Parts & pieces for Ibanez Artcore

[Alden_Sloe]

Recently aquired an Ibanez Artcore. llooks like an AF75 but the body is a deep red quilted color (mahogany?).





As you might have detected in the picture the tone and volume knobs are missing. I figure black is the "correct" color but the generic ones we got from GC don't slip far enough down and the big gold knurled ones don't look right with the rest of the hardware chrome. Should a store be able to order the correct part from Ibanez without it costing a ridiculous amount of money? Other choices/suggestions.

This is the first guitar my son has had with a floating bridge. We're told that makes it harder to tune which seems to be the case. Or does this just indicate the bridge needs to be adjusted?

With only a couple of days worth of playing (maybe 8 hours tops) the smallest string (E string?) has broken twice. Is this another indication the bridge needs to be set-up correctly? The strings that were on it when I got it were decent looking but no telling for sure how old or how much play they had. They were replaced with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze lights. I know those are generally thought of as acoustic strings but they sound great and the light strings let him play more as he's still building up strength and calouses.

The idea of replacing a full set of strings every couple of hours of playing time until we sort this out isn't to appealing. It would be nice to just be able to replace the one string but it looks like individual strings are available only for the larger gauges. That seems wierd to me. Wouldn't the smaller diameter strings tend to break at least as much if not more often? Oh, as another "data point" he thinks he might have been trying to tune the string too high; like a whole octive If that's the case then I guess it's lucky just the string broke

The output from the pickups sounds pretty good. In fact our crappy amp sounds pretty good when this is plugged into it But I'm wondering, does anyone mic a hollow body or use a combo line out and mic?

 

[acidrock]

They were replaced with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze lights. I know those are generally thought of as acoustic strings but they sound great and the light strings let him play more as he's still building up strength and calouses.

I'm thinking electric strings would be a lot easier than acoustic ones,especially when you consider acoustic strings are generally of heavier gauge and usually have a wound G where electrics usually do not.(depending on the set).I'm not sure how the pickups would work with bronze strings either,never really tried it.

If you're not sure take it in to a reputable guitar tech and have him set it up and tell you how to keep it that way.If he's any good and if the guitar is decent a good setup can make the guitar much easier to play.

 

[Alden_Sloe]

If you're not sure take it in to a reputable guitar tech and have him set it up and tell you how to keep it that way.If he's any good and if the guitar is decent a good setup can make the guitar much easier to play.

Ah, knew there was another question I forgot to ask. If you know nothing how do you vet a technician to figure out if they know what they're doing or just good a BSing

 

[Lt. Bob]

first ...... any decent music store is gonna have individual strings. There's no need to replace the set and since you're talking about the plain E, it's not necessary to get the same brand or even acoustic or electric.
Second ...... that guitar is meant to be strung with electric strings. For using into an amp you will get a much better sound with electrics.
And electric strings are lighter gauge than acoustic strings in most cases.

A floating bridge isn't inherently more prone to going out of tune however, you need to understand that it goes in a very specific spot to be in correct intonation. If you don't have a good handle on this .... find a tech .... have him place the bridge and then mark it. Also, change 1 string at a time so you won't let the bridge fall off and thus, out of position.
Adjusting the bridge shouldn't have any effect on whether you break strings or not but it's not impossible that there is a burr or sharp edge on the bridge saddle causing it.
But that small E can also be prone to breaking even under normal use. A student can easily break one by simply picking way hard. Again, a tech should be able to figure out which it is.
These are all pretty basic issues and any competent tech should be able to sort it out easily. Just find a store with a good rep that's been around a while and trust them to have chosen an at least competent tech.

 

[Alden_Sloe]

first ...... any decent music store is gonna have individual strings. There's no need to replace the set and since you're talking about the plain E, it's not necessary to get the same brand or even acoustic or electric.
Second ...... that guitar is meant to be strung with electric strings. For using into an amp you will get a much better sound with electrics.
And electric strings are lighter gauge than acoustic strings in most cases.

Thanks Lt Bob. I'll have to ask when I go in to get new strings. We had the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze lights laying around since my son also has an acoustic. As for gage I think these strings are about the same as any electric; at least as far as the E string. It was .010 I believe.

A floating bridge isn't inherently more prone to going out of tune however, you need to understand that it goes in a very specific spot to be in correct intonation.

I think that explains why it's hard to tune. We'll have to search out someone locally that understands this. It would be nice to have it explained rather than just having them do it. Good tip with changing one string at a time.

Adjusting the bridge shouldn't have any effect on whether you break strings or not but it's not impossible that there is a burr or sharp edge on the bridge saddle causing it.

The bridge is adjustable for position as well as height. It may be that it's set up too low (or too low on one side) and the string is tending to get caught on the frets. At least my son thinks that may be what's happening. He knows a little more than I do which is to say a tiny bit more than nothing at all

I know a little bit about bikes. In fact traded an old bike for this guitar. With bike shops there are some with good reputations and some, well, not so good. But even with the better shops it's important to know the actual person as they all tend to have just one or two guys that really know their stuff (often the owner). I can tell when I hear someone being BSed in the bike shop but when it comes to guitars I'm like the clueless newbe that brings in his bike 'cause it's got a flat tire.

 

[Lt. Bob]

Bikes as in Motor or bicycles? I'm a bikie is why I'm asking.

For the E just get any .010 gauge then, electric'll be fine. They'll probably have some Ernie Ball or something like that .... usually around 75cents to a buck apiece. Just get a bunch ..... I never break strings but I carry about a dozen of 'em just in case.

 

[Alden_Sloe]

Bikes as in Motor or bicycles? I'm a bikie is why I'm asking.

Well, bicycles now. I have many years riding motorcycles on the street but haven't owned one for ~20 years. I still have my endorsement and plan to start riding as the motorcycle pacer in the Kerin event at our local velodrome this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirin

For the E just get any .010 gauge then, electric'll be fine. They'll probably have some Ernie Ball or something like that .... usually around 75cents to a buck apiece. Just get a bunch ..... I never break strings but I carry about a dozen of 'em just in case.

Yea, like it never rains when you bring your foul weather gear... the one time you leave it at home Thanks, I'll get a handful and that will probably "fix" the problem I'll still get a three pack of the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze lights. Great on the acoustic and I don't know if it's just because the Artcore is a hollow body or the humbucker pick-ups and the fact I strongly prefer a "clean" sound but they sound great to me amplified as well.

 

[Light]

The chance of finding the original ones is slim to none, but the ones from Stew-Mac would PROBABLY fit. The issue, in all likelihood is that you need metric knobs, and what GC sold you are probably SAE knobs.

Note, I said probably. No promises here.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Jason43]

You can buy Ibanez knobs through the store on ibanez.com. Personally, I think Ibanez Sure Grip II's would look ten times better on that guitar than the plain old speed knobs.

 

[Alden_Sloe]

You can buy Ibanez knobs through the store on ibanez.com. Personally, I think Ibanez Sure Grip II's would look ten times better on that guitar than the plain old speed knobs.

Thanks for the input. I'd been to the Ibanez site but only looked at the "Parts" tab and not the "Store". Unfortunately they seem to be working off a completely different database. None of the knobs available through the store are listed as compatible with the Artcore and the part numbers listed in the parts section aren't listed, at least not with the same part number, in the store. I sent an inquiry to Ibanez and while I did get a response it's not all that clear. Here it is:

I need knobs for an Artcore guitar. I believe it is an AF75 series and originally had black knobs. Looking through the "parts" it looks like partnumber 4KB1HBK would be the proper replacement. However, when I go to "store" that's not one of the choices. Which knobs will fit correctly? Or will any knob work and it's just a matter of style. Generice knobs from the local store sit up way to high on the posts. -Bernie

Hi.
These are $7.60 each and you can order them through any local ibnaez dealer. If your still having trouble getting these you can call us at 1-800-669-4226.

thanks,
Ibanez Guitars

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