The semi-hollow guitar design has been a popular entry in the catalogues of many makers for many years, and perhaps no manufacturer has a wider range of these than Ibanez. This company offers semi-hollow instruments to suit all abilities and budgets, but it could be said that the AS80 should be at or near the top of the list.

The guitar is very well-made, the flawless finish on this example showing no signs that it is 25 years old, even though it has had some professional use in its past. The hardware components are good quality (the tuners are made by Gotoh). There are many subtle quality touches - the abalone position markers, the binding on the body and fingerboard, the set neck, the smooth, noise free electronics.

But the main event is the sound. Rarely have we offered a guitar with such a full and rounded tone as this. Semi-hollows are noted for their warmth, but the tone from the Super 58 pickups fitted to this guitar take this to another level, with plentiful sustain and rich harmonic overtones.

The guitar has had a light fret dress, and so plays very easily with low action (just over 1mm at 12 fret on 1st string, but if you play hard you may want to raise this a little). 

The model is clearly derived from the Gibson ES-335, and has the same scale length and lower body dimensions.

The fitted case is original and like the guitar in excellent condition, except that the key has been lost.

If you are in the market for a guitar which will give you a very similar feel to a 335 for a fraction of the price, this is it.