Ibanez Artcore AS73 Semi-Hollow Guitar
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There’s something particularly appealing about a semi-hollow electric guitar. The generous body, elegant F-holes and traditional styling give it a character that many conventional solid-body guitars simply don’t have.
The Ibanez Artcore AS73 Semi-Hollow Guitar captures that appeal in a Tobacco Brown finish, combining classic double-cutaway styling with modern Ibanez construction.
Featuring a linden semi-hollow body, set-in nyatoh neck and two Classic Elite humbuckers, the AS73 offers a versatile approach to electric guitar playing.
It’s particularly interesting for guitarists who enjoy blues, jazz, classic rock and expressive clean tones but don’t want to be restricted to one musical style.
Why the Ibanez AS73 Stands Out
The AS73 belongs to Ibanez’s established Artcore range, which focuses on hollow-body and semi-hollow electric guitars.
Its double-cutaway body, traditional F-holes and Tobacco Brown finish create a distinctly vintage-inspired appearance.
The body uses linden for the top, back and sides, with a semi-hollow construction that gives the instrument a different physical character from a conventional solid-body electric.
That construction is central to its appeal.
A semi-hollow design offers some of the resonance and acoustic character associated with hollow-bodied instruments while remaining suitable for amplified electric guitar playing.
The AS73 also features a set-in neck rather than the bolt-on arrangement found on many modern electric guitars.
It’s a traditional approach that complements the instrument’s overall design.
A Comfortable Neck for Expressive Playing
Ibanez fits the AS73 with its Artcore nyatoh neck and a 24.7-inch scale length.
This shorter scale can provide a slightly softer string feel than the 25.5-inch scale found on many Fender-style guitars, assuming similar strings and tuning.
That may appeal to guitarists who enjoy expressive bends, vibrato and relaxed chord playing.
Current Ibanez specifications list a bound rosewood fingerboard with acrylic block inlays and 22 medium frets.
The dark fingerboard contrasts attractively with the Tobacco Brown body, while the block inlays reinforce the guitar’s traditional appearance.
The neck measures 43 mm wide at the nut, providing a conventional electric-guitar playing surface.
Although neck comfort is always personal, the combination of scale length, fret size and double-cutaway design makes the AS73 worth considering for both rhythm and melodic playing.
Two Classic Elite Humbuckers
The AS73 uses two passive Classic Elite humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets.
These are designed to provide a full-bodied electric guitar sound with useful clarity and definition.
The neck pickup is particularly relevant for warmer jazz phrases, mellow blues leads and rounded rhythm tones.
The bridge pickup offers a more direct, brighter character that can help guitar parts remain distinct when an amplifier is driven harder.
Selecting both pickups provides another tonal option.
Ibanez includes a three-way pickup selector, with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup.
This arrangement allows the guitarist to balance the pickups and make adjustments without changing amplifier settings.
The dual-humbucker configuration also helps reduce the electrical hum associated with traditional single-coil pickups.
For players who regularly move between clean sounds and moderate overdrive, the arrangement offers useful flexibility.
Traditional Hardware with Practical Benefits
The AS73 features a Gibraltar Performer bridge and Quik Change III tailpiece.
The bridge provides individual saddle adjustment for intonation, allowing each string to be set up appropriately.
The Quik Change III tailpiece is designed to make string replacement more convenient, an advantage for musicians who change strings regularly.
Chrome hardware provides a restrained contrast against the darker body finish.
There is no tremolo system, which keeps the bridge arrangement relatively straightforward.
For players who prefer a fixed bridge and uncomplicated string changes, that simplicity is welcome.
The guitar also uses conventional tuning machines rather than locking tuners, so correct string installation and a suitable setup remain important.
Where the AS73 Fits Among Other Electric Guitars
The AS73 offers a different experience from many modern solid-body instruments.
For example, our Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20 guide explores a chambered solid-body guitar with two humbuckers and Yamaha’s Dry Switch.
Both instruments provide humbucking tones, but their body construction and overall design are quite different.
Guitarists looking for brighter single-coil sounds might also explore our PRS SE Silver Sky guide, which covers a traditional three-pickup electric guitar with a tremolo system.
The AS73 makes most sense for players who specifically appreciate semi-hollow styling, a shorter scale length and conventional humbucker controls.
The Drawbacks
The Ibanez AS73 has plenty of appeal, but its semi-hollow design introduces practical compromises that deserve consideration before choosing one.
The Body Is Larger Than a Solid-Body Guitar
One of the biggest differences is physical size.
Ibanez specifies a body width of approximately 15.75 inches and a maximum depth of 2.625 inches.
That makes the AS73 noticeably bulkier than many conventional solid-body electric guitars.
Some players appreciate the way a larger guitar rests against the body, particularly when seated.
Others may find the additional depth uncomfortable during longer playing sessions.
Guitarists accustomed to slim instruments should consider whether the larger body suits their preferred playing position.
Feedback Can Become an Issue
Semi-hollow guitars can be more susceptible to acoustic feedback than conventional solid-body instruments.
This becomes particularly relevant when using high amplifier volumes or substantial distortion.
The AS73 is designed for amplified playing, but that doesn’t mean feedback can be ignored.
Standing close to a loud amplifier or allowing certain frequencies to build up may introduce unwanted resonance.
For blues, jazz and moderate-gain rock, this may be manageable.
Players who regularly use extremely high-gain sounds could find a solid-body guitar more practical.
The Pickups Won’t Suit Every Musical Style
The Classic Elite humbuckers offer useful versatility, but they are not intended to reproduce every electric guitar sound.
Players who prefer the sharp attack and bright character of traditional single-coil pickups may find the response different from what they’re accustomed to.
Likewise, guitarists who rely on exceptionally high-output pickups for modern metal may prefer a more specialised instrument.
The AS73 is best appreciated for its own musical character rather than expecting it to replace several fundamentally different guitars.
No Coil Splitting or Advanced Switching
The AS73 uses conventional three-way pickup switching with separate volume and tone controls.
There are no factory coil-splitting switches, active electronics or complicated pickup combinations.
This keeps operation straightforward, but it limits the variety of pickup configurations available.
Players who enjoy experimenting with numerous electronic switching options may find the controls restrictive.
For someone who values simplicity, however, this may be a perfectly acceptable compromise.
The Gloss Finish May Not Suit Everyone
The Tobacco Brown finish is one of the guitar’s most attractive features, with its warm colouring and traditional appearance.
However, glossy surfaces can show fingerprints and handling marks.
Players who prefer understated satin finishes may find the overall appearance a little more polished than they like.
The neck finish and body size should also be considered together, as they influence how comfortable the instrument feels in regular use.
A Setup May Be Needed
Even a guitar from an established manufacturer may need adjustments to suit an individual player.
Neck relief, string height, intonation and pickup height all influence the playing experience.
The AS73 is supplied with .010–.052 strings according to current Ibanez specifications.
Guitarists accustomed to lighter strings may prefer a different gauge, which can require setup adjustments.
Buyers should also check the specifications of the exact instrument being supplied, as materials and details have changed across different AS73 production years.
Current models specify a rosewood fingerboard, while some earlier versions used walnut.
A Suitable Case Is Another Consideration
The AS73’s larger body means an ordinary solid-body guitar case may not fit properly.
Ibanez lists compatible cases and bags for the instrument, but buyers should check what their particular retailer includes.
A suitable protective case is especially important when transporting a semi-hollow guitar regularly.
This adds another practical consideration for musicians travelling between rehearsals, lessons and performances.
Who It Suits Best
The Ibanez Artcore AS73 is particularly suitable for guitarists who enjoy blues, jazz, classic rock and clean or moderately overdriven guitar sounds.
Its semi-hollow construction and traditional styling make it appealing to musicians who want something different from a familiar solid-body design.
The shorter scale length and dual humbuckers also give it a useful combination of playing flexibility and tonal variety.
For more instruments with different body styles, pickup arrangements and playing characteristics, explore our Electric Guitars collection.
Players who prefer compact bodies, extensive switching options or extremely high-gain playing may be better served by another design.
Is the Ibanez AS73 Worth Considering?
The Ibanez Artcore AS73 brings together traditional semi-hollow styling, practical hardware and versatile humbucking pickups in an attractive Tobacco Brown finish.
Its set-in neck, shorter scale length and familiar controls provide a straightforward foundation for expressive electric guitar playing.
The larger body, potential feedback at high volumes and relatively simple electronics won’t suit everyone.
However, for guitarists drawn to the character of a semi-hollow instrument, the AS73 offers a compelling alternative to more conventional solid-body guitars.
It’s the kind of instrument worth considering for its distinctive design, musical flexibility and the different playing experience it brings to a guitar collection.
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