Ibanez Artcore pickup mods

[Jazzer]

Has anyone here bought and changed a pickup on an Ibanez Artcore guitar?

I'm thinking specifically about these guitars:
AKJ95, AG95, AG75
but if you have modded any in the series I'd still like to hear about it.

My main aim is to take a very light, easy playing archtop and get it to sound as close to a Gibson ES-175/ES-135 humbucker sound.

The AG95 that I recently tried has all the requirements that I'm looking for, except for its sound. :)
It's very light, easy to play and well-constructed.

The only problem with it is its sound. It doesn't sound anywhere near one of the above Gibsons.

Is this mission impossible, or can a pickup replacement on this guitar
get it close to a 135/175?

[JNugent]

Never swapped one into an Ibanez, but even on a solid guitar (Les Paul,
SG...), a Gibson pickup still sounds like a Gibson.

Perhaps a Gibson HB in the neck position?

I'd recommend the Burstbucker 1.

[Jazzer]

On Monday, June 16, 2014 7:51:56 PM UTC-4, JNugent wrote:

> Never swapped one into an Ibanez, but even on a solid guitar (Les Paul,
>
> SG...), a Gibson pickup still sounds like a Gibson.
>
>
>
> Perhaps a Gibson HB in the neck position?
>
>
>
> I'd recommend the Burstbucker 1.

I'm not sure I follow you. :)

You are saying that a Gibson humbucker will always sound like a Gibson humbucker.

I would certainly hope so!

What I would like to know is if simply changing the Artcore pickup for a Gibson Humbucker will be enough to get a sound close to a 135/175 sound?

It doesn't have to be 90% or 95% Gibson ES-135/175 sound, but hopefully at least 80%+.

What inspired me to look into the Artcore guitars now is my Gibson ES-125TC.

It's a very light-weight guitar and easy to play. But I've been struggling a
bit with its sound.
I changed the original P-90 a number of years ago for a P-100 to get a darker, jazzier sound.

There was some improvement, but not as much as I was hoping for.

Then very recently I bought a Gibson mini-humbucker and installed it in the ES-125.

Although it had a cool sound, it wasn't the dark, jazz sound I was looking for.
So I went back to the P-100.

I've thought about taking a spare 57-humbucker (bridge pickup) from my ES-175 and putting it into my ES-125 but that would require some routing work which I'm not keen on doing.

If I knew in advance that the sound would be to my liking, I would do the routing, but right now it's too much of a gamble for me.

[thomas]

You might check out Jim Mullen. He plays one of those chinese cheapies and gets a good tone.

[Phantom Post]

Jazzer <google...@yahoo.com> wrote in news:302aebd6-7d60-46e7-a4e9-
28c882...@googlegroups.com:

> Has anyone here bought and changed a pickup on an Ibanez Artcore guitar?
>
> I'm thinking specifically about these guitars:
> AKJ95, AG95, AG75
> but if you have modded any in the series I'd still like to hear about it.
>
>

I've got an AG75 that, after a year or so of getting comfy with it, I
swapped out the stock ACH pickups for some of Stewmac's Parson St Golden
Age alnico 2 humbuckers. Also went with the upgraded wiring kit for Les
Paul (pots, jack, switch, caps, wire). Turned it into a real fine sounding
guitar. Great sounds in all settings. I've no experience with 175s, etc
but the improvement over stock is remarkable. Very sweet, mellow, with
plenty of high end when you want it and great articulation.

[Just looked at the Stewmac site. The A2 Parsons Streets seem to now have
"aged" covers and the price is higher than when I bought them with un-aged
covers. I paid more like the price of the current A5 models when I
purchased.]

--

Pat

email: phartzATcoxDOTnet

[Tim McNamara]

I'd probably put in a Classic 57 and if you really want to shoot for the
vintage ES-175 tone I'd look up the proper Gibson wiring for it. IIRC
it is a 300K linear volume pot, 500K audio taper tone pot and a 0.22
cap. Gibson has a list on their web site somewhere.


The top material and pickup placement will have some effect- the ES-175
screw coil is situated at the equivalent of the 24th fret and the top is
a maple-poplar-maple laminate. Some of the Artcores have a
spruce-something-spruce laminate and some have maple-something-maple.
Go for the latter. To my ears spruce has a zing, for lack of a better
word, than maple; I think the latter are darker and deader on the high
end.

These Artcores are excellent bargains. The fit and finish are uniformly
very good and I really like the Ibanez neck profile. There's a nice
looking AF105 on the local Craigslist for $375 that I cast an eye at
every so often and many other Ibanez archies tend to pop up with great
regularity.

[Jazzer]

On Monday, June 16, 2014 9:58:05 PM UTC-4, thomas wrote:

> > get it close to a 135/175?
>
>
>
> You might check out Jim Mullen. He plays one of those chinese cheapies and gets a good tone.

Thanks thomas.
It's interesting that you mentioned Jim.
I also play with my thumb most of the time now. :)

I agree he gets a great tone on his guitar.
I didn't know he was playing a chinese cheapie though.

But I have seen quite a few of his videos and I'm sure he's playing an L-5 clone. That would likely be a 25.5" length neck and a much bigger body (and different woods/design). So the sound really wouldn't be comparable to a 175 clone.

I would be curious however to know if he swapped the stock pickup out, if anyone knows.

[Jazzer]

On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:47:33 AM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:
> I'd probably put in a Classic 57 and if you really want to shoot for the
>
> vintage ES-175 tone I'd look up the proper Gibson wiring for it. IIRC
>
> it is a 300K linear volume pot, 500K audio taper tone pot and a 0.22
>
> cap. Gibson has a list on their web site somewhere.
>
>
>
>
>
> The top material and pickup placement will have some effect- the ES-175
>
> screw coil is situated at the equivalent of the 24th fret and the top is
>
> a maple-poplar-maple laminate. Some of the Artcores have a
>
> spruce-something-spruce laminate and some have maple-something-maple.
>
> Go for the latter. To my ears spruce has a zing, for lack of a better
>
> word, than maple; I think the latter are darker and deader on the high
>
> end.
>

Yes Tim, I agree about the overall quality of these guitars. They always continue to amaze me.

If I spring for one of these guitars I will keep in mind what you said about going for the maple laminate and also making sure the wiring mimics the Gibson wiring for the Classic 57 pickup.

[Jazzer]

On Monday, June 16, 2014 11:51:58 PM UTC-4, Phantom Post wrote:
>
> I've got an AG75 that, after a year or so of getting comfy with it, I
>
> swapped out the stock ACH pickups for some of Stewmac's Parson St Golden
>
> Age alnico 2 humbuckers. Also went with the upgraded wiring kit for Les
>
> Paul (pots, jack, switch, caps, wire). Turned it into a real fine sounding
>
> guitar. Great sounds in all settings. I've no experience with 175s, etc
>
> but the improvement over stock is remarkable. Very sweet, mellow, with
>
> plenty of high end when you want it and great articulation.
>

Thanks Pat for letting me know about your experience with this.
Did you do an A/B with the wiring to see if you could hear a difference?
ie. install the new pickup first without the upgrade wiring kit?

[thomas]

Good point, Jim's is a bigger guitar, but I would guess with a plywood top.

Okay, check out Jake Reichbart's many clips on youtube. He is playing the heck out of an Artcore:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxZ4f4MZMxk

[van]

On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:47:33 AM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:

I've been looking for a second archtop, and haven't been excited by any of the lower priced Ibanez guitars.
I was very impressed by the new, largest D'Angelico model, going new for only $900 and change.
They're very well made guitars with Kent Armstrong pick-ups.
I would have bought the one I played, but it had a big, fat neck, which I don't prefer.

[Jazzer]

On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 4:17:58 PM UTC-4, thomas wrote:

> Okay, check out Jake Reichbart's many clips on youtube. He is playing the heck out of an Artcore:
>
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxZ4f4MZMxk

Yes Jake is a great player and he's getting a really decent sound out of his Artcore.
I wonder what modifications he's made exactly to his guitar?

It certainly looks like it's been under the knife more than once. :)

It still has that Artcore vibe to it, which is OK, but maybe he's changed the pickups?

[Jazzer]

On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 6:15:38 PM UTC-4, van wrote:

> I was very impressed by the new, largest D'Angelico model, going new for only $900 and change.
>
> They're very well made guitars with Kent Armstrong pick-ups.
>
> I would have bought the one I played, but it had a big, fat neck, which I don't prefer.

If you are a brave soul (as I am) you could always modify the neck.

I started doing this on a bunch of guitars fairly recently and I have no regrets whatsoever.

Believe it or not the first guitar I did it with was a Martin 000-18!
I'm the original owner and should have done it many years ago.
It's so much easier to play now. The neck was just too chunky.

The next neck I modified was on my Takamine classical.
I figured if I had success with my Martin why not try it on my Takamine? :)
It's now much better too. Most classicals have far too much meat on the neck.

I just modified a third neck this week. This time it was on my Gibson SG.
It's much better now too.

I've had all of these guitars for many years, but never even thought about modifying their necks until about a year ago or so.

Now when I pick up one of my guitars (10+) I'm looking at the neck to see if it is OK. :)

Of course this type of mod should only be done if:
a) you could live with a mess up
b) you have no plans to sell the guitar; or if you do, at a markdown price.

[JNugent]

On 17/06/2014 02:07, Jazzer wrote:

> JNugent wrote:

>> Never swapped one into an Ibanez, but even on a solid guitar (Les Paul,
>> SG...), a Gibson pickup still sounds like a Gibson.
>> Perhaps a Gibson HB in the neck position?
>> I'd recommend the Burstbucker 1.

> I'm not sure I follow you. :)
> You are saying that a Gibson humbucker will always sound like a Gibson humbucker.
> I would certainly hope so!

Then you are answering your own question.

> What I would like to know is if simply changing the Artcore pickup for a Gibson Humbucker will be enough to get a sound close to a 135/175 sound?

Since the construction of the Artcore semi-acoustic is similar to (at
least some examples of) the Gibson 175, the pickup - and possibly the
two control pots - are the obvious missing factor.

> It doesn't have to be 90% or 95% Gibson ES-135/175 sound, but hopefully at least 80%+.

Pickup changes are usually worthwhile if you are not satisfied with the
sound of an electric guitar.

>
> What inspired me to look into the Artcore guitars now is my Gibson ES-125TC.
> It's a very light-weight guitar and easy to play. But I've been struggling a
> bit with its sound.
> I changed the original P-90 a number of years ago for a P-100 to get a darker, jazzier sound.

Is that necessary. Listen to (say) Hank Garland on P90s for what is more
or less a definitive "jazz tone".

> There was some improvement, but not as much as I was hoping for.
> Then very recently I bought a Gibson mini-humbucker and installed it in the ES-125.
> Although it had a cool sound, it wasn't the dark, jazz sound I was looking for.
> So I went back to the P-100.

The mini-h/b (the Firebird pickup) is renowned for its tone emphasising
treble (a bit like a Fender). The full-size Gibson h/b is offered in a
bewildering range of optional types, but the Burstbucker I is pretty
near to the fabled PAF unit of the 1950s.

I recently had one routed into a Gibson ES-165 (which was originally of
the later type fitted with a floating pickup). The tonal results were
spectacular. The guitar is now MUCH improved.

Want to buy a gold Gibson floating mini-h/b? ;-)

> I've thought about taking a spare 57-humbucker (bridge pickup) from my ES-175 and putting it into my ES-125 but that would require some routing work which I'm not keen on doing.

> If I knew in advance that the sound would be to my liking, I would do the routing, but right now it's too much of a gamble for me.

I don't see how you're ever going to find out, unless someone else has
already done that exact swap.

[Phantom Post]

Jazzer <google...@yahoo.com> wrote in news:703cf3cd-5c2f-485c-b986-
dec661...@googlegroups.com:

> Thanks Pat for letting me know about your experience with this.
> Did you do an A/B with the wiring to see if you could hear a difference?
> ie. install the new pickup first without the upgrade wiring kit?
>

No, I installed everything in one fell swoop. The pots especially feel so
much more positive than the originals. Jack and switch feel far better
quality too.

Working in an archtop, I wanted to leave the original harness intact and
just pull it all out. I also wanted to assemble the new and fish it all in
in one piece. I did have to enlarge the holes in the body a bit to fit the
new pots.

--

Pat

email: phartzATcoxDOTnet

[Jazzer]

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014 10:38:36 AM UTC-4, JNugent wrote:


> > What I would like to know is if simply changing the Artcore pickup for a Gibson Humbucker will be enough to get a sound close to a 135/175 sound?
>
>
>
> Since the construction of the Artcore semi-acoustic is similar to (at
>
> least some examples of) the Gibson 175, the pickup - and possibly the
>
> two control pots - are the obvious missing factor.

This is the thing.
Appearance-wise they do look similar, but if you look at the construction there has to be a significant difference.
The Artcore is quite a bit lighter than an ES-175 (90's or 2000's).

> Pickup changes are usually worthwhile if you are not satisfied with the
>
> sound of an electric guitar.

This is what I'm hoping for.

>
> >




> I recently had one routed into a Gibson ES-165 (which was originally of
>
> the later type fitted with a floating pickup). The tonal results were
>
> spectacular. The guitar is now MUCH improved.

That's good to know.

> I don't see how you're ever going to find out, unless someone else has
>
> already done that exact swap.

Yes you are right.

I may have a different project ahead of me now.
It depends how ambitious I am.

I was playing my Ibanez Benson last night and took a closer look at its bridge pickup.
I think I will remove it finally today (after about 30 years) :)
I never use it.

I'll take off the pick guard and pickup to reduce its weight.
Then I might try the pickup in my ES-125. That's a lot of work though. :(

[JNugent]

On 18/06/2014 22:47, Jazzer wrote:

> On Wednesday, June 18, 2014 10:38:36 AM UTC-4, JNugent wrote:

>>> What I would like to know is if simply changing the Artcore pickup for a Gibson Humbucker will be enough to get a sound close to a 135/175 sound?
>
>> Since the construction of the Artcore semi-acoustic is similar to (at
>> least some examples of) the Gibson 175, the pickup - and possibly the
>> two control pots - are the obvious missing factor.

> This is the thing.
> Appearance-wise they do look similar, but if you look at the construction there has to be a significant difference.
> The Artcore is quite a bit lighter than an ES-175 (90's or 2000's).

ES-175s from over the years vary in solidity of build, thickness of the
top, weight, etc. An early fifties example is noticeably lighter (and
dare I say it, more resonant) than a late 1980s model. I bet your Ibanez
is pretty similar to one 175 era or another. ;-)

>> Pickup changes are usually worthwhile if you are not satisfied with the
>> sound of an electric guitar.

> This is what I'm hoping for.
>
>> I recently had one routed into a Gibson ES-165 (which was originally of
>> the later type fitted with a floating pickup). The tonal results were
>> spectacular. The guitar is now MUCH improved.
>
> That's good to know.
>
>> I don't see how you're ever going to find out, unless someone else has
>> already done that exact swap.
>
> Yes you are right.
> I may have a different project ahead of me now.
> It depends how ambitious I am.
>
> I was playing my Ibanez Benson last night and took a closer look at its bridge pickup.
> I think I will remove it finally today (after about 30 years) :)
> I never use it.

At least it's a guitar where you can do what you propose, the only other
one I can think of would be with the Gibson Johnny Smith. I assume
you'll have a new pickguard made to cater for the neck pickup only.

[Tony Done]

I don't know what the Gibsons sound like, but thinking vintage and what
Gibson would have been using, would something like SD Seth Lovers be
appropriate?

--
Tony Done

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=784456

http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/

[Jazzer]

On Thursday, June 19, 2014 1:23:50 PM UTC-4, JNugent wrote:

> ES-175s from over the years vary in solidity of build, thickness of the
>
> top, weight, etc. An early fifties example is noticeably lighter (and
>
> dare I say it, more resonant) than a late 1980s model. I bet your Ibanez
>
> is pretty similar to one 175 era or another. ;-)

Yes I was quite surprised when I tried my first 50's 175 a few years ago.
As you said; quite a bit lighter and more resonant. It was poorly setup though so I didn't spend much time with it or get GAS over it.

The only Ibanez I currently have is my Benson GB-10 and it really isn't similar at all to any 175 I've tried. A voice/animal all to its own. Different, but great sounding.

> At least it's a guitar where you can do what you propose, the only other
>
> one I can think of would be with the Gibson Johnny Smith. I assume
>
> you'll have a new pickguard made to cater for the neck pickup only.

I did cut out the bridge pickup on my GB-10 last night and took off pick guard at the same time. Actually I won't be making a new pickguard.
Two reasons. First I am trying to take as much weight as I can off the guitar.
Every few ounces help/add up. If I take off enough, I won't need to buy an Artcore :).
Secondly, I don't use a pick much (mostly thumb) and when I do use a pick, my style is such that I never hit the guard, nor do I rest any part of my hand on it. I simply don't need it.


If I have time I might try to install the pickup into my ES-125, but I'll need to figure out how to mount it. That could be really tricky.

Over the weekend I'll probably remove the vol and tone pots for the GB-10 bridge pickup. Every few ounces helps! :)

But I'm quickly running out of things I can trim down.

There are a few more that I can think of but it's getting more and more difficult:
- the tail piece is one huge monster (but I like its design for string tension)
- the tuners
- I've entertained cutting off part of the headstock, but that would be pretty extreme.

[Jazzer]

On Thursday, June 19, 2014 8:53:25 PM UTC-4, Tony Done wrote:

> I don't know what the Gibsons sound like, but thinking vintage and what
>
> Gibson would have been using, would something like SD Seth Lovers be
>
> appropriate?

I'm quite a purist when it comes to pickups.
For Gibsons/Ibanezs only Gibbys or the Benson hummer.

[Tim McNamara]

On Thu, 19 Jun 2014 21:37:47 -0700 (PDT), Jazzer
<google...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> The only Ibanez I currently have is my Benson GB-10 and it really
> isn't similar at all to any 175 I've tried. A voice/animal all to its
> own. Different, but great sounding.

I've had a GB10 for about 30 years and it is, as you say, it's own
animal and a wonderful sounding guitar.

> I did cut out the bridge pickup on my GB-10 last night and took off
> pick guard at the same time. Actually I won't be making a new
> pickguard. Two reasons. First I am trying to take as much weight as I
> can off the guitar. Every few ounces help/add up. If I take off
> enough, I won't need to buy an Artcore :). Secondly, I don't use a
> pick much (mostly thumb) and when I do use a pick, my style is such
> that I never hit the guard, nor do I rest any part of my hand on it. I
> simply don't need it.
>
>
> If I have time I might try to install the pickup into my ES-125, but
> I'll need to figure out how to mount it. That could be really tricky.
>
> Over the weekend I'll probably remove the vol and tone pots for the
> GB-10 bridge pickup. Every few ounces helps! :)
>
> But I'm quickly running out of things I can trim down.
>
> There are a few more that I can think of but it's getting more and
> more difficult: - the tail piece is one huge monster (but I like its
> design for string tension) - the tuners - I've entertained cutting off
> part of the headstock, but that would be pretty extreme.

Yikes! Is the weight of the guitar really that much of an issue (for
people with neck or back problems it certainly can be). If so, you
might really want to consider a much lighter more ergonomic option such
as the Carvin Holdsworth headless models. Get an HH1 with the pickup in
the neck position or an HH2 without the bridge pickup, if you want to
save a few more ounces.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/hh1

[Jazzer]

On Friday, June 20, 2014 12:33:34 PM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:

> Yikes! Is the weight of the guitar really that much of an issue (for
>
> people with neck or back problems it certainly can be). If so, you
>
> might really want to consider a much lighter more ergonomic option such
>
> as the Carvin Holdsworth headless models. Get an HH1 with the pickup in
>
> the neck position or an HH2 without the bridge pickup, if you want to
>
> save a few more ounces.

Thanks Tim it is a very nice-looking guitar.
However it has a 25.5" neck which is a deal-breaker for me.
24.75" is the length I need.

[Tim McNamara]

I used to think I preferred the 25.5" scale because I have big hands and
kind of fat fingers (but them I am 6'4" so no surprise there). The GB10
is 24.75, however, and my Cushman archtop is 25" and now I think I
prefer the shorer scale with steel strings. It's been a slow evolution.

I've gone back and forth on single coil vs. humbuckers and round vs.
flat wounds. In terms of the latter it is now matching the string to
the guitar in terms of gauge and winding- my archtop has Pyramid round
11s, my GB10 has Pyramid Gold flat 11s, my Tele has D'Addario Chromes
12s, my other solid body has D'Addario round 12s... which guitar I
choose is dependent on mood and whim.

[Jazzer]

On Friday, June 20, 2014 4:44:45 PM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:

re: the weight of the guitars.
Yes as you age your body's preferences change as to how much weight it enjoys supporting. :)

30+ years ago when I bought my GB-10, its weight didn't really factor into the purchase equation.

I like to practice at times standing up, and also perform that way from time to time. That's when a guitar's weight comes into play.

I also play violin, and when you compare the weight differences between the two instruments it's quite remarkable (especially some heavier guitars).

> The GB10 is 24.75, however, and my Cushman archtop is 25" and now I think I
>
> prefer the shorer scale with steel strings. It's been a slow evolution.

Yes I also gravitated to the shorter scale by instinct.
I have an average hand size but a short thumb.
I recently had a neck re-built for my Godin Multiac, it's now 24.75" and feels like a new guitar. It's great!

> I've gone back and forth on single coil vs. humbuckers and round vs.
>
> flat wounds.

Yeah, on some guitars I don't actually mind a single coil pu.
I have one on my ES-150 and it sounds just fine (P90).

> In terms of the latter it is now matching the string to
>
> the guitar in terms of gauge and winding- my archtop has Pyramid round
>
> 11s, my GB10 has Pyramid Gold flat 11s, my Tele has D'Addario Chromes
>
> 12s, my other solid body has D'Addario round 12s... which guitar I
>
> choose is dependent on mood and whim.

I tried out flatwounds many years ago and used them for a period, but now all my guitars have round wound. It's more a feel thing than a sound thing for me.

My GB-10 and ES-175 today have TI Jazz Bebop 12s
My ES-150 has TI Jazz Bebop 13s.

[Tim McNamara]

On Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:20:36 -0700 (PDT), Jazzer
<google...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Friday, June 20, 2014 4:44:45 PM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:
>
>> The GB10 is 24.75, however, and my Cushman archtop is 25" and now I
>> think I prefer the shorer scale with steel strings. It's been a slow
>> evolution.
>
> Yes I also gravitated to the shorter scale by instinct. I have an
> average hand size but a short thumb. I recently had a neck re-built
> for my Godin Multiac, it's now 24.75" and feels like a new guitar.
> It's great!

I've never tried one but Warmoth and others make conversion necks for
Teles and Strats to use 24.75" scale. Joey Goldstein mentioned having
done this with his main Tele, which also has a Classic 57 humbucker in
the neck position a la Ed Bickert.

[Jazzer]

On Friday, June 20, 2014 10:36:16 PM UTC-4, Tim McNamara wrote:

> I've never tried one but Warmoth and others make conversion necks for
>
> Teles and Strats to use 24.75" scale. Joey Goldstein mentioned having
>
> done this with his main Tele, which also has a Classic 57 humbucker in
>
> the neck position a la Ed Bickert.

Yes, I actually first learned about them here and had a 24.75" made for my Strat (Squier) a few years ago. I believe the company I used was U.S.A. Custom Guitars.
It worked out nicely in the end.

[John D]

Hi all, been off this board for years. I have an arctore AFJ91 that I put a
SD59 coil tapped pup in. It is an enormous improvement over the stock pup. Some years ago I had an AF85 that I tried several pups in (seth lover, SD59 and I forget the other one). I preferred the SD59 in that too.

I'd like to reintroduce myself as I may be up for selling this AFJ91. Years ago
I bought/sold/swapped quite a few RE cabs in an effort to try them all with members of this group. I also sold a couple Clarus heads, other speakers etc to
Mark Guest, Nate, and others whose names I don't recollect. Jack and I emailed about John Garvey.

Ref my AFJ91 I also put nickel hardware on it but have all the original and OHSC.

[brucehelgeson]

On Monday, June 16, 2014 6:35:21 PM UTC-4, Jazzer wrote:
> Has anyone here bought and changed a pickup on an Ibanez Artcore guitar?
>
>
>
> I'm thinking specifically about these guitars:
>
> AKJ95, AG95, AG75
>
> but if you have modded any in the series I'd still like to hear about it.
>
>
>
> My main aim is to take a very light, easy playing archtop and get it to sound as close to a Gibson ES-175/ES-135 humbucker sound.
>
>
>
> The AG95 that I recently tried has all the requirements that I'm looking for, except for its sound. :)
>
> It's very light, easy to play and well-constructed.
>
>
>
> The only problem with it is its sound. It doesn't sound anywhere near one of the above Gibsons.
>
>
>
> Is this mission impossible, or can a pickup replacement on this guitar
>
> get it close to a 135/175?

I put Gibson Classic 57s in my Artcore AK85 (similar to AK95)about 10yr ago...even the bridge PUP which I never use. I didn't change any wiring. I was a little disappointed that the sound only changed by about 10-15% favorable. It adds a bit of an "airy " quality. I remember thinking how surprised I was to learn the AK PUPs are really pretty good. I enjoy that box for teaching because it's so light and easy to play.I bought it because of the nice acoustic sound compared to many archtops(and the easy playability). I then bought an L-4(175-like) and Acoustic Image with Raezers edge stealth 10"(2)...no comparison at club volumes...wow. I have compared them side by side a few times(same amp and room), and while the AK is fun and doable,and adequate the L-4 absolutely kills it..total magical full tone. Both have TI Bebop .012s. Again..it needs to be at restaurant or esp club volume to get the full magic.
I still teach with the AK.

[Jazzer]

On 7/2/2014 9:04 AM, brucehelgeson wrote:

>
> I put Gibson Classic 57s in my Artcore AK85 (similar to AK95)about 10yr ago...even the bridge PUP which I never use. I didn't change any wiring. I was a little disappointed that the sound only changed by about 10-15% favorable. It adds a bit of an "airy " quality. I remember thinking how surprised I was to learn the AK PUPs are really pretty good. I enjoy that box for teaching because it's so light and easy to play.I bought it because of the nice acoustic sound compared to many archtops(and the easy playability). I then bought an L-4(175-like) and Acoustic Image with Raezers edge stealth 10"(2)...no comparison at club volumes...wow. I have compared them side by side a few times(same amp and room), and while the AK is fun and doable,and adequate the L-4 absolutely kills it..total magical full tone. Both have TI Bebop .012s. Again..it needs to be at restaurant or esp club volume to get the full magic.
> I still teach with the AK.
>

Thanks for the heads up Bruce.
It's just the type of info I was looking for.

A 10-15% improvement on tone isn't exactly
what I'm looking for with the AK Artcore.

I guess I'll continue stripping down my Benson GB-10.
It's already lost one pickup, pick guard, two pots... :)

[Tony Done]

FWIW, re Jazzers reply to me. I think he is doing himself a disservice
by confining his search to Gibson pickups. However, it's his choice, so
I didn't continue the discussion.