Tried out New ART100...kinda

[screamndemon69]

http://ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=ART100
i walked into the store i teach out of yesterday and there sat the new ART100. they also have the RGR421 -yuck! - but that's a different thread. the guitar looked very nice with the body binding and special 12th fret inlay (tribal). i liked the neck as it wasn't too fat or narrow and my hand rested nice and comfortably on the bridge. if i remember correctly it was Indo or Chinese (not sure - i looked and have now forgot what it was - D'oh!) made but the fret ends and finishing wasn't bad. i didn't notice any flaws while noodling away and for $299 US i was actually impressed with it for a modern style LP offering from Ibanez. i am also pleased to read it is mahogany and not some crappy tone wood.
the down side is i didn't get a chance to plug it in as the store was rearranging their amp room and shortly after i tried it and went back to teaching, one of my students ran down stairs (after his lesson) with his parent and bought it on the spot. he had been wanting a new guitar last month and i told him to wait until new '07 models started hitting the shelves and boy was he glad he did! it fit easily into an LP Gator case so the shape is very close to that of an LP.
the pickups are different than what i'm familiar with from IBZ but i won't get a chance to try them out until i see that student again next week. i will post about it when i get my mits on it again thru my teaching amp, Tech 21.
so far in feel, looks and playability i would give it a thumbs up for those interested so plug one in and give it a whirl if you have been looking for an affordable "modern" style LP, you might be happily suprised.

[stratoskier]

Yup, the Chinese made models deserve a look. I recently picked up a Chinese made Artcore AWD82T, mostly on a whim. I'm very impressed with the quality. For what it's worth, I've owned well over 100 Ibys by now, nearly all of them Japanese-made and many of them high end. This guitar is on par with the rest of the pack.

Did I hijack this thread? (sorry...)

Bert

[screamndemon69]

^^ not at all. any info related to this series might be helpful for those looking into buying one.

[Jemwielder]

Yeah I've got and AWD82T, well I do if it's the red one with the floating trem. Great guitar!

[electric mud]

In my limited experience I find the chinese made guitars from Ibanez superior to the Indonesian ones. Again that's based on very small sampling.

[David McCarroll]

Yeah totally agree on the China vs Indonesia comment - in my experience, treat every Artcore on an individual basis - you can have two identical looking models side by side, and one will be superb, and the other totally pants (had this exact experience with two AFS75s - one was absolutely great straight out of the box, the other was untuneable, and had a rattle that we just couldn't find - probably a loose brace - went straight back to the distributor) - so play the one you are thinking of buying carefully - don't order via the net!

By the way, the Artcore Customs are fabulous (http://www.ibanez.com/hollow/series....=artcoreCustom) - played a few of the sort of 335 style model, and for the money, they eat a Gibson 335 for breakfast! And unlike the regular Artcores, these seem to be pretty consistently good to boot!

[mfergel]

I've been playing an ARC300 for months now, which is essentially that guitar with a slightly different shape and upgraded cosmetics/hardware. Great guitar. Finish and fit are fantastic. There is no way anyone would know it was a Chinese guitar unless I were to tell them.

[screamndemon69]

i'm not familiar with all the models but have played quite a few Art models in the store and i'm ALWAYS impressed at what you get for the money. i used to think the Epi Casino was the best deal in a 335 copy until i started seeing what Ibanez has been making in that area. i pick one up and play it for a minute or two unplugged and then look at the price expecting to see $600-$700 on the tag and i am always shocked to see $399-$449.
this new LP copy from Iby got my attention. i don't have an LP style axe and have looked towards the Epi Custom LP, ESP EC series and the Yamaha AES 620 (great guitar!) but at $299 (plus a possible pup change) this guitar holds it's own very well and might be a big consideration whenever i get around to getting an LP style guitar.