I bought this wonderful guitar back in '82, new obviously. I sold a 335 to buy this for the smaller body, same semi-hollow design. This has been my main guitar for all types of work; jazz, country, and rock. As the reviewer says, it's almost like a telecaster, not quite, but it'll do in a pinch. On the other hand, the warm jazz sound is superb and the screaming rock lead sound is outstanding. My Artist has been around the traps, dropped too many times, a cracked neck in transport, but still going strong, after repairs of course. However, it does need some new volume and tone pots.
My dad has one of these from back in the day. I play it every day its such a dream to play, there is no friction on the neck your hand literally glides across it. Its absolutely brilliant.
Mine was given to me. What a great privilege to own the AM-50. It is my life in a guitar. Many memories and musical joy through it. I love my Ibanez guitars, but my AM-50 is the love of them all. It has done all genres, and it has shone like a star when playing jazz standards. It is warm but dynamic which is quite a rare quality. In the last 18 months it has been coupled with top of the line valve amps. My tone is pretty well established now with need for little more. :)
I have the exact same guitar! I bought it back in 1997 and have no regrets. I love it. I was told that it was made out of mahogany but still not sure on that. Thank you for this post.
I have a 1983 AM_100 in metallic grey, the rare one. plays amazingly with double humbuckers on it, I am selling because I have no need for such a rare guitar and it needs some tlc before you would put it in the show room but I love the way it plays.
set neck is what i believe that type neck joint is called.great guitar ibanez also made a badass les paul style that was awesome too.thank you for the great review
I bought an AM50 (in black) in 1985 for $400 (about $950 in today's money). Very nice sounds, and the size made it very comfortable to play. Of course, to get the best sounds out of a semi-hollow, you really need an all-tube amp, which I did not have at the time. Still a good guitar though...
I had an Ibanez Artist from around 1977. One of my life's greatest regrets is that I sold it a few years after buying it. Loved it. Should have held onto it but I was young and stupid and needed cash. Ugh.
@FiddyGeb I own a early 90's Ibanez af 120 artsar with super 58 pickups and I wouldn't get rid of it for no money.Don't just buy it cause it is worth x amount of dollars play it and if you like what you hear buy it. good luck on your purchase
Hey man, Thanks for this review. I've had my eye on the Ibanez AS73 for some time now. I'm only 16 years old and I've been playing for about 7 years now. All my other guitar playing friends have these hardcore rock guitars like the Iceman and Gibson SGs but the thing is that's just not my style. All I play is the Beatles and Queen to be honest, very vintage old school music. The closest Gibson is a 2 hour drive and costs 3x what the AS73 does. Do you think it would be a good buy?
I played one in the mid-90s that was selling for $400 (!), and "thought about it". Big mistake, I went back the next day, and of course it was sold. Amazing guitar. Then I played another one that had once belonged to somebody who played with Trini Lopez. Did NOT like that one, bad action. But the first one was magic. Now I'll have to shell out close to $1000 to get one, it seems. Keep thinking about that guitar, will probably bite for one some day! And yes, better than any 80s Gibson!
I have had my ibanez Am-50 since 1982 (#J824475) I own about a dozen guitars and play live one or two nights a week. The original price tag is still in the case ($475.00). This guitar was a real bargain. If I am doing a job where I am not sure whether we will be playing light "dinner" music or rockin' with the classics, I always take the AM-50. It can go from beautiful and clean to nasty crunch easily. This is a guitar hs a big pallet of sounds and it is half the weight of my Epiphone Sheraton
Yes, it is. The $500.- he mentioned was in 2011 and even then it was incredibly low. In 2011 I wouldn't have sold mine for less than €850.- Right now, there is a huge inflation and prices of €1100+ are quite acceptable. The most expensive AM-50 I've ever seen, was $1599.- on eBay, and that was maybe a decade ago.
I had an old AS 50 that was stolen , damn I miss that guitar , never see the AS 50 up for sale , probably because everyone loves theirs to much ti sell
I play an old ES-335, its also a great guitar but I like the smaller body of these Ibanez. ...I know this is not Ebay, but If anybody wants to sell an am-50 in good condition please leave me a comment! living in Europe...
I have a AS-80-AV cant vind much about them but great sound. Looks a lot like the AM-50 but with a bigger body. But does anyone know what the AV stands for? i google and only find the AS-80 (no AV mentioned)
I bought this wonderful guitar back in '82, new obviously. I sold a 335 to buy this for the smaller body, same semi-hollow design. This has been my main guitar for all types of work; jazz, country, and rock. As the reviewer says, it's almost like a telecaster, not quite, but it'll do in a pinch. On the other hand, the warm jazz sound is superb and the screaming rock lead sound is outstanding. My Artist has been around the traps, dropped too many times, a cracked neck in transport, but still going strong, after repairs of course. However, it does need some new volume and tone pots.
My dad has one of these from back in the day. I play it every day its such a dream to play, there is no friction on the neck your hand literally glides across it. Its absolutely brilliant.
Mine was given to me. What a great privilege to own the AM-50. It is my life in a guitar. Many memories and musical joy through it. I love my Ibanez guitars, but my AM-50 is the love of them all. It has done all genres, and it has shone like a star when playing jazz standards. It is warm but dynamic which is quite a rare quality. In the last 18 months it has been coupled with top of the line valve amps. My tone is pretty well established now with need for little more. :)
I have the exact same guitar! I bought it back in 1997 and have no regrets. I love it. I was told that it was made out of mahogany but still not sure on that. Thank you for this post.
I have a 1983 AM_100 in metallic grey, the rare one. plays amazingly with double humbuckers on it, I am selling because I have no need for such a rare guitar and it needs some tlc before you would put it in the show room but I love the way it plays.
set neck is what i believe that type neck joint is called.great guitar ibanez also made a badass les paul style that was awesome too.thank you for the great review
I bought an AM50 (in black) in 1985 for $400 (about $950 in today's money). Very nice sounds, and the size made it very comfortable to play.
Of course, to get the best sounds out of a semi-hollow, you really need an all-tube amp, which I did not have at the time. Still a good guitar though...
I had an Ibanez Artist from around 1977. One of my life's greatest regrets is that I sold it a few years after buying it. Loved it. Should have held onto it but I was young and stupid and needed cash. Ugh.
@Coineno AV stands for Antique Violin, referring the finish
@FiddyGeb I own a early 90's Ibanez af 120 artsar with super 58 pickups and I wouldn't get rid of it for no money.Don't just buy it cause it is worth x amount of dollars play it and if you like what you hear buy it. good luck on your purchase
Hey man,
Thanks for this review. I've had my eye on the Ibanez AS73 for some time now. I'm only 16 years old and I've been playing for about 7 years now. All my other guitar playing friends have these hardcore rock guitars like the Iceman and Gibson SGs but the thing is that's just not my style. All I play is the Beatles and Queen to be honest, very vintage old school music. The closest Gibson is a 2 hour drive and costs 3x what the AS73 does. Do you think it would be a good buy?
I played one in the mid-90s that was selling for $400 (!), and "thought about it". Big mistake, I went back the next day, and of course it was sold. Amazing guitar. Then I played another one that had once belonged to somebody who played with Trini Lopez. Did NOT like that one, bad action. But the first one was magic. Now I'll have to shell out close to $1000 to get one, it seems. Keep thinking about that guitar, will probably bite for one some day! And yes, better than any 80s Gibson!
I have had my ibanez Am-50 since 1982 (#J824475) I own about a dozen guitars and play live one or two nights a week. The original price tag is still in the case ($475.00). This guitar was a real bargain. If I am doing a job where I am not sure whether we will be playing light "dinner" music or rockin' with the classics, I always take the AM-50. It can go from beautiful and clean to nasty crunch easily. This is a guitar hs a big pallet of sounds and it is half the weight of my Epiphone Sheraton
Yo, thought you should have also compared it to their John Scofield model too, which is way more expensive too.
just found a original owner 1982 AM-50 in showroom condition with original sales receipt. Found a diamond.
Hey man! I just came across one for around $1000. Think its worth it? Thanks!
Yes, it is. The $500.- he mentioned was in 2011 and even then it was incredibly low. In 2011 I wouldn't have sold mine for less than €850.-
Right now, there is a huge inflation and prices of €1100+ are quite acceptable.
The most expensive AM-50 I've ever seen, was $1599.- on eBay, and that was maybe a decade ago.
I had an old AS 50 that was stolen , damn I miss that guitar , never see the AS 50 up for sale , probably because everyone loves theirs to much ti sell
very nice great
Great guitar - I have one - it's butter.
could you do a vid on any yamaha SGs, please?
What amp are you playing through here?
I had one, but sold it after I got a Gibson Country Gent.
Should have never sold it....:(
I had one like that. Sold it....hmmmm no good!
But i was playing a Gibson Country Gent back then..
Patsik country gent was made by Gretsch
I play an old ES-335, its also a great guitar but I like the smaller body of these Ibanez. ...I know this is not Ebay, but If anybody wants to sell an am-50 in good condition please leave me a comment! living in Europe...
i love these guitars i have zero :S
theres one for sale at my local store for only 300 :D
I have an AM50 for sale, and I'm in Europe. Let me know if you're still after one!
@dasdaa dankosen Yes!
@dasdaa dankosen lol, sorry no. You’re about 8 years too late.
cool
When I saw Lewin for the first time I thought he's just some teenage student of Marty's.
I have a AS-80-AV
cant vind much about them but great sound.
Looks a lot like the AM-50 but with a bigger body.
But does anyone know what the AV stands for?
i google and only find the AS-80 (no AV mentioned)
Poor guy! Too much sugar.
damn i was happy untill he said APP
лучше бы играл больше, меня не интересует что он говорит
sorry but id much rather get a hagstrom
Grant Tyler hey man , don't be apologetic. No-one minds!
to much bla bla bla...
worst headstock ever
I'm pretty sure the headstock doesn't have much to do with playability or tone.
@@guidodiman
Never said that, though.
Btw 4 years later it doesn't seem so ugly.