Hey all! I just picked up an AFB-200 from a local Guitar Center, with a nice hardshell case (no label on the case, but the body fit is snug and with extra space at the headstock which seems consistent with the factory hardshell case option)- all for the price of a used Classic Vibe Squier P-Bass! I rarely search used stuff at GC except in person when I happen to go in one (rare), but I was on the search for a decent weighted-key electric piano and did a search of used inventory for all my local GCs and the Ibanez popped up and I had to go try in person. I had never held one, but always admired them in theory as a longtime Ibanez fan and as full hollowbodies and have been on a casual hunt for a hollow body for my collection (and I've never been fully convinced about the feel of a Hofner though I love the tone). I started playing the AFB at the store and it felt immediately at home in my hands- surprisingly comfortable and without the sloppiness of many cheap short-scales, plus super lightweight and well-balanced. I plugged it in and found some nice fat tones, if a bit limited.
I'm assuming the serial numbers have the first two numbers as the year? That puts mine as a first-year example from 2007. I haven't seen many pictures with the black tuning keys like mine, though haven't looked too hard.
I have looked through much of this thread and saw one person ask at some point if there is an actual difference between the earlier ACHB (I assume standing for "ArtCore Humbucker Bass") pickups in the earlier years and the later (2013-current) "Classic Elite" humbuckers, but the answers didn't really answer the question. I know guitarists have claimed very clear differences between the two, but it wouldn't surprise me to find out the bass ones were just the same pickup rebranded. Any current thoughts from those who have owned basses with both pickups? I suspect someone on here has samples of both?!
Personally I find the stock pickups a little flat/dull sounding given the lively acoustic tone of the instrument. Nearly all of the Youtube demos of AFBs are using basses with the modern Classic Elite pickups and some (like the BasstheWorld demo) seem to have a more nuanced tone palette than mine has. Part of the attraction to hollowbodies for me comes from some "air" in the tone, and these pickups seem to lack much resonant peak to pick that up (I suspect somewhat a result of eddy currents from the metal covers combined with general coil design). I may pick up a set of those old Classic Elite pickups to compare (relatively cheap from China on Ebay), though I also noticed that a Novak H22 Gold-foil pickup I have would fit almost perfectly over the stock plastic pickup rings and even the two height-adjustment holes
nearly line up- I know from experience that that pickup has alot more lively character in the upper mids and treble to play with (though quite expensive and not a humbucker!). I will definitely be experimenting soon!
.
Unless we’re playing something country or Americana. Which isn’t my normal jam.
