VINTAGE 1977 Ibanez Artist Reassembly. Absolutely killer guitar. No wonder Gibson was scared!

[@PaulVerticchio]

Retired guitar tech w/45+ years experience here. I bought one new in 1977 with case for $325. Played it as my main gigging instrument for 30 years and retired it only due to its weight. An awesome instrument that greatly exceeded Gibson’s quality. Tighten the locking nuts on the bridge and tailpiece down hard. It makes a tremendous improvement in sustain. I sold my ‘74 LesPaul Std to buy my Artist. The Gibson ($850) was pure garbage compared to the Ibanez. In its 30 years of gigging it didn’t give me a single problem once I threw a set of Grovers on it. I sold it in 2018 for $1200. You did great work. Kudos. Tips: the tuning machines are terrible. Replacement is mandatory as they WILL fail in the middle of the gig.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

I agree and thanks for watching! Those tuners were functional but if I were to own it, I'd swap them for a set of the aged Gotohs.

[@ramsayward]

Great video. I bought an Ibanez Artist new in 1982. Sold it because I wanted a motorbike and regretted my decision for years. Many years later, I saw an Artist for sale in the local ads. And yes, low and behold it was my old guitar. It was as mint as the day I sold it and it sits beside me as I type this post. Great piece of kit, weighs a ton compared to others , but I wouldn't part with it. 😂

[@johnlogan7740]

I have two ibanez ar100 from the 70s the play and soud great the back plate on the one you are working on woud originally be black plastic. Great video

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@mel-3622]

I have a 1984 artist same in a left hand. Lovely guitar with great sustain. Really well made guitar.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

I was VERY tempted by this one.

[@bjstein4242]

Great setup..enjoy the humor and i just subscribed for the riffs.. nice job..great PAFs in those old Ibbys..

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@JohnLloydDavis]

The 2 people that I can think of that play these are Ed Wynn from Ozric Tentacles and Andy Partridge from XTC. Lovely guitars.

[@brenthays6539]

I got an Artist when I was 15 in 1984. Had to be special ordered from Japan because I am left-handed. I have other guitars I play more often mostly due to the weight of the Artist, but I have never parted with it. 40 years and still going.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

I wouldn't get rid of it either! Killer guitars.

[@waynewhiteside]

I had the same guitar back in the late 70s. It looked the same except it had the Ibanez knobs with the black rubber around them for a better grip. I put a DiMarzio in the bridge back then. It was a great guitar. I believe they called this the Violin finish.

[@bluesb52]

i have one and in mint condition .and love it .it's a root beerr burst.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

They are killer guitars. 🤘

[@knoxyish]

into the valley adamson used one big country he used one it is a legend id love to own one .

[@EllisRitter-ui6qu]

In 1980, I had the Destroyer with a fixed neck, Flying V, and this guitar, all in cherry sunburst, I still have the Destroyer, and wish I had kept the other 2.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

I really want a Destroyer. Those things are SUPER overpriced now.

[@JAugust]

I have almost the same guitar. Also a '77 but with block markers and a coil tap mini toggle.

[@frankschmidt4311]

Happy owner of an 78 AR 2619. My present for my 15th birthday. Until today as an eye Catcher in my living room. Antique Violin finish is my all time favourite. Looks great but soundwise? Every other guitar I own sounds better in my ears.....

[@uncleremus64]

Ibanez Super 80 etched were also called "Flying Fingers." I always wanted one, but they look heavy.

[@jan9]

The 2618 is actually on the lighter side for an LP style guitar

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

This one wasn't too bad. Not 70s Les Paul heavy. That's for sure.

[@guitarsofold100]

Tuners come with a tool to adjust the tension I might have one of those also!🔧🔧🔧🔧

[@larrynoe6162]

That thing cranks.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

It's amazing and I definitely want it.

[@geoarthur6593]

Wouldn't let this guy anywhere near any of my guitars,

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

You don't want your guitars to play better? That's cool! 🤣👌✌️🖕

[@guitarsofold100]

They are flying finger super eighties ! regrading the sustain block! David Briggs former LRB guitarist was presented with a Ibanez Musician MC 800 .. when I was the distributors marketing manager in Australia !! Dave used it for a while but found sonic issues with the bridge assemble when played through a frequency analyzer... they cause some nasty over tones in his opinion ..... It must be noted they STOPPED using the system and have never revisited it !! If you want covers and blocks I have a few from this period! the regular neck heel 22 fret model is the one in my opinion ....They made killer LP set neck replica models!!! as we know ! back then they would have retailed for $600 AUD a Les Paul was about $900 AUD ......so we imported the cheaper BOLT ON...sold for $295 AUD back then this Aussie dollar was on par with the USD

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

Wow! Thanks for the info!

[@NorthBayRepublic]

Steve Miller used several of the EQ Artists BITD. These were regarded as the original LP killers, with 24 frets. Please replace those speed knobs with the proper Sure Grip knobs before you take it home !

[@guitarsofold100]

I have some rings also! and bridges !!!!!!!!!

[@jan9]

Great video, thanks! I have a hybrid between 76 and 77, 2618 Artist, but with a different bridge configuration, without sustain bar and an ST Bridge (tunomatic style) same as on AS 200. Previous owner swapped pickups, 70s super distortion in bridge and a modern Ibanez in neck. Besides that, identical. Amazing build quality, above and beyond. For reference i do own a US Les Paul 71, my main guitar. It sounds better than the Ibanez, but it ends there. How many $$$ is this one?

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

That's awesome! This thing is so killer. I think it's right around $1300? But don't quote me on that. Contact Manchester Music Mill and ask for Alex. He's their online customer service person.

[@Gorillaguitarrepair]

And thanks for watching!

[@MikeSingSing]

Great video! Do you by any chance know if the bridge or saddles can be easily replaced? I'm about to pull the trigger on an AR300, but the bridge and stoptail might need replacements. Can't seem to find good replacements online and would love to find out if there is some Gotoh stuff that could drop straight in.

[@brettbunke9096]

Nicer then Anything Gibson makes

[@alainmalo3791]

K775543 Terada au Japon en novembre 77 N° production 5543 exempler