If anyone knows how to make a quality low-cost instrument, it's Ibanez. The AS73 is one of their dozens of low-cost instruments where the price of the guitar doesn't indicate just how great a value it truly is. The made-in-China AS73 has a street price of less than $400, but the tones from this hollow-body instrument sound much more expensive. Let's take a look at the details!
by R.S.Rasnick
If anyone knows how to make a quality low-cost instrument, it's Ibanez. The AS73 is one of their dozens of low-cost instruments where the price of the guitar doesn't indicate just how great a value it truly is. The made-in-China AS73 has a street price of less than $400, but the tones from this hollow-body instrument sound much more expensive. Let's take a look at the details!
Ibanez opted for maple for the top, back, and sides with a mahogany neck. This wood choice results in a crisp, clear tone overall. The fretboard is rosewood, bound, and has pearl dot inlays.
A double-cutaway permits effortless access to all 22 of the guitar's large frets. The guitar sports two humbucking pickups, an ACH1 pickup in the neck and an ACH2 pickup in the bridge.
Three finishes are available - Ivory, Sunburst, and Transparent Cherry. We chose the Transparent Cherry and were very satisfied with our choice. We were also very pleased with the guitar's playability and breadth of sounds, especially given the price. The build quality is superior for a guitar in this price range.
Since it's a hollowbody, the acoustic sound is important, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a hollow-body guitar in this price range this good. Even if you triple the price, you'll have to search to find a solid competitor to the Ibanez AS73.
From classic rock to bebop, the Ibanez sounded solid with a variety of different amplifiers. Even when cranked, feedback was easy to control, a good sign with any hollow-body instrument.
We did have some very minor issues. The plastic nut is pretty cheap, and could stand to be replaced, but that's a relatively minor repair for a good repairman. While the finish wasn't 100% perfect, it was still excellent for a guitar at this price.
We're always on the lookout for a great guitar at a solid price, and we hit a homerun with with Ibanez AS73. Who cares if it was made in China? If you want a solid, budget-priced hollowbody guitar, it's not a bad choice.
About the Author:
If you are looking for the absolute best price on a new or used Epiphone AS73, then you must visit Ray's Guitar Shop, which offers the lowest prices on all new and used guitars (both electric and acoustic). Whether you want to buy a Fender, an Epiphone, or a Gibson, Ray's Guitar Shop has what you're looking for!
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