A Few Questions...

> > > A Few Questions...

Posted on

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive Since: Nov 11, 2007

First, anybody have any pros/cons of the VOX Valvetronix amp?

Second, does anybody know why Ibanez's AWD83 Semi-Hollow Body Guitar was discontinued?

Third, any pros/cons of Ibanez's AF75 Hollow Body Guitar?

And lastly, is there any website or resource of some kind where I can look up what effects different bands use? I'm interested in certain guitar effects that I've heard in my songs but I don't know what they are.


Thanks.

[ Back to Top ]


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 22, 2007 02:03 pm

They are not discontinued as far as I can see. Hop on over to zZounds via the link here and check em out. They have all the 83 models. It is now an artcore version from Ibanez though so that might prohibit you from finding it easily. That and maybe your local music store just doesn't want to order any of them.

On the AF75, it as well is now in the Artcore series and are great guitars. They are of course a true full hollow body guitar. I do like their sound as it is a very Jazz oriented type sound. Think Brian Setzer of Stray Cats and that is the sound you will get. Very well made guitar and the pick ups are not half bad.

Simply google what you are looking for as far as the bands equipment and for from there.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005

Nov 22, 2007 02:11 pm

Quote:
And lastly, is there any website or resource of some kind where I can look up what effects different bands use? I'm interested in certain guitar effects that I've heard in my songs but I don't know what they are.

Try here:
guitargeek.com/

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 22, 2007 03:09 pm

That's wierd...a music store was unable to order it because they said it was discontinued. Also, stores like Guitar Center don't even carry it. The version of it the AWD83T (same but with tremolo) might not be discontinued and I'm pretty sure a limited edition version (AWD82) has not been discontinued.

Any pros or cons of the VOX Valvetronix?

How do you think the AF75 would sound playing indie/alternative rock (ex. Modest Mouse) lines with effects and all that?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 22, 2007 04:53 pm

I think the 75 would sound pretty decent. There have been many bands using hollow body guitars over the years in high gain or medium high gain situations with pretty decent sounds.

As for the Vox Valvetronix. It is an OK unit. I personally like the older real Vox like an AC30 would be a keeper. But they are jumping on the modeling bandwagon with a product that wasn't quite ready for market. It sound OK, but in all honesty a POD or Toneport can get a better sound for a better price.

IF you really want a valve amp with killer modeling technology then you might want to look at the Line6 Spider Valve. It is a project with Bogner and has an much better sound right out of the box.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 22, 2007 06:19 pm

I was interested in the Valvetronix because I don't want to buy a big floor modeling unit; it just has a few basic models and effects. Is it a reliable amp?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 22, 2007 06:59 pm

Oh ya, it is going to be reliable for sure. And it does have a pretty decent sound. Depending on which one you buy you will have good clean tone and be able to get a pretty decent hi gain sound out of it as well. They are a very sturdy amp for sure.

Do you know exactly which model you are thinking of getting?

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 23, 2007 11:57 am

I don't. But it will either be the VOX Valvetronix 15 WAT or 30 WAT.


Is it easier or harder to change the strings on the AF models which have that floating bridge. How well does it stay in tune?

Easier or harder to change the strings on the AGS83B? And how well does that stay in tune?

What about changing strings on the AWD83T? It has a tremolo. How's its tuning?

How about changing strings on the AGS83B? Tuning?


Also, the only reasons I'm thinking twice about the AF75 is that the cut away is kind of high and that it's only a one-piece-neck. How much of a difference is a one-piece-neck going to make?

Alot of questions I know but please answer them all if you can.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 23, 2007 04:19 pm

Although the 15 is nice the 30 will probably give you a little more tone versatility.

As for changing strings, well it is about the same as doing a Floyd or anything with a floater. Same on the 83 with the trem. You just have to be careful not to knock anything out while doing it and just play everything back as it was.

As for the one piece neck. I like them for the sustain.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 23, 2007 04:40 pm

What exactly is a floater bridge? Is it the kind of bridge on the AF75? The AGS83B doesn't have one does it? The AWD83 (without tremolo) doesn't have one does it?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 23, 2007 04:48 pm

Have a look here at the page comparing them all. www.ibanez.com/hollow/guitar.aspx?m=AWD83

They are all easy to work on really. Like I said, it is just a matter of having them set up proper to begin with and then not messing about with them.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 23, 2007 05:01 pm

I've been on that website....probably too much but I don't know what ACT or ACH1 means. Can you tell me what kind of bridges these models have: AWD83, AWD83T, AGS83B, and AF75.

How good does the AWD83T stay in tune? I've heard that after you tune one all the others go out of tune and that's it's a long process to tune it.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 23, 2007 07:47 pm

The 83T is the only one with a floater. The others are considered a hard tail for lack a better term. The floater would be the toughest to set up on a re stringing.

But as I stated before, it is a must to have the guitar set up properly with intonation done correctly and all. That is the main reason you would hear that tuning one string takes another out of tune. That is because the intonation is off and the bridge is not set up properly.

So if you buy even a brand new guitar, odds are good it will not be set up at all. So that is the first thing you should do upon purchase of a guitar is have it set up by someone who knows what they are doing.

Otherwise you will end up with the problem you stated above.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 24, 2007 01:23 am

I'm still curious however about which AWD models are discontinued. The website is useless for finding that out. Some stores carry certain ones but not others. It's all really confusing...I really like the AWD83 but I don't want to buy a model that is discontinued (maybe discontinued because of a problem/hard to find parts or get repaired).


Also, will the AF75 fit in any case? I really like those new foam cases and I'm wondering if it would fit in that.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 24, 2007 02:22 pm

If the guitar is still on the Ibanez website and not shown as discontinued then it is still in production. No matter what the dealer tells you. They simply may not sell them because no one has ever asked for one.

My suggestion is to contact Ibanez directly to find out if you are unsure.

As for the case, I would not have any idea on that. Again, ask Ibanez or the dealer.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 24, 2007 04:33 pm

The dealer was going to order the AWD83 (which is still on the Ibanez website) and called Ibanez themselves. Ibanez told them they can't order it for us because it's discontinued. I have sent an email to Ibanez about this but haven't gotten any sort of reply. I can't find a phone number for them so if you find one tell me.

Thanks.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 25, 2007 12:16 am

I'll see what I can dig up tomorrow.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 27, 2007 05:46 pm

Are you ever going to "dig it up."

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 27, 2007 10:10 pm

Quote:
I'll see what I can dig up tomorrow.

That means I will try and find something. Tomorrow got very busy here. I have not heard back from my contacts on a number as of yet. And I have not had time to get in touch with a friend of ours that runs a couple of music stores.

When time permits I will see what I can do for you.

I know Ibanez is very quick to reply to question if you email them. I suggest trying that as well. I have never waited more then 24 hours for a reply from them.

I wish I had a profile picture
Inactive
Since: Nov 11, 2007

Nov 27, 2007 11:19 pm

Thanks for all the help and extra effort.

I did email Ibanez and it's been days...no reply.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 28, 2007 03:05 pm

I will be talking to my buddy tomorrow and ask if he has a number to Ibanez, or if he can find out what is available or not. I'll post back here either tomorrow evening or Friday.

> > > A Few Questions...

Related Forum Topics:


If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.