Ibanez AM93QM-JBB Electric Guitar: Full Review

INTRODUCTION

The Ibanez AM93QM is an electric guitar aimed at the intermediate rock or metal player. It is part of the Artcore series of semi-hollow and hollow body electric guitars produced by Ibanez. This model combines attractive classical looks with modern playability and features to pack a versatile punch. At its core, the AM93QM brings traditional Ibanez design together with their tried and true craftsmanship, all at an extremely affordable price point. Overall, the AM93QM is an excellent choice for players looking for a sleek electric guitar that can handle a wide range of genres and styles.

Body & Neck

The Ibanez AM93QM-JBB features a handsome arched Quilted Maple top on a Mahogany body, delivering rich tone with good sustain and resonance. The Mahogany neck has a comfortable, slim profile and smooth satin finish for excellent playability. It is topped with a bound Ebony fretboard and 22 medium frets. The construction materials used give this guitar a resonant, full-bodied sound with crisp highs and tight lows. The arched top not only looks beautiful, but also adds structural strength while allowing the Mahogany body to vibrate freely. Overall, the body and neck are crafted from quality tonewoods that produce great acoustic resonance and enhance the guitar's plugged-in performance.

When choosing an electric guitar, it's important to consider the woods used for the body and neck. Mahogany is a popular choice as it has a balanced tonal response. The Quilted Maple top adds visual flair while also influencing the tone. Maple tends to brighten up the sound compared to an all-Mahogany body. The Ebony fretboard is known for sustain and clarity. While the specific woods depend on preference, high quality tonewoods generally lead to better resonance and musicality. The neck profile and fretboard radius also affect playability. This Ibanez model has a comfortable neck shape and medium jumbo frets for versatility across styles.

Fender is another leading electric guitar brand known for classic models like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. The Fender 0378253506 is a Telecaster Deluxe model with some modern updates. It features an Ash body, Maple neck, and dual Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups. The Noiseless pickups provide hum-free performance while retaining vintage Tele twang and bite. This guitar has a "C"-shaped neck profile that's comfortable for chording and solos. Overall, the Fender 0378253506 offers that timeless Tele sound and feel with the benefit of modern electronics.

When researching electric guitars, it's a good idea to read reviews and watch demo videos to get a sense of the sound and playability. While specs and materials provide a baseline, individual playing style and musical needs should inform any guitar purchase. It's ideal if you can test out instruments in person before buying. Whether you prefer a more modern Ibanez or a classic Fender, choosing the right electric guitar is an exciting part of developing as a musician!

Hardware

The Ibanez AM93QM features quality hardware that allows for great functionality and tone.

Bridge

The AM93QM has a Tune-o-matic bridge with a stopbar tailpiece. This is a classic bridge design that provides solid intonation and tuning stability. The adjustable saddles allow you to fine tune the string height and intonation.

Tuners

This Ibanez model comes equipped with die-cast tuning machines. They provide precise and accurate tuning, keeping the guitar in tune even during heavy use. The tuning pegs feel solid and turn smoothly.

Pickups

It has two Super 58 humbucking pickups that deliver a warm, rich sound with emphasis on the low mids. The neck pickup produces a smooth, round tone while the bridge pickup has more bite and presence. Together they offer a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The pickups are wax potted to prevent microphonic feedback.

The hardware on the Ibanez AM93QM is designed to offer versatility in sound and reliable performance. Many players appreciate the classic Tune-o-matic bridge and quality tuners that hold tuning well. The pickups provide a dynamic humbucking tone. Overall the hardware complements the design and playability that makes this a great guitar.

Another popular electric guitar option to consider is the Vangoa VA20CE NT12. This is an affordable guitar with a solid wood top and quality hardware. It has a classic single cutaway design with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. The VA20CE NT12 utilizes dual humbucking pickups for thick, rich tone. It also has a 3-way pickup selector switch, volume and tone knobs. The chrome diecast tuners keep it in tune nicely. For an entry-level guitar, the Vangoa VA20CE NT12 punches above its weight in looks, playability and sound. It's worth checking out this model if you want good value for money.

Sound & Tone

The Ibanez AM93QM produces a rich, warm tone thanks to its mahogany body and quilted maple top. The combination of woods gives it a balanced and nuanced voice across the tonal spectrum - articulate highs, lush mids, and tight low end.

The mahogany body contributes to a smooth, rounded tone with excellent sustain. It provides a robust warmth and resonance without excessive overtones. The quilted maple top adds snap and definition to the highs and upper mids. It helps the AM93QM cut through a mix while still retaining a sweet and singing voice.

Overall, the guitar has a versatile sound profile suitable for jazz, blues, country, rock, and other genres. The pickups and electronics allow a broad range of usable tones, from clean and pristine to saturated overdrive. While not as bright as some maple-topped guitars, the AM93QM has enough shimmer to sparkle yet stays anchored in a pleasing midrange.

Playability

The Ibanez AM93QM's playability is defined by its fast, thin wizard neck and impeccable fretwork. The neck has a thin, fast feeling "Wizard" profile that provides superb playability for shredders and lead players who need to quickly move around the fretboard.

Despite the thin profile, the neck still feels substantial enough to play chords and rhythm. The fretwork from Ibanez is excellent, with nicely rounded, finished medium jumbo frets. There are no sharp edges to catch on your hands during fast lead playing. The frets are perfectly leveled and crowned for low, fast action without buzzing.

Overall, the wizard neck and fretwork make this a very playable and comfortable guitar for lead playing and shredding. The thin profile is ideal for players with smaller hands or those who need to quickly navigate the neck. The exemplary fretwork also provides a smooth feel during speedy solos.

Comfort & Ergonomics

The Ibanez AM93QM has a lightweight and well-balanced body that makes it comfortable to play, even during longer practice or gigging sessions. The double-cutaway design provides easy access to the higher frets.

The contoured body has some nice curves that fit nicely against your torso when playing seated. The back of the body has a deep contour that fits snugly into your abdomen.

The neck has a thin and slim profile that makes it easy to grip and play fast licks. It feels fast and slick in your hand. The neck joint allows excellent upper fret access.

The hardware on the Ibanez AM93QM is smooth and beveled so there are no sharp edges digging into your body or hands. Overall, the guitar feels great to hold due to its ergonomic contours and lightweight build.

Versatility

The Ibanez AM93QM is a very versatile electric guitar that can handle a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. With its semi-hollow body and humbucking pickups, it's well-suited for blues, jazz, rock, metal, and hard rock.

The dual humbuckers provide a warm yet aggressive tone that works for everything from smooth jazz chords to high-gain metal riffs. The coil-splitting feature allows you to switch to single coil tones, making the AM93QM adept at cleaner genres like pop, indie rock, and funk.

The thin, flat neck promotes fast, nimble soloing while still providing great grip for complex chords. This makes the AM93QM a great choice for lead guitarists who need to transition between rhythmic chording and lightning-fast solos.

Whether you want to play bluesy classic rock, fusion jazz, or even djent metal, the Ibanez AM93QM has the sonic versatility and playability to handle it. Its flexible sound and smooth playability make it a very versatile guitar suitable for players of many different genres and techniques.

Pros

• Beautiful and distinctive double-cutaway hollowbody design provides a stylish and elegant aesthetic

• High-quality construction with an arched maple top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard delivers durability while retaining resonance

• Super 58 custom pickups produce a bold, dynamic sound with plenty of warmth and definition

• Smooth neck with comfortable medium frets allows for easy shredding and fast lead lines

• Lightweight, balanced body offers great playability when standing up without compromising rich acoustic tones

• Versatile electronics let you switch between fully acoustic and electric tones for everything from jazz to rock

• High-end features like gold hardware, bound body and fretboard, and wooden toggle switch provide an upscale look and feel

Cons

• The neck has a gloss finish which may not be as fast or comfortable for lead playing as a satin finished neck. Some players prefer the feel of satin.

• The pickups may not have quite the same clarity or dynamics as higher-end models. The tone is good for the price, but lacks some nuance.

• The fixed bridge limits tuning stability and intonation compared to a tremolo or tune-o-matic bridge. Makes it harder to do dive bombs or extreme whammy effects.

• Only available in limited color finishes, unlike more customizable boutique models.

• Made in Asia rather than USA/Japan which some purists strongly prefer. May have more variability in quality control.

• Not the most lightweight guitar, a bit heavier than classic singlecutaway models. Can cause fatigue over long playing sessions.

• Lacks some premium accents like binding around the fretboard. Aesthetics are more basic.

• No included gig bag/case. Need to purchase separately to properly protect the instrument.

• Not a huge tonal difference from lower priced Ibanez models. Paying more for relatively incremental upgrades.

Conclusions

The Ibanez AM93QM is a versatile semi-hollow electric guitar that excels at jazz, blues, and rock. With its arched maple top, back, and sides, this guitar produces a full, resonant tone perfect for chordal playing and soloing. The Super 58 pickups and Ibanez AFC tailpiece provide a classic yet modern voice with excellent note definition and sustain.

Though semi-hollow, the AM93QM still offers solid sustain and feedback resistance thanks to its center block design. This makes the guitar suitable for higher gain playing while retaining the lively acoustic resonance of a semi-hollow. The guitar's mid-boost control allows for even more tonal variety.

With a comfortableslim neck, intricate vine of life fretboard inlay, and smooth playing feel, the Ibanez AM93QM is a joy to play for extended periods. The stopbar tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge ensure rock solid tuning stability as well.

Overall, the Ibanez AM93QM is an extremely well-built and great sounding electric guitar suitable for jazz, blues, and rock. Its high-end features, playability, and gorgeous design make it an excellent choice for intermediate to professional players looking for a versatile semi-hollow electric. It's an instrument that will continue delivering inspiration and enjoyment for years to come.