• What more do you need?

  
  As reviewed by G King on 12/30/2010

  This guitars stays in tune, plays and feels great,delivers very good jazz tones and looks like it costs 3 times what it does. I've played many years and many guitars. This one is a winner!

  4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
  Was this review helpful?
  Thank You for rating this review!

• Excellent choice for reasonable price!

  
  As reviewed by James Bertola on 9/19/2011

  I played just about every jazz box in the same price range at the local shops, and found the Artcore AF105 to be just what I was looking for: a HB guitar with a great tone, a comfortable body and neck, and great looks for a price I could afford. As an intermediate-level guitarist, I was looking for something that would be fun and easy to play, give me some room to grow as my skill advances, but wouldn't break the bank. I ordered a new one through GC. It shipped fast, arrived as described, with custom hardshell case included, and extra rosewood bridge in the case. Looked spotless, but the metal bridge that was already on the guitar was not set right, and the bridgepost saddles or screws made a low-grade but irrepressible, disturbing buzzy/rattling sound that set my teeth on edge. There were a few higher frets that were slightly uneven as well and slightly choked out some notes. The factory set-up needed some refinement, so I took it to a local shop where they put on the rosewood bridge, evened out several frets, set the action and intonation, and laid on some flat wound strings. Voila! A beautiful sounding, great-looking axe. Noisy bridge problem solved. The flamed maple finish is extremely sharp. Plays so nicely now, with a wonderful, warm, clear tone. Sounds great even when unplugged. The pickups are very good, no feedback problem at all in the guitar. The tuners seem pretty solid, nothing fancy, but I've noticed no problems with tuning after weeks of use now. I love the rosewood knobs and the gorgeous inlays on the headstock, neck, and the tailpiece. However, the metal bridge was a disappointment, and will not be re-installed. Would buy a better bridge as a replacement if I decided to take off the rosewood one. At this point, though, I prefer the tone of the wood bridge: warm and bright, neither too tinny or sharp, nor muddy or flat. I played the Ibanez Pat Methany model (PM35) for $899 and this one feels just like the same guitar; in fact, looks like pretty much the same guitar, only with some cosmetic changes and a difference in the number of pickups. Probably from the same factory. I like the choice of three pickup positions on the AC105 better. I'd highly recommend this guitar for anyone considering a hollow-body for under a grand. I would NOT buy one of the less expensive Ibanez HB's though. I played the AF75, the AG95, and they felt and sounded of poorer quality. The step up to the AC105 definitely made a difference in tone and playability. This one seems very well-built and quite reliable. I'm very satisfied with it, despite the issue with the bridge and a few uneven frets... just plan on having the guitar professionally set-up when it arrives from the warehouse and you'll be very happy.

  1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
  Was this review helpful?
  Thank You for rating this review!

• Just like it says - Hollow....

  
  As reviewed by Jonas on 5/1/2007

  The pickguard on this guitar was probably the worst idea known to mankind, besides the atomic bomb. It's wood itself and is nailed to close to the cutaway of the guitar. the cutaway itselkf is too small and only gives access to about the fifteenth fret. The neck is a little chunky and is hard to slide up and down on. I had to lick my thumb just to play a few power cords. If you've got small hands, low income, and a really really short temper, this guitar probably isn't for you. I'd go with the Epiphone Dot.

  10 of 66 people found this review helpful.
  Was this review helpful?
  Thank You for rating this review!

You must be logged in to write a review. Please click here to login.