 |
Been playing since 1970. Have owned or do own a bunch of stuff in that time: Ibanez Iceman, Epi SG (my first guitar), custom Explorer, MexiTele, 68 Les Paul Goldtop, Wolfgang USA, Deans, some good and bad Chinese copies, and I don't remember what all else. Couldn't really tell you. I use an old Marshall run clean into the Digitech Modeler (great fun) and I alter my sound markedly, sometimes from song to song. I am so very glad I didn't buy a Gib 335, which I was within minutes of doing. I can upgrade the AS73 and probably get ninety percent of the way there for peanuts. I'm taking that money I had set aside for the Gibson and buying a tricked out Warmoth Les Paul. I will always have one of these and, honestly, I now want the Ibanez L5 copy , too. I am sure the Agiles are quite good, or so I hear, but at this price point, the Ibanez cannot be beaten. The thing I love about this guitar is how it plays, the feel, the comfort. The neck is faster than my Wolfgang and makes the Goldtop feel like I'm playing in quicksand. I only wish it came with some killer PAFs, but that can be handled. This AS73 I think brings up a really good point for consideration by all but the wealthiest guitar players. And that is, should you struggle and scrimp to buy a big-name guitar or not. I've done it, and I have a very valuable one in the 68 Goldtop. But I just told you that the two hundred dollar Ibanez is more fun to play. It doesn't sound nearly as good, but it provides more enjoyment. So, which is the better buy? Thousands and thousands for something with a big name that you sort of enjoy playing, or a lot less for something that looks great, seems well made, and is tons of fun? My own opinion is that the big American names have all become far too expensive when you look at their cost of goods. It does not cost three thousand dollars to build and market a Les Paul. Do you know what mahogany body blanks cost? Nuf said. What I would suggest, if you are contemplating not doing the amazing value thing (like the AS73), is to check out one of the reasonable custom shops such as Warmoth or USA. You can get a guitar exactly, completely the way you want it (want a panda bear guitar? they'll make you one)for a third to a half what you'll pay in the stores for an American-made rig. Just my opinion, worth what it costs, which is nothing.Read full review
This is my first hollow body electric guitar and I love the sound and resonance. The action is very comfortable and easy to play all types of music.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I played a Gibson ES-335 40 years ago, but had to sell it one time when I needed money. I just picked up an AS73 and it feels almost the same. The quality of manufacturing is unbeatable, not a single flaw anywhere. The tuners and potentiometers have no play in them, and the pickups are really low noise. My AS73 was made in China, I have to look up the factory but the details are perfect. I've read other reviews about the sound not being very good when the gain is high, but I don't have anything to compare it to. I don't know enough about how pickups work to tell if they are good, except a surprising low noise floor. To get the sound I liked from my 335 I used some distortion, careful EQ and a lot of compression - that is what I heard when I listen to Alex Lifeson, Larry Carlton, Lee Rittenour, a really solid and compressed sound. There are so many ways to change the guitar's sound, that changing the pickups would be my last resort. These are a little less expensive than the Epiphone 335's and I don't know which is better, since I haven't owned an Epiphone. It doesn't feel like a cheap guitar at all. When I was younger I needed to have the mojo of an authentic Gibson instrument, but now I am not able to really tell the difference at least in the feel of the guitar. I would say its a nicer guitar than my PRS SE which I was playing before this. I'm just getting started with it but it's a fine instrument.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Factory second? I cannot find anything on this that would warrant that but I am not complaining! This is exactly what I was looking for! It has the sound I was after and the price (even if I paid full price) was unbeatable! After the usual set up (very minor) it plays sooo nice! I haven't been able to put it down. I was immediately impressed with how quiet the pickups are. I have read reviews where folks have changed pickups because they thought the were too muddy. I cannot understand that at all. These have the ability to be very bright. The tonal range is great. Of the now 26 guitars I own this is in my top 5 which is hard to do. My top 5 are top notch. I have a 1000.00 guitar that is not in my top 10. The tone adjustment on this thing is very articulate with a smooth range. You can really shape your sound. I can get that classic Rush sound (Alex's Gibson ES-355) to a tee through my Carvin V3M. That is why I bought this hoping to achieve that sound and it did not disappoint (played through most of 2112 on day one!) . One of my finer guitar purchases over the years. If you are looking for that kind of sound at an affordable price you wouldn't be feeling sad in the shorts with this. The build quality is excellent. I have more expensive guitars that took more work to get playable & had finish issues. Normally China made guitars worry me but Ibanez has found a good shop for their stuff. Very impressed!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I play live worship and this guitar offers great flexibility. The neck fills awesome! This is actually my second AS73. The other one was purchased used and is just as awesome! I get a lot of good reviews from the sound man to the audience. This guitar cuts though and offers great tone. I love these guitars. I also have 2 Fender telecasters and 1 Epiphone ES 339 and I prefer this guitar. I bought from Sweetwater to make sure I have no issues. I took this guitar out of the box and straight to the stage the next day and It performed well and as expected.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Electric Guitars
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Electric Guitars
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
