Ibanez AM2000H vs. AM153QA: The 2 Best Guitars I’ve Played?

[@beneunson]

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[@thormusique]

Great video, thank you! Both these quitars sound exquisite to my ear. I have the AM153QA, and I must say I love the Tri-sound switch and use it almost all the time. It makes the tonal range of this instrument surprisingly broad. I do quite a bit of session work and this has become my main instrument for nearly a year now. I get frequent compliments both in studio and on stage for its sonic characteristics and its lack of noise. By the way, I truly love your playing. Cheers!

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your insight and your kind words. I agree about the Tri-sound switch (I use it too!) and this guitar is indeed excellent in studio/session settings. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@painfreeremedy5609]

Not much video out there covering these 2 Ibanez guitar. Thank you Ben for making this quality comparison video. 🙏🏽

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for checking this out! A number of people asked me for a comparison video, so I really appreciate you watching it! 😀

[@ashwashakash9008]

I loved the way this genius teaches the world and the way he dress his printed shirts… he knows how to play and dress well too.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

[@No.0.o.0]

Can’t wait for your ibanez signature.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much! One day, fingers crossed 😀

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

I love my '81 AS-50! Incredible attendtion to detail (much better than Gibsoms from the time period) and as close to a perfect neck as I have ever played. Only three (3) things I dislike - 1) on the heavy side os 335s, 2) it is slightly neck heavy and I despise the stress on the shoulder from the dreaded "neck dive," and 3) the pickups are too hot! The AS-200 had slighly less output humbuckers and to my ears sound more balanced. Again, the best - most stable, most accurate, and straightes neck - on any guitar I have owned, or played, of my 60 years of guitar playing! Back to the comparison - the 2000H has a more "open: less compressed sound to my old ears. If I only played with overdrive I would probably prefer the 153, but since I play "clean" in my old age, I prefer the 2000!

[@beneunson]

Great analysis! Thanks for sharing - yes I agree, the AM2000H is more "open" sounding. The clean sound is just perfect on this guitar. Thanks for watching!

[@ryevick]

Very nice Ben! I own the Ibanez AM153QA (AMAZING) and the Ibanez Artcore AF85TDG hollow body w/Bigsby, with a completely upgraded electrical harness and I installed a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups.

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for sharing - both are great guitars! Very interesting that you upgraded the AF85TDG, I bet it sounds fantastic!

[@cattafish]

TheAM2000H has a deeper low end to my ears. giving a very pronounced difference at the middle pickup setting. I'm not sure if you could use EQ to get the 153 closer but if money was an object I'd be tempted to try. Also, people have complained about neck dive on the AM2000.. There are ways of compensating by adding weight to the strap but that's not for everyone. As a jazz guy I'd go for the Scofield model if I had the money. ..My AS153 never quite did it for me although I knew less about amp settings, position of effects in the chain proper use of EQ, multiple delays. reverb with pre delay, better string choice etc. and would likely get a better sound out of it now. Budget wise I'd go for the AM93ME NT which for the price is quite incredible. Check out Ant Law's jazz demo of that one and see if you agree.

[@bobjanetmart506]

That neck tone on the AM2000h is so crisp, right from the start of the video

[@beneunson]

So glad you like it!

[@Magik1369]

Buttery smooth...sweet tone. Time to shop for one of these models.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much! Absolutely, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either of these guitars! 😀

[@OscarWILD-mq1jv]

Beautiful sounds, Ben

[@beneunson]

Thanks Oscar!

[@PrinceVinceOfficial]

It's quite possible that I have zero idea what I'm talking about, or hearing, but the 153 seems to have a flatter or deader attack. I think I like that one a bit better.

[@beneunson]

Great observation! Thanks for checking it out!

[@davidkeller6156]

I’ve got the AM153QA on my wish list on Sweetwater. Have to pay off the PRS 594 SE I just bought first, then it will be mine. Love your playing on the Sweetwater site for the guitar.

[@beneunson]

Thanks David! So glad you saw that video at Sweetwater!

[@localpm]

This video has come at exactly the right time I'm just in the Market for getting a jazz box.

[@beneunson]

So glad to hear it! The AM2000H is a great guitar for this 😀

[@cgmahony]

Ben you're a beast. AM2000H for me and I have already started saving but your demonstration is flawed because you make both guitars sound so good. RESPECT from Ireland ☘🍉

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much, Conor! I really appreciate it 😀

[@cgmahony]

@@beneunson You're welcome Ben. ☺

[@GordonPavilion]

I’ve owned an Ibanez LR-10 from new…still plays great, still sounds AMAZING. Play with D’Addario 10-46’s for me…perfect!

[@beneunson]

Absolutely! The LR-10 was built incredibly well - all of those 80s Ibanez guitars were among the best guitars ever made.

[@andreasjonsson5823]

You sound great on both guitars! Thinking of getting the AM2000

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much, Andreas! It's a great guitar - you won't be disappointed!

[@MVos-md3rp]

I have 2000 mfg. AS200, MIJ, and it is perfect and a beauty. Put a Seth Lollar in the neck though. Does it all, comfortably!

[@beneunson]

Sounds great!

[@garymesser9065]

I have an earlier version, the AM 153 … in Bubinga. It’s a guitar that will be with me always.

[@beneunson]

I know this version of the 153 - a great guitar!

[@Calbertone]

Great review thank you. MIJ is the way to go imo but the Indonesian 153 is also outstanding and great value. I wish Ibanez offered more pup options, like their super 70s which are hotter but as you roll the volume down you are back to the super58 sound. I think your as50 has V2 pups, which are even hotter than the super 70s.

[@beneunson]

Love the classic V2 pickups - no one ever mentions them, so I'm glad you did! It's no wonder Ibanez billed the AS50 as "the little screamer" at one point! The MIJ AM2000H is just stunning, but indeed both are amazing instruments. Thanks for watching 😎

[@EnricoDellAquila]

P.S.: but I still love more your "old" strat sound!

[@carlodevivomusicontent2138]

Both sound and look amazing

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@lesa8020]

Hi Ben, just made my order for the AM153QA. Now I'm trying to find a proper gig bag. Are you using a gig bag for yours? If so, what brand/model gig bag do you use? Kind regards

[@beneunson]

So glad you to hear you've purchased the AM153QA! I think you'll love it. I've actually been carrying mine around in an Ibanez hard case, but I'm sure there's a Mono case that will work perfectly with this guitar.

[@nicholasrigg8999]

I've found the bridge Super 58 to sound a bit 'quacky' if you see what I mean. Just isn't my thing but in the middle position with the tone rolled off it sounds great

[@beneunson]

Fair observation! I occasionally roll the tone off on the bridge pickup too, depending on whether I want a little less treble. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@CAGED1702]

The differences in tone are marginal, or very subtle IMHO. The AM2000h sounds almost like a full hollow bodied Jazzbox whereas the AM153QA is more in the realm of an ES335. I also think that the 153QA is the more versatile guitar due to its Tri-Sound switch. How do these two compare in terms of weight? Just curious...

[@beneunson]

Yes, the AM2000H sounds very nearly like a jazz box, and the AM153QA has more classic semi-acoustic tones. I don't have the exact weights, but the AM2000H is extremely light, and the AM153QA is definitely noticeably heavier - but still not too heavy. Thanks so much for watching! 😀

[@linwang3046]

Ben - you need to build your Ibanez signature (or any brand rly) and I will buy!!!

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate that! Thank you so much, I hope one day soon!

[@Kolavskaya]

Gut reaction: AM153QA, boom! Where's the till, does it come with a case? Great! How much? I'll take out a loan, be back tomorrow! Why? I find that if I want bite, I still have the bridge PU (they're nearly the same); but I find that the tonal variety (or how far removed the neck PU is from the bridge PU, sound-wise) would give me more tonal variety and a greater bandwidth from harsh to warm. I do simply just like the overall warmer tone - both and the neck PU a killing me. It's not as 'poignant', but I just can't get away from how warm this guitar sounds. The AM2000H, to me, sounds more 'punk-axe-y', like a Telecaster^10, whereas the AM153QA seems more flexible, and just 'so very' has a unique quality in its warmer tones, both clean and distorted. If I had to make a 10 minute decision and had a gig tomorrow that I need a semi for, my money's undoubtedly on the AM153QA, any day. Actually, I want one and gonna look up prices! It's frickin' gorgeous! They're both fantastic guitars and the AM2000H has a bit more edge; but I'm happy to sacrifice that clarity for more character. The AM153QA is just the better story teller. Thanks for you excellent, invaluable comparison video, Ben!

[@beneunson]

Very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing your insights! Interesting observations about the AM2000H, and yes - the AM153QA definitely has tonal variety and bite! Thanks for watching 😀

[@Kolavskaya]

@@beneunson🙂! Great comparison video. And thanks for your comments. I sadly never 'majored' in guitar; never found chords easy to get my small hands around, so I'm one those 'well,-so-I-became-a-bassist-instead'-guitarists and spent more time behind the other side of the studio's window. But I've never lost my love for the instrument and still dabble. I'd happily grab either guitar of these two, coz I just have an Epiphone SG Pro; which is kinda neat, but not as rich as, and comparatively lacking in tonal variety than, guitars like yours there. 😎

[@henrygreen8264]

Hey Ben I tried what I’m assuming is a slightly older model (has a different design on headstock) of the am153QA and I love the guitar but the neck is very chunky. Is that the same on your newer model? Ideally I’m looking for something slightly thinner and I’m wondering if there’s a chance the newer model might be closer to that as I’ve seen the neck profile described as thin online. Would love to hear your thoughts, thanks!

[@beneunson]

Hey Henry, yes the neck on the most recent AM153QA is definitely chunky. The neck on the AM2000H is noticeably slimmer by comparison - I guess it's just a matter of personal taste at that point. I like both personally! 😀

[@skipperherman5766]

The AM 153 QA is my favorite. I liked the sonics better.

[@beneunson]

It's a great guitar!

[@EnricoDellAquila]

To me the AM153QA is better with distorsion and pedals in general, having a more defined sound. The AM2000H is superior with clean sounds, and gets a bit more muddy with distorsion. ... need both! 😂

[@beneunson]

Thanks Enrico! Funny you should mention it - I've been using the AM2000H primarily for clean sounds, and the AM153QA for my distortion sounds. I think having both is a great option! 😀

[@wilrikken4869]

Hi Ben, great video, with two great guitars, and tone. Is there some compression going on there while recording the comparison?

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for checking it out, Wil! I didn't add any compression, just a touch of reverb/delay and minimal EQ-ing on the examples. Hope you enjoyed it! 😀

[@wilrikken4869]

@@beneunson Thanks for the response! I liked the tone of the AM153QA so much I had to get me one. In Europe it wasn't available so ordered it all the way from Japan...

[@beneunson]

That is fantastic, Wil! It's such a great instrument - would love to hear you playing it!

[@clydebermingham121]

Well …. The AM2000H is the made in Japan - Prestige level Ibanez … more sturdier …. ( A bit more than double the price … etc …) But they are both same Style guitar body type … AM series …

[@jackcarrolton12]

This is great Ben. How does the neck feel on both guitars? Does it feel the same or slightly different?

[@beneunson]

AM153QA neck is slightly chunkier, and the AM2000H is noticeably slimmer by comparison. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@KitCotter]

Oh, sorry, mate, was distracted by those great bop lines you play... took my whole attention, lol. I have the Ibanez archtop w the single cutaway, slightly diff sound again...

[@beneunson]

😀 Thank you so much for listening! Which Ibanez is that one? I bet it's great!

[@noctilux7799]

AM 2000 for me. It sounds…well… rounder? Difficult to express with words. Beautiful playing btw.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for listening! I agree, the AM2000H sounds a bit rounder

[@mathmusicstructure]

I love jumbo frets too much and can't go back. I wish there was an Ibanez like this, but with jumbos.

[@beneunson]

Interesting idea!

[@tamastoth2287]

Would you be so kind to tell us how heavy are these instruments? I've only found AMH90 in local stores which I liked, but the AF and AG series guitars were too heavy for my taste.

[@beneunson]

I don't have the exact weights, but the AM2000H is very light considering it is full-hollow. The AM153QA is slightly heavier, similar to the weight of a typical semi-acoustic guitar but fractionally lighter due to the small body.

[@tamastoth2287]

@@beneunson Thank you for your answer. Btw after I asked I got to know that unfortunately the AM2000H is no longer in production (official Ibanez answer) so there is no dilemma here :/

[@anotherbahamianguitarplayer]

​@@beneunsonhow is it full hollow

[@RobRosenwinkel-Holdsworth]

What strings do you have on the AM2000H?

[@beneunson]

I have D'addario 10-46 on both guitars. Thanks for watching!

[@ideasyiknulis4638]

Am153 provides a sound like a solid guitar but a little wider

[@beneunson]

Very similar to a solid body guitar in many ways! 😀

[@anotherbahamianguitarplayer]

Ben which guitar is better

[@beneunson]

Both are great! I think the AM2000H is a slightly more luxe instrument in certain ways, but I use both guitars and they're excellent! Thanks for watching 😀

[@anotherbahamianguitarplayer]

​@@beneunsonso Am2000h is better

[@tacetjackalmighty]

I think the S series 7 strings are peak ngl

[@beneunson]

They're great guitars!

[@christianhalverson9070]

what kind of strap is that?

[@beneunson]

Franklin Straps on both guitars: franklinstrap.com/

[@DVDFRMN]

Love Ibanez. i have mad brand loyalty to Ibanez.... i had the AS93 but sold it ..... i should have kept it and just bought the Gotoh tuners that they put on the AS113 and Scho models....i want to get another AS or even the Scho AS type but they all have that Scho teardrop burst which is a dealbreaker for me, i just missed the Yellow AS113 and it's hard to find a nice one where the 2 halves of flamed maple top line up nicely... The AS93 is still great but they took away the abalone on the fretboard on the recent AS93s

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for sharing your insight, I love Ibanez as well! Maybe there's a vintage Ibanez AS or AM that could suit you better? Thanks for watching 😀

[@jheminghsu]

I just wish they keep the old f-hole shape.

[@beneunson]

Fair enough! I love both - the vintage 70s/80s f-hole shape and the more modern shape 😀

[@ricardbennett6487]

Clean, 97% the same.

[@beneunson]

Very similar for sure. Thanks for listening!