What is the primary body material of the Ibanez AM93QA?

The guitar features a top, back, and sides made from quilted ash. This choice of wood provides a bright tonal response and a distinctive, high-end visual appearance under the gloss finish.

What type of pickups are installed in the AM93QA?

It is equipped with Ibanez Super 58 humbucking pickups at both the neck and bridge positions. These pickups are known for their warm, articulate voice and vintage-inspired tonal character.

How does the AM body size compare to traditional hollow-body guitars?

The AM design is more compact than a standard 'jazz box,' offering a size closer to a solid-body electric. This makes it more comfortable for smaller players or those who move around frequently on stage.

What finish is used on this specific model?

This model features a Vintage Violin High Gloss finish. The gloss coating protects the quilted ash while highlighting the natural depth of the wood grain.

Is the neck of the AM93QA a bolt-on or set-in design?

The guitar uses a set-in neck construction. It is made from a three-piece laminate of nyatoh and maple to provide a smooth playing feel and increased sustain.

What hardware is used for the bridge and tailpiece?

The AM93QA utilizes a Gibraltar Performer bridge for tuning stability. It is paired with a Quik Change III tailpiece, which is designed to facilitate faster and more efficient string replacements.

Is this guitar suitable for high-gain rock music?

While primarily designed for jazz, blues, and clean styles, the semi-hollow design with a center block handles overdrive well. However, it may still be more prone to feedback than a fully solid-body guitar at extremely high gain levels.

What is the price range for the Ibanez AM93QA?

The typical price for this model is approximately GBP 749. This puts it in the mid-range category of the Ibanez Artcore Expressionist series.

When was the Ibanez AM design first introduced?

The AM body shape was first introduced by Ibanez in the early 1980s. It was created to offer players a smaller, more ergonomic alternative to large-body semi-hollow guitars.

Does this guitar come with a case or gig bag?

Packaging varies by retailer, but standard listings typically cover the instrument itself. Users often purchase separate cases designed for compact semi-hollow bodies to protect the high-gloss finish.

How does the quilted ash affect the sound compared to maple?

Quilted ash typically offers a slightly brighter and more 'punchy' response than standard maple. It provides excellent note definition, which complements the warm output of the Super 58 pickups.

Who is the ideal player for the AM93QA?

It is ideal for players who want a 'woody' semi-hollow sound without the bulk of a large guitar. Its smaller size and familiar feel make it perfect for long practice sessions and live performances.

Gear article

Ibanez AM93QA Artcore Expressionist

The Ibanez AM93QA Artcore Expressionist is a compact semi-hollow body electric guitar featuring a quilted ash construction and Super 58 humbucking pickups. Designed to bridge the gap between solid-body comfort and hollow-body resonance, it is particularly suited for jazz, blues, and modern clean musical styles.

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Overview and History

The Ibanez AM series was first introduced in the early 1980s as a response to players seeking the tonal characteristics of a traditional jazz box without the unwieldy size of a full-hollow body. The AM93QA belongs to the Artcore Expressionist line, which sits between the entry-level Artcore series and the high-end Prestige models.

This specific model is defined by its use of Quilted Ash for the body and a high-gloss Vintage Violin finish. Its design heritage focuses on providing a familiar feel for guitarists who are accustomed to the dimensions of solid-body electrics but require the airy sustain of a semi-hollow instrument.

Construction and Key Features

The AM93QA features a semi-hollow construction with a solid internal block to reduce feedback at higher volumes. The body is crafted entirely from quilted ash, a tonewood known for its striking visual grain and pleasant brightness.

Hardware specifications include: * Neck: A stable 3-piece Nyatoh and Maple set-in neck for enhanced resonance. * Bridge: The Gibraltar Performer bridge, which provides tuning stability and rich sustain. * Tailpiece: The Quik Change III tailpiece, designed to make string changes faster and easier. * Electronics: Dual Super 58 humbucking pickups, which are a staple of Ibanez hollow-body instruments.

Tonal Character

The combination of the quilted ash body and Super 58 pickups produces a voice characterized by warmth, punch, and articulation. The ash top adds a touch of high-end clarity and sustain, while the semi-hollow design introduces a woody depth to the midrange.

The Super 58 pickups are specifically voiced for vintage character, delivering smooth, nuanced tones when played clean, and a classic grit when pushed into overdrive. This makes the guitar highly versatile for genres ranging from traditional Bebop to modern Blues-Rock.

Suitability and Comparison

The AM93QA is primarily suited for guitarists who find traditional large-bodied archtops uncomfortable for long sessions or live performances. Its compact frame makes it an ideal 'transition' instrument for players moving from a solid-body guitar.

Compared to full-sized hollow bodies like the Ibanez AF series, the AM93QA offers more focused punch and better feedback resistance. While brands like Stentor or Hidersine focus on traditional orchestral string instruments like violins and violas, the AM93QA serves the electric guitarist seeking a high-gloss, 'violin-inspired' aesthetic in a contemporary electric format.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary body material of the Ibanez AM93QA?: The guitar features a top, back, and sides made from quilted ash. This choice of wood provides a bright tonal response and a distinctive, high-end visual appearance under the gloss finish.
What type of pickups are installed in the AM93QA?: It is equipped with Ibanez Super 58 humbucking pickups at both the neck and bridge positions. These pickups are known for their warm, articulate voice and vintage-inspired tonal character.
How does the AM body size compare to traditional hollow-body guitars?: The AM design is more compact than a standard 'jazz box,' offering a size closer to a solid-body electric. This makes it more comfortable for smaller players or those who move around frequently on stage.
What finish is used on this specific model?: This model features a Vintage Violin High Gloss finish. The gloss coating protects the quilted ash while highlighting the natural depth of the wood grain.
Is the neck of the AM93QA a bolt-on or set-in design?: The guitar uses a set-in neck construction. It is made from a three-piece laminate of nyatoh and maple to provide a smooth playing feel and increased sustain.
What hardware is used for the bridge and tailpiece?: The AM93QA utilizes a Gibraltar Performer bridge for tuning stability. It is paired with a Quik Change III tailpiece, which is designed to facilitate faster and more efficient string replacements.
Is this guitar suitable for high-gain rock music?: While primarily designed for jazz, blues, and clean styles, the semi-hollow design with a center block handles overdrive well. However, it may still be more prone to feedback than a fully solid-body guitar at extremely high gain levels.
What is the price range for the Ibanez AM93QA?: The typical price for this model is approximately GBP 749. This puts it in the mid-range category of the Ibanez Artcore Expressionist series.
When was the Ibanez AM design first introduced?: The AM body shape was first introduced by Ibanez in the early 1980s. It was created to offer players a smaller, more ergonomic alternative to large-body semi-hollow guitars.
Does this guitar come with a case or gig bag?: Packaging varies by retailer, but standard listings typically cover the instrument itself. Users often purchase separate cases designed for compact semi-hollow bodies to protect the high-gloss finish.
How does the quilted ash affect the sound compared to maple?: Quilted ash typically offers a slightly brighter and more 'punchy' response than standard maple. It provides excellent note definition, which complements the warm output of the Super 58 pickups.
Who is the ideal player for the AM93QA?: It is ideal for players who want a 'woody' semi-hollow sound without the bulk of a large guitar. Its smaller size and familiar feel make it perfect for long practice sessions and live performances.