I just picked up an Ibanez AFB200 yesterday. I've been wanting to play one for awhile and wasn't brave enough to buy one sight unseen online. I discovered a local store had one. Although I'm not a big fan of floating bridges I did want a hollowbody. I was able to get it for $500 including the Ibanez hardshell case.
While it sounded nice acoustically, and that was one of the reasons I wanted a hollowbody, this thing is very versatile plugged in. I use a Markbass combo and it's easy to get a slightly overdriven sound just using the neck pickup (and no effects), similar to the sound of the AGB200, which I've tried out often. The bridge pickup alone is a little too edgy given the roundwound strings that came on this, but with both pickups there's a nice full sound with a hint of hollow woodiness. I can't wait to put flatwounds or tapewounds on this bass; I think that will take it to the next level.
Fit and finish is excellent for the price. It's been sitting in the store for awhile but it definitely wasn't tried out much as it came off the rack mint with nary a fingerprint and the strings sound brand new. It's taking a bit to get used to the larger size of the hollowbody, particularly the curved back. I had a Jack Casady at one point and this is more comfortable to me. I already have a G&L L2500 so wanted something completely different. I was originally leaning toward an AGB200 but could never connect with it and this one does get very close to the sounds on that one due to the same pickups. The short scale is very comfortable and I could get used to that full-time. Overall an excellent bass at a good price.
Two questions for those who own this bass. What type of strings are you using? And, since it is a hollowbody does it need to be treated like an acoustic from a humidity perspective? Thanks.
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