Ibanez Artcore AS7312 Transparent Cherry Red 12-String Semi-Acoustic Guitar

Summary:
Recommended. Good value for money. Better than a Harley Benton RB-612 (apart from the narrower neck), and no worse than an Epiphone Casino (apart from the chunky neck profile). If you have smaller hands, short or fat fingers then this guitar may not be for you, as you may get muted strings or cramp. Mods and a full setup are worth paying for. I often change tuners and nuts on guitars (including my Fender Strat), as guitar makers often skimp on these items to keep the price down. Mods and setups make guitars feel and look a lot better, changing them from "flippers" to "keepers".

First impressions:
1. Headstock: front looks classy, binding neat - 99% perfect, back has permanent (unwarranted) CE / UKCA label - why?
2. Tuners: smooth gearing - may replace with Vanson (V07SP) locking tuners for ease of string change and tuning stability.
3. Nut: slots cut fairly well, but could be a bit lower; strings binding (pinging) when tuning - may replace with Graphtec TUSQ XL (T-1500-00).
4. Neck: narrow (43mm at nut) - feels cramped for 12-strings, but may get used to it (no worse than a Rickenbacker 12); chunky neck profile not comfortable higher up the neck (24mm at 9th fret); binding neat - 95% perfect - some tooling damage next to nut.
5. Frets: level, no string buzz; no fret sprout or sharp edges; frets gritty (not polished) - may file, dress and polish.
6. Fretboard: inlays tidy; (walnut) looks dry, muddy brown shade - may stain with ebony spirit based dye and condition.
7. Body: front looks nice (linden / basswood) - visible grain subtle, binding neat - 99% perfect; f holes neat; inside - clean; back looks ok.
8. Pickups: good volume and clarity (ceramic), not muddy; bridge tone harsh - but can be toned down.
9. Bridge: saddles ok, metal ok.
10. Action: string action too high for me (2mm at 12th fret) - may lower saddles (to 1.5mm at 12th fret).
11. Tail: metal ok.
12. Pickup selector: ok, but set at 45 degree angle - may change to 90.
13. Output socket: sticky residue around socket - easily removed with polish, firm connection.
14. Knobs: ('sure grip') style looks wrong for this ES-355 inspired guitar - may change knobs to silver top hats.
15. Pots: volume and tone pots provide a wide sweeping range on both pickups; pots crackly - may improve with use or electrical cleaner.
16. Pickguard: cut well; attracts static electricity - may apply static remover.

I received the guitar in a well wrapped up cardboard box. The bridge pick-up seem to fail at first, but soon I figured out the wires of the bridge pick-up switch was twisted. However after a small intervention it sounds great and the blend between the two humbuckers is so lovely. I taped the unboxing, I could make a video about that one. For now I can show you my cover of Radioheads 'Street Spirit'
https://youtu.be/jrXPE3TVl_g
Maybe this could be a hint to check out these type of guitars when they leave the hangar, just saying. It could be a rare occasion. Greets from Belgium

J'ai acheté cette guitare pour essayer et me mettre à la douze cordes.
Je suis possesseur de pas mal de modèles, notamment deux Ibanez (AS 103 et LGB 300).
J'ai acheté cette guitare en stock-B, emballage défectueux, mais guitare impeccable.
On retrouve le contact des AS Ibanez, ainsi qu'une finition irréprochable.
La guitare est très agréable à jouer.
La guitare a eu besoin d'un petit réglage : hauteur des cordes et très légère correction du creux, puis remplacement des cordes par la suite.
Les micros sont corrects, l'utilisation d'un bon équaliseur redonne du relief.
L'AS 7312 est une guitare d'un excellent rapport Qualité/Prix.
Merci BAX-SHOP, livraison impeccable, bien emballé et délai respecté, et surtout très satisfait de cet achat en Stock-B (il faut oser, sachant qu'on peut retourner l'achat en cas d'insatisfaction !)

I received the guitar in a well wrapped up cardboard box. The bridge pick-up seem to fail at first, but soon I figured out the wires of the bridge pick-up switch was twisted. However after a small intervention it sounds great and the blend between the two humbuckers is so lovely. I taped the unboxing, I could make a video about that one. For now I can show you my cover of Radioheads 'Street Spirit'
https://youtu.be/jrXPE3TVl_g
Maybe this could be a hint to check out these type of guitars when they leave the hangar, just saying. It could be a rare occasion. Greets from Belgium