I think the necks and fret work on Korean made Ibanezes from a few years ago are still a touch above even the best Chinese necks of 2013, but the Chinese made Artstars (on similar models) do have nicer wood and pickups (Super 58s). Here's the new Chinese Artcore semi-hollowbody:
Chinese made Artstar is about a grand brand new and Korean made Artstars used range from $400 to well over $1,200 dollars from bolt-on to well appointed.
An AS100 or 200 made in Japan is just too pricey for me and go from well over $1500 to around $2000 dollars.
I forgot to mention since the release of the budget friendly, or semi-budget friendly George Benson LGB30, it makes going over a thousand dollar budget attractive. It's pretty much $1,100 dollars street and for a Benson that's an amazing deal.
I would think that by now, and with Ibanez Hoshino input, the Chinese made signature guitar like the 2013 Benson should almost be as good as the Korean made Benson of a few years ago. A Korean Benson today would probably cost about two thousand dollars street, and be worth every penny, but it's beyond my budget.
I'd really like to play one, but none of my local guitar stores have them. I think for the specs and from other videos I've seen on youtube (not that it's the very best source), they're pretty solid guitars.
I have an AGR73T which I like a lot, so I'm interested in seeing an AS153 up close, too.
I'd really like to play one, but none of my local guitar stores have them. I think for the specs and from other videos I've seen on youtube (not that it's the very best source), they're pretty solid guitars.
I have an AGR73T which I like a lot, so I'm interested in seeing an AS153 up close, too.
That AS153 looks pretty much the equal of the really nice Artcore Custom AS103. Only the name has changed but all other stuff seems top quality like the older AS103s.
A GAS-worthy item would be an $1,100 dollar Chinese made John Scofield model. If it could be done with a Benson then it's good enough for Scofield.
I haven't seen that one but I know it's similar in parts to the AS153 other than the bubinga top, sides, and back on a smaller body. That may make for a slightly warmer guitar than had it been an all maple laminated body.
UPDATE: Now there is this, at $1099 and same as Benson, to throw into the mix (called the Artstar AF255 BM):
It seems on its face to be about the same as the $999 dollar Artstars and I still think the Benson is the best $1099 dollar hollowbody out there hands down. I assume it's as good, if not better, than the Artstars and it has the added provenance of George Benson and his personal design and specs. The headstock GB logo is also very nice and usually reserved for guitars costing more than three grand.
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