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Please help! To upgrade my Ibanez AW100?


marktsc

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I'm at a crossroads here. I usually lurk in the EG forum, but have the opportunity now to do some acoustic work in the coffee-shop style. Here's my predicament:

 

I have an Ibanez AW100 that is 3 years old and in perfect condition. Plays nicely and I like everything except the high gloss finish and the plastic nut, saddle, pegs. I want an A/E option though now. I'm considering buying the K&K pure western pickup and a Behringer V-Tone DI. And I may upgrade to Tusq aforementioned parts.

 

Should I do this or instead sell the Ibanez and buy a newer A/E guitar? I'm not skilled enough to warrant a Martin or Taylor priced guitar. My biggest gripe is the gloss finish.

 

What do you guys think? Thanks for the time to reply.

-Mark

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Mark, it is possible to knock the gloss off the finish with some fine steel wool - people have been doing to their necks for some time now, but I would suggest thinking seriously about doing it to the top or sides/back. Most people with satin finished guitars want to gloss them - frankly you are the first I've heard of that wants to go the other way. If you do "satinize" your Ibanez you will probably seriously reduce it's value if you ever do want to sell it. If you decide to do practice on something else first, then try it on a small area of your git - maybe the back of the headstock.

 

Most of the "lower priced" guitars from most manufactures today come in satin finish - it is a cost savings since they don't have to do all the buffing. Taylor 2xx, 3xx, 5xx, Martin 15 series, etc, will be satin finished. Some will have factory installed electronics matched to the guitar - but many of our forumites advocate installing the one of your choice.

 

Other folks will chime in about adding the pickup - I don't amplify my guitars - but changing the saddle and pins from plastic to tusk (or bone) is very simple - you can buy the parts from Bob Colosi and do it your self or have a technician do it. Changing the nut is a lot more work and has to be done correctly - you can do it but it will take a small investment in files. Best to leave that to a good tech. IMHO the nut (and pins) have a much smaller overall effect on the tone of your guitar.

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If you like the Ibanez , keep it, add the k and k and get the Behringer, lower priced Martins and Taylors are not all that great imo, though some people love them, like the Taylor 110, don't think it is worth $549

Jim

PS- Honestly, I think strings are the biggest tone changers, I'm not a big fan of adding a bone saddle, paid big bucks to have one added to a guitar equivalent to yours, and didn't notice much difference

Best Wishes

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I had an Ibanez AW100 and traded it in on another guitar. The AW100 had amazing clarity and sustain but the sound was heavily weighted toward the treble side. Once I heard some guitars with more depth I just wasn't satisfied. Also, the AW100's neck got very sticky in the summer; so much so that it really cramped my playing style.

 

Given how much sustain and clarity the AW100 already produces I wonder if putting any money into saddel, nut or pins is really going to translate into any kind of improvement.

 

Do what you think best. If you decide to go with a better guitar, there are plenty out there that are very affordable. Myself, I have a Guild D4NT, a Yamaha FG340 and a Cort PW340FM Jumbo.

I prefer all of them to the Ibanez.

 

Let us know what you decide.

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Buy a Larrivee L-03 or D-03 acoustic. They have a satin finish and sound amazing. All solid wood construction with a Tusq nut and saddle standard. You can pick them up used for around $500 + or new for less than $800. You will still need to add the K&K plus the Behringer V-Tone DI.

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  • 4 months later...
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Ive got 2 AW 100s. Bought one new in 1999...love it love it love it. I put a transducer in it and love it. I used 000 steel wool in the neck and left the rest with its "protective coating"( this thing is dipped in poly) My second AW 100 is from about 2002. I got it for $100. on ebay. I was looking for the case and it came with the guitar...anyway Ibanez must have upgraded the AW100 along the way and this one is inlaid with abalone and gold tuners etc...but the bass is muffled and the high end is thin. All guitars vary and if you like the AW100 sound of yous put the pickup in steelwool the neck only and enjoy it for years.

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I don't understand. I have an AW100 with the cutaway and electronics. The gloss finish is beautiful. I always get compliments on it. The neck on mine came with a satin finish already. It's hard to complain about this guitar, other than the fact my fingers just aint up to playing acoustic. I wish I could find one that played like an electric but still had the sound.

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  • 3 years later...
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