Thanks heaps for doing this video, and really interesting to hear the history behind these models. I have a more standard plebeian lower class FG100 - and love it. Bruce Forman is pictured on the cover of his instructional video with what I think is the FG200 - it has binding round the F holes. And George Benson can be seen using one in his 1986 vid Live at Montreu. Cheers.
Thanks Paul. Not heard of the FG200. Now you’ve given me another model to buy (tut) :) I’m also after an FB100. One day! Stay tuned for more vids on archtops. Cheers!
My absolute fave .... Always ( for decades thought they should have produced a 16" Fully acoustic affordable ...and then thankfully they did in the article but All the fully acoustic still have a side mounted jack for the floater .... WHY.... Makes more sense to pick guard mount ...now do colors red ..teaburst ...green lol. .but affordable artcore Love this vid
Great video! Super informative, do you know anything about the Ibanez AFS series? I have one from 2008 but I haven’t been able to find any info about it other than the Ibanez fandom wiki site.
Hi Matt. Sorry I’m not well informed on the AFS series. I did have a look but like you, didn’t find too much. Nice looking guitar though. I usually only deal with Japenese models hence my lack of knowledge. Good luck learning more and happy playing!
Hey sorry for the late reply. Ibanez did make the GB200, which is 16.5" wide but otherwise they don't seem to stray too far into the 17" market, if at all. There are 17" Ibanez but you would have to go back to the late 70's to early 80's. The same era as your GB20. Several models that spring to mind are: Ibanez FA800, FA700, FA300, 2460, 2470, 2471. Hope that helps.
@@archtopheaven9549 thanks for the information. I live in Tokyo and always keep my eyes open for a larger jazz box but with Ibanez they do stay on the smaller size. My favorite period for these jazz boxes are that late seventies early eighties models. Yamaha made some interesting guitars around this time as well. Hey thanks again for the information.! Domo.
@@archtopheaven9549 I was at my local second hand guitar store here in Tokyo and I ran into the most beautiful GB5 George Benson jazz box and it is a 17” guitar made in 95 the selling price was ¥540,000. So, yes, Ibanez does make a 17” jazz box with a spruce top and it is gorgeous. Took some photos as well.
Hello, that’s a great video. I’m looking to buy a Joe Pass model at some point, I’ve heard some comments on the placement of the pickup gives a less-than desired sound. As someone who has one is this something you’ve noticed when A/Bing against the other archtops? Or are these comments cork-sniffing without any merit?
Hi Dan. Thanks. These is a difference but that is most likely down to the 25’5 scale length which adds increased tension and firmness to the strings. In return this makes the response a little different. Of course the pick up placement will have an effect but the difference isn’t as much as you would think if you factor in the increased scale. It is fair to say that there are ppl who outright reject it; unfairly so and those who have reasonable objections to it. The guitar is thinner in body than a 175, add the pickup placement and you do have a guitar that some rightly consider ‘thin’. On the other hand, I find the guitar very usable. You can always add a bit of bass. Taking it away is much harder. I generally like warm fat sounding archtops, Guild X500’s L5CES etc.. that being said I really enjoy the Jp/20. I’ve had 4 including the 2 I currently have. Both will be going up for sale soon, so if and when you’re in the market, give me a shout. Cheers
@@archtopheaven9549 thank you, great response. The Pass model is probably back on the table for me then. I have a definite affinity with Ibanez archtops, I have had the PM20, PM120, and I still have my PM100 which I don’t like to use anymore, Metheny signed it a played a couple of chords - now a holy relic! I want something different to the ‘American brands’ - I’m not keen on them. When I’m in a position, I’ll give you a shout and see if you still have one. Thanks again for the response, I really appreciate your time.
@@dangreenwood No worries Dan. I’m currently trying to build a jazz guitar manufacturing business in the UK. I post vlogs about the endeavour and other archtop related stuff. If you haven’t already; subscribe! If I get the time, I’ll do you an A/B sound test between the JP20 and the other Ibanez 16”ers.
Many people criticize the position of the pickup saying that it produces a nasal sound, but I have never had that problem with my '82 JP-20. It all comes down to how you EQ and where you attack the string. Grettings.
Hey there. Very different. Almost opposite ends of the Ibanez scale. The Gb quite heavy. It’s 16.5” at the lower bout and typically over built in the GB anti feedback way. The Jp-20 is light, has a longer scale length and slightly more mid focused sound. It also feels a fair bit smaller. Hope that helps?
Hi Kempini I’ve not heard of a PM2AA. I assume it’s a Pat Metheny model? The Maya 175 copy and most of those non Ibanez/Greco copies are all quite good. They are generally competently made and when amplified, sound good. They have vintage mojo you can’t get from modern chinese or korean Ibanez but they do have their price and ppl are now trying to charge what I would consider, too much. If you can get one cheap, I don’t see why not :)
@@kempini I’d go for the Maya 175. Make sure if you can to check the truss rod and that the neck is straight. Those old Japanese guitars are usually good but if you can do it, it’s always worth it.
@@kempini I find the Chinese models have very thick polyurethane finishes which can make them sound quite nasally. You can’t go wrong with a good Japanese model. Cheers!
It's not to create controversy, hahaha, but I would like to know from all those who insult the sound of the JP-20, how many have or have simply tried the guitar, its possibilities, ergonomics, etc?
To be fair to the Jazz Guitar community, I generally find people talk from experience and you'll be surprised how many people have tried a Jp-20. They are relatively cheap, often up for sale (although much less so now) and have been around for some time. Did some of those who played one, have preconceived bias and couldn't get passed it? Maybe; I'm sure there is a tiny bit of that but overall, I understand the debate. There is a video of me playing one on my channel. I think it's sounds great. It's a fun guitar and has some fascinating lineage. Cheers
they more than likely used a different factory Pass did not like the JP 20 sound they positioned the pick up in the wrong place his D'Aquisto 'had only 20 frets the JP 20 has 22 the pickup is to far away from the the harmonic
Thanks heaps for doing this video, and really interesting to hear the history behind these models. I have a more standard plebeian lower class FG100 - and love it. Bruce Forman is pictured on the cover of his instructional video with what I think is the FG200 - it has binding round the F holes. And George Benson can be seen using one in his 1986 vid Live at Montreu. Cheers.
Thanks Paul. Not heard of the FG200. Now you’ve given me another model to buy (tut) :)
I’m also after an FB100.
One day!
Stay tuned for more vids on archtops.
Cheers!
My absolute fave .... Always ( for decades thought they should have produced a 16" Fully acoustic affordable ...and then thankfully they did in the article but All the fully acoustic still have a side mounted jack for the floater .... WHY.... Makes more sense to pick guard mount ...now do colors red ..teaburst ...green lol. .but affordable artcore
Love this vid
Haha. If one day you become director of Ibanez JP, you can put them to work!
I’ll await this green, acoustic, jack mounted model!
Great video! Super informative, do you know anything about the Ibanez AFS series? I have one from 2008 but I haven’t been able to find any info about it other than the Ibanez fandom wiki site.
Hi Matt. Sorry I’m not well informed on the AFS series. I did have a look but like you, didn’t find too much. Nice looking guitar though.
I usually only deal with Japenese models hence my lack of knowledge.
Good luck learning more and happy playing!
Nice video … do you know if Ibanez make a 17” archtop with spruce? My favorite Ibanez jazz box is the GB20 but not sure about the size.
Hey sorry for the late reply.
Ibanez did make the GB200, which is 16.5" wide but otherwise they don't seem to stray too far into the 17" market, if at all.
There are 17" Ibanez but you would have to go back to the late 70's to early 80's. The same era as your GB20.
Several models that spring to mind are:
Ibanez FA800, FA700, FA300, 2460, 2470, 2471.
Hope that helps.
@@archtopheaven9549 thanks for the information. I live in Tokyo and always keep my eyes open for a larger jazz box but with Ibanez they do stay on the smaller size. My favorite period for these jazz boxes are that late seventies early eighties models. Yamaha made some interesting guitars around this time as well. Hey thanks again for the information.! Domo.
@@archtopheaven9549 I was at my local second hand guitar store here in Tokyo and I ran into the most beautiful GB5 George Benson jazz box and it is a 17” guitar made in 95 the selling price was ¥540,000. So, yes, Ibanez does make a 17” jazz box with a spruce top and it is gorgeous. Took some photos as well.
Hello, that’s a great video. I’m looking to buy a Joe Pass model at some point, I’ve heard some comments on the placement of the pickup gives a less-than desired sound. As someone who has one is this something you’ve noticed when A/Bing against the other archtops? Or are these comments cork-sniffing without any merit?
Hi Dan. Thanks.
These is a difference but that is most likely down to the 25’5 scale length which adds increased tension and firmness to the strings. In return this makes the response a little different.
Of course the pick up placement will have an effect but the difference isn’t as much as you would think if you factor in the increased scale.
It is fair to say that there are ppl who outright reject it; unfairly so and those who have reasonable objections to it.
The guitar is thinner in body than a 175, add the pickup placement and you do have a guitar that some rightly consider ‘thin’.
On the other hand, I find the guitar very usable.
You can always add a bit of bass. Taking it away is much harder.
I generally like warm fat sounding archtops, Guild X500’s L5CES etc.. that being said I really enjoy the Jp/20. I’ve had 4 including the 2 I currently have. Both will be going up for sale soon, so if and when you’re in the market, give me a shout.
Cheers
@@archtopheaven9549 thank you, great response. The Pass model is probably back on the table for me then.
I have a definite affinity with Ibanez archtops, I have had the PM20, PM120, and I still have my PM100 which I don’t like to use anymore, Metheny signed it a played a couple of chords - now a holy relic! I want something different to the ‘American brands’ - I’m not keen on them. When I’m in a position, I’ll give you a shout and see if you still have one. Thanks again for the response, I really appreciate your time.
@@dangreenwood
No worries Dan. I’m currently trying to build a jazz guitar manufacturing business in the UK. I post vlogs about the endeavour and other archtop related stuff. If you haven’t already; subscribe!
If I get the time, I’ll do you an A/B sound test between the JP20 and the other Ibanez 16”ers.
The JP 20 Pickup is similarly placed, to the Gibson 175, which Joe Pass owned and played for many years.
Many people criticize the position of the pickup saying that it produces a nasal sound, but I have never had that problem with my '82 JP-20. It all comes down to how you EQ and where you attack the string. Grettings.
How would you compare the JP 20 and GB 20?
Hey there.
Very different. Almost opposite ends of the Ibanez scale.
The Gb quite heavy. It’s 16.5” at the lower bout and typically over built in the GB anti feedback way.
The Jp-20 is light, has a longer scale length and slightly more mid focused sound.
It also feels a fair bit smaller.
Hope that helps?
@@archtopheaven9549 perfect 👍 🙏
Very interesting thank you. How do you rate the Ibanez PM2AA? Also is the Maya 175 copy a good guitar? Thanks
Hi Kempini
I’ve not heard of a PM2AA. I assume it’s a Pat Metheny model? The Maya 175 copy and most of those non Ibanez/Greco copies are all quite good. They are generally competently made and when amplified, sound good. They have vintage mojo you can’t get from modern chinese or korean Ibanez but they do have their price and ppl are now trying to charge what I would consider, too much. If you can get one cheap, I don’t see why not :)
Thanks for your reply. Yes the PM2AA is a Chinese Pat Metheny Model, seems to get good UA-cam reviews. I think I can get the Maya for about £550.
@@kempini
I’d go for the Maya 175.
Make sure if you can to check the truss rod and that the neck is straight. Those old Japanese guitars are usually good but if you can do it, it’s always worth it.
@@kempini
I find the Chinese models have very thick polyurethane finishes which can make them sound quite nasally.
You can’t go wrong with a good Japanese model.
Cheers!
Thanks
It's not to create controversy, hahaha, but I would like to know from all those who insult the sound of the JP-20, how many have or have simply tried the guitar, its possibilities, ergonomics, etc?
To be fair to the Jazz Guitar community, I generally find people talk from experience and you'll be surprised how many people have tried a Jp-20. They are relatively cheap, often up for sale (although much less so now) and have been around for some time.
Did some of those who played one, have preconceived bias and couldn't get passed it? Maybe; I'm sure there is a tiny bit of that but overall, I understand the debate.
There is a video of me playing one on my channel. I think it's sounds great. It's a fun guitar and has some fascinating lineage.
Cheers
@@archtopheaven9549 thank you very much. Grettings
@@BienveC.L.4217
You’re welcome Bienve.
Thanks form commenting.
they more than likely used a different factory
Pass did not like the JP 20 sound they positioned the pick up in the wrong place
his D'Aquisto 'had only 20 frets the JP 20 has 22 the pickup is to far away from the the harmonic
It’s certainly a guitar that draws conversation, to put it mildly lol
Thanks for commenting John. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Cheers!