Reviewed by:
HeliuM, on january 07, 2008
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Features: This is an Ibanez AR100 from 1980 handcrafted in Japan (looks quite similar to today's AR300). It has 2 humbuckers, mahogany body and set neck, maple top, gibraltar bridge and golden hardware. Pickups are uncovered. It comes with 22 jumbo frets. This one has a faded cherry sunburst finish, and dual cutaway design. It also has separate tone and volume controls for each pickup. // 10
Sound: It sounds very much like a Les Paul, due to the same pickup style and thick mahogany body with maple top. It's very easy to get a Jimmy Page bridge pickup sound, or Slash solo sound with the neck pickup. This guitar sounds like a dream. The thing I love about it most is the near endless sustain you get from it. Switching pickups occasionally causes some crackling, probably a connection that has gone bad. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar is 27 years old and plays perfectly, action seems quite low and there is absolutely no fret buzz. Pickups sound fine so I left them on the level they were. The gold hardware has faded somewhat and so has the finish, which makes it look real Vintage. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This guitar has survived for 27 years and sound and looks incredible, it is quite heavy and I'm sure it'd withstand Live playing. The gold on the hardware has lost it's shinyness, but it all still works perfectly. Strap buttons are very solid and don't look like they'd ever come off. The finish has become sort of faded but looks nice and vintagey. // 10
Impression: This guitar is amazing for any kind of music you'd play on a Les Paul. From classic rock to blues to metal it all sounds wonderfull. The pickups remain clear and articulate even under high gain. The tone controls on this guitar can really make a huge difference to your sound, and the fact that each pickup has separate controls allows you to Switch from a dark neck pickup sound to a bright bridge pickup sound quickly. I use this with an old Hughes And Kettner Thirty and a Peavey Valveking Royal 8. It sounds terrific on both the S/S and the tube amp. It sounds best overdriven, but the cleans are terrific as well. If it ever were stolen I'd be very depressed, as these are becoming quite rare. // 10
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