Members tincob Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 I have a lead on a clean Ibanez Artstar AS-80. Both pups were replaced with SD Pearly Gates - which I've had good experiences with so it's not a negative for me. It has the narrow headstock, not the tulip style so it seems like they are the older MIK series with the Gibson mickey mouse style ears rather than the more modern redesigned ears. Included is the Ibanez hardcase. He's not budging off his $300 asking price. I've read the archives and people seem to like their AS-80. Should I run to buy it or can I get a better deal? I like semi-hollows and I was waiting on the right bargain to come along. Should I hit it? I just bought a Brownsville Impala today (wait for the NGD thread). I don't need another guitar unless it's a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cadfael Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 If you don't have a 335 style guitar, or heck even if you do an AS-80 for 300 bucks w/SD's sounds like a great deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mister Crow Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 Run to buy it. Don't wait. The ones with the smaller headstock, I like better than the tulip ones. They are the first run of AS-80's. With the pick-up upgrade you should not hesitate. I owned that exact guitar and it was head and shoulders above anything in it's price range for a semi-hollow. I'm a big, big, fan of the Korean AS-80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tincob Posted December 24, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 I guess the non-original pups won't detract from the value, especially if they are SD pups... What would be the going price for a completely stock first run MIK Artstar AS-80? Ebay didn't have any of the first runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members louloomis Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 Buy the guitar (it's worth more than 300.00). Then, take out those pickups and sell them. Use that money to put more versatile (better) pickups in....I think you'll only love yourself doing this. LouLoomis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mister Crow Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 I guess the non-original pups won't detract from the value, especially if they are SD pups...What would be the going price for a completely stock first run MIK Artstar AS-80? Ebay didn't have any of the first runs. My guess would be anywhere from $400 to $550 for an excellent condition stock early AS-80. The fact that yours has SD pick-ups is a benefit IMO, since the early run models from 19994-1995 have unpotted Super 58 pick-ups, and they can squeal terribly under higher gain settings. The later AS-80 used waxed potted pick-ups. If you pass on this one, let me know and link me to the ad, I might e-mail the guy and see if he ever gets into my area (Philly/NJ) and maybe I could meet up with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xStonr Posted December 24, 2008 Members Share Posted December 24, 2008 AS73 are going for 250-300. The AS80 is an upgraded version of it so 300 would be an okay deal. Especially since the p/u's are upgraded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tincob Posted December 31, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Instead of a starting another NGD thread, I'm just going to add to this one. Patience is a virtue, especially if you're an impatient guitar monger (aren't we all). So I held off from jumping on the deal and eventually talked the seller down a little bit more to $270. Both Pearly Gates are split via the push pull pots in the volume positions. This is one rocking semi-hollow! No jazz machine, this - although if I back off the tone, it'll smooth out. Too bad, I can't play any jazz. I used to have a Washburn HB30 with upgraded SD pups (JB in the neck, PG in the bridge) and the upgraded pups really brought the cheaper semi-hollow alive. It's the same case here. With the ability to split both pups, it really adds a lot of versatility to the tone. I don't quite get the true single coil sound but it's good enough for me. I have the same ability on my Yamaha SBG1200 humbuckers. So enough talking. Here are the pics: The narrower headstock of the first MIK Artstars The first series of MIK Artstars also had the Mickey Mouse ears Upgraded Pearly Gates pups It's missing the pickguard (I'll have to buy one and the bracket) It came with the OEM hardcase & shroud Let's see if this is a keeper. I still have GAS for a Yamaha SA2200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GarysBlues Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 I had a AS-80 a few years back. Decent AS model that preceded the Artcore. Super 58s in them were good also. I like Pearly Gatess though. Good Deal. I think I paid $500. new for mine and another $85 for a Ibanes HSC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mister Crow Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Great score! That's a huge amount of guitar for $270. I'm very envious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members magnido45 Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Sweet buy...!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrfan Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Very nice and I think you got a great deal on it. Just my opinion but no semi looks good with open coil pickups. Love it otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GarysBlues Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 The AS-120s had the Abalone Block inlays and the Gold Hardware. The 80's had Abalone Dots and a medium C neck. Same build and electronics in both though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tincob Posted December 31, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Very nice and I think you got a great deal on it. Just my opinion but no semi looks good with open coil pickups. Love it otherwise. I prefer it with the covers too but the pups rock so I'm happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dcindc Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 And I Halped! HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrfan Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 I prefer it with the covers too but the pups rock so I'm happy. Well you can easily add covers to those pickups if you ever choose to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billy budapest Posted December 31, 2008 Members Share Posted December 31, 2008 Ya did great - enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dogfish Posted January 2, 2009 Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 If you get tired of it I'll take it off your hands for what you paid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EllenGtrGrl Posted January 2, 2009 Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 You got a great deal on that AS-80. I had an AS-120 for a short time, and it was a great guitar (I just didn't bond with it - me and 335-style guitars never seem to really hit it off). The AS-80 is just as good a player IMO. HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tincob Posted January 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 You got a great deal on that AS-80. I had an AS-120 for a short time, and it was a great guitar (I just didn't bond with it - me and 335-style guitars never seem to really hit it off). The AS-80 is just as good a player IMO. HNGD! Thanks Ellen. Your Baby thread convinced me to shoot for a JetGlo Rickenbacker 360. I've been saving up to buy a used one but this deal came along and I fell for it. I hope to find a good deal on a Rick 360 some time this year. If I fall short on cash, I may have to flip this for a little profit. My ultimate 335-style semi is a Yamaha SA2200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mdog114 Posted January 2, 2009 Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 Nice score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wader2k Posted January 2, 2009 Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 Very Nice! I love me an old Ibby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted January 2, 2009 Members Share Posted January 2, 2009 Congratulations! Nice guitar and nice deal you got on it too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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