AR300 Review

The Ibanez AR300 features a mahogany body with a flamed maple top, 3 pc. maple neck, set in neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, artist block inlays, and chrome hardware.

Features:	10
Sound:	9
Action:	10
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.5
Users rating:	7.2
Comments:	13

overall: 9.8

Featured review by: Xeus, on january 04, 2006

Price paid: $ 915

Purchased from: Foulds Music Centre

Features: Made in 2005 in Korea. 22 jumbo mahogony frets with a slim '60s style Les Paul neck with a through body neck joint. Gibson style quilted cherry sun burst. Double cutaway with a Tune-O-Matic style bridge. Two humbuckers with 2 volume and 2 tone knobs. Grover tuners. Free gig bag. It's basically the same as Gibson Les Paul but with easier upperfret access. So that scores highly with me. // 10

Sound: I mainly play rock, punk, blues and metal but I also play latino and jazz stuff and this guitar suits them all since I can use the control knobs to shape the sound to what I want. I use it with a Marshall MG100DFX through a Vox Wah pedal and a Boss ME-50 multi-effects unit which are highly versatile. It's very full and warm sounding. However I would invest in installing a coil tap so I can get those bright single coil notes. Otherwise it's great. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: Action was a bit high but I adjusted it as well as the intonation. The pickups were a too low for more liking so I raised them. Other than that everything was great. With a few adjustments it played like a dream. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar feels as solid as a tank I don't believe it will ever let me down in a live gig situation. // 10

Impression: I've been playing the guitar for nearly 10 years and this easily the most comfortable guitar I've ever played, and I've played alot. I love the versatility of the sound and the finish on it is beautiful but the real crowning gem is the neck joint which allows for remarkable upper fret access. If it were stolen or lost I would never ever let that happen. I'm a Gibson man at heart but this guitar plays so much better than any I've tried. For the price of £500 it's a bargain anyway. I love this guitar. // 10

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 17, 2006

Purchased from: Mom's Music in Jeffersonville, IN

Features: My AR300 is a 2005 model. It has 22 frets and an almost PRS style neck. It is set very well and has a very good action. The inlays are gorgeous and the rosewood fretboard is smooth as silk. The mahogany body is a little heavy, but gives an awesome sound. It has a flamed maple top in a brown-burst finish. I really love the double cut les paul style body. The bridge is an Ibanez Tune-O-Matic bridge with an Ibanez quick load stop-bar. The dual Ibanez humbuckers sound pretty dang good for the price. The dual volume and tone controls and 3-way switch further the amazing sound of this guitar. And the beautiful pearloid Ibanez tuners will keep it in tune for weeks! I didn't recieve any accessories with it though. // 10

Sound: The sound of this guitar is great. It isn't as deep as a les paul, still has good bass response. The only problem that I have with the pickups is that they don't ring long enough. However this guitar can make any kind of sound, from almost acoustic to the most distorted metal sounds ever. The only way this guitar would sound better is with some different pickups and a better amp (not a Vox AVT 15). // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: It was set up perfectly from the factory! // 10

Reliability & Durability: This is the only place where this guitar lacks any real quality. The upper strap button started coming loose the first few times I played it standing up. It can be easily fixed with a longer screw. The input jack came a little loose with frequent use too. // 8

Impression: With only the few quirks, this guitar is the best buy out there! It far exceeds guitars 3 times the price. Everybody Who played it at the store agreed too. The guitar tech there almost cried when I bought it because the loved it so much. This guitar kicks major ass! // 9

Comments

[hywelgreg]

I have been playing for 2 years now and it is easily 1 of the best i have played. I also raised the pick ups but apart from that it is a dream easily one of my favourite guitars and i only paided £400 for it so its a bargain.

[Xeus]

hywelgreg wrote:

I have been playing for 2 years now and it is easily 1 of the best i have played. I also raised the pick ups but apart from that it is a dream easily one of my favourite guitars and i only paided £400 for it so its a bargain.

wow, good one mate

[Nedir Kire]

I have 4 guitars, 2 of which are Ibanez. Ibanez, when put together with the right amp, will sound awesome.

Listen to: Staind, The Autumn Offering, S.O.A.D. (Toxicity), to name a few.

This guiatr sounds like it'd be great; I'd buy it.

[m0$H]

thats horible

[anguswalk14]

i have an ar300 and i can say that it is no doubt worth buying, it has an awsome sound and is good for playing all sourts of music

[Pr0az]

I like Ibanez, but i dont care for this guitar much, just from its appearance.

[hepzibahbaptist]

sounds like a good guitar
i usually can count on ibanez

[ohmerrymayhem]

Get an SZ, they're better quality and playability.

[Gorilla Fingers]

Awesome axe, great tone and the cut-away design is great for playing fast songs up the fret board

[Edde]

Pr0az :
I like Ibanez, but i dont care for this guitar much, just from its appearance.

Nice one, you just reinforced the old saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover"

I have one, they are very easy to play, have a great tone and sustain very well too. Please dont judge a guitar on its looks, i didnt really like the design but the sound and playability of it is too good to pass up.

[Shredmaster42]

I think there is one called an AR200 thats a flat black and has cream colored body binding and it just looks freakin sweet. $639.99 CAN. Hellyeah.

[Blompcube]

Hows the quality control for these guitars? i've played one of these in a store and i love it, but £500 is too much of a stretch, and i've seen it on GAK for £350. Would it be a good idea to buy from GAK?

[chyst]

Hi i have a question, what do you mean with "I also raised the pick ups.." my english is not very good and I just started to play guitar and want to buy a good one. How i can raise the pick ups, and what is that?
plz help