Ibanez Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Antique Amber

The guitar builder for the giants of jazz, Ibanez introduces the Artstar AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, to answer the needs of the working professional player. Crafted from specially selected tonewoods, this guitar features a bone nut, ebony fingerboard, hand-rolled frets and Ibanez's famous Super 58 pickups capable of tone magic any place between jazz-clean all the way to blues dirty. Use the Tri-Sound switch to select three different coil configurations for the neck pickup, for even more tonal varieties. Hardshell case included.

Super 58 Custom pickups deliver the smooth, nuanced tones and the biting growl of blues Ebony fretboard with Artstar fret edge treatment provides tight response and smooth left-hand fingering The bone nut provides richer tone from low to high

Get a guitar that can do it all. Order today.

SPECIFICATIONS

Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

Neck type: Artstar 3-piece Mahogany/Maple set-in neck
Body: Flamed Maple top/back/sides
Fretboard: Bound Ebony fretboard w/Pearl & Abalone block inlay
Frets: Medium frets with Artstar fret edge treatment
Bridge: ART-1 bridge
Tailpiece: Quik Change III tailpiece
Neck pickup: Super 58 custom (H)
Bridge pickup: Super 58 custom (H)
Hardshell case included
Neck Dimensions
Scale: 628mm/24.75"
Width at Nut: 43mm
Width at Last Fret: 57mm
Thickness at 1st: 20mm
Thickness at 12th: 22mm
Radius: 305mmR
Body Dimensions
Length 19-1/4"
Width 15-3/4"
Max Depth 2-5/8"

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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This is a well-made, great-sounding, good-looking guitar that is very smooth and easy to play. I was surprised by how well it sounds and plays. After playing other semi-hollow body guitars [Epiphone, Gretsch, Gibson] in this price range, this guitar was the winner for me! I'm impressed by the craftsmanship [even though it's made in China]. You get: (1) ebony fretboard, (2) bone nut, (3) bound body and neck, (4) figured maple top, back, sides, and pick guard!, mahogany and maple neck, etc., I really hope the quality and workmanship stand the test of time. The only changes I made were to install Duncan pickups [the stock pickups are great, but changing them was just my personal preference]. I also added a coil tap on the bridge pickup. Now I have tons of coil selections! This is a great guitar for the money. It's almost as sweet as a woman! Well, almost.
Ibanez Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Antique Amber
.I love this guitar! I've owned lots, and I was hesitant to buy anything but the 'real deal' in the form of a true 335. But, after playing this at home through my favorite amps, I fell in love... I play mostly blues, classic rock, and southern rock, but I've been known to bust out some Larry Carlton licks from time to time. It feels really, really good in my hands, and the tone... oh that tone! These Super 58 pick ups are absolutely amazing! Even my buddy, who's incredibly proud (and rightfully so) of his '63 335 re-issue, is impressed! If you're in the market for that sweet 335 sound, it's worth taking one of these for a spin! I'd venture to say that the quality control at Ibanez is on-par with all but the custom shop versions from the big name companies.

If I had to call-out a negative, it'd be the color matched pick guard. I haven't swapped it out yet, but I'm thinking that I'd prefer a basic black in its place.
Ibanez Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Antique Amber
.Bought this on sale and as an open box return Level 1 I believe, so I couldn't beat the price. The guitar sounds great, the pickups are nice and strong and I love the extra sounds the tri-sound switch provides on the rhythm pickup. Aesthetically it is perfect. The only issue I had was with some of the upper fret work. One observation I had was the strings they ship on the guitar are 10's with some very heavy strings on the bottom; I think they are like .053's. I have found when you put strings that big on 335 style guitars, because the joins so high, the neck twists above the 12th fret increasing fret buzz and unfortunately the neck rod has little effect up that high on the neck. I put a standard 10-46 set on it and the neck straightened back out and I tweaked a couple high frets and the buzz is gone. So I am thrilled with it.
Ibanez Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Antique Amber
.The pictures don't do this guitar justice. Great craftsmanship. Plays like a guitar twice it's price. The pickups are a little hot. But with the coil tap feature, you can get just about any sound you're looking for. I would definitely buy this guitar again.
Ibanez Artstar Series AS153 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Antique Amber
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