Ibanez vs. ES 335

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 Dec 2004 2:13 pm

Does anybody have a mid/late '70's Ibanez "Musician" guitar (MC200, MC300, MC400, etc)?
Kind of an Alembic copy, neck through body.
Any feedback on this model (do they intonate and stay in tune, playability, tone, etc...).
Thx,
Pete B.

Here's a pic of one: http://www.ibanezregister.com/Gallery/musician/gal-mc500.htm
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 14 December 2004 at 03:28 PM.]

Eddie Malray · Post by **Eddie Malray** » 14 Dec 2004 4:42 pm

I have an ES335 that I bought new in 1963. It's still about a 9 out of 10. It has spent most of it's life in the closet because being a country music nut, I think the Fender sound fits better. When I do get it out it does,nt take but a minute to reming me that it,s the best guitar I've ever had my hands on. I paid 350.00 for it brand new. Gruhn says it's worth about ten grand today. I doubt that any Ibanez will ever be worth that, even though they may(and I doubt it) play and sound as well. Strictly my openion.-------------Eddie

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 15 Dec 2004 4:39 am

A lot of what's the best guitar for any given type of music is also in the hands of the player. Remember the group Shenandoah? The lead player (Jimmy Seals) used an Ibanez Artist solid body exclusively on records and live and got that country tone to the bone thing. I'd heard that he had two or three of them. They're a wonderful guitar and very versatile. Does anyone know what ever happened to Seals after Shenandoah broke up? I always liked his playing, especially on "If Bubba Can Dance, I Can Too".........great player...JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Pookie Anselmi · Post by **Pookie Anselmi** » 15 Dec 2004 5:32 am

I own a George Benson GB10 (1978) model and a Joe Pass JP20 (1980) model and they have held up really well.
They play and sound great to me. Ibanez makes a great neck on their guitars. Very easy to play.
I also recently (last year) bought the new AM73. Its a 335 style body, but the lower bout is smaller (15").
Just my two cents.
Pookie

Bob Markison · Post by **Bob Markison** » 15 Dec 2004 9:01 am

I'm very fond of my Ibanez Artstar AF120 hollow body jazz guitar. I don't have a Gibson, but the guitarist I work closely with does have several Gibsons, and agrees that my Ibanez sounds great and is very comfortable to play. I got the Ibanez used for $550.00 from Phil's Guitars 5 years ago when he was still in So. SF. - Bob

Ian Finlay · Post by **Ian Finlay** » 15 Dec 2004 2:12 pm

I have an Aria "Paul Brett" signature model acoustic from the 70s. Apparently this is quite rare, and was pretty much hand made. A friend of mine is a trained guitar builder, and says it's a good as any Martin he's seen.

I think the weak point on Japanese (and Korean etc) guitars are the pickups. But then, current Fender ones are pretty poor too (IMHO) and the reissue DeArmonds suck for me.

Ian

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 15 Dec 2004 2:38 pm

Ian, the real weak point is resale value. I paid $350 for my MIM Nashville Tele, new 3 years ago. It is worth maybe that now but I would never sell it. A new American Tele costs more, but holds it value. Yesterday I bought an Ibanez AEG10n, nylon string A/E, with a narrower neck than most classicals. It has Fishman eletronics, plays and sounds great. I paid $289 with hardshell case,new! I wish I had $1000 to get an American brand name, but I bought what I could afford. JP

Bill cole · Post by **Bill cole** » 15 Dec 2004 4:18 pm

Well I just have a 1968-335 which can be bought if the price is right any takers email me [This message was edited by Bill cole on 15 December 2004 at 04:22 PM.]

Bill cole · Post by **Bill cole** » 15 Dec 2004 4:21 pm

sorry[This message was edited by Bill cole on 15 December 2004 at 04:22 PM.]