IBANEZ AM153QA: The BEST Guitar I’ve Played?… | Ben Eunson
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Could this be the best Ibanez I've played? Drop a comment if you have questions!
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:12 About the Ibanez AM153QA
02:06 Live in 2010 with my AS-50
03:02 AM153QA Tech Specs
03:28 Soloing with Neck, Middle & Bridge (Drive)
05:03 Neck Pickup (Clean)
05:38 Middle Setting (Clean)
06:04 Bridge Pickup (Clean)
06:29 Tri-Sound Switch - Hudba
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I love that clean tone, great!
I'm 63 and I've been a Steely Dan fan all my life having listened to them when I was a teen in the mid-70s and that is why I love your channel/ After watching this, I fina;;y ordered a AM153QA for a good deal at Reverb just moments ago after re-watching this post over and over again for months! Finally pulled the trigger and waiting for it to arrive and continue taling your courses which hopefully will teach me to get that Steely Dan sound you emmit so well!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me, this is fantastic! So glad to hear that you've been enjoying my channel, and I'm also so glad to hear you picked up an AM153QA! It's a great instrument, you won't be disappointed!
@@beneunson Hi Ben what guage strings are you running on this guitar?
I can definitely hear the Metheny Influence in your playing. Beautiful. That is a gorgeous guitar also sounds so rich, creamy. Full and articulate. Well done
Wonderful video, thank you! I've been wanting a semi-hollow guitar for a long time now but couldn't find one with the sounds I was looking for. This one more than fits that bill! I've always loved the feel of Ibanez guitars anyway, but the sounds from this model are so beautiful. And your demonstration of its capabilities are spot on, cheers!
Thank you so much! I love this guitar, it’s been fantastic to play. Thanks for watching! 😃
Amazing playing Ben.. as always !! I'd love to get one of these down the line.. beautiful tones
Thanks so much, Daniel! Hope you're doing well!
Great work as always.
thank you so much!
Great stuff!
thanks Andreas!
Great playing. Loved the different tones (clean and with drive) shown. I have a 10 yr old AM93. The Super 58s are awesome. Thanks for your video.
Thanks for watching!
This is an amazing guitar. I have been looking at it for a minute but I know that it's for me now
Thanks for watching, Jason. It really is an excellent instrument!
Beautiful guitar..... beautiful playing !
Loved the video Broseph! Regardless of the review it’s always lovely to hear some great guitar playing!
Be well dawg!
thank you for watching Ricardo!!!
You are a phenomenal player, sir! Enjoyed this immensely.
Thank you so much for watching!
well, you're the best guitarist that it's ever been played by
that clean neck tone was 👌🏻
Dude, your knowledge and playing-skill with arpeggios is some absolutely next-level stuff. Great! These sound very „angular“, somehow …
Thanks so much for watching!
The AS73 proved so nice it pushed me into their Scofield JSM-10, which (with the 100) can be found rather reasonably. IMHO most Ibanez semis compete above their price.
I agree! Thanks for watching!
Ben is just the chill-est guitar god out there
Thanks so much for watching!
Sounds and looks wonderful! Also, those old clips of you playing are still terrifying haha!
Haha thanks Mats!
My main guitar is an Ibanez AFJ85 and was looking for a number two so bought a telecaster and put a Lollar CC into the neck but the feel just wasn't there for me. A few months back I bought an Ibanez AS93 and absolutely love it. Was thinking of playing it on tomorrow's gig but don't have a case for it yet so the AFJ85 will have to do. 😁
This is awesome. Ben's playing and tone are second to none. I could have watched an hour of this! I had Super 58's in my '82 Ibanez artist but it sure didn't sound like that.
Thanks so much for watching, I really appreciate it!
Did you use the same pedals, mics and amp that Ben used? Try that, then maybe your axe will sound the same as his.
I got a used JSM20 which also has the additional neck pickup switch, although I tend to leave it on the "normal" humbucker position all the time. It was nice hearing the different sounds from someone who can actually play. This guitar sounds amazing in your hands. If I hadn't got the JSM20 I might have fetched one as it's relatively cheap and it's amazing for what it costs. The thing that strikes me the most with these Ibanez is the dynamic range. I have no idea what they do with the acoustics and the pickups but one can make it play from barely audible to booming huge.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! And yes, I agree about the dynamic range - it's like no other I've played
JSM20/AS113 is sized ES335….
AM153/AMH90 is sized ES339…
I have an Ibanez AS73 and I love it. Ibanez makes good stuff!
I agree!
Great sounding instrument. They make great guitars. I have an RG myself. Quite taken with it.
Ibanez RGs are great!! 😃
The fluidity of your playing is only surpassed by water! 👏🏻
Thanks for watching!
An ‘83 AM-205 StageMaster (all-mahogany, no Tri-Sound; otherwise identical specs) has been my #1 since I found it on Reverb 10 years ago. Gets ‘80s AS-200 tone without the weight.
You’re quite amazing musician - I love Ibanez ❤
Thanks so much for watching!
Can’t believe my Ibanez As series collection is now in its 40s. As200 is still one of my favs
AS200 is one of the all-time classics!
Nice sounding and looking guitar. Maybe I'll get one too.
Thanks so much for watching, it really is a great guitar!
Cool guitar. Thinking about it.
I am close to buy a Yamaha Revstar, i like the chambered sound, but now you made me commute, cause i play a Ibanez (SG 70´s) all my life...great playing btw., did not know you before...
Thanks for watching, Martin! I really appreciate it.
Great playing and beautiful signal chain tones. Can I ask what you were playing through and settings? For clean and drive. i have the AM153YA i think it is. Love it as well but still wotking to get these type of rich tones out of it. Certainly understand how much the player has to do with it. KUDOS!
I've had this guitar for 3 or 4 years - it's fantastic. I ended up putting a Deusenberg Les Trem vibrato on it and adding locking tuners.
Hey Ben, hope this gets to you as I’m not familiar with telegram.
i also put gotoh tuners and a gotoh bridge and a brass nut on my AM153, i left the quick change rear post till i can find a new one worth the money and time to change it. At this point it has all the appointments of the AM200, i wasn't looking for that but it happened, it sounds and plays very well the upgrades made a difference though not a huge difference..
This guitar IS fantastic sounding. I lucked-up on one myself. It is honestly my favorite guitar in my extensive collection. The closest to it is my D' Angelico deluxe bedford.
Really enjoyed the video! Great tones both clean and with drive. Do you use flat or round wound strings on this guitar?
Thanks!
I just went onto Sweetwater to check the price. Imagine my surprise when I see Ben doing the demo. Great sounding guitar and beautiful playing
Thanks so much David! So glad you saw the video on Sweetwater, this guitar really is excellent. One of my favorites ever made.
It does sound amazing, that is the reason I have been using Ibanez for nearly 30 years.
Thanks so much for watching! You can't go wrong with Ibanez 💯
@@beneunson Totally agree, I have been playing Ibanez for 30 years, signature (Nita Strauss, Paul Gilber) S, SA, RG, I love them.
What overdrive pedal are you using on this video? And what delay pedal or is that a plug in on your DAW? I’m curious about the whole signal chain really. Are you using an amp or a direct recording setup like a kemper/axe effects/strymon iridium etc? Would love to hear how you’re achieving these tones and yes I agree, fantastic sounding guitar but certainly sounds much better because of your great playing. I love the wide intervallic lines your playing. Very tasteful and musical. Thanks for sharing any info on your signal chain.
Great review, I was wondering how are the weights on these things? Is there a neck-dive issues due to the smaller body? Can't seem to try one in person anywherw.
What a cool guy
the ibanez AM series really is just excellent. I wasn't convinced until I played one, and now it's my number 1 guitar. In particular the Super 58 pickups are phenomenal. The only thing I didn't like was the bridge, but with a couple of conversion posts it was easy to drop a schaller TOM bridge in there. I love it so much that I'm considering selling it and my Strat and whatever else and just getting the japanese-made Ibanez AM.
I should add I'm a clean/jazz player. I don't know how it fares with overdrive, but neck pickup alone on clean is just so warm
It does sound terrific - but I wonder which amp you're using? I have an AS-I03, by the way, and the PM-2000, and a late 70s Artist, their answer to the Les Paul (and better, in my opinion.)
Sick playing Ben! I wanted to ask are those Edifier speakers on your table? What model are those?
Great vid, great playing. Wondering: does is STAY in tune?
Thank you so much! Yes, I have found that it stays in tune 😀
I have the original Ibanez AM 153 in Bubinga, as you’ve stated, it’s small body makes it extremely comfortable, and it’s rich warm tone makes it such a unique addition to my guitar rig! It’s one of those guitars I’ll never part with!
Fantastic! I won't part with mine either, thanks for watching!
Good sound
Hi Ben I have been following you for quite some time you are one of my favorite guitarists, I like this guitar very much but unfortunately in Europe I have not been able to find it especially in Italy.
Thank you Roberto, I really appreciate your support! I hope you're able to find it somewhere - you won't be disappointed 😀
Does it have a center block?
Appreciate your input 👍
Ty
🎸😎👍
Does this model exhibit neck dive? I had an Ibanez AR325 Artcore (solid, about the same body shape as the AM) but it was so neck-heavy, I couldn't tolerate it. I'd previously owned an AS73 and that was a very good guitar, but rather heavy for playing long sets.
Awesome! Do you keep the neck super straight on this one, or slight relief in it?
What is your signal path on this video? The tone is amazing!
It's hard to really tell in video and pictures but is it standard size for a hollowbody or a bit smaller? I'm a the taller side myself so the big hollowbodys are more comfortable for me to play.
If Ibanez would extend the binding across the top of the headstock I'd purchase this guitar right now. I've talked to many guitar players across the country who say the same thing.
What kind of strings are you using? Flat or round wound? Gauge???. I have two Ibanez 335 copies one from 1977 and one from 78. They're great guitars . I haven't wanted a Gibson 335 after playing these .
I've been seriously thinking of getting the Japanese-made John Scofield or Pat Metheny signature model, but this really makes me wonder if it would be smarter to get this model for less than half the price.
All are excellent guitars, I’ve owned a JSM-100 John Scofield model and it was amazing as well! 😃
I secured mine awhile ago because of your great tone. And I love it! Do you use the original string size 10-52?
So glad to hear it, Matthias!! That’s awesome you got one too, for me it’s 10-46
Ben, love your playing. I tried getting an Ibanez AM153QA but was advised not available to the Aussie market. How did you manage to get hold of your guitar? Did you purchase it in Aus or the USA? I just love the sound you get out of that guitar. Brilliant!
Hi Mark, thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I wasn’t aware of this, I wonder if you could order one that ships to Aus off Reverb? Got mine in the US, I hope you get your hands on one - you’ll love it! 😃
Been playing an Epiphone Sheraton 2 for a while but I think these guitars are next level..... hmmm...
I do remember when the Artist solid body came out in the 80's. They were cool hanging up in the local music shop... oh and Paul Stanley from KISS played his Iceman Ibanez...
I agree, these guitars are next level!
I don't care about the guitar (once you go headless, you can't go back), but any video with Ben "magic hands" Eunson is must see TV! 🎸👍😍
BTW, Ben seems like a super nice person as well as ridiculously talented! His voice is as soothing and kind sounding as Mr Rogers; If he wasn't a guitar player, he'd make a perfect host of kid friendly programming on PBS!
Haha thank you so much, Greg! I really appreciate it! I’d gladly host something on PBS!! 😃😆
Ben, even though I tend to mainly rock music, I have to say that you're probably the most talented guitarist I've ever seen and I think it's fair to say you would not feel ashamed in company with John Mayer or artists on the same level. It's really joy to listen to your play and as far as this beautiful Ibanez concerned...it's sold to me. I was recently trying Gibson ES 345 in the shop but was very disappointed with the craftmanship and especially on its price tag. I have only one question, could you briefly describe the neck shape? It is very important to me and I have no chance to test it in the shop, have to order it onllne. The thing is I hate Gibson's slim taper necks. Thank you and keep playing!👍
Thanks so much, Martin - I really appreciate it! The neck on this guitar is slightly chunky - in my experience, it's not quite as chunky as a Les Paul, but not as slim as a 335 neck. Hope that helps, and thanks again! 😀
Yeah sounds very unique
You should have written AM FM in A minor and F Minor!!
Do you have a video that talks about the hardware to create a great tone? Its a strong point of your sound.
Haha maybe I should have! Yes I definitely plan to make a video on my recording setup! 😀
Hi Ben, love your guitar Channel and liquid melodic playing - your Channel is one of my 2 guitar-playing favourites on CZcams that I’m subscribed to.🤗🎸🎶
An enquiry please Ben: I have noticed online there are two models of your fav’ guitar, the
Ibanez AM153QA-DBS with an all Ash wood body made in Indonesia, and the previous model
Ibanez AM153DBS (Dark Brown Sunburst) made in China with an all Bubinga wood body.
Do you know if there is any difference tonally between these two models?
… and in the weight of the 2 guitars? … & the build quality?
Thank you, appreciate hearing your intel-responses.
Cheers, Garzo - QLD, Aust.
Hey Garzo, thank you so much for supporting my channel! I really appreciate it! Funnily enough, I wasn’t aware of an AM153QA made in China - would love it if you could share the link so I could check it out! 😃
Thank you for your interest reply Ben. I will see if I can find the weblinks.
The China made model is the same Dark Brown Sunburst colour, and is titled AM153DBS,
and not labelled AM153QA, and has all the same features except the body-wood is Bubinga, not Ash.
Curious how different these two models are tonally and weight-wise. All the best with the new week.
Cheers, Gaz 🎶
Superbe jeux , bravo , un plaisir de vous voir jouer , j etais parti sur la AF95FM qui est plus large et plus typé Jazz , mais a present j hesites avec la AM93QM qui est en dessous de cette AM153QA , mais moins cher et sans le toogle switch pour la mise en parallele/split du micro manche , ducoup je ne sais plus quelle guitare choisir , polyvalence ou son clair typé jazz bien rond et magnifique , mais une guitare plus epaisse et moin confortable .
Thank you so much for watching! I know the AM93QM is a great guitar too, I'm sure you'd enjoy it!
hi Ben, it's a particular instrument from the sonic point of view .. for being a hollow-body to a corollary of sonic possibilities, and the potential increases with the second swich post pick-up .. it seems to include sounds that border on country. . maybe it was a suggestion .. then from the aesthetic point of view the guitar in question has nothing to envy to the signature .. to conclude, it is an instrument that you must try to understand it, because dear there is a detail that escapes always, one thing is to hear it play to an excellent musician like you, with all the dynamics of the case .. sounds set, microphone pickup, amp .. oops, quadi I forgot, the touch .. that in this case, you don't you have to go-go .. anyway, I'm sorry if I have dwelt, do not care .. I needed to share this little observation with you .. thanks, for me you are a great guitarist .. keep it up .. greetings ... 🙂🙃😉 / 🎼🎵💙🎸💙🎶 / 👍✌🏿👌🏻👋🏽
Thanks so much for checking it out, Luigi!
Its clean but there is reverb and I believe some compression, lovely instrument.
Super playing and sounding! What amp you used in this demo? Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching! I'll make an updated gear video soon!
Man it is good how do you make it
its one of my favourite guitars,but since i tried the Ibanez GB 10 theres no other...but depends what you search on a guitar if its just the tone or the fretboard...
Hi, really enjoy your playing. What strings and gauge did you finally end up with on this guitar? Thanks
Thanks so much! 10-46 in this video
Great review and excellent playing. Curious to learn what the difference would be between this guitar and the Ibanez AS113? Thanks.
Good question! Likely to be quite similar, but the AS113 has a larger body.
@@beneunson Thanks for your answer. Apparently the 153 is not available in Europe, at least not in my country, hence my interest in the 113.
@@beneunson Found a mind D’Angelico Premier DC stairstep in White, for less than half the normal price. This guitar is unbelievable. It is in brand new condition. Sound and playability is superb. Glad I did not go for the Sire H7. Great guitar as well but the 40mm nut is not a good combo with my huge hands. The D’Angelico fits my hand just perfect.
Does the Tri-Sound switch only work on the neck pickup? Or does it do the same thing to the bridge pickup as well?
Yes, you’re right - it only works on the neck pickup
So when is the BE signature Ibanez coming out? I'd buy it. Just sayin'! (I'll be on the lookout for this one as well!)
Thanks Mats! One day, I hope!! 😃
wowww..so nice..
what do you recommend ? this one or the as113?
thnxx❤
Thanks so much! I love this one due to the slightly smaller body.
How do I place an order with you and the guitar solo TABS as well?
Links in the description.
What is the type and guage of strings do you use on this guitar. I bought one on your recomendation.
So glad you picked one up - I use 10-46 gauge nickel wound strings
Nice guitar, BUT YOUR PLAYING IS INCREDIBLE 👍👍👍👍Been watching your vids, you're awesome. The new John Mac, (that's a compliment) but you have Tone, JMac, doesn't care about audio tonal pitch, you have it all 👍👍 I'm a guitar freak, & I like all kinds of guitar styles, & I love dissonance, ( as well as melodic structured) you make great dissonance phrasing, but you also play non Dissonance solos, excellent 👍👍👍
Thank you so much for your support, and your kind words!! I really appreciate it!
Hi Ben, apologies for the nerdy question but what gauge strings are you using. Im using d'addario flats on a similiar-ish Ibanez (AS193) but thinking of going back to regular strings. Thank you!
Hey Nick, just using 10-46 here
@@beneunson Thanks!
can you get a good rockin sound and like a good blues break up sound?
Play you with 0.10-0.46 strings of this Guitar? Great Tone! I love it!
Yes I do!
Ben love your work since i first heard you play with chad lb in sonic magic. Can I ask, why not the AM2000 hollow body? I know it doesnt have the tri switch; were there any other reasons you chose the cheaper option? Cheers
Thank you so much! That's a great question - the AM2000 is an excellent guitar. For me personally, I prefer a stoptail bridge/tailpiece (which the AM153QA has) over a trapeze-style tailpiece (which the AM2000 has). It's just a personal choice relating to how I play, the stoptail works better for me. Also, I really wanted the tri-sound switch to have additional pickup switching options. Hope that helps!
@@beneunson thanks for the reply! Good luck with your channel mate
Thanks so much!
I’m not Ben, but FYI, the AM2000 has a quite a bit thinner neck. I personally prefer the thicker neck on the AM153.
Ddue, as a guitarist I know left hands stretch, but you're doing a right hand stretch there. Also very interesting to see that you nearly walk your fingers into the fretboard, like you pre-stretch and bend them. Technique really differs from player to player.
Thanks so much for watching! You're right - it really does differ from one player to the next!
3:42 Hi Ben. Any tip to achieve this smooth overdrive tone?
Thanks so much for listening! I'll make a new gear rundown in the next few weeks and I'll talk about that sound!
What amp and distortion do you use here?
Excuse me, which amp do you usually use? I'm considering buying this guitar, I'm a hobbyist and use a Fender Blues junior Lacquered tweed amp with an Ibanez tube screamer single pedal. It's alone around the house. I am a lover of clear sounds.
Thanks
Thanks so much for watching! Here are two videos for you:
AM153QA played through the Laney LA-Studio: czcams.com/video/SHSC28W4T-8/video.html
AM153QA played through a small Peavey amp: czcams.com/video/vrsveLhYCQA/video.html
I ve got the AR220 - Sounds great
Great guitar!!
@@beneunson but the best Ibanez? My old JEM77FP Sounds very good, completely different at the treble
How is this different from AS153?
Hey Ben how’s going ?By the way what gauge of daddario would be perfect for this guitar? Can you please bless us with a video of this axe played with no drive with some jazz standards
Absolutely, here's a holiday standard for you: czcams.com/video/sKQr6UATpro/video.html - i'm using d'addario 10-46
@@beneunson oh man thanks a zillion for this beautiful gift .I ordered the same axe through my friend .Hoping to get it pretty soon.
czcams.com/video/in2y5pog4ZM/video.htmlsi=Uu09-YKTK8jK_xlW
Please would it be possible to have a video like this .
monster player!
thanks!
Which amp is being used?
Hi whats your opinion about Ibanez am93?
AM93 is a great guitar!
Hello Maestro!
What kind of strings are you using here?
Just D'addario 10-46
Can anyone tell me which scales he is playing
Tri-Sound switch seems similar to the switch on the Ibanez AS200
Absolutely! Same type of switch. Thanks for watching!
Which one is better for jazz..
Ibanez as93?
Jsm20?
113?
And this one you are talking about?
Really appreciate your input 👍
Much blessings 🙌
🎸😎👍
They would all work great for Jazz guitar-type tones, they have similar body shapes and very similar (if not the exact same) pickups. Mostly comes down to a matter of personal taste, they are all great guitars! 😃
@@beneunson ty so much for your response. Time for research 😜
Much blessings 🙌
🎸😎👍
Didn't realize this is an Artstar (first made in China, now in Indonesia). Since you recently played the AM-2000, what is your take on this one as a worthy alternative (considering it's $1.5k less)?
Great question! Going to make a video very soon on the AM2000h and i'll discuss this in some depth!
I hope you respond to this, it's a bit of a nerdy question I know but bear with me.You seem to have a very light touch. What strings do you use, and what sort of action? This has been a bugbear of mine, as I like lighter strings and a low action..I love to shred a bit, although Pat Metheney is my No.1. Respect mate. Great player yourself. I'll keep a low action and 9's anyway. Just interested.
He uses .10s with low action
I know it's an older post, but...I'm with you on string choice. On my JSM10 I use .009's as well. Requires a lighter touch but I feel I play better/don't have to work so hard with lighter gauge strings. Play More Guitar!!!
Does the Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 work for you?
I've actually never played one! But I'm sure it's great.
Can’t seem to find one in vintage sunburst😟
I think that this particular model is only available in "Dark Brown Sunburst", which is what I have here. Thanks for watching! 😀
Hi Ben. Didn't you have a Ibanez AS113?
Hey Robert, no I didn’t - but I have had a few Ibanez AS50s over the years, which are kinda similar 😃