AR500 (1979–1982)

For the later model with the same name, see AR500 (1989–1992).

AR500 Antique Violin (more images)

The AR500 is an Artist series solid body electric guitar model introduced by Ibanez in 1979. It was made in Japan by FujiGen replacing the 2622.

The AR500 features an arched maple top with creme binding on a double-cutaway mahogany body mated to a set-in three-piece maple neck with a 22-fret ebony fingerboard with binding and pearl and abalone split block position markers. Components include dual Ibanez humbucking pickups, a Gibraltar Tune-O-Matic style fixed bridge and tailpiece with decorative "cloud" and VelveTune machine heads.

For 1980 the plain maple top was replaced with a curly maple top; this figured top was alternately described as flame or tiger maple throughout the run. Pickups are listed variously as Super 58 or Super 80 depending on the year and catalog.

Controls consist of a master volume and (passive) tone and a Tri-sound switch for each pickup along with an active EQ Tone System consisting of a ±6 dB boost (gain) knob and a 3-band ±15 dB active EQ (bass, middle, treble). A toggle allows the EQ system, which is powered by a 9V battery, to be activated along with an LED indicator.

The AR400 is a related model with a 2-band Active Tone system. The AR550 is a similar model introduced in 1983 which has different controls (individual volumes, no passive tone, single Duo-sound switch instead of two Tri-sounds).

The AR500 was discontinued after 1982, but another model with the same name debuted in 1989.

Specifications[]

Related content: Artist series |

Specifications for AR500 (1979–1982)

Model name: AR500 (1979–1982)

Year(s) offered: 1979–1982

Sold in: Japan

Made in: Japan

Finish(es): Antique Violin (AV) / Black (BK) 1979 / Cherry Sunburst (CS) 1980

Body

Body type:
Solid body

Body material:
1979: Mahogany w/ maple top & creme binding
1980–1982: Mahogany w/ 2-piece bookmatched curly/flame/tiger maple top & creme binding

Neck joint:
Set-in w/ smooth heel

Bridge:
Gibraltar (w/ sustain block)

Tailpiece:
Quik Change

Knob style:
Sure Grip

Hardware color:
Gold

Neck

Neck type:
AR

Neck material:
3-piece rock maple

Scale length:
628mm/ 24¾"

Fingerboard material:
Ebony w/ binding

Fingerboard inlays:
Pearloid & abalone split block

Frets:
22 / medium

Nut:
Half-bone/ half-brass

Machine heads:
Ibanez VelveTune

Factory tuning:
1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E (E Std.)

Electronics

Pickup configuration:
HH

Bridge pickup:
1979: Ibanez Super 80 (H)
1980: Ibanez Super 58 or Super 80 (H)
1981–1982: Ibanez Super 58 (H)

Neck pickup:
1979: Ibanez Super 80 (H)
1980: Ibanez Super 58 or Super 80 (H)
1981–1982: Ibanez Super 58 (H)

Controls:
Master volume / master tone / two Tri-sound switches / gain (boost) knob / three ±15 dB active EQ knobs (bass, mid, treble) / EQ on/off switch w/ LED indicator

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