Ibanez Artcore Series AGS83BATF User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ELECTRIC GUITARS AND BASSES

BRIDGES

This is to certify that the aforementioned equipments fully conform to

protection requirements of the following EC council directives.

DIRECTIVES : 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic compatibility

Printed in JAPAN  NOV00374  ©Copyright 2000

B A S S   I N F O R M A T I O N

M A I N T E N A N C E

CLEANING

Regular cleaning of your guitar

is one the most important

ways you can maintain the

finish and lengthen string life.

After playing, wipe down your

instrument to remove any

perspiration from the

instrument. Perspiration can

actually contain acids that can

be corrosive to the strings and

metal parts of the guitar. Gloss finish guitars should be polished with

polish formulated specifically for musical instruments, and a soft, treated

guitar cloth or a cotton rag. Abrasive rags such as polyester can scratch

the finish. Oil finished guitars should be wiped clean immediately after

playing with a dry cotton rag only. If your guitar has become discolored

due to extended use or heavy perspiration, factory appearance, see a

qualified guitar repair person about methods to restore the oil finish to

its original factory appearance.

STRINGS AND TUNING MACHINES

If strings become dirty,

discolored, or produce a dull

sound or buzz, replace the

strings with new ones. For best

results we recommend replacing

one string at a time, this will

help to avoid removing the string

tension from the neck. When

replacing strings with different

gauge strings, it may be

necessary to adjust the truss rod

tension. (We recommend only

qualified technicians perform

this.) Instruments that have

tremolo systems installed may

need to be adjusted after string

replacement as changes in

string tension can cause the

tremolo to raise or lower. Ibanez

guitars and basses are factory

equipped with the following

string gauges. Please follow the instructions

below for your particular model.

The strings should be tightly wound on to the

tuning machines from top to bottom with 2 to 3

string wraps around the post. In the case of

unwound guitar strings, the ends of the strings

should be prepared as shown in the diagram to

prevent unintentional slippage from the posts. In

the case of tuning machines, where the string

ends are inserted into the posts, the string can be

cut to length in advance using a pair of string

cutters.

If the tuning machines are

sealed gear units, they are

self-lubricating types. The

set screws for the tuning

knob are adjustment screws

that can be tightened with a

small Phillips head

screwdriver to increase the

tension.

*The use of coarse strings may lead to buzzing and sound distortion. Using strings that have twists or

kinks may cause buzzing or decreased sustain. Make sure that the new strings are smooth and free

from any defects before installing.

MODELS

STRING GAUGES

ELECTRIC GUITARS

.009-.042”

4-STRING BASSES

.044,.063,.080,.102”

5-STRING BASSES

.044,.063,.080,.098,.121”

35” SCALE 4-STRING BASSES

.045,.065,.085,.105”

35” SCALE 5-STRING BASSES .045,.065,.085,.105,.130”

35” SCALE 6-STRING BASSES .030,.045,.065,.085,.105,.130”

Ibanez steel string models

are equipped with

adjustable truss rods. The

purpose of a truss rod is to

adjust the neck to

counteract string tension.

There are many reasons

for truss rod adjustments.

One of the most frequent

reasons is changing string

gauges or tuning pitch which

can affect string tension.

String tension changes may

affect the string height and

cause fret buzz or notes that

don’t ring true. To adjust the

truss rod, locate the truss

rod nut and adjust it by

inserting the correct wrench

into the nut and tightening (clockwise) or loosening (counter clockwise)

the rod. Truss rod tension can be measured by installing a capo at the

first fret the holding the strings down at the fret position where the neck

joins the body. Insert a thickness gauge between the string and the fret

at the 8th fret. There should between 0.3 mm to 0.5mm clearance. That

clearance is referred to as “neck relief.” Too much neck relief can cause

the neck to have higher action in the middle of the neck causing poor

intonation and uncomfortable playability. No neck relief can cause fret

buzz.

*Appropriate care must be taken when adjusting the neck and we recommend only qualified

technicians perform this procedure.

ACTION

Ibanez guitar and bass string action is set at the

factory. However there are many reasons that an

instrument’s string height can change. Instruments

can be affected by changes in temperature and

moisture.  High string action can make the guitar

difficult to play.  If the string action is too low, fret

buzz or unclear notes can occur.  To remedy this,

follow the instructions for the particular type of

bridge installed. In the case of string action, make

sure the guitar is in tune and the truss rod is

adjusted properly. Ibanez action is set at the 12th

fret. The action may also need

to be readjusted after the neck

has been adjusted or strings

have been changed to a

different gauge. Follow the

instructions in the relevant

bridge manual to make

adjustments.

*If strings other than those described above are used, gradually increase the action clearance from

the treble side through to the bass side.

INTONATION

Intonation adjustment is the operation of adjusting the location of the

string at the saddle to compensate for different string gauges or

different tunings. Follow the instructions of the particular bridge

intonation below. Intonation is properly set when the 12th fret note and

the 12th fret harmonic are exactly the same note . This is the center point

of the scale and the most accurate way of setting a standard scale

length. With the harmonic note as the standard, if the fretted note is flat

move the bridge saddle forward toward the headstock (a) to decrease

the string length. If the fretted note is sharp, move it back away from the

headstock (b) to

increase the string

length intonation

adjustments. 

*Please note that strings can be

broken when the saddle is moved,

so always loosen the strings

before making adjustments.

PICKUPS

TREBLE SIDE

BASS SIDE

SOLID GUITARS

1.5mm

2.0mm

FULL ACOUSTIC

1.7mm

2.3mm

GUITARS

4-STRING BASSES

2.0mm

2.5mm

5/6-STRING BASSES

2.0mm

2.8mm

The output level of the instrument as

well as the quality of the signal can be

affected by the pickup height. Pickup

height should be adjusted until the

volume of neck and bridge pickups are

almost equal with both volumes wide

open.  The volume may drop drastically

if the pickup height is too low.  As the

pickups are magnetic, fret buzzing and

distortion may occur if the pickup is

too close to the strings. Use a small

screwdriver to make adjustments to

raise or lower the pickup.

*Instruments that have adjustable pole pieces can be

adjusted to balance the output of each string.

Our congratulations and deepest thanks

on making Ibanez your choice of instrument.

Ibanez standards are second to none.

All Ibanez instruments are set up

to our strict quality control standards before shipping. 

The purpose of this manual is to explain

how to maintain your instrument’s finish

and to keep your guitar playing

as well as it did when it left our factory.

BASS CONTROLS

3way PU Character Sw.

ATK/5way PU Selecter

Volume

Treble Boost/Cut

Mid Boost/Cut

Bass Boost/Cut

Mid Boost/Cut

Balancer

Volume

Treble Boost/Cut

Bass Boost/Cut

Mid Frequency

ATK

BTB : VARI-MID

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

8th fret

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

1

3

2

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

0.3~0.5mm

NECK

ATK

ATK bridges were designed  to allow the

maximum amount of string vibration to

transfer from the body.  For slightly more

sustain, strings can be installed either from

the back of the instrument through the

string grommets.  For slightly more attack,

the strings can be lowered into the bridge

from the front of the instrument and

hooked onto the

string catch. Intonation adjustments can be

made by adjusting the intonation screws (A) at

the rear of the bridge clockwise to move the

saddle back, and counter clockwise to move

the saddle forward. 

*Note: When replacing string check with the dealer to

make sure the new strings are long enough for the full

scale length of the bass.

(A)

MONO-RAIL II

Mono-Rail II bridges allow the bass strings to be

isolated from one another by using independent

bridge plates for each string. The strings are

installed by lowering the ball end into the bridge

and hooking the ball

end below the string

catch at the rear of

the bridge.

Intonation adjustments can be made by

adjusting the intonation screws (A) at the rear

of the bridge clockwise to move the saddle

back, and counter clockwise to move the

saddle forward.

(A)

ACTIVE EQ.

BTB SERIES : VARI-MID 3B

The Vari-Mid 3B EQ was designed to work with passive pickups and is

loaded with 18 volts to allow the user to get more output from the bass

before distortion.

VARI-MID EQ

ATK : 3 BAND EQ

The Ibanez ATK 3 BAND EQ was

designed for use with passive

pickups and allows the user to

control the bass/treble and mid

range boost and cut.

PICKUP SELECTION

ATK : 5 WAY PICKUP CHARACTER SWITCH

The 5 way pickup character switch

allows the user five completely

different tone positions.

Neck

Center

Bridge

ALL 2 PICKUP MODELS : PICKUP  BALANCER

The pickup balance control pot allows the

user to blend between the front and back

pickups using a single pot. The center

position of the pot has a de-tent which will

set both pickups to equal output. 

Turning the knob clockwise increases  the

neck pickup while decreasing the output of

the bridge pickup. Turning the knob counter

clockwise decreases the neck pickup and

increases the output of the bridge pickup.

BRIDGE

PICKUP

NECK

PICKUP

noise cancel coil