Ibanez AS73-TCD

Ibanez AS73-TCD review

The Ibanez AS73-TCD is a red, semi-hollow electric guitar from the Artcore series. Listed at $455, it offers a familiar combination of a larger body, two humbuckers, and separate volume and tone controls for each pickup. Player feedback points to strong visual appeal and generally good workmanship, with a few caveats around factory setup and control feel. The reports also vary, which is worth keeping in mind: some players found the guitar comfortable straight out of the box, while another received one with high action and visible wear.

Construction and features

The body and top are specified as basswood, with a set-in nyatoh neck. The fretboard material is inconsistent across the supplied specifications: one listing says rosewood, while the detailed specification says walnut. Buyers should confirm the material with the seller rather than assume either description is definitive. The finish is Transparent Cherry Red, complemented by cream-colored binding according to one owner's description.

The neck has an AS Artcore profile, with a listed thickness of 21 mm at the first fret and 24 mm at the twelfth. The 628 mm scale, 43 mm nut width, 305 mm fretboard radius, and 22 medium frets give a useful picture of the playing geometry. Acrylic block inlays mark the fretboard. The guitar has no tremolo, and no case or bag is included.

Its semi-hollow construction gives it the larger footprint associated with this style. One owner specifically notes that the body feels wide compared with a Telecaster, though the weight was comfortable. That size is worth considering if you prefer a compact guitar or have limited space when seated. It also matters when choosing a case, since a case intended for a smaller solid-body guitar will not fit.

Pickups, controls, and hardware

Two Classic Elite humbuckers provide the guitar's main voice. The control layout gives each pickup its own volume and tone knob, with a three-way switch for selecting the neck pickup, bridge pickup, or both. That arrangement allows separate level adjustments for the two pickups, but it also means four knobs to manage. One reviewer found the pot response less than linear, so small adjustments may not produce an evenly graduated change.

Player impressions describe the pickups as moderate in output, with a somewhat subdued, blues-oriented character. Another reviewer describes the sound as full and jazz-like, while noting that the humbuckers do not provide a single-coil-style voice. Taken together, those comments suggest a guitar aimed at players who want rounded humbucker tones, with room to move from clean playing into overdrive. They do not establish a single "best" sound: amplifier settings, playing style, and setup will affect the result.

The bridge is an Ibanez Gibraltar Performer design paired with a Quik Change III tailpiece. The tailpiece is intended to make string changes straightforward, and the bridge allows adjustment of string height and intonation. Chrome hardware and Ibanez tuning machines complete the specification. One owner praised tuning stability, while another felt that the tuners and switching hardware could be better.

Playability and setup

Setup reports are mixed. Several players found the guitar easy to play, with one saying it needed no adjustment and another reporting low action without fret buzz. A different owner found the neck usable but not optimally adjusted, reporting slight buzz on a few low frets. That player measured action at the twelfth fret at 2.3 mm on the low E string and 1.9 mm on the high E string.

The most negative report described very high action and a stiff feel with the factory.010 to.052 string set. That instrument also arrived with visible playing marks and light scratches, leading its owner to return it. This experience differs sharply from the reports of clean delivery and good setup. It is a reminder to inspect the guitar on arrival and judge the individual instrument, rather than assume every AS73-TCD will have the same setup or condition.

Verdict

The Ibanez AS73-TCD makes a persuasive option for a player drawn to semi-hollow looks and a full humbucker sound. Owners commonly praise its appearance, comfortable feel, and finish for the price. Its wide body, four-knob layout, and lack of single-coil tones will not suit everyone, and factory setup quality may vary. If the size and sound match your preferences, the AS73-TCD offers a solid feature set at its listed price. Allow for a careful inspection and a possible setup adjustment, and check the fretboard material with the retailer before buying.