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Ibanez Adds Artist Series Models

The newly introduced AR420VLS brings back those exciting days in which Ibanez began to develop its own identity as a guitar designer.


Bensalem, PA (November 5, 2012) -- Ibanez has brought back their AR series with two new models: the AR420 and AR325. Here are the details from Ibanez:

Mastery in any art often starts with mimicry, and so is the case with master instrument builders. In the 70s, Ibanez crafted copies with such intensity and diligence that they often surpassed the quality of the guitars they were copying. But there comes a time to make your own statement.

The newly introduced AR420VLS brings back those exciting days in which Ibanez began to develop its own identity as a guitar designer. The (politely termed) “seasoned” guitar community will likely remember the Ibanez Artist fondly. There may also be some recollections of photos featuring the Artist in the hands of Steve Miller, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers.

The Artist features arched mahogany body with a tiger maple or bubinga top with a crisp abalone binding. It also features Super 58 Pickups, well known for their balanced vintage tone. The ingenious Tri-Sound switching system provides choice of series, parallel and coil-tap wirings—a notably wide sonic selection, even by today’s standards.

AR420
• Violin Sunburst finish
• 3pc Maple AR set-in neck
• Mahogany body/Tiger Maple top with Abalone body binding
• Medium frets
• Bound Rosewood fretboard
• Pearl/ Abalone block inlay
• ART1 bridge
• Super 58 Custom neck pu
• Super 58 Custom bridge pu
• List $895.54

AR325
• Dark Brown Sunburst or Transparent Red finishes
• 3pc Maple AR set-in neck
• Mahogany body/Figured Bubinga top with Abalone body binding
• Medium frets
• Bound Rosewood fretboard
• Pearl/ Abalone block inlay
• ART1 bridge
• Super 58 Custom neck pu
• Super 58 Custom bridge pu
• List $826.65

For more information:
Ibanez


     

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Comments

 (10 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Papa Moses
on 03/13/2013 		BUBINGA BEAUTIFUL! JUST REMEMBER - THE 70'Sguy WAS GOOD TO SOME OF US
Toby
on 11/13/2012 		I feel so 1970s-ish with these guitars. I need a mullet, mutton chops, mirrored sunglasses, bellbottom pants, headband, mustache, leather shirt with fringes on the sleeves, WEM guitar amp stack, and a coil cable to complete the look.
jack straw
on 11/10/2012 		It was because of Bobby that I became a guitar player. And I will always associate this design with him. I tried it a GC, and it had almost as good upper-fret access as an SG, but felt somewhat smoother to play. I didn't buy it becauae the low price and presummed country-of-origin put me off. I might get it anyway, in honor of Ace.
Mike V.
on 11/07/2012 		About time! Long overdue. One of the best guitars, EVER.
New AR owner
on 11/07/2012 		I just entered to win one! http://www.premierguitar.com/Contests/De fault.aspx
Guitartec
on 11/07/2012 		My very first quality electric was a 2618 24-fret Ibanez Artist that I bought new back in 1977. I saw a pic of Steve Miller on the cover of Crawdaddy Magazine playing one. I knew then I HAD to have one. Who knew then that the guitar would be the guitar that launched my career as a professional guitar tech and then led me to starting Guitartec Repair in RI. Oddly, it's all because I just couldn't believe a guitar this nice wouldn't play in tune, and mine wouldn't play in tune- no matter how many times the tech would reset the intonation and action. In hindsight, it was mostly my fault due to my poor playing technique, misunderstanding about finger pressure, a nut that was cut improperly, the tallest frets in history, and finally, a tech who wasn't capable of explaining this stuff. Add all these up and you got a bad case of "out-of-tune", especially in the first few playing positions. Jump ahead 35 years to today.... That 2618 Artist is long gone from my stable of axes, but what I learned from it has made a life-long career for me in guitar repair. Now when I see a customer with poor fingering technique, I tend to give them some of the tips I learned back then and show them examples of how a good set-up coupled with some understanding can keep you plaing in tune much better.
Kevin
on 11/06/2012 		I had a solid body Ibanez Artist back in my teens. It weighed a ton, had a large, wide fretless wonder neck. It was tough to play but it sounded good.
Deadhead
on 11/06/2012 		Sugar Magnolia! I want one!
Kid Charlemagne
on 11/05/2012 		Sign me up. Always wondered why ibanez never brought this shape back. I have an as83 that I would keep before other guitars I have that cost 5 times as much. Well done ibanez.
Ralph B
on 11/05/2012 		I'm going to check out the one with the Bubinga top . Simply because I just like the sound of that top. BUBINGA ! hahahaha



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