Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $378
Budget/Beginner
$500
$1201+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ibanez AS53 Artcore". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Ibanez AS53 Artcore is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that perfectly blends classic allure and modern performance. Crafted with a sapele body, this guitar offers warm, resonant tones and a captivating visual appeal. The wood's natural grain enhances the guitar's aesthetic while providing a tonal richness akin to mahogany but with a touch more brightness. Its compact, thinline shape makes it exceptionally comfortable, especially for those accustomed to solidbody guitars, without sacrificing the lush, airy tones semi-hollow guitars are known for.
At the heart of the AS53's sound are the Infinity R humbuckers, designed to deliver a well-balanced and noise-free performance. These pickups capture the essence of each note, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities from smooth jazz to gritty rock. The pickups are strategically mounted in a sustain block, ensuring robust sustain and minimizing unwanted feedback.
The guitar features a sturdy nyatoh neck with a silky laurel fingerboard, ensuring comfortable playability across all 22 frets. The neck's design offers a speedy and smooth playing experience, inviting guitarists to explore every inch of its fretboard with ease. Moreover, the AS53 comes equipped with a Quickchange III tailpiece, making string changes a breeze and maintaining optimal tuning stability.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just stepping into the world of semi-hollowbody guitars, the Ibanez AS53 Artcore offers an impressive palette of tones and a playing experience that's hard to beat for its price.
Key Features:
- Sapele top, back, and sides for warm, resonant tones
- Nyatoh neck with a laurel fingerboard for comfortable playability
- Infinity R humbuckers for noise-free, balanced sound
- Quickchange III tailpiece for easy string changes
- Compact, thinline semi-hollowbody shape for enhanced comfort
- 22 frets and 24.75" scale length
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Semi-hollowbody |
| Body Shape | AS Doublecut |
| Body Material | Linden |
| Top Material | Linden |
| Body Finish | Satin |
| Neck Material | Nyatoh |
| Neck Shape | Artcore AS |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium |
| Scale Length | 24.7" |
| Nut Width | 1.692" |
| Nut Material | Plastic |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Gibraltar Performer Bridge with Quik Change III Tailpiece |
| Tuners | Closed Gear |
| Neck Pickup | Infinity R Ceramic Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Infinity R Ceramic Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | .010-.052 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Ibanez AS53 Artcore suitable for?
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The Ibanez AS53 Artcore is versatile and well-suited for jazz, blues, and rock due to its semi-hollowbody design, which offers warm tones and rich sustain.
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What is the neck profile of the Ibanez AS53 Artcore like?
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The Ibanez AS53 Artcore features an Artcore AS neck profile, providing a comfortable playing experience with a medium thickness that's ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.
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How does the Ibanez AS53 Artcore handle feedback?
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The semi-hollowbody design of the Ibanez AS53 Artcore is feedback-resistant, making it suitable for higher volume settings without unwanted noise, especially beneficial for live performances.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Infinity R Ceramic Humbuckers on the Ibanez AS53 Artcore?
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The Infinity R Ceramic Humbuckers on the Ibanez AS53 deliver a warm tone with a quick response, providing clarity and depth suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
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Is the Ibanez AS53 Artcore a good choice for beginners?
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Yes, the Ibanez AS53 Artcore is a great option for beginners due to its comfortable playability, versatile sound, and affordable price point, making it easy to explore various musical styles.
Videos
Bernd Kiltz Guitar
Ibanez AS53 quick video test
Reviews
PROS
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Lightweight design makes it easy to handle for long sessions
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Infinity R pickups deliver impressive sound quality for stock ceramics
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Warm neck tone with versatile bridge twang
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Smooth neck finish enhances playability, even with sweaty hands
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Excellent fit and finish for its price range
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Highly praised for its appearance and craftsmanship
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Offers great value; sounds and feels premium without a high price tag
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Comes with a slotted Quik Change III tailpiece, unlike many competitors
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Comfortable ergonomic design, suitable for sitting or standing
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Versatile sound, suitable for genres from Beatles to Metallica
CONS
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Some find playability stiff; not ideal for string bending
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Neck profile may be too thick for those preferring slimmer feels
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Initial string setup might require personal adjustment for optimal playability
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Some users felt the bridge impacted playability negatively
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AS53 Artcore.
User experience
Use cases and applications
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The AS53 is considered versatile for genres like alt rock, indie pop, neo soul, and singer-songwriter styles, aligning with artists who favor semi-hollow tones.
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The Ibanez Artcore guitars are praised for their fun playability, often preferred for unplugged practice due to their louder acoustic volume.
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Comparisons
Features and functionality
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The AS53 is favored for its aesthetic appeal and affordable price point, making it a popular choice for those transitioning from classical guitars to electric.
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The jack placement on the side is preferred over the top placement typical of 335-style guitars, offering improved cable management.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners frequently recommend replacing stock pickups with Seymour Duncan PAF-style pickups, such as Antiquities or Seth Lovers, for improved tone.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
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