Ibanez Artcore AS73 Review: Still the Best Mid-Priced Rock Thinline in 2026?
Transparency: After 40 years of playing, gigging, and chasing tone, I know what it’s like to pick up a guitar that fights your hands. I don’t care about regurgitating spec sheets. My reviews are NOT sponsored, so I can keep it real for you. This is my unfiltered, veteran take on whether the Ibanez AS73 is the right “time machine” for your rock journey.
STAY AWAY FROM THE F-HOLES?
Most rockers think they have to stick to solid bodies to get a decent crunch, but you’re missing out on the mid-range “growl” that only a semi-hollowbody can deliver.
The AS73 is designed for the player who wants that classic 335 look but needs the stability of a modern rock machine.
I’ve spent decades testing guitars, and today I’m giving you my HONEST Ibanez Artcore AS73 review after playing it through my Mesa Boogie 50/100 watt head with a touch of TS9 Tube Screamer.
My first reaction? It’s surprisingly “stiff” in the best way possible, it feels like a solid-body guitar with a hollow-body soul.
This review is based on real hands-on experience, not just specs on a page.
Key Takeaways
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The “Feedback Killer”: Unlike full hollow bodies, the AS73 uses a solid maple center block, allowing you to use high-gain distortion without uncontrollable squealing.
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Thinline Comfort: The 2.625″ body depth makes it sit like a solid-body guitar, avoiding the bulky “jazz box” feel that often frustrates beginners.
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Modern Stability: Equipped with a fixed Gibraltar Performer bridge and Quik Change tailpiece, this guitar stays in tune far better than vintage vibrato models.
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Versatile Identity: It’s a “safe bet” for everything from blues and jazz to hard rock, making it a perfect one-guitar solution for new players.
Build Your Total Rock Rig
Should You Buy the Ibanez Artcore AS73?
Beginners pick the wrong guitar because they get seduced by a vintage look but end up frustrated by tuning issues and feedback.
The solid maple center block makes it feel incredibly grounded and it doesn’t “float” around on your strap like some cheaper hollow bodies.
Straight out the box, the first thing a total beginner will notice is how “pro” this guitar looks.
The binding is clean, and the Linden body has a deep, resonant shine. It feels substantial in your hands, not clunky, but like a real piece of musical hardware.
The build quality on these modern Artcores is a testament to why Ibanez has dominated the mid-priced market for so long.
Buy If:
- You want a flashy, professional look for under $500.
- You need a versatile guitar that stays in tune through heavy riffs.
- You’re a beginner who wants “room to grow” into different genres.
Don’t Buy If:
- You prefer the feather-light weight of a full hollow body (read the AFS80T review).
- You want a thin, “shredder” neck (this is a comfortable, but full, medium-C).
- You only play ultra-clean jazz and want maximum acoustic resonance.
If you’ve decided a semi-hollow isn’t for you and you want a pure, lightweight solid-body rock machine instead, check out my Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 review.
Ibanez AS73 Tone & Versatility: In the Room
Unplugged, the AS73 is snappier than its full-hollow cousins. You can hear the “wood” in the tone, but it has a percussive attack that lets you know it’s ready for an overdrive pedal.
Once plugged in, here’s what stood out:
- Bridge Pickup (Classic Elite): This is where the rock happens. It has a focused midrange bite that reminds me of early Eric Clapton or Freddie King.
- Neck Pickup: Warm and creamy. Roll the tone knob back a bit, and you’re in instant blues-heaven.
- Middle Position: This is the secret weapon for pop-rock. It has a bell-like clarity that works beautifully for clean arpeggios.
It handles those “Day Tripper” and “Crossroads” tones that beginners always ask about with absolute ease.
Ibanez AS73 Comfort & Playability: Neck, Weight & Friction
The AS73 features a Nyatoh neck that feels very familiar if you’ve ever played a Gibson-style instrument.
- Neck Profile: A comfortable Medium-C. It fills the palm just enough to prevent hand cramping during long practice sessions.
- Fingerboard Radius: 12″ radius, flat enough for clean bends, but curved enough for comfortable chording.
- Fretwork: Ibanez does a great job here. The fret ends are smooth, and the bound board means no sharp “surprises” when you’re sliding up the neck.
- Weight: Approx 7.8 lbs. It’s balanced and won’t dive toward the floor when you let go of the neck.
- Beginner Comfort Factor: The 2.625″ thinline body depth is the “Winning Formula.” You get the hollow-body look without feeling like you’re hugging a suitcase.
The AS73 is a great first semi-hollow, but if you’re a total beginner on a strict budget looking for the absolute simplest starting point, the Squier Debut Telecaster is hard to beat.
Ibanez AS73 Hardware & Electronics: Budget, but Built to Last
- Bridge: The Gibraltar Performer bridge is rock solid. I did some heavy string bending, and it snapped right back into pitch every time.
- Tuners: Standard die-cast tuners. They feel “tight” and precise, which is exactly what a beginner needs to stay in tune.
- Switching & Controls: The 4-knob layout (Volume/Tone for each pickup) allows for some great “blending” in the middle position.
- Tailpiece: The Quik Change III is a lifesaver. You don’t have to thread strings through a tiny hole, they just drop in.
- Neck Pickup: Classic Elite (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic.
- Bridge Pickup: Classic Elite (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic.
While the AS73 captures that vintage thinline vibe, players looking for a more modern, ’boutique’ feel for a bit more cash should see how it compares to the PRS SE Studio.
Sound Test (Clean, Crunch & High Gain)
- Clean: Warm and deep. It has more “personality” than a Strat or a Telecaster.
- Crunch: This is the AS73’s home. It growls. The sustain is impressive for a guitar at this price point.
- High Gain: Thanks to that center block, it handles high gain beautifully. I pushed my Mesa Boogie into lead territory, and the feedback was musical and controllable, not a piercing squeal.
AS73 vs. Gibson ES-335: Can an Under-$500 Thinline Compete?
Let’s kill the myth right out of the gate: an under-$500 axe isn’t going to mimic the hand-sprayed nitro finish or the boutique PAF growl of a multi-thousand-dollar Gibson.
But when you’re standing in the room plugged into a screaming tube amp, the Ibanez AS73 captures about 85% of that legendary ES-335 mojo for roughly a tenth of the cash.
The core architecture is fundamentally the same, a solid center block anchoring the body to squash runaway feedback while delivering that thick, semi-hollow bloom on sustained bends.
The AS73’s Linden body and Classic Elite humbuckers lean slightly brighter and tighter than vintage Gibson mahogany and maple, but with a slight roll of the tone knob, it easily bridges the gap for classic blues and arena rock riffs.
Where the AS73 actually edges past the vintage thoroughbred for the everyday player is pure, sweat-equity practicality.
Gibson’s classic neck joint and headstock pitch are notorious for demanding delicate handling, whereas the Artcore’s Nyatoh set neck and rock-solid Gibraltar Performer bridge feel built for the gritty grind of daily practice and real-world gigging.
You don’t have to baby this guitar.
You get the iconic double-cutaway silhouette, the mid-range percussive punch, and modern tuning stability right out of the box, without the constant anxiety of chipping a four-figure heirloom every time you bump a cymbal stand.
⚡️I tested these Classic Elite pickups through my Mesa, but they also sing through a versatile digital rig. Check out my breakdown of the Boss Katana 50 vs. Fender Mustang LT50 to see which amp pairs best with this semi-hollow growl.
Ibanez Artcore AS73: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Thinline body provides hollow tone without the awkward bulk | ⚠️ Lacks the raw, “blooming” resonance of a true hollow body |
| ✅ Center block allows for high-gain rock without feedback issues | ⚠️ Slightly heavier weight than “no-block” Artcore models |
| ✅ Quik Change tailpiece makes maintenance easy for new players | ⚠️ Ceramic pickups can be a bit “hot” for pure jazz purists |
| ✅ Massive sustain and punchy mid-range presence | ⚠️ Not comfortable playing past the 17th fret |
| ✅ Premium vintage look that stands out |
Ibanez Artcore AS73 Price
| Platform | Condition | Check Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | New | View on Amazon |
| Reverb | New & Used | View on Reverb |
“For around $500, it’s the most versatile rock-machine in the Artcore lineup.” –Steve
⚡️⚡️For all of the DIY enthusiasts out there, you can build your very own hollow-body guitar. Check out Vibeworks Guitars ⬇️
Closing Thoughts
The AS73 is a guitar that removes the physical barriers to practicing.
It’s comfortable, stays in tune, and looks like a piece of art on the stand. It inspires you to pick it up every single morning because it makes you sound like a pro even when you’re just learning your first pentatonic scale.
⚡️Personal Note: I love pushing guitars outside their comfort zone. Most would argue NOT to use guitars like this for hard rock/metal, but I say “WHO CARES!” With a bit of tinkering around the volume/tone knobs, amp, and pedals, you can always find a way to make things….interesting, right? -Steve
⚡️Check out the Ibanez AFS80T vs. AS73 comparison review.
Review Scores
| Category | Score |
| Comfort | 4.5/5 |
| Features | 4.0/5 |
| Value | 5.0/5 |
| String Shock Overall Rating | 4.5/5 |
How We Tested (String Shock Methodology)
I spent hours running the AS73 through my Mesa Boogie rig, testing everything from SRV-style blues to 70s and 80s arena rock riffs.
My 40+ years of experience allows me to see past the specs and focus on how the guitar “predicts” your needs. If a guitar doesn’t make me want to play Day Tripper the moment I pick it up, it doesn’t get the String Shock seal of approval.
Written and reviewed by – String Shock Steve.⚡️
Specs Recap
| Feature | Specification |
| Body | Linden Top/Back/Sides (Semi-Hollow) |
| Neck | AS Artcore Nyatoh Set-in |
| Fingerboard | Bound Rosewood / Acrylic Block Inlay |
| Scale Length | 24.7″ |
| Pickups | Classic Elite (H) Passive/Ceramic |
| Bridge | Gibraltar Performer |
| Tailpiece | Quik Change III |
| Weight | Approx 7.8 lbs |
| Platform | Condition | Check Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | New | View on Amazon |
| Reverb | New & Used | View on Reverb |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Ibanez AS73 good for beginners?
Absolutely. It is one of the most reliable and versatile “first” guitars for players who want a classic rock look.
2. Does it stay in tune?
Yes. The fixed bridge and die-cast tuners provide much better stability than models equipped with a vintage vibrato.
3. Can it play heavy metal?
While it’s not a “metal” guitar, the center block allows it to handle much higher gain than a typical hollow body.