to your list.
I first discovered these guitars by accident when I was playing in a club in Idaho Falls Idaho. During the day I wandered down to a local music store, Chesbro Music with the intent of trading my Gibson SG for something different. Don't worry, the SG I had was a horrible guitar, great sounding pickups but the neck was really "spongey". That might not be the correct term but the effect was that I couldn't play rhythm on it without it flexing in and out of tune constantly. The neck wasn't broken or damaged, just soft.
Anyway the sales person checked out the guitar and liked it and offered any of the telecasters on his wall in exchange for the SG and $50. I checked out all the tele's and settled on one that was in my opinion butt ugly but the best of the bunch. It was a original 1969 Paisley Caster which at the time (late 70's) weren't the collectors items they are now. Even though I didn't know of their future collectability at the time I definitely got the better deal in that trade.
After we finished the trade the sales guy offered to show off the new line of Ibanez guitars they had just gotten in. As I remember he mentioned they were going to be a distributor for them in the western US. I liked them. Very nicely made guitars. He offered to bring a few down to the club where we were performing. I said that would be great but really didn't believe he would show up. As well I told him even though I liked what I was trying out at the store my income could afford a new guitar.
After I left the store I forgot about it thinking he wouldn't show anyway.
That night, as we were playing, in walks the guy from the music store with not just one, but 3 new Ibanez Artist guitars. I got to try out all three that night live on stage. Very nice guitars, played really well, sounded great. A very "Gibson" kind of sound something like my SG but way more solid. Perfect for the Southern Rock type of music we were playing at the time. I really liked them. I thanked him and told him I wish I could afford one but I can't. He said no problem and said he was happy to hear them played.
A few years later I did finally get a couple of my own. A Black 82 and a beautiful violin finish 84 pictured below.
These can still be found used in the $1000 and up range. Way better buy for your money than many currently IMHO overpriced Gibsons.
https://woodnwires.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/unsung-heroes-1-the-ibanez-artist/
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