Ibanez AR-100 Artist Cherry Sunbusrt 1981
Ibanez AR-100 Artist, cherry sunburst, made in Japan 1981. These early Ibanez Artist guitars enjoy a bit of a cult following, those who know them well, love them dearly. It's not surprising when you get this into your hands: it feels better built than guitars at 3-5 times the dime and sounds superb. The neck a great example of the ever-reliable Ibanez 3-piece maple design: arrow straight, slim and quick, absurdly easy in the hands. The neck joint and double cut allows for easy upper fret access and fast movement... it's all just a bit too easy, really. The pickups are approximately PAF-style, so you get a warm, airy midrange with a certain bell-like clarity through the top end and a self-assured, rounded bottom end. It cleans up beautifully and will happily cover jazz territory, but into a cranked tube amp... it's gooey, warm delight. This one is in remarkable shape and looking for a good home for the next few decades. You place, right?
Model: Ibanez AR-100 Artist
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant (serial C816373)
Finish: cherry sunburst
Body: mahogany, maple cap
Neck: 3-piece maple, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 4.240kg
Pickups: Ibanez Super 58 humbucker x2 (passive)
Mods: clear removable pickguard attached
Case: Epiphone deluxe hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has some light scuffs in the middle of the body, nothing nasty. The sides have a couple of dimples in the elbow area and near the jack, nothing major. The front is pretty tidy, just a couple of dimples near the knobs and some play wear on the horns and guard. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10-46 strings.