Ibanez 1980 Artist AR200 Antique Violin w/ Original Hardshell Case - Used
The late-1970s Ibanez Artist guitars are among the best-built instruments to come out of Japan in that era, and the AR200 is a short-lived gem from the heart of that run. Introduced in 1979 and built by FujiGen, the AR200 was only offered through 1980, in Antique Violin and black. It's a serious player's guitar: an arched maple top over a double-cutaway mahogany body, a set-in three-piece maple neck, and a bound 22-fret ebony fingerboard with abalone dot markers. Dual Ibanez Super 80 humbuckers with brass covers sit in creme rings, with individual volume and tone controls and a Tri-Sound switch for extra voicing options. The hardware is classic Ibanez Artist: a Gibraltar Tune-O-Matic style bridge, Quik Change tailpiece with ornamental scalloped plate, Sure Grip knobs and VelveTune machine heads. The result is a warm, sustaining, articulate guitar that holds its own with anything from the period.
This March 1980 example looks great, with very few blemishes anywhere and no fret wear to speak of. It just received a full setup and new strings and plays great. In the interest of full transparency, there is slightly more neck relief on the bass side than the treble side, which doesn't affect playability; the neck pickup ring has a small break in one spot; and one of the bridge post height adjusters is missing half of its flat head. Comes with its original hardshell case, which is in good but not great shape.
- Make: Ibanez
- Model: Artist AR200
- Year: 1980 (serial C80, March 1980)
- Country of origin: Japan (FujiGen)
- Finish: Antique Violin
- Body: Mahogany, double cutaway, arched maple top
- Neck: Three-piece maple, set neck
- Fingerboard: Ebony, bound, abalone dot inlays
- Frets: 22, no fret wear
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Pickups: Ibanez Super 80 humbuckers, brass covers, creme rings
- Controls: Individual volume and tone, Tri-Sound switch
- Bridge: Gibraltar Tune-O-Matic style
- Tailpiece: Quik Change with ornamental scalloped plate
- Tuners: Ibanez VelveTune
- Knobs: Sure Grip
- Condition: Very Good
- Known Issues: Slightly more neck relief on bass side than treble side (does not affect playability); small break in neck pickup ring; one bridge post height adjuster missing half its flat head
- Includes: Original hardshell case (good but not great shape)
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
