The JSM100 width at nut is 43.5mm (AS200 is 43mm), with a thickness at fret-1 of 20.2mm (AS200 is 20.0) and thickness of 23.3mm at fret-12 (AS200 is 23.0). The JSM reveals the human variation found in pre-CNC fabrication of that time, as the neck is slightly larger then the AS. The JSM100 neck was modeled from his ’81 guitar with the addition of a compound radious fretboard. John also removed the tri-sound switch & placed the input jack on the edge of the body. Next the JSM went back to the larger older style AS (castle shaped) headstock used thru 1996. The JSM features a half bone and half brass nut which was previously used on the #2630 (but not AS200 which has a bone nut). Subtle changes were made for the JSM100 for tone & ergonomics. The JSM100 is famously based on John’s own 1981 Ibanez AS200 and remains in production along side the AS200. In 2001 Ibanez spun off the AS200 replacing it with a John Scofield signature model. John Scofield’s 1981 AS200 becomes the Ibanez JSM100 The AS200 Prestige return allowed Ibanez players to finally get their new Ibanez “ES-335” without the 22% signature model upcharge. Made in Japan & designated as Prestige of course, the YVS burst was a lighter color than both the AS200AV Antique Violin sunburst and JSM VT Vintage Sunburst. In 2014 the AS200 returned as a “new model” in VYS Vintage Yellow Sunburst. It is unclear if during this dormancy the AS200 was produced in small quantities as a spot model. During that time exclusive retail space was given to the derivative Ibanez JSM100 signature model. The AS200 was continually produced except for a hiatus between 2001-2013. To be clear the AS200 are very much derivate of the historic Gibson ES-335 ( click here for ES-335 Gibson Geek Guide).įor the AS200 Ibanez added subtle if not notable improvements including the neck pickup tri-sound (parallel & coil-split options) wiring, ’60s Slim Taper profile neck (not typically offered by Gibson in the ES-355) and ebony fretboard (featured on fewer and fewer Ibanez guitars over time). By 1988 Ibanez would use “Artstar” to designate the non-solid body guitars from the solid-body Artist series. In 1979 Ibanez made the wise decision to tweak & rename it AS200. It was part of Ibanez’ re-branded “Artist Series” which separated acoustics into a different line. The Ibanez AS200 first appeared in 1977 as the # 2630 semi-hollow body. The Artstar is a pure jazz-box that embodies the continual innovation that is Jazz. The critical eye will appreciate the details like the smoothness of the fretboard and a skilled crimping technique generally found on instruments costing twice as much. The influences of these legendary instruments are immediately apparent with bone nut, ebony fretboard, and Ibanez’s signature Super 58 custom pickups. The parallel histories of Jazz music and hollow-body electric guitars have been manifested in the Artstar. The AS200 has been referenced extensively in the Ibanez AR2619 and Ibanez ASF180 Hollow-body guitar hands-on reports, as such this article is complete as a continuation of those. This sounds strange, but it might be the best kept secret from the guitar world & Ibanez enthusiasts. It’s availability spans 40 years and yet could be the holy grail of Ibanez electric guitars. The Ibanez AS200 Semi Hollow-body is a guitar that requires no introduction.
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