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1997 Ibanez AAF-207, Seven String
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Serial #: F9759061
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 2" Body depth: 2 1/2" Neck depth: .83/.91, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Arched figured maple back and sides; arched spruce top; three-piece solid maple neck with adjustable truss rod; solid ebony fingerboard and compensated bridge; Paua abalone/mother of pearl block fingerboard inlay; 7-ply body binding, bound fingerboard and f-holes.
Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes DiMarzio N1 Blaze humbucking pickup, floral motif trapeze tailpiece, sealed Ibanez Pat. Pend tuners, adjustable compensated ebony bridge, 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard, tone and volume controls with original Sure-Grip knobs.
Notes: Ever since guitar innovator George Van Eps had his Epiphone Deluxe factory refitted with a 7 string neck in the late 30's, players looking for that low 'A' generally had to commission a custom luthier willing to take the job. While the occasional custom Gibson with a 7 string neck could be coaxed from the factory, the major manufacturers largely found such requests well below their radar. And then there was Ibanez.
A pioneer of short-run manufacturing, Ibanez had few rivals for their dizzying array of models and specifications. Indeed, until this gleaming beauty showed up, we had no inkling the firm had ever even considered offering a traditional seven string archtop as a regular model. But in the late 90's, Carolina guitarist and retailer Jerry Sims consulted with the firm to create this short lived addition to their catalog. As far as we know, it was the first factory 7 string archtop built since the rare Gretsch Van Eps model disappeared in the late '70s.
Available only in Japan, the AAF-207, also known as the Jerry Sims model, was reportedly built between 1997 and 2001, though we have only seen examples from this very first year. Designed for player comfort, the 16" body is slimmed to 2 1/2" in depth, and crafted of arched laminate tonewoods for maximum feedback resistance. The gently tapered D profile neck is smooth in the hand, with a conventional 2" nut width for easy fingering on the solid ebony fingerboard with dramatic Paua abalone inlays. The DiMarzio N1 Blaze humbucking pickup, specifically designed for 7 string performance, is clear and tight in the bass, with warm, rich mids.
Maintained in showroom condition, this gleaming example is free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear: binding is tight to the body, and the sunburst finish is all original. With smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, the guitar is gig ready, right out of the case, with a slimmed depth body that nestles snugly under the arm.
The guitar remains in its original black arched plush lined hardshell case, complete with factory instruction manual. Designed by a player, for players, this pro-quality instrument is an ideal choice for the guitarist wanting to branch out tonally, without breaking the bank. One only: call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
