Epiphone Casino Vs Ibanez Af75
- Ibanez Artcore AF75 is a very popular option on the lower end of the price range. It's in the top 3 bestselling guitars and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Ibanez Artcore AS73 or Washburn OE3B. Ibanez Artcore AF75 is.
- Epiphone Casino Price Range: $400 – $12,000 Production Years: 1961 – today The Epiphone Casino, Epiphone’s version of the Gibson ES-330, has long gone down in music history as the preferred guitar of The Beatles, but it’s equally well-suited to more jazzy, bluesy playing styles.
The biggest complaint that a lot of musician’s experience when playing the AF75 is that you may experience some feedback at high volumes on the AF75. Features of the Ibanez AF75 Electric Guitar Review. The Ibanez AF75 has two closed-cover humbuckers, a binding on the neck, f-holes, body, and headstock. If I have a choice between an Ibanez and 'any other guitar' I will always pick the 'any other guitar'. Assuming comparisons of similar construction. Ibanez has worked very hard to make their guitars play and sound very consistently to the poin.
From sweet melodies to wild tones, semi-hollow guitars have always held a special place in the world of Western music. And, that’s one reason why the Ibanez AM93 vs Epiphone ES 335debate is all over guitar forums and threads. Both Ibanez AM93 and Epiphone ES 335 are best-selling semi-hollow guitars on the market, and beginners, as well as professional guitarists often find it difficult to pick the best option.
From Paul McCartney, B.B. King, George Benson, to John Lennon and Keith Richards, all leading guitarists enjoy recording with semi-hollow bodied guitars. Moreover, they created some incredible music on these brilliant instruments.
Semi-hollow body guitars come with the best of both worlds – acoustic and electric guitars and are a perfect combination of striking visual appearance and great tonal depth. They’re highly versatile instruments that can be used to create music in a wide range of genres. However, they aren’t for everyone, and not all semi-hollow bodies guitars are exceptional.
If you’re not sure about picking the best option between Ibanez AM93 (read my full review here!) and Epiphone ES 335, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision. Our guitar specialists spent almost 2 weeks to test both products and compile their pros and cons. By the end of the Ibanez AM93 vs. Epiphone ES 335 comparison, you’ll have a clear choice in front of you.
What is a semi-hollow body guitar?
A semi-hollow body guitar is a combination of a hollow-body and solid-body guitar. In fact, a semi-hollow body guitar looks very similar to a hollow-body guitar, but typically comprises a solid wooden block running through the guitar’s center, with hollow arms. The good thing is that semi-hollow body guitars do not come with feedback issues that are commonly found in hollow-body guitars. In fact, they’re more versatile and durable due to the solid wooden body part attached to the neck of the guitar.
There have been several attempts at different types of semi-hollow body guitars from different guitar manufacturers, and not all of them have managed to develop a versatile, durable, and great sounding semi-hollow body guitar. Even some of the Gibson models are inconsistent. But, you won’t find the same problem with Ibanez. All Ibanez semi-hollow body guitars are highly-consistent. Pick any Ibanez model, and it’ll sound the same. You’ll hardly notice any discrepancy from one model to the other.
The semi-hollow body guitar concept was designed and introduced in 1950 and continues to provide guitarists with distinctive tones and a wide array of models to choose from today.
Why would you need a semi-hollow body guitar?
Even though you can play jazz on pretty much all guitars today, many professional jazz players and other musicians use semi-hollow body guitars. These guitars typically use lower output pickups and produce a warmer sound which is perfect for almost all jazz sub-genres. Besides playing an important role in jazz music, there are several other reasons why you should consider a semi-hollow body guitar. These include:
Sound
Semi-hollow body guitars produce excellent harmonic fullness – a warm sound with great overtones and rounded mid-tones. The sound is richer than the sound produced by a solid-body guitar. At the same time, there are no feedback issues like a hollow-body guitar. So, whether you’re a blues musician, a rock player, or a jazz master, a semi-hollow body guitar is all you need.
Convenient shape and size
The hybrid structure of a semi-hollow body guitar makes it ideal for different situations. They’re lightweight and easy to carry. Due to their unlimited amplification potential, they’re narrower than hollow-body guitars. All in all, they’re comfortable to hold and play on the stage for extended periods.
The natural resonance that comes with semi-hollow body guitars makes them sufficiently loud during a practice session when they’re unplugged. So, if you don’t have a dedicated practice room, a semi-hollow body guitar can be a good option.
Aesthetic appeal
If you just talk about the looks, semi-hollow body guitars have an appearance that is symbolic of high-quality wood and excellent craftsmanship. Many guitarists simply love the traditional contours and old-school looks of semi-hollow body guitars.
Are semi-hollow body guitars good?
Semi-hollow body guitars are good for several reasons. These include:
- A very resonant sound
- Extremely warm tones
- Great for beginners as they handle amplification well
- No feedback issues
- Punchy and bright tones
- Typically, lighter than solid-body guitars
Ibanez AM93 vs. Epiphone ES 335 – Which semi-hollow body guitar is better for me?
Before we move to the detailed product comparisons, here’s a quick overview of the basic differences between Ibanez AM93 and Epiphone ES 335:
Dimensions | 17.6 x 14.5 x 2.6 inches | 47 x 22 x 5 inches |
Number of strings | 6 | 6 |
Neck | Mahogany/Maple | Mahogany |
Scale length | 24.75 inches | 24.75 inches |
Fret size | Medium | Medium |
Body | Quilted Maple Top/Sides/Back | Ply Laminated Maple/Birch Top/Sides/Back |
Fingerboard | Bound Rosewood Fingerboard with an Acrylic Block Inlay | Small Block Inlays |
Bridge | ART-1 | LockTone Tune-o-Matic |
No. of frets | 22 | 22 |
Tailpiece | Quik Change III | StopBar |
Neck pick-up | Super 58 (Humbucker, passive/alnico) | Epiphone Alnico Classic™ PRO 4-wire |
Bridge pick-up | Super 58 (Humbucker, passive/alnico) | Epiphone Alnico Classic™ PRO 4-wire |
The color of hardware | Gold | Nickel |
Nut width | 1.7 inches | 1.6 inches |
He color of guitar | Antique Yellow Sunburst | Cherry, Iced Tea, Ebony, Natural, and Vintage Sunburst |
Price | $649.99 | $649.99 |
Ibanez AM93 Artcore Expressionist Semi-Hollow Body Guitar vs. Epiphone ES 335 Limited Edition Pro Semi-Hollow Body Guitar
If you’re looking for an affordable semi-hollow body guitar, bothIbanez AM93 and Epiphone ES 335 are two semi-hollow body guitars you can explore. Nevertheless, there are some key differences between both products when it comes to their visual appearance, hardware, sounds, and so on.
Body and neck
Ibanez AM93 has a large body which can be somewhat difficult for beginner guitarists to hold for a longer duration. As far as the tonewoods are concerned, Ibanez has used quilted maple of the back, the top, and the sides. The neck comes with a 3-piece mahogany and maple combination. The Antique Yellow Sunburst theme of the guitar is a treat to the eyes.
Epiphone ES 335 comes with an arch-top body and soft double cutaways, made of maple and birch laminate of different thickness across the back, top, and sides. The body is painted with different colors such as Cherry, lovely Vintage Sunburst, and Classic Ebony. The mahogany neck is attached to the body and comprises a SlimTaper D profile for enhanced comfort and stability while playing. The overall look and feel of the guitar is subtle. The old-style f-holes in the lower body, the protecting cream body binding, and pearloid wedge inlays are some striking features of ES 335’s design.
Hardware
Just like Epiphone ES 335, instead of getting inspired from their signature vintage Bigsby configuration, Ibanez has used a standard Tune-o-Matic bridge with a stop bar. Even though the configuration doesn’t improve the guitar’s quality, it certainly enhances the overall consistency of the hardware while ensuring that the guitar is easy to use.
The string action that comes with Ibanez AM93 is great for the guitar’s price. The knobs of this semi-hollow body guitar definitely deserve mention as they’re really classy and come with rubber rings to make sure you get a good grip.
Epiphone ES 335 is tuned by two passive Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers at the neck and bridge. Both pickups designed by Epiphone are of good quality. They are controlled by a 3-way toggle selection button and individual volume. The Wilkinson Vintage Classic tuners are tulip-style with beautiful green machine heads.
Sound
During the testing exercises, our guitar specialists found that the Ibanez A93 is not your regular semi-hollow body guitar. When it comes to the tone, you can expect the same pattern to keep repeating. The combination of tonewood and electronics allows you to play a broad range of genres. Jazz works really well. However, you can also connect your AM93 to Ibanez Tube Screamer and play some heavy grooves. The possibilities are simply limitless.
The mere versatility of tone is the primary selling point for Ibanez AM93, without any doubt. The Custom 58 pickups installed on the guitar are responsible for it’s clear sound, crisp note definition, and heavy warmth. So, if you don’t like to stick to one genre, and prefer switching between metal, blues, classic rock, country, and rockabilly, AM93 can be a great option for you.
When it comes to Epiphone ES 335, as already mentioned above, the two humbuckers are pretty impressive. Through a clean amplification, the humbuckers produce a rich sound and great warmth. Nevertheless, with some gain, the humbuckers can produce some punchy, gritty overtones that are ideal for blues. The controls and coil-splitting add more versatility. Therefore, Epiphone ES 335 can be a good option for blues players who prefer playing around with different genres and tones.
Pros and cons:
Product | Pros | Cons |
Ibanez AM93 |
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Epiphone ES 335 |
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Ibanez AM93 vs. Epiphone ES 335 – A quick summary of the comparison
Here’s a quick round-up of the Ibanez AM93 vs. Epiphone ES 335 comparison:
- The quality, fit, and finish of both products are equally good. However, AM93 looks more stylish.
- Epiphone ES 335 has better coil-split and pickup options.
- Both products feature a Tune-o-Matic type bridge, which makes it easy for you to change the strings.
- The tuners on Epiphone ES 335 are stronger than Ibanez AM93. Surprisingly, AM93 did not come with good-quality machine heads. Nevertheless, you can upgrade them from going forward.
Commonly asked questions about Ibanez AM93 and Epiphone ES 335
Where are Ibanez guitars made?
Only the “Artcore” guitars are “Made in Japan.” All other Ibanez guitars are made in the US.
Are Ibanez guitars good?
Short and straight – Ibanez is a great brand. However, just like all other brands, Ibanez has high-end and low-end guitars. The best thing customers like about Ibanez guitars are their affordable prices and consistent quality. Play any Ibanez guitar, and it’ll sound the same. You can find Ibanez guitars at any price point, and it will play perfectly; just like Ibanez AM93.
Which is a good guitar for beginners – Ibanez AM93 or Epiphone ES 335?
Ibanez AM93 is the best semi-hollow body guitar for beginners since it is lightweight and comfortable to hold and play for long performances. Epiphone ES 335 is not suitable for beginners as it is larger than Ibanez AM93 and uncomfortable to hold.
Is Ibanez good for metal?
Yes, Ibanez guitars are some of the best guitars in the world of rock and metal.
The verdict
Now that you know the basic differences between Ibanez AM93 and Epiphone ES 335, do you think you can make an informed choice? Don’t worry if you’re still unable to. Our guitar specialists have tried to make the task easy for you. Based on hands-on testing, we found that both products to be excellent when it comes to sound quality. However, Ibanez AM39 is more versatile than Epiphone ES 335. The latter is more suitable for blues players. When looking for the best semi-hollow body guitar on the market, always remember the “versatility is king.” If not anyone else, trust your ears and go with an unquestionably golden, unique tone.
If you’re someone who loves to experiment and switch between genres, you can blindly go with Ibanez AM39. Also, Epiphone ES 335 is a bit larger in size which makes it slightly unsuitable for beginner guitar players who may find it uncomfortable to hold and play the guitar during long stage shows and performance. The size of Ibanez AM93 is perfect for beginners as well as professional guitar players. All in all, Ibanez AM93 is an affordable, versatile, and aesthetically sound semi-hollow body guitar.
So, if you’re interested in buying an entry-level semi-hollow body guitar that’s also affordable, you can choose either of the two products compared here. In the end, your choice would completely depend on your requirements, genre preference, and experience level.
We hope you found the Ibanez AM93 vs. Epiphone ES 335 comparison helpful. If you have any other guitar-related products in mind that you would like us to compare or review, please write to us, and we’ll share your request with our guitar gurus. They’re always ready to help guitar enthusiasts. Also, if you have more questions on Ibanez AM93 or Epiphone ES 335, you can post your queries in the comment section below.
Recommended Reads:
Jodie is a trained classical guitarist. She is also a full-time blogger and loves to write about different types of guitars. Just give her 60 seconds of your time, and she’ll tell you all that you need to know about any guitar of your choice.
Getting an electric guitar can be quite a hassle, especially because of the many options available to choose from. Today, we would be looking at Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot, as we aim to find which is the better guitar for you.
This article is going to be quite a lengthy read. There is alot to be discussed concerning Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot. However, if you donot have the time or patience to read through the whole article, then you cansimply check out the overview below.
Table of ContentsIbanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – ComparisonOverview
Surprisingly, these two guitars have a lot of similarities, despite being made by two different companies. They both are semi-hollow guitars, have rosewood fretboards, mahogany necks, and maple necks.
Although, Epiphone Dot comes with laminated maple, as opposedto the solid maple on the Ibanez AS73. To find out the difference betweenlaminated and solid wood, check through the article.
As for differences, we found out that they come with different pickups. The Ibanez definitely has better pickups than the Epiphone Dot. In fact, the pickups in the Epiphone Dot are disliked by a lot of people.
For the price to performance ratio, both these guitars are sitting pretty. At under $500, there are not many options for quality electric guitars available. These two sit as some of the best quality you would find at that price point.
Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – BrandComparative Advantage
Comparing these two brands, they have a similar history. Although originally found in 1873, the American company Epiphone was acquired and became what we know it today, in 1957. This was the same year when the Japanese company, Ibanez, was formed.
Ibanez was the first Japanese company to make headway in theexportation of musical instruments to Europe and America. Epiphone, on theother hand, have been involved in supplying locally and globally, since.
Domestically, Epiphone is the bigger brand, although manybelieve that its glory years are long gone. But globally, Ibanez crushesEpiphone because of its wider reach and audience. Which of these brands do youtrust more? Kindly tell us in the comments section.
Which Is Better? Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
Tonewood (top, back, and sides) Maple Laminated mapleNeck Artcore AS Mahogany Set-In Neck MahoganyFretboard inlays Acrylic block inlays Pearloid dot inlaysFinish Various types available One each for the right-handed and the left-handedLeft-handed version Yes YesFretboard wood Rosewood RosewoodTailpiece Quik Change III Tailpiece LockTone™ Tune-o-matic StopBarBody Style Semi-hollow body Semi-hollow bodyPickup model Classic elite Alnico Classic HumbuckerIbanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – What SituationIs Which Best For?
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
Well, the first thing we see about this guitar is its body shape. This semi-hollow body shape is one that cuts crowds into split opinions. A lot of people prefer solid guitars, as they claim that they produce better sound and are more traditional.
On the other hand, some other people prefer these semi-hollow guitars and the resonant sounds that they produce.
The Epiphone dot is like the ultimate throwback guitar. It comes with a vintage design, looks and feel that makes you look like you’re playing the same guitar that your fav played, back in the day.If you’re a beginner who doesn’t even know which of the body types you prefer yet, it would still be great to get this one. It’s not completely solid, neither is it completely hollow. It gives you a great bias to start your judgment from.
Also, the price to quality ratio is very economical. Plus, because of its durability, this is one guitar that would last you well into your intermediate years. For a beginner, this might not be the best to start with. Being vintage means that it also comes with some vintage problems, problems that might not look like anything to the experienced, but may cause you headaches as a beginner.
However, if you don’t mind the vintage problems, you can certainly get this guitar as a beginner because of its affordability.
What Features Do The Ibanez AS73 And Epiphone Dot Have In Common?
Semi-hollow body
Maple tonewood
Mahogany neckwood
Rosewood fretboard
Left-handed versions
Body Style: Semi-Hollow Body
The first, and probably the biggest, similarity between these two guitars is the fact that both of them are semi-hollow guitars. When it comes to body styles for electric guitars, there are three major types, and the public is split between those options.
The options are solid, semi-hollow, and hollow. If you don’t know what this means, it basically describes the wood inside the guitar. For solid, it’s completely full, for semi it’s partly full, and for hollow, it’s completely empty, as the box guitar.
More traditional electric guitars used the completely solid guitar type, which made the guitar really heavy. That’s the major reason why some people are still unwilling to let it go till date because it’s traditional.
The other reason is the sound produced. As you would already know, the sound of a guitar is dependent on the build and shape of the wood. Therefore, any alteration to the wood structure would definitely tamper with the sound.
While that is true, you can tell that the effects the wood has on the electric guitar are not as evident as the acoustic guitar. This is because, with the electric guitar, you can alter the sounds using the electronics, although, not totally.
Because of this, new age guitars manufacturers began to see fewer and fewer reasons to keep the guitar solid and heavy.
Finally, semi-hollow bodied guitars produce a really resonant sound, one that has quite a warm tone. Also, these guitars work really well with amplification.
One thing people really hate about hollow-bodied guitars is that they give off a lot of feedback, even when in mid volumes. Well, we’re glad to tell you that semi-hollow bodied guitars do not give off nearly as much feedback as hollow-bodied guitars, and definitely not in reduced volumes.
Tonewood: Maple
While both of these guitars are made with maple tonewood, one is made with carved maple, while the other is made with laminated maple. We would first look at the characteristics of maple as a tonewood.
Afterward, we would look at the differences between carved and laminated maple, stating their upsides and their downsides.
Maple is the most popular tonewood choice for electric guitars. This is because of the sound it produces. The sound produced by the maple tonewood is bright and striking, which is great for electric guitars.
Other tonewood choices include mahogany, alder, and ash. Rosewood does not get used often for electric guitars, as it produces a fuller, warmer, sound. That sound is one that is preferred on bass guitars, not electric guitars.
Maple comes with really nice sustain, something you want for those long solos. Although this sustain is really nice, the reason behind it is one that is not loved by many, it is the weight.
Maple is a really heavy and dense tonewood. However, being that both of these guitars are semi-hollow, the weight of the maple is reduced significantly, but still keeping the sustain.
Stepping away from the tone and sound produced, Maple usuallyhas a really bright color. Most times, it resembles white. Also, maple hastight pores and thin grain lines, making it look really good. However, it is tobe said that flamed maple looks a lot better than normal maple.
Laminated Maple
Just like we mentioned earlier, while both these guitars aremade with maple, the Ibanez AS73 is made with solid maple, while the EpiphoneDot is made with laminated maple.
There are a few factors we would need to consider whencomparing between solid and laminated woods, these are:
Look: While many might not admit it, the look of a guitar is what majorly determines whether we get that guitar or not, only behind the tone. Now, because the material being discussed is maple, looks don’t come into play. Maple needs to be finished. Because of that, the laminated and the solid maple will look the same, determined by the finish used on them.
Durability: Actually, when it comes to durability, it’s in two ways. Solid wood is obviously stronger than laminated wood. Laminated wood is simply thin pieces of said wood, pressed together and glued at high temperatures. So, it’s no surprise that solid wood is thicker, therefore more durable, than laminated wood.
However, if you travel a lot, laminated wood is better. This is because solid wood depends on its natural resins for stability. Rapid changes in temperature and humidity will have grave effects on the wood, causes it to develop cracks. On the other hand, because of the overlapping grains of laminated wood, they are a lot less susceptible to cracks.
Tone: Solid wood sounds better than laminated wood, no question. However, an argument can be brought up because these are electric guitars, not acoustic guitars and therefore, you don’t need to spend all that extra money for a slight change in tone.
Generally, we can see that the difference between laminated maple and solid maple is slight and picking one should be determined by how you intend to use it.
Neck wood: Mahogany
Both of these companies decided to use Mahogany as the wood for the neck of these guitars. As a neck wood, mahogany is not usually the first choice for electric guitars.
The first reason is the fact that maple is a harder wood than mahogany.
What do we mean? Okay, there is a test called the “Janka hardness test”, which determines how susceptible, or not, a particular type of wood is to wear and tear.
The result is usually measured in pounds, a higher score meaning greater hardness, and therefore, less susceptibility to wear and tear.
With that test, the most popular maple type we see has a hardness of 1450. However, there is ivory maple which has a hardness of 1500, and soft maple, which has a hardness of 1000.
On the other hand, mahogany has a hardness between 800 and 900. This is a big range because of the many types of mahogany available all over the world.
How does this hardness affect your guitar?
Well, in the long run, and after playing the guitar for a long time, you begin to see that it gets harder for the strings to stay tuned. This is due to the fact that the wood has become loosened after a lot of back and forth.
This will happen to mahogany a lot faster than harder woods like rosewood and maple.
When it comes to the sound, mahogany produces quite a warm sound. This is really nice on these guitars with maple body, as they both complement each other.
Maple has a really bright, punchy sound, while mahogany has a warm, mellow sound. Joined together, these two produce beautiful sounds that can be bright and warm, depending on the tuning of the electronics.
Fretboard: Rosewood
Remember that Janka hardness test we talked about earlier? Well, it turns out rosewood crushing both maple and mahogany on the scale.
East Indian Rosewood, the one used for the fretboards of both of these guitars, has a Janka hardness of 2440 pounds, absolutely ridiculous.
Being that the fretboard is the part of the guitar that you interact with the most, it is great to see that both Ibanez and Epiphone decided to use one of the best tonewoods out there for these guitars.
With this, you can interact with your fretboard however you wish, without fear of it breaking, or destroying.
As per, the sound, rosewood is a really warm tonewood.However, we are not sure that the fretboard will affect, so much, the sound of theseguitars. Because we know that the neck being mahogany already offers somewarmth, and nobody wants their electric guitar sounding like a bass.
Rosewood does not use finishes like most other tonewoods.Because of that, it has a really natural feel on your fingers. So, if you’reone that loves their guitars as natural as possible, then you definitely want arosewood fretboard.
However, with this great feeling, comes great responsibility. Because rosewood doesn’t have a finish, it needs to be conditioned regularly. But don’t get soul-crushed, this is a pretty easy task.
You already know you have to periodically change your strings. Once you’ve removed all your strings, you can simply wipe your rosewood fretboard with a conditioner. You should get a conditioner made specifically for guitars.
That simple process of conditioning will keep your fretboardlooking, and feeling, fresh. Which we’re sure is what you want.
Left-Handed Versions
Both of these guitars are available in left-handed versions, which is a really good thing.
If you’re a lefty, we’re sure you must’ve missed out on some interesting deals on guitars simply because they’re no available in left-handed versions.
If that has been the case for you, then we’re glad to tell you that both of these guitars have left-handed versions.
With these versions, you have the best of the guitars, just the way they are, but in the orientation that suits you. Just for the record, the left-handed version of the Ibanez AS73 is called the AS73L.
What Features Are Unique To The Ibanez AS73?
It’s available in multiple finish types
It uses the classic elite pickups
Finish Available: Multiple Types
The Ibanez AS73 is available in multiple finishes, unlike the Epiphone Dot which is only available in one.
Although, it has to be said that finding these different colors is not a very easy task, but as always, we’re here to help you out.
Do not be confused when you see letters attached as suffixes to the AS73. These suffix letters describe the color of that particular guitar. It doesn’t affect any other feature of the guitar besides the color.
What Finishes Are Available For The Ibanez AS73?
There are seven major color types available for this guitar, these are:
Transparent cherry.
Antique amber.
Olive metallic.
Tobacco brown sunburst.
Red.
Blue.
Green.
As guitarists, we know that a lot of the time, when picking a guitar, after the sound comes the looks. Yes, we know the main purpose of the guitar is the sound. However, we also know that you don’t want something that would scare you when you wake up in the morning.
The look of your guitar has to be captivating. You step onto the stage, in front of an audience who has never heard you play before. The look of your guitar should be able to captivate them long enough to want to hear you play.
This is one thing that many people don’t like to talk about because it seems superficial, but it’s actually real. People often judge a book by its cover, so, why don’t you get a great book cover?
Pick Up Model: Classic Elite
Probably the most underrated part of the electric guitar, the pickup. It determines, to a large extent, the quality and tone of the sound produced by the guitar. Why this part of the guitar is not talked about as much as other parts, is pretty surprising to us.
We often get caught up in talks about the wood used, thedesign, the build style, and all that stuff, that we often neglect that as anelectric guitar, the sound would be determined greatly by the electronics.While those things affect the sound, the pickup affects the sound even more.
The pickups that come with this guitar are retro pickups, as you might have guessed from the name “Classic”. This is an original Ibanez pickup.
We really like it when the company that makes the guitars is the same company that makes the pickups. That way, you’re assured of proper integration between guitar and pickup.
The sounds produced by the Classic Elite pickups are very rich sounds. These sounds are usually nuanced, bearing certain subtle differences from normal electric guitar pickups.
This is because they emphasize also on the lower-end, fatter notes. Most of the time, electric guitar pickups tend to neglect the lower notes, giving it an overall really high-pitched sound. While this is great for rocking out, it’s not so great for playing warmer, fuller, chords.
With these pickups, your high notes sound high, and your lownotes sound low, giving you the overall balance that you deserve in an electricguitar.
At the end of the day, this is just our opinion, no need tobe convinced. Check out the video below for a quick play-through with theIbanez AS73, check out how the pickups work for yourself:
What Features Are Unique To The Epiphone Dot?
It comes with nickel Hardware
It has the Alnico Classic Humbucker pickups
Hardware Available: Nickel
This guitar is only available in one hardwareoption. Whether this hardware is what you like, or not, is not the business ofthe manufacturers.
The hardware that this is available in isnickel. The first reason we think that nickel is used ahead of chrome in thisis the fact that it is a vintage design. Nickel was used a lot in old times,way more than chrome. However, chrome has gained increased popularity in recenttimes.
Nickel has a yellowish, warm look as opposed to chrome’s blueish, cooler look. The first really great thing about nickel is the fact that it is corrosion-resistant.
However, it does tarnish faster than chrome. Chrome is harder than nickel, but nickel ages a lot more nicely than chrome, which is why vintage guitars with nickel plating can still look cool, or warm, after such a long time.
One thing you have to take note of with regards to repairs is that nickel and chrome parts should never be mixed up in the same guitar. Make sure you double-check the guitar parts you want to buy to make sure they are not mixed up, that can be damaging.
While it might not be easy to determine thedifference between chrome parts and nickel parts individually, this task ismade significantly easier once you place both of them side by side.
Pickup Model: Alnico Classic Humbucker
Well, to be honest, this is one set of pickups that splits opinions. On one hand, people think that the pickup is not good enough and produces a really “muddy, farty, sound”.
On the other hand, people think that the sound produced by these pickups is different from what is common, definitely, but not as bad as people ring it out to be.
However, one thing everyone agrees on is thefact that these are meaner sounding than their preceding colleagues. At the endof the day, things like this always go down to personal opinion, bias, andpreference.
With that said, we think you should hear for yourself what this guitar, and these pickups sound like. Check out this video:
Why Do People Prefer The Ibanez AS73 More Than The Epiphone Dot?
A lot of people prefer the Ibanez AS73 because of the many different finish options that are available for the guitar. People like their guitars to look and feel unique and the AS73 provides you with the number of options you need to make it so.
Another reason why people like the Ibanez AS73 is the Classic elite pickups it comes with. These pickups make high notes sound high, and low notes sound low, which is excellent.
Why Do People Prefer The Epiphone Dot More Than The Ibanez AS73?
There aren’t really many people who prefer the Epiphone Dot to the Ibanez AS73. However, the people who do prefer it because of the nickel hardware. Nickel is really good for the vintage look and feel that this guitar was going for.
Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – Unique Cons
Ibanez AS73
- No unique cons.
Epiphone Dot
- The pickups are not considered to betop-quality.
Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – Pros Common ToBoth
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
Price The greatest thing these two guitars share is their price. These two guitars are reasonably priced, carrying great cost to performance ratios. This guitar is also reasonably priced for the quality that it provides.
Although this costs slightly more than the Ibanez, they still belong to the same price category.Tonewood Maple serves as a great tonewood for electricguitars and it’s great that both of these guitars used maple instead of someother inferior woods. Although this is made from laminated maple, it still carries most of the characteristics of solid maple, and as such, shares its pros.Bodyshape Being semi-hollow guitars, these two guitars don’t weigh so much and still produce very resonant sounds with minimal feedback. This is also a semi-hollow guitar.
Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – Cons Common ToBoth
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
Neckwood: Mahogany Mahogany is not the strongest wood out there,yes, it’s not an absolute disaster, but there are better options available. When compared to maple, mahogany is not very hardwood. But because they were made from maple, it’s quite confusing as to why they didn’t just use it for the neck too.
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Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – GeneralFeeling Amongst Users
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
Well, people who bought this guitar are really happy with their purchase. They consider this guitar a really great guitar and like the sound of the pickups. With both right and left-handed orientation, this was a great guitar for most people. The Epiphone Dot was created, for many people, to satisfy a nostalgic feel of old-school guitars. We are glad to announce that this guitar did just that.
With the nickel hardware and warm look, this vintage-looking guitar caught the hearts of many.
Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – What Do WeThink?
With regards to the Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot argument, these are our final thoughts:
Ibanez AS73
Epiphone Dot
We think that this is actually a pretty good guitar. If you’re a beginner, or you’re just getting into your intermediate stage, you want something like this for yourself. The Epiphone Dot is one that caught the hearts of many, as we said before. However, it is to be said that we feel like Epiphone could have done more with the pickups. Whether that is made or break, is left for you to decide.Ibanez AS73 Vs Epiphone Dot – Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better Epiphone or Ibanez?
Picking the better brand might sometimes be unique to your needs as a guitarist. However, most users who have experience with both brands would immediately say that Ibanez is a better brand.
This choice is neither completely right nor wrong and here’s why. A series like the Ibanez Artist is on the same level as an Epiphone guitar. They are in the same price range, with similar tones and almost the same feeling when used.
However, when you pick up the higher-end Ibanez guitars, you find that they are a lot better in quality than the Epiphone guitars. Those guitars are also more expensive than any of the Epiphone guitars by a very wide margin.
Is the Epiphone Dot a good guitar?
All the features of the Epiphone Dot make it a really good bank for the buck guitar. For something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, you get a guitar that offers you the wonderful vibe that comes with the ES-335 style.
Apart from the playing style that the Epiphone Dot offers, you also get decent quality for its price.
So, yes, the Epiphone Dot is a good guitar – and arguably one of the best in its price range.
Are Ibanez hollow-body guitars good?
Generally, the question of whether a hollow-body guitar is good or not depends on the guitarist. If you can deal with the likelihood of the guitar having feedback, then a hollow-body guitar is good.
As for Ibanez hollow-body guitars, in particular, they are very good. If you check a list of the best hollow-body guitars, you will certainly find at least one – and sometimes more – Ibanez guitar.
They offer the best tones for your classic guitar style and jazz music. You also get the much-needed warmth and bass that the hollow-body guitars are generally characterized by.
What is the best semi-acoustic guitar?
Epiphone Casino Vs Ibanez Af75 Bass
There are a lot of amazing guitars to pick from when it comes to Semi-acoustic guitars – both in terms of tone and build quality. However, for a beginner, you can’t go wrong with the Ibanez AS73 Artcore that combines top-notch performance with a convenient budget.
It is important to note that this guitar will not get you all the bells and whistles that the other expensive guitars offer. However, the full sound and perfect intonation that this guitar offers at its price are almost the same as what you would get from guitars that cost thousands of dollars more.
Epiphone Casino Vs Ibanez Af75 Strat
If you want to see a full review of this guitar in comparison to the Epiphone Dot, just scroll back up and you’ll see all the information you need.
Is Ibanez owned by Fender?
Although Fender has constantly been tagged to own Ibanez, they do not own Ibanez. Fender originated in Fullerton, California, and operates under the parent company Servco Pacific.
Ibanez, on the other hand, is under the parent company Hoshino Gakki. Hoshino Gakki has its origin in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
So they are two completely unrelated guitar brands that were made literally at the opposite ends of the earth.
Is Epiphone better than Squier?
Both of these brands are the standard when you talk about guitars for a tight budget. They both offer impressive performance that is excellent for their price. However, if we had to pick one, it’ll be Epiphone.
Here’s why. When the Affinity guitars are compared to some of the Epiphone guitars in the same range, they do not come close. However, some of the lower end Epiphone guitars can stand in the ring with most of the mid-range Squier guitars.