You may know Ibanez primarily for their solid body electrics, but they also make some respectable hollow bodies, and the AF55 & AS53 are the latest additions to their line-up.
Ibanez AF55
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The AF’s are Ibanez’s traditional line of Artcore series F-hole guitars built with true hollow bodies and no sound blocks.
The body has Maple top, back, and sides. The neck is made from Mahogany and the large sized frets sit on a bound Rosewood fretboard.
It comes with dual ACH-ST Humbucking pickups and has a 3 way toggle switch to change between either pickup or both at the same time.
More information is available at ibanez.com/HollowBodyGuitars/model-AF55
Ibanez AS53
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The AS series differs from the AF’s in that the pickups are mounted into a sustain block which enhances the guitar’s sustain and reduces feedback.
It also comes with the slightly less traditional Quick Change III bridge – the trade-off here is a slightly more modern look in return for making string changes a lot easier.
The body is all Sapele (top, back, and sides) and comes in two color choices – Transparent Red Flat (as pictured) or Transparent Black Flat. The Neck and fretboard are the same as the AF55 above, as is the pickup configuration and switching system.
More information on the AS53 is available at ibanez.com/HollowBodyGuitars/model-AS53
Both of these hollow bodies have only just been announced by Ibanez and the only pricing I could find was a European MSRP of 318.00€ for both the AF55 and AS53 – expect to see them in retailers around the world soon.
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A friend is planning to buy one of these hollow bodies. I need to get some feedback from him or from others before I purchase my own. Anyone else tried one of these bodies?
I love it. Mine is an AM73-tbr. What I love is the rich tone and I can play it without an amp just for myself. Just like John Denver said “The kids are a sleep so I keep it kind of low”.
As you know, each guitar body has a personality. These are no different. That is why multiple guitars of various body styles will probably be in your collection, everyone needs at least one hollow/semi-hollow guitar. My Ibanez count is at two for now. One solid and this one.
In MHO you need to evaluate your current need for this guitar. If money is no object and you have several other body styles then get it to round out the herd. Otherwise, if this is going to be your only guitar, then play one first to observe the tone before buying. Don’t read into this that there is something wrong with this guitar because I didn’t imply that. I love mine but I play all my guitars and enjoy each one for what it gives to the music I play.
Long live Rock & Roll.
MrDana