Just picked up a nice old Ibanez Artist guitar. Can anyone help with dating or links to info please? Seems like a solid guitar. Serial is 1900096 Any clue on which model specifically? Here's a quick picture.
I think the first digit is actually an I according to a site someone nicely suggested. I guess it's an 89, man I thought it was older! Crap. Nice guitar nonetheless.
If the first digit is an I, then it's a 77. Here's my 77 Artist 24 fret model. Back of the headstock shot: http://southbayampworks.com/artist/headstockrear.jpg Body: http://southbayampworks.com/artist/bodyfront.jpg
Not made in 1989 or at least not imported to the USA. Better pix, especially of the bridge and tuners will help date it. From what I can make out in the photo I'd concur with the above post.
The letter 'I' indicates the month (Sept). The following two numbers are the year of manufacture. Southbay - yours is indeed a '77. If Jack's ser # is I900096, then it may have been made in 1990 (assuming they kept the same serial numbering system from the 70s & 80s). Cheers, OP
I guess they switched numbering system in 86 or 87. Man, I dunno! Anyone else? When I looked at a few sites, I came up with '89 or '90.
Here's a link to a page from a 1990 catalog. It shows an AR200 model, in black, that looks to be a dead ringer for yours: http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1990/18.jpg
You've got an early (possibly transition model) '89 'Artstar' AR 200BK. The narrow-waisted headstocks indicate an Artstar model of the late 80's early 90's. The Artstar neck profiles were usually a bit slimmer than the former 'Artist' series. All are great guitars for the money. Enjoy!
