!!!!!!!!

Mine is a 1981 AS200. I picked it up at a pawn shop in 1994 for $400.00, the best deal I ever got on a guitar. Externally it appears to be identical to John Scofield's guitar in every respect. The "flame" on it never fails to draw comments, the pearl on the headstock and frets is eye-catching as can be. I have replaced the tuners with Grovers, one of the originals basically came apart in my hands. I also had all of the wiring replaced with braided wiring, it is a keeper! Everything else is as it was when I bought it used so I am unsure what is original.

I play jazz, blues, r&b, rock, a little of everything. This is the one single guitar I can use for every last bit of what I play, its versatility is unmatched. I play it mostly through an old Music Man 210/65, sometimes using a Digitec RP7 Valve, but usually with just a taste of reverb. I also use a Roland JC120 for bigger venues. Dark or bright tones are just a twist of the tone knob away, I cannot say enough about the awesome sounds this guitar is capable of making.

I can only comment on the condition the guitar was in as it came from the pawn shop, and it was great then. If there is one flaw in this guitar it is in the bridge -- I pop high "e" strings every other week if I am not careful. I have had the bridge filed down just a little to eliminate any burrs but apparently that has not worked. The wiring and tuning hardware was marginal, I have upgraded all of that. The fit and finish of the body and neck is exemplary and durable.

I use this guitar to play 10-15 shows per month on the average. The finish may outlast me. Refer to comments above regarding hardware. The strap buttons have never failed and I depend on it so much that I quite often take it to gigs in smaller venues without a backup.

I have never dealt with the company.

I have played for over 30 years. I also own a Fender Strat, a Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe, and a Gibson ES-175. Amps owned are a Music Man 210/65 and a Roland JC-120. I consider this guitar irreplaceable, I have not compared it to any other with an eye toward replacing it. I woulkd certainly check out an Ibanez "335" if anything ever happened to this one. I love its finish, its sound, its all around versatility. I would (and have) highly recommend the Ibanez AS200 to anyone looking for a jazz, blues, or jack-of-all-trades guitar.

Mine is a 1985 model W/2 buckers (splitting,series/parallel for neck p/u via 3-way mini toggle) all gold hardware, smooth tune tuners etc...

I am playing through a VHT Pittbull-45 1*12+2*10 combo and, sometimes, a T.C.Electronic G-Force in the FX loop. This combination serves me well for the music I play which is Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Country (no linedancing crap!) and all traditional style applications. I have changed the p/u's a couple of times, first w/Gibson 490 & 498's. These were too loud and made the guitar sound a little too much like a Les Paul and took away most of the hollow sounds. They did provide some great tones though, including a magnificent old Santana sound. I have since put in some second hand Gibson PAFs. The neck and neck/bridge settings now sound really rich and much cleaner than the Super58s which were standard.The bridge on its own can be quite sharp and nasty at times which can be quite desireable, although a little thin at times, so I am still looking for the ultimate bridge p/u (maybe a Classic57+?). This is a complaint that I would have with all three p/u's Ive had in the bridge. Thanks to these p/u's being equipped with only single shielded cable I have had to forfeit the handy 3-way series/parralel/single-coil function in favour for a 2-way switch which bypasses the tone and volume knobs for the bridge p/u (every guitar should have this function!). As has been said above, these guitars do a pretty darn good Lucille impersonation. My favorite sounds are:1)Bridge with both tone and vol. on half and the amp on ultra clean, bright and loud. 2)Both p/u's with one (either/either) on full and the other on about 3. There are heaps of cool sounds you can get on this guitar though. Extremely versatile!!
Also, the tone improved a lot when I replaced the bridge with a Schaler GTM.This can be done without any major surgery by carefully wedging the base screws (couple of matchsticks needed) into the existing ones.

I bought this guitar second hand with the story (from the salesman)that it had been custom built for a guy who then kept it in the closet for its' entire life (at the time I believed it). The strings were 11's with a wound G and the action was perfect. The workmanship an these guitars is imaculate and consistent. As with any guitar I buy I have replace the hardware with silver for asthetics (I think gold looks a little cheap).

Here is where I have a major compliant. This guitar has developed a ski-jump effect in the neck which causes ever increasing buzzing in the upper frets. Of the three highly reputable servicemen/luthiers I have taken it to, they have all said that this a common problem with the AS200 and that the proper way to rectify the problem is to shave a small amount off the upper neck area. Temporarily you can keep filing down the frets, but the buzzing will return later. Apparently after having this procedure done, you have no such problems in the future. I have also had the neck straightened with heat after it developed a slight twist (I swear I treat this guitar like royalty!!!)

The only thing I've needed from Ibanez was a silver stop tailpiece which they had and delivered promptly.

Apart from the neck thing this is my ultimate guitar. It stays in tune for weeks, has all the sounds I can hear in my head (apart from the voices), looks cool and isn't too heavy. Ten if it weren't for the neck.
If anyone has any ideas on a good p/u's for this guitar, or knows what Scofield uses, please contact me.

Gibson ES 335 copy, but not just another variation of the all too amiliar theme! My example is a `81, with BEAUTIFULLY flamed maple top, a neck begging to be played and a fingerboard that really surpasses even the Les Paul Custom in elegance, with its ebony and its block-with-paralellogram inlays. Wow. It`s a looker. 2 buckers, of which the neck unit can be selected in many different ways with the help of a discreet 3-way mini switch. I find this finesse somewhat useless, but it`s nice to know you can do it if you EVER get tired of the "normal" setup`s well-balanced sounds. Tons of features-and tons of tone, although i find the Pickups` output level surprisingly low. Still, the quality is impeccable, and low output is no hinder unless you want to drive some high-gain amp harder than *@#&. If that`s your thing, a semi-acoustic isn`t what you want anyway!

Jazz, Blues, Fusion. That`s what I play, and that`s what it`s built for, so that works out fine. EXELLENT sound.

I bought it second hand, and had to recut the nut. Otherwise it`s impeccable. Craftsmanship of high class, it seems to ooze with quality. It`s 20 years old, but is in mint condition. No wear on the fretting, so it probably hasn`t been used too much. Of course, changed when I bought it, I can`t put it down.

It`s 20 years old. Mint. `Nuff said. Take good care of it, and it will provide you and your children and children`s children lifetimes of guitar- playing.

Don`t know. This axe will outlive me, with or without customer support.

Buy it.NOW!

See other reviews. The hardware is very good.

This guitar is very versatile. I play many styles with this guitar including Jazz. My setup is just a Boss Chorus pedal and a Mesa/Boogie amp. This guitar is very, very quiet. I noticed that the wiring is well shielded. I use this guitar mostly clean, but sometimes I use distortion for bluesy leads. It has a very warm sound in the neck and a twangy, brighter sound in the bridge position. You can get many different tones with the mini-switch (which can make the neck pickup go in parallel or single coil mode). There is a lot of variety here. All in all, this guitar is great and has a lot tones availible.

The only thing I didn't like about the guitar is the fact that Ibanez didn't set it up with .10 gauge strings. The factory specifications are 10's not 9's like were on my guitar. I have heard of many people having this problem.

Besides that, the finish and other things are good.

This is a very reliable guitar. I haven't broken a string on this guitar yet (under my usual wear and tear). The finish and hardware seems very long lasting. I'd like to note that Ibanez uses great strap buttons. They are made wider so that the chance of the strap falling off are slim. Since this is a semi hollow guitar, it can never be as reliable as a solidbody. This is why I give it a 9.

N/A

I hav been playing 3-4 years and this is probably my favorite guitar. I also own an Ibanez JPM and a Hamer Mirage II. Ibanez is my favorite guitar company. In my opinion, they have the best guitar designs and are about innovation. I think they are more consistant than companies like Gibson or Fender and offer a better price/quality ratio. All in all, I am extremely satisfied with my AS200. It's great feel, looks, and sounds are great.

I am fortunate to own 2 AS200's. The first is a 1981 model (it seems exactly the same as the one John Scofield plays) and a 1982 model. (You can tell by the serial numbers on the back of the headstock). The '82 is basically the same as the '81 with a few really minor changes, ... a slightly altered body shape, and extra bindings around the body. Both are second hand, but in almost mint condition, with original hardware and features (2x humbuchers with tri-sound switch for single coil and phase).
Really nice figured maple tops on both, and excellent finish.

Although both play slightly differently, they are both fantastic. Versatile +++. Great for Jazz, blues, rock .... anything. If you had to have just one guitar to cover a multitude of styles this would do it.
Particluarly good for Larry Carlton type fusion stuff, great woody sound. I can get all the sounds I really like with these any my setup (Boss GT-5 through a Peavey Classic 50 - 2x12) .....Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, John Scofield, etc.
Put on a set of flat wounds and you get a fantastic Jazz sound!
Would suit any style, except possibly heavy metal stuff (but can do a fair job here as well with the right effects).

Action and setup were done by me after purchase, and are great.
Currently using D'Addario's @ .11 - .49
They most confortable guitars I have had (and that's quite a few). At nearly 20 years of age they look and play fantastic.
Worksmanship is great, .... no flaws at all.

Both appear very robust. No problems at all so far.

Have contacted Ibanez in Ayustralia for a few replacement parts and had really good service.

After 30 years of playing, these are my dream guitars. I can't bring myself to part with either, as they are quite distinctive in sound, and would be devastated if they were lost or stolen. ..... would immediately have to start searching for another.
If I had to choose between these and the Strats, Gibsons, Yamahas and other guitars I have owned, and I wouold stick with these any day. (Mind you I still have a Strat I won't sell either!)

See other reviews.

nice case

very nice. these p/u's really do sound great. i have some lindy fralins in another guitar and these are no better/worse than the fralins. this guitar sounds great clean or dirty. i now understand why it is considered a nice "crossover" guitar. very warm in the neck, great for jazz/fusion/blues/rock, very versatile. no complaints here.

i bought it sight unseen, off the internet. it's the 4th guitar i've bought off the internet, the first 3 went back. after the 3rd i said i would never buy a guitar without trying it first, got sick of eating shipping. i'am glad i tried one more time! this thing plays great. it was set up well, but i did take a little dip out and lowered the action.

shape of the neck: mine is barely wider than a strat even though it is suposed to be around 11/16ths. it is a bit less thick than a strat. i was worried that it would be wide and chunky like most les pauls. it isn't at all, feels very nice to my hand. i would say very middle of the road for both thickness and width. and the neck does have a mild to moderate radius which i like, no flat neck here, it may be compound radius but i doubt it. i am very picky do to carpel tunnel symptoms in my left wrist, this neck is very friendly.

there are a few spots in the binding that are not perfect, but not a big deal to me. and a couple frets with some glue, which will be taken care of when i get the frets dressed.

it's new, can't say. the notch on the bridge for the 6th string is not deep enough, so i'll have to find out about that. the string disengages when i hit the string hard.

don't know, i'll find out due to the string problem.

very happy with the purchase. i've been playing over 20 yrs. all my equipment is high end.

Features already described well previously. I would however add that I find the mini 3-wat toggle very usefull when used creatively. For example, using both pickups with neck pickup in parallel "and" adjusting relative pickup volumes. I give a 9 here because Perfection is highly subjective. I would have liked a second switch for the bridge pickup. Other than that the guitar would have been a 10!!

I play heavy rock and fusion mostly. I also dabble in jazz (whenever I venture into that "realm") i.e. Whenever I "attempt" to play jazz! I sincerely find that this guitar - with the right adjusments - can sound any way the player wishes it to. I plugged into a MESA Mark IV and was completely unprepared what what I was about to experience. The clean sound with neck pickup coupled with bridge is resoundingly rich (you can here the effects of "quality" woods). Overall this guitar is "very" hard to beat.

FLAWLESS!

You can not hit your Bass player over the head with this guitar and expect to play your next set. (use your les paul for that!). Treated properly, this guitar is a lifetime one.

Never dealt with them. I do however here both sides on this issue.

This guitar is one of my favorites. It is the first semi-hollow I have owned. With the exception of a PRS Hollow-body-II, I can't see myself buying any other semi-hollow. If you are one of those "brainwashed" who think that a 335 is the only "real" guitar out there, check out an AS200, you wil not regret it. The AS200 wins HANDS-DOWN over any 335 I have played!!

This fine work of art is a 1999 AS200 in the 335 body style in antique violin finish , with a flame maple back , front , sides ,and even the back of the neck has a flame maple skunk strip in it.It has the gibraltar II bridge and two super 58 pick-ups. Ebony fretboard with pearl and abalone split block inlays. All gold hardware and aged ivory fretboard and body binding. Two humbuckers pick-ups with a 3 way switch and a extra 3 way coil tap switch to make the neck pick-up either a humbucker/single coil/parallel. Case included !

I can get a full/rich woody sound out of it with ease. With the combination of pick-up choices almost any sound is in reach. I can get a rock tone and then go to a sweet jazz tone , to blues tone all with a flick of the switches. This guitar is great at the crossing over from jazz, blues ,rock. You can get some feedback with this guitar in a good way. I currently i'am using this guitar with a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 and a Vox Wah-Wah pedal.I love this set-up . I have since stopped playing my stratocaster plus and my telecaster plus because i can't put this guitar down!

This guitar was custom ordered from Ibanez.The bookmatching was flawless as was the finish . The fret work was prefect and the inlay work also flawless. Found one little flaw in the binding work , it looks like some of the dark stain from the body got on it about the size of a pencil point. Factory set-up the guitar with .009's when the paerwork said it was suppose to have .010's on it. Other than that it was very, very, very , good. I'll have to give it a 9 due to the fact that the binding flaw and the mis-gauged strings.

This guitar is pretty fragile ( it is a semi-hollow body style )but with carefully handling i belive it will hold up to the test of time. It has oversize strap buttons on it so i can't see it falling off of you at a gig. I would use it at a gig without a back-up if i had to without hesitation .

Only has a one year factory warranty due to the fact that it is a semi-hollow body guitar . Ibanez will not give you the lifetime warranty like their solidbody guitars have . I haven't had to call them yet so i couldn't say at this time.....but i did E-mail them a question before i purchased it and they answered it the same day.

Before i purchased this guitar i tried out several styles,and models. I compared this guitar against other 335 style guitars (Washburn , Gibson , Guild , Samick ,Epiphone) and this manufacturer won hands down for fit , finish , playablity and most of all tone. I love the way it looks and it has the tone i've always looked for in a guitar. I have been playing for 5 years and currently own an Fender acoustic, Fender statocaster plus , Fender telecaster plus and a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 amp . So as you can see i was a diehard Fender fan.....until now. The only thing i wish came with it was a can-o-talent ..... because my playing just isn't as good enough to do the guitar justice.