AS200 (1979–2004)

For the more recent model of the same name, see AS200 (2014–2020).

AS200 Antique Violin (1980) (more images)

The AS200 is a hollow body electric guitar model introduced by Ibanez for 1979. It was made in Japan. Initial production starting in 1979 was by FujiGen. Starting sometime in mid-1986 production moved to Terada which continued to produce the AS200 through 1991. Production returned to FujiGen for 1992 and remained there until the end of the run.

The AS200 replaced the similar 2630, which has more rounded horns. It was originally part of the Artist series, but was added to the newly designated Artstar series in 1987.

The AS200 features a semi-hollow, double cutaway body design with a flamed maple (alternately described as curly maple or tiger maple) top with ƒ holes and ivory multi-binding on flamed maple back and sides with a hard rock maple center block mated to a set-in mahogany neck with a 22-fret ebony fingerboard with ivory binding and pearl and abalone split block position markers. Components include a pair of Ibanez Super 58 humbucking pickups with gold covers and individual volume and tone controls and a Tri-sound switch for the neck, ivory pickup rings, a Tune-o-matic style ST bridge, a Quik Change tailpiece, a bone & brass nut, a tortoise shell pickguard, Sure Grip knobs, and VelveTune tuning machines with ivory buttons.

Prior to 1981 the pickups were Super 70s. In 1982 the Sure Grip knobs were replaced with the new Sure Grip II and the half & half nut was replaced with a full bone nut. For 1983 the ST bridge was replaced with the new Gibraltar II, the Quik Change tailpiece gave way to the new Quik Change II and the new VelveTune II tuners replaced the VelveTune. For 1985 the VelveTune IIs were replaced by the new Smooth Tuner. For 1988 the single-piece mahogany neck was replaced with a 3-piece mahogany and maple construction and the tuners were replaced by Gotoh SG38s (which at some point in the 1990s were renamed SG381).

The AS200L is a left-handed version. The AS100 and AS180 are related models with a maple body, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, and chrome hardware. The AS400 is a similar model with neck through body construction.

The JSM100 is a signature model for John Scofield which was based on Scofield's AS200. The AM200 is a related model with a slightly smaller body. The AF200 is a related full-hollow body, single cutaway model.

This version of the AS200 was discontinued after 2004, but the model was revived for 2014.

Specifications

Related content: AM models | Artstar series | Artist series |

Specifications for AS200 (1979–2004)

Model name: AS200 (1979–2004) Year(s) offered: 1979–2004 Sold in: Americas & Oceania / Asia & Africa / China / Europe / Japan / USA Made in: Japan Finish(es): Amber (AM) 2000–2004; Japan only / Antique Violin (AV) / Cherry (CH) 1980(?) / Natural (NT) 1988–1994 / White (WH) 1988–1990
Body Body type: Hollow body Dimensions:   Length: 480mm / 16½"   Width: 406mm / 13⅞"   Depth: 44mm / 1¾" Top:   Material: Flamed maple (a.k.a. curly maple or tiger maple)   Binding: Ivory multi-ply Back/sides:   Material: Flamed maple Neck joint: Set-in Bridge: 1979–1982: ST 1983–2004: Gibraltar II Tailpiece: 1979–1982: Quik Change 1983–2004: Quik Change II Pickguard: Tortoise shell Knob style: 1979–1982: Sure Grip (gold) 1982–2004: Sure Grip II (gold) Hardware color: Gold	Neck Neck type: 1979–1986: AS 1987–2004: Artstar AS Neck material: 1979–1987: 1-piece mahogany 1988–2004: 3-piece mahogany/ maple Scale length: 628mm/ 24¾" Fingerboard material: Ebony w/ ivory binding Fingerboard inlays: Pearl/ abalone split block Frets: 22 / medium (SBB213-175) nickel silver (Prestige edge treatment) Nut: 1979–1981: Half bone/ half brass 1982–2004: Bone (43mm) Machine heads: 1979–1982: VelveTune 1983–1984: VelveTune II 1985–1987: Smooth Tuner 1988–2004: Gotoh SG38/SG381 w/ pearloid buttons	Electronics/ Strings Pickup configuration: HH Bridge pickup: 1979–1980: Ibanez Super 70 1981–2004: Ibanez Super 58 (H) passive/alnico Neck pickup: 1979–1980: Ibanez Super 70 1981–2004: Ibanez Super 58 (H) passive/alnico Controls: Two volumes / two tones / 3-way toggle pickup selector / Tri-sound switch for neck pickup Output jack: ¼" stereo box (face mounted) String gauge (factory): .013/.016/.022/.032/.042/.052 Factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E (E Std.)

About this table

Images

Additional finishes/ details

Amber

Natural

White

End view

Cutaway view showing maple center block

Size comparison of AS200 (top), AM200 (middle) and AF200 (bottom)

Pickup switching

Controls layout

Wiring diagram 1994–1996

Parts list

Headstock shape/inlay changes

Evolution of the headstock through the years

1979–1986
example from '79

1986–1987 (new truss rod cover; Terada production)

1988 (new shape, inlay and truss rod cover)

1989–1998 (new truss rod cover)
example from '90

1999–2004 (new shape, inlay and truss rod cover)
example from '01

Sources

• 1979 Japan catalog (p. 14)
• 1982 Full & Semi Acoustic Electric Guitars catalog (pp. 4–5)
• 1983–'84 Full & Semi Acoustic Electric Guitars catalog (pp. 12–13)
• 1988 Semi and Full Acoustic Electric Guitars catalog (p. 4)
• 1995 Asia/ S. America catalog (p. 22–23)
• AS200 product page, Ibanez USA, archived June 1997
• AS200 product page, Ibanez USA, archived September 1999
• 2000 Japan catalog (p. 22)
• 2003 Europe catalog (p. 34)
• Artist Hollow Bodies, Ibanez Vintage (Jim Donahue's site), archived July 2003
• 2004 AS200-AM sale listing, Yahoo! Japan Auctions, archived January 2023