BluesBassDad wrote:
BTW #2 can anyone point me to a thread that enumerates the models that have a spruce top? I had thought all AKs have them, but I've seen an AK-86 and an AK-1XX (don't recall the exact model) that claim to have all-maple bodies. I ask because I think I'd like try a spruce-top model someday.
BluesBassDad, the majority of AK models do/did have a spruce top, the notable exceptions are the two custom models, the AK100 has a maple top back and sides and the AK105 has a spalted maple top back and sides.
So Spruce top AK's include:
AK75D GD(Gold with chrome hardware)
AK80 BS (Brown Sunburst with chrome hardware)
AK80 DVF (Dark Violin Fade, Japan only model with chrome hardware)
AK80A BS (Brown Sunburst, full acoustic model of AK80 with chrome hardware)
AK84 DVS (Dark Violin Sunburst, full acoustic model of AK86 with chrome hardware)
AK85 DVS (Dark Violin Sunburst, predecessor of AK86 with different tailpiece and chrome hardware)
AK86 DVS (Dark Violin Sunburst with chrome hardware)
AK95 DVS (Dark Violin Sunburst, Superceded the AK86 and has gold hardware)
AK95 DHS (Dark honey sunburst and gold gardware)
Unfortunately the Ibanez parts hub is listing all of the current model AK's (Ak80 BS, AK95 DVS, AK95 DHS and AK100 NT) as ceasing production in October 2009. Whether this means they will start a new series soon, or that due to the economic climate they are paring the artcore series to the bone for the forseeable future, who knows, but suffice to say it doesn't look like they will be around forever.
The parts hub only lists a number of AF and AS custom models as still being in production so it seems Artcore pickings are going to become quite slim very soon.
2008 AK100 NT
2008 AK105 SM ABR
2007 AS103 BM ABR
2006 AK84 DVS
2004 RG450 MH BF - SD SH2N (N), SD STKS4 (M), SD '59TB(B)
2004 AK85 DVS - SD SH2N (N), SD APH1(B)
[color=brown]1993 AS120 VS
