So, I went hollowbody shopping yesterday to replace my Dot (which I don't care for). The Dot is a nice sounding and looking guitar, and the string action is great, but I'm not a fan of that thick neck. I thought since I have been primarily a bass player for 17 years, the neck would be fine. But, sine I switched to guitar in my band, I find my hand cramping up after a while. This guitar would probably be great for soembody with E.T. fingers, but it's not for me.
After testing various Gretsch's, Epiphones, etc, I ended up with, unbelievably, an Ibanez. It's a rubyburst AF75 and other than the name on the headstock I love it. It played easily better than anything I tried, looked incredible, sounded better than most of the guitars I tried (admittedly I was in the $300-$700 range so Gibsons and high-end Gretsch were out). It has the fancier older trapeze tailpiece that has since been replaced by the "T" style on some of the guitars. (THere seems to be no rhyme or reason on the tailpiece as the same models and years had different ones. Different factories maybe?). Plus, it had a slight mark on the back of the neck so I got it at under 3 bills. I couldn't believe it. I'll probably change out the pickups and pots (which sound really good as is) and will definitely put in a bone nut, but other than that it's one helluva guitar.
After falling in love with and obtaining an Ibanez Talman and now this, I need to rethink my prejudice against this company.