Ibanez AM153QA-DBS

Ibanez AM153QA-DBS review

The Ibanez AM153QA-DBS is a semi-hollow electric guitar in the Artstar series, finished in Dark Brown Sunburst. Its quilted ash body and top give the instrument a pronounced wood-grain appearance, while the relatively compact AM body shape is central to its appeal for players who want some of the character associated with a semi-hollow guitar without handling a larger-bodied design.

Player reports consistently praise the finish, overall construction, and comfortable playing feel. Several owners describe it as an instrument that feels more expensive than its price suggests. One buyer noted two small finish imperfections around an f-hole, while another reported a scratch on the neck. These appear to be individual examples rather than a consistent quality concern, but they are useful reminders to inspect the instrument on arrival.

Body, neck, and hardware

The body and top are made from quilted ash. The three-piece neck combines nyatoh and maple and is glued into the body. Ibanez specifies an AM Artstar neck profile, an ebony fingerboard, acrylic abalone block inlays, and 22 medium frets. The scale length is 628 mm, and the nut measures 43 mm across. Fingerboard radius is 305 mm, with neck thickness listed at 21 mm near the first fret and 24 mm at the twelfth.

Owners describe the neck as comfortable, with well-finished frets and a smooth playing surface. The compact body is also a draw for players who want to sit with the guitar for extended practice. Still, compact does not necessarily mean lightweight. One owner specifically cautions that the instrument feels about as heavy as some solid-body guitars. Another mentions a slight tendency to feel neck-heavy, though it did not interfere with use.

The bridge is an Ibanez Gibraltar Artist unit with a Quick Change III tailpiece. The saddle is bone, and the hardware is gold. The guitar ships with Ibanez machine heads and.010 to.052 strings. Some owners found the factory setup playable straight away; another needed a small action adjustment. One buyer criticized the nut slots as too deep, so checking nut and string setup during an initial inspection is sensible.

Pickups and controls

Two Super 58 humbuckers provide the main voice, with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup and a three-way pickup selector. A Tri-Sound switch adds further wiring options. Owners value the range it provides, especially the ability to access brighter, more open sounds alongside the fuller humbucker setting. One player reports that the parallel setting works well for clearer rhythm parts, while noting that its output is lower than the full humbucker sound. The volume controls can help balance that difference.

Reports on the guitar's sound are largely positive. Players describe it as warm, clear, and dynamic, with useful response from both neck and bridge pickups. Jazz and blues are frequent examples of styles it handles well, while other owners also use it for rock, country, and neo-soul. The semi-hollow construction and pickup options give it room to cover different approaches, although opinions differ on how much tonal variety the controls provide. One reviewer wanted a broader range; another found the Tri-Sound switch a meaningful addition.

What owners should know

The included case protects the guitar and is supplied as standard; there is no separate gig bag. One owner praised the fit and appearance of the case but found its hinges made it difficult to close. That is a reported case issue, not a reason to assume every example will have the same problem. Buyers who travel frequently may want to check the case hardware and consider whether its size and handling suit their routine.

Another practical detail is the guitar's finish and visible grain. Owners often single out the contrast and appearance of the ash, and the Dark Brown Sunburst finish is a prominent part of the instrument's appeal. The glossy look may be a major selling point for some players, while those more focused on understated styling may prefer to see one in person before ordering.

Verdict

The Ibanez AM153QA-DBS makes a strong case for players seeking a comfortable semi-hollow with a compact body, an ebony fingerboard, and flexible humbucker sounds. Its build and playability earn strong praise from owners, and the Tri-Sound switch adds useful options beyond the standard three-way selector. The main cautions are the possibility of setup or nut work, a reported neck-heavy feel, and a case that may need checking. For jazz and blues players in particular, it appears to offer a satisfying combination of warm tone, clear response, and manageable proportions.