Ibanez AS113-BS

Ibanez AS113-BS review

The Ibanez AS113-BS is an Artstar-series semi-hollow electric guitar aimed at players who want a jazz-friendly instrument with room for blues, rock, and pop. Its combination of a spruce top, flamed maple body, and two Super 58 humbuckers gives it a distinct voice, while the switching and control layout offer several ways to shape that sound. It has been available since May 2022, and the package includes a fitted case.

Player reports describe strong overall build quality and good setup out of the box. Several owners found the fretwork comfortable and the action well adjusted, though individual instruments can differ. The guitar is also often praised for its finish and presentation. The included case is a welcome part of the package, with users describing it as sturdy and closely fitted.

Construction and feel

The AS113-BS has a semi-hollow maple body with a spruce top and a three-piece set neck made from nyatoh and maple. Its ebony fingerboard carries acrylic and abalone block inlays, with 22 medium frets. The scale length is 628 mm, the fingerboard radius is 305 mm, and the nut measures 43 mm wide. The neck profile is listed as AS Artstar, measuring 21 mm thick at the first fret and 24 mm at the twelfth.

Reviews generally praise the neck's smooth feel and easy playability. That said, neck preference is personal. One player found it a little thicker than expected, while others emphasized how comfortable and quick it felt. The body is a substantial part of the instrument's character and size. Some owners consider the guitar heavy for a semi-hollow; others found it balanced on a strap and manageable against the leg. Its size may take adjustment for players used to smaller solid-body guitars.

The brown sunburst finish, gold-plated hardware, and block inlays give the guitar a polished look. It has a bone nut and Ibanez tuning machines. The bridge is a Gibraltar Artist design paired with a Quick Change III tailpiece. One owner noted that the tuning-machine buttons can be adjusted at their screws if their turning resistance feels uneven.

Controls and amplified sound

Two Super 58 humbuckers are controlled by separate volume and tone knobs, with a three-way pickup selector and a Tri-Sound switch. There is no tremolo. Players report that the pickups are balanced and responsive, with enough range to move from rounded jazz tones to more cutting blues and rock sounds. The guitar is not voiced as an especially dark jazz instrument. Several users describe its basic character as relatively bright, resonant, and clear.

That brightness can make amplifier settings important. One reviewer found the unplugged tone more metallic and less warm than expected, then got the desired jazz and blues sounds through an amp modeler with carefully chosen settings. Others praised the warmth of the pickups and their output. Such differences are unsurprising in instruments built with natural wood, and the reports suggest that amplifier choice, setup, and individual examples all affect the result. The Tri-Sound switch adds another tonal option, although at least one player felt it was less convenient than a push-pull control.

Despite its jazz credentials, the AS113-BS can handle more driven material. Owners report useful results for blues, rock, and pop, including a semi-hollow character that sits comfortably between a traditional jazz sound and a more assertive electric-guitar voice. It may take some adjustment of the guitar's controls and amplifier to find the preferred balance, rather than delivering one fixed sound immediately.

Setup, strings, and value

Most reported examples arrived well packed and ready to play after a tuning check. Temperature changes during shipping can affect tuning, so allowing the guitar to acclimate before making adjustments is sensible. The supplied string set is D'Addario EXL140 in.010,.052 gauge. One owner preferred.011,.047 flatwound jazz strings, reporting a fuller tonal balance and a comfortable feel. That is a personal preference, not a necessary modification; other players were satisfied with the guitar as supplied.

At a listed price of 855, the AS113-BS offers a broad feature set and includes a case. Buyer feedback is consistently positive about its finish, setup, and musical versatility, though weight and body size are recurring considerations. The sound can also take some dialing in, especially for players seeking a warm, traditional jazz tone. For someone looking for a well-equipped semi-hollow that can cover jazz and blues without being restricted to them, the Ibanez AS113-BS is a compelling option. Its comfortable neck, flexible controls, and included case strengthen the overall value.