WAY better than I expected. I wanted an inexpensive yet playable 335 style axe, and after researching extensively, settled on this one. When it arrived, I gave it intense scrutiny, and after playing it for a bit decided to do the following: polish the frets (they were a little "gritty" on bends) and LOWER the action a bit. I didn't have to touch the neck truss rod at all! The fit and finish were perfect. I then changed strings going to my normal 11's (it comes with 10's) and hemp oiled the fretboard in the process. Then I intonated it...it was close out of the box, but needed a slight tweak. Then I played it for 4 hours at band rehearsal and grew increasingly impressed with the tonal characteristics of the pups Don't let anyone tell you that the pups are in need of ... MoreWAY better than I expected. I wanted an inexpensive yet playable 335 style axe, and after researching extensively, settled on this one. When it arrived, I gave it intense scrutiny, and after playing it for a bit decided to do the following: polish the frets (they were a little "gritty" on bends) and LOWER the action a bit. I didn't have to touch the neck truss rod at all! The fit and finish were perfect. I then changed strings going to my normal 11's (it comes with 10's) and hemp oiled the fretboard in the process. Then I intonated it...it was close out of the box, but needed a slight tweak. Then I played it for 4 hours at band rehearsal and grew increasingly impressed with the tonal characteristics of the pups Don't let anyone tell you that the pups are in need of replacing. They are fine, and have just enough "bite" to cut through the band mix. I happen to like ceramic pups over Alco's. We do everything from Dire Straits to George Benson to Frank Sinatra to the Stones and George Strait. This axe can handle them all. I particularly like having only ONE volume and tone pot...no one has the time in a live setting to adjust 4 knobs until the "sweet spot" tone mix is achieved. Studios? Yes. Live? No. Next, I installed a LesTrem vibrato and roller bridge I had and they literally just dropped in. All said, I love this guitar. I have Fenders, A custom made Carvin DC-127 and have also had Gibsons and Epiphones. They are all fine instruments. But the neck on this gem stands above them all. And I like the medium frets over the medium jumbo's that most manufacturers put on their guitars. It's a great little player and definitely a keeper. But if you find one, snap it up because they are telling me that the next shipment won't be for 6 months!!! I had to call three sellers before I could find someone who had them in stock. Ended up with AMS, who did a fine job in the sales end.

This is my first semi hollow body guitar and I am shocked how well it plays and sounds for the price. Beautiful Tobacco satin finish with nice wood grains. Comfortable neck. The bound walnut fretboard looks amazing. Pickups sound great. Mine came setup out of the box with 10-52s which feels like the perfect gauge for this guitar. Ibanez makes some of the best guitars on the market. Really impressed with this one.

First look , beauty in tobacco flat. Came set up but I did my tweaks. Love the flowing action on the neck when running the Board on jams, the Tapered neck and c shape is smooth.The sapele wood is a strong African wood that carries vibration to resonate well. love the strap mount behind the neck , good place keeping that strap out of the way. The tone volume knobs are in a strategic place easy to access . The lead rhythm switch which sets between them as not to confuse which is which is a nice touch. A simple easy design set up . In all I loved it so much on how it sounds I bought my lead guitar player one and he loved it. I played as well as any of the Gibson’s he had in the rack. From playing blues to rock this axe will get the job done. At night I find myself ... MoreFirst look , beauty in tobacco flat. Came set up but I did my tweaks. Love the flowing action on the neck when running the Board on jams, the Tapered neck and c shape is smooth.The sapele wood is a strong African wood that carries vibration to resonate well. love the strap mount behind the neck , good place keeping that strap out of the way. The tone volume knobs are in a strategic place easy to access . The lead rhythm switch which sets between them as not to confuse which is which is a nice touch. A simple easy design set up . In all I loved it so much on how it sounds I bought my lead guitar player one and he loved it. I played as well as any of the Gibson’s he had in the rack. From playing blues to rock this axe will get the job done. At night I find myself sitting in a chair and just learning ,improvising. This guitar is for all Types of players, lead ,rhythm, a first guitar for someone or another one to add to your collection.People whom are serious about playing have enough guitars like myself.but always wanted an F body semi hollow, the sound stacks up as well as a Gibson E 335, without breaking my bank to add another in my lineup. It has been increasingly been my go to guitar, stays in tune well. I have noticed how the weather - change in temperature will affect my tune. I practice in a garage in between gigs with poor heat. So if it gets cold quick while playing you will notice, but that’s with about every guitar. When I pick up my guitar in the morning , my Gibson becomes sad, he is all alone. I never thought you could build such a great sounding guitar for just under 300. Deep rich bluesy tonal sound .

A solid instrument at a great price

Overall:Exactly as advertised. The tones are outstanding. The workmanship is top notch. And zZounds made it all too easy. Setup out of the box was great and it was nearly in tune.Also, the picture in the ad is out of date, it did come with the slotted, Quik Change III tailpiece, advertised on the Ibanez web site.It's just the entry level guitar in the Ibanez Artcore AS line, but it's a wonderful instrument at a great price. There are other inexpensive archtop, 335 clones out there which have a bit more bling, a bit more eye candy, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find one with this kind of quality at this price point. Would buy it again and would recommend it to a friend.

I'm loving this guitar

Overall:I've had this for about 6 months now, so the honeymoon period is over so this isn't a review of, Oh I just got this and it's great, no, It takes time to develop into your style and your environment. So, after 6 months of playing this guy (or girl - I name my guitars) this has been a real pleasure to play. I wanted a semi-hollow and at $300 I figured I couldn't lose, and I was right. Well made, good fitment of knobs, although I did have to tighten the input jack. As for tuning, it keeps tune real well if kept in the house, no problems at all. If I leave it in the garage (where I practice) it needs a little lovin to get it back in tune, granted, this in Vegas where my garage hits 100 degrees easily so that's actually not bad, seriously, it's not bad. The one ... MoreOverall:I've had this for about 6 months now, so the honeymoon period is over so this isn't a review of, Oh I just got this and it's great, no, It takes time to develop into your style and your environment. So, after 6 months of playing this guy (or girl - I name my guitars) this has been a real pleasure to play. I wanted a semi-hollow and at $300 I figured I couldn't lose, and I was right. Well made, good fitment of knobs, although I did have to tighten the input jack. As for tuning, it keeps tune real well if kept in the house, no problems at all. If I leave it in the garage (where I practice) it needs a little lovin to get it back in tune, granted, this in Vegas where my garage hits 100 degrees easily so that's actually not bad, seriously, it's not bad. The one thing I'd say is a con to this guitar are the pickups but ONLY if you drive your amp hard, they tend to get muddy. Changing these out is a major PIA but I may try at some point. For now though, it really is a good buy and a fun guitar to play.

Ibanez AS53-TF you beauty!

I am in love with this guitar. I am cautious of buying a guitar online without playing it beforehand, but my relief quickly turned to joy. Played through a 20 watt Fender, or a 60 watt vintage acoustic amp, it sounds great. It has significant tone and surprising amount of range and sensitivity between pickups, and with the tone knob adjusted. Finger picking on the bridge pickup, low tone is my favorite (at the moment) - really sexy wand warm. Mind you, it's got balls when played through distortion. Does a fine job as a rhythm guitar. It looks and feels fantastic - mine is a tobacco flat. I'm used to heavy guitars so I consider this one light weight. The body was surprisingly big and the neck longer than I anticipated, but it takes nothing away from comfort levels. ... MoreI am in love with this guitar. I am cautious of buying a guitar online without playing it beforehand, but my relief quickly turned to joy. Played through a 20 watt Fender, or a 60 watt vintage acoustic amp, it sounds great. It has significant tone and surprising amount of range and sensitivity between pickups, and with the tone knob adjusted. Finger picking on the bridge pickup, low tone is my favorite (at the moment) - really sexy wand warm. Mind you, it's got balls when played through distortion. Does a fine job as a rhythm guitar. It looks and feels fantastic - mine is a tobacco flat. I'm used to heavy guitars so I consider this one light weight. The body was surprisingly big and the neck longer than I anticipated, but it takes nothing away from comfort levels. For the price and the service that goes with it, you've got a superb deal.

Nothing “hollow” Bout this one!

Overall:I’ve always had an affinity for electric hollow body guitars like the Gibson ES 335, like the one Clapton played in Cream. Unfortunately, those guitars are much too pricey, and a bit too wide for my liking. Hence, this very reasonably priced AS 53 was right up my alley! Great neck, fast action, sweet sustain, and throaty raunch, when pushed with a distortion pedal. I love playing Blues on it, and medleys of 60’s and 70’s, of Brit and USA tunes. Solo Jazz comping is easily achieved with this guitar, as well as traditional Country songs. This Artcore AS53 exceeds all expectations, and needs no alterations as gar as I am concerned. Get it at this lowball pricing!

Pleasantly surprised

Had this guitar for a few weeks now, playing regularly and putting it through its paces. As many have pointed out there is some slight fret buzz and the saddles are not very easy to adjust, but on mine it's only on the E string and only on harder strumming.It's kept its tune the whole time I've had it, and I've had no problems with any of the hardware or electronics. The colour is darker than I was expecting. Many people have said the transparent black shows up as a faint gray brown, but I was pleased to see mine looks black until you get some lights on it, at which point it's more of a dark chocolate colour.Sounds great plugged in; running clean has a full, vibrant tone (none of the tinny, twangy sound a lot of low-to-mid-grade pickups produce) and as such gives ... MoreHad this guitar for a few weeks now, playing regularly and putting it through its paces. As many have pointed out there is some slight fret buzz and the saddles are not very easy to adjust, but on mine it's only on the E string and only on harder strumming.It's kept its tune the whole time I've had it, and I've had no problems with any of the hardware or electronics. The colour is darker than I was expecting. Many people have said the transparent black shows up as a faint gray brown, but I was pleased to see mine looks black until you get some lights on it, at which point it's more of a dark chocolate colour.Sounds great plugged in; running clean has a full, vibrant tone (none of the tinny, twangy sound a lot of low-to-mid-grade pickups produce) and as such gives a really solid distortion and overdrive, especially on the low end, which again is full, and rich.I've used for practice, jamming, and one show thus far, and it's managed to dethrone my strat as my main recording guitar for the time-being. I'm very impressed with this little thing; for its price I expected (and would have been happy with) far less.

Surprising Guitar for Good Value

Bought this guitar primarily to try out a semi-hollow guitar for the first time after watching some review videos. As most reviews stated, the guitar is surpisingly good for the price. I've only had it a couple weeks but I've been impressed with the sound, tone and feel. The neck is much bigger than my other guitar, which was expected, but it still plays very well. No complaints so far about the tone and pickups. Plays great with several styles of music, not just blues and jazz like people would expect.There's a few small spots where the guitar looks cheap with the finish bleeding into the binding, but nothing that really turns me away from it. The only real complaint is where the pickup selector is located between the control knobs.Overall, I've been pretty ... MoreBought this guitar primarily to try out a semi-hollow guitar for the first time after watching some review videos. As most reviews stated, the guitar is surpisingly good for the price. I've only had it a couple weeks but I've been impressed with the sound, tone and feel. The neck is much bigger than my other guitar, which was expected, but it still plays very well. No complaints so far about the tone and pickups. Plays great with several styles of music, not just blues and jazz like people would expect.There's a few small spots where the guitar looks cheap with the finish bleeding into the binding, but nothing that really turns me away from it. The only real complaint is where the pickup selector is located between the control knobs.Overall, I've been pretty happy with the guitar so far and it has definitely been a great addition for great value.

Value sweet spot

I was looking for an ES 335 style guitar that didn't cost $2800.00 like my last one. There are many YouTube reviews that were very helpful - highly recommend you check them out. The AS53 has a slighly smaller body size than the ES 335 which I like. Ibanez has an even a smaller version AM53. There are some quality concessions to achieve a low price point but overall the AS53 delivers in where it counts- in spades. The tone wood, neck, fit and finish on mine are all excellent. After initial tuning the intonation was perfect out of the box. The action and playability were also very good and can be improved to equal my old ES 335. My initial take is that the AS53 will satisfy even experienced players as a working guitar and the high quality construction supports ... MoreI was looking for an ES 335 style guitar that didn't cost $2800.00 like my last one. There are many YouTube reviews that were very helpful - highly recommend you check them out. The AS53 has a slighly smaller body size than the ES 335 which I like. Ibanez has an even a smaller version AM53. There are some quality concessions to achieve a low price point but overall the AS53 delivers in where it counts- in spades. The tone wood, neck, fit and finish on mine are all excellent. After initial tuning the intonation was perfect out of the box. The action and playability were also very good and can be improved to equal my old ES 335. My initial take is that the AS53 will satisfy even experienced players as a working guitar and the high quality construction supports upgrading the pickups and tuners to make this guitar a true value gem. No, you won't have mother of pearl inlaid head stock or flame tiger maple paint job but you can have everything else at a bargain price. Enjoy.