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Average Price: $551

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$500

$1201+

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Description

Step into the rich world of vintage sound with the Ibanez AFJ85, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that elegantly bridges the gap between classic aesthetics and modern versatility. Designed to resonate with any musician craving authentic tones, the AFJ85 boasts a flame-maple body and a spruce top, delivering warm, crisp sounds that echo the rich overtones unique to hollowbody guitars. Its 3-piece mahogany and maple neck offers exceptional playability, making it perfect for seamless transitions across genres, from jazz to rockabilly.

The AFJ85 comes equipped with dual humbuckers, engineered to minimize noise while amplifying the guitar's natural warmth and clarity. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, these pickups bring your melodies to life with precise articulation and just the right amount of vintage overdrive. The bound rosewood fretboard and medium frets ensure that every performance feels as smooth as it sounds, while the Sure Grip III knobs provide precise control over your sound.

Crafted as part of the renowned Ibanez Artcore series, the AFJ85 is not just an instrument—it's a statement. Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring musician, this guitar invites you to explore an expansive range of tones and styles with confidence and flair.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design with a flame-maple body and spruce top
  • Dual humbuckers for warm, noise-free tones
  • 3-piece mahogany and maple neck for enhanced playability
  • Bound rosewood fingerboard with medium frets
  • Sure Grip III knobs for precise control
  • High-quality flat wound strings for smooth sound and playability

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model AFJ85-VSB Artcore
Finish Vintage Sunburst
Year 2012
Made In China
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Orange
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez AF
Model Sub-Family Ibanez AFJ
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Ibanez Artcore

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Ibanez AFJ85 suitable for?

The Ibanez AFJ85 is well-suited for jazz, blues, and classic rock due to its warm, rich tones and hollow body design, which provide excellent resonance and sustain.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez AFJ85 like?

The Ibanez AFJ85 features a comfortable set-neck construction with a maple neck, providing smooth playability and easy access to higher frets, ideal for intricate jazz chords and solos.

What type of pickups does the Ibanez AFJ85 have?

The Ibanez AFJ85 is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, which deliver a warm, full-bodied sound with reduced noise, perfect for clean and articulate tones.

Is the Ibanez AFJ85 suitable for beginners?

While the Ibanez AFJ85 offers professional-level features, its comfortable playability and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners looking to explore jazz or blues.

How does the Ibanez AFJ85's body construction affect its sound?

The hollow body construction of the Ibanez AFJ85, made from maple, enhances its acoustic resonance, producing a warm, rich tone with excellent sustain, ideal for jazz and blues.

John Milton

John Milton

Ibanez Artcore AFJ 85 Review

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Artcore AFJ 85 Review by John Milton

Ibanez Artcore AFJ 85 Review

John Milton

John Milton

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AFJ85 Guitar Review by GitarrenGuide

Ibanez AFJ85 Guitar Review

GitarrenGuide

GitarrenGuide

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Artcore AFJ85-VSB Hollowbody-E-Gitarre im Test auf musikmachen.de by musikmachen.de

Ibanez Artcore AFJ85-VSB Hollowbody-E-Gitarre im Test auf musikmachen.de

musikmachen.de

musikmachen.de

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Artcore AFJ85-VSB Hollowbody-E-Gitarre im Test by musikmachen.de

Ibanez Artcore AFJ85-VSB Hollowbody-E-Gitarre im Test

musikmachen.de

musikmachen.de

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AFJ 85 by Marcin Dąbski

Ibanez AFJ 85

Marcin Dąbski

Marcin Dąbski

Video thumbnail for Folge 06 IBANEZ Artstar AF151 2016 und Artcore AFJ85 2012 by Gitarrensammler

Folge 06 IBANEZ Artstar AF151 2016 und Artcore AFJ85 2012

Gitarrensammler

Gitarrensammler

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AFJ85.

Comparisons

  • The Ibanez AFJ85 is favored for its versatility across rock, blues, funk, and jazz, similar to how a Strat can emulate a Les Paul sound.

    Source
  • The Ibanez AFJ85, with its stock D'Addario flatwound strings, is noted for its suitability for jazz, blues, and classic rock but not as a direct ES-295 alternative.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The AFJ85 is praised for performing well in 60s, 70s, and 80s rock settings, accommodating various musical styles effectively.

    Source

User experience

  • An owner emphasizes the importance of feel over sound, suggesting the AFJ85 provides a good balance for learning and practice.

    Source
  • An owner who started with an Ibanez AFJ85 continues to appreciate its quality years later, highlighting its lasting appeal and reliability.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The AFJ85 is considered a strong choice within a 1000€ budget, allowing for investment in both guitar and a quality amp.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Loose neck inlays can be fixed with CA (super glue) or a rubber mallet; some owners prefer professional repairs for peace of mind.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users report neck inlays can become detached over time, suggesting a need for periodic checks and potential repairs.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The AFJ85 comes equipped with D'Addario flatwound strings by default, contributing to its smooth playability and warm tone ideal for jazz.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Paul Gilbert uses Ibanez AFJ85

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist

Mr. Big

...
Verified via YouTube

At 2:56 in this video Paul Gilbert shows his Ibanez AFJ85.

Album Usage

The Ibanez AFJ85 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez AFJ85, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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