Ibanez AM53 SRF Sunburst Red Flat Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, (Used)
The Ibanez AM53 SRF in Sunburst Red Flat is a compact semi-hollow electric guitar designed for players who want warm resonance, comfortable handling and versatile electric tones in a smaller-bodied format. With its double-cutaway semi-hollow design, smooth playability and striking flat red sunburst finish, the AM53 is a strong choice for blues, jazz, indie, rock, soul, worship, alternative and expressive clean or lightly driven playing.
This pre-owned Ibanez AM53 is listed in Excellent condition, meaning it shows very light signs of use while remaining fully functional and ready to play. It is ideal for players who want the character of a semi-hollow guitar in a more compact and approachable format than a larger traditional hollowbody.
The AM53 offers a lively response with enough warmth for smooth chords and enough clarity for articulate lead lines. It is a practical all-round semi-hollow for players who want something comfortable, stylish and musically flexible.
Condition Overview
Excellent Condition
This Ibanez AM53 is in Excellent condition. This means it shows very light signs of use while remaining fully functional and ready to play.
Excellent condition is ideal for players who want a clean, carefully kept pre-owned guitar with only minimal evidence of previous ownership.
What’s Included?
✔ Ibanez AM53 SRF Sunburst Red Flat Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included
Condition Notes
This guitar shows very light signs of use such as minor surface marks, faint handling wear or small signs of careful previous ownership.
No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.
Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment
This pre-owned Ibanez AM53 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.
Our checks include:
- Electronics tested
- Humbuckers checked
- Pickup selector tested
- Volume and tone controls checked
- Output jack tested
- Frets inspected
- Tuners checked
- Bridge checked
- Tailpiece checked
- Neck relief assessed
- General playability assessed
Service / Setup Work
All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.
This Ibanez semi-hollow has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:
- Action checked
- Neck relief checked
- Frets inspected
- Tuning stability checked
- Electronics tested
- Hardware checked
- Bridge setup checked
Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.
Why Choose The Ibanez AM53?
Compact Semi-Hollow Feel
The AM53 gives players the warmth and resonance of a semi-hollow guitar in a smaller, more manageable body size. It feels comfortable for seated practice, standing performance and longer playing sessions, making it a practical choice for players who find larger semi-hollows too bulky.
Warm, Open Electric Tone
Semi-hollow construction gives the guitar a more open and resonant response than a solid body. This makes the AM53 ideal for clean chords, blues phrasing, warm lead tones and expressive rhythm playing.
Versatile Dual-Humbucker Layout
The dual-humbucker setup provides a broad range of useful sounds. The neck pickup gives smooth warmth for jazz, blues and clean lead work, while the bridge pickup adds extra bite and focus for rock, indie and driven rhythm tones.
Comfortable Double-Cutaway Design
The double-cutaway body shape gives easy access to the higher frets, making the AM53 more practical for lead playing than many single-cut hollowbody designs. It is a great option for players who want semi-hollow character without sacrificing playability.
Sunburst Red Flat Finish
The Sunburst Red Flat finish gives the guitar a bold, modern look while still suiting its semi-hollow character. The flat finish feels understated and stylish, making the guitar stand out without looking overly glossy or ornate.
Strong Value Semi-Hollow Option
Ibanez Artcore guitars are well regarded for offering accessible semi-hollow and hollowbody designs with reliable playability. The AM53 is a strong option for players who want semi-hollow tone and feel without moving into higher-priced Gibson ES-style instruments.
Comparison Against Popular Alternatives
Ibanez AM53 vs Ibanez AS53
The Ibanez AS53 has a larger semi-hollow body, while the AM53 is more compact and easier to manage. Choose the AM53 if comfort, reduced body size and easy handling are priorities.
Ibanez AM53 vs Epiphone ES-335
The Epiphone ES-335 offers a more traditional full-size semi-hollow feel. The Ibanez AM53 is smaller, lighter-feeling and more compact, making it a good alternative for players who want similar semi-hollow character in a more comfortable body shape.
Ibanez AM53 vs Gretsch Streamliner Models
Gretsch Streamliner guitars often have a brighter, more retro-inspired voice. The AM53 has a smoother humbucker-based tone and a more straightforward semi-hollow feel. Choose the Ibanez if you want warmth, simplicity and compact comfort.
Ibanez AM53 vs Solid Body Electric Guitars
A solid body guitar usually sounds tighter and more focused. The AM53 has more resonance and air in the sound, making it better suited to players who want warmth, openness and a slightly more organic response.
Who Is It For?
Beginner Players
The Ibanez AM53 is a strong choice for beginners who want a comfortable electric guitar with a warmer sound than a standard solid body. Its compact size and simple controls make it easy to get started.
Intermediate Players
Intermediate players will appreciate the AM53 as a versatile semi-hollow for practice, recording, rehearsals and performance. It offers a more characterful voice than many entry-level solid body guitars.
Professional Players
Professional players can use the AM53 as a compact semi-hollow for studio textures, live sets, writing sessions or as a reliable alternative to larger hollowbody instruments.
Suitable Genres And Uses
This Ibanez AM53 is well suited to:
- Blues
- Jazz
- Indie
- Alternative
- Soul
- Funk
- Pop
- Worship music
- Classic rock
- Clean rhythm playing
- Warm lead tones
- Studio recording
- Live performance
- Players wanting a compact semi-hollow guitar
Why Choose A Compact Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar?
A compact semi-hollow electric guitar gives players a useful balance between warmth, comfort and control. It has more resonance and air than a solid body, but feels easier to manage than a large hollowbody or full-size semi-hollow.
This makes the AM53 ideal for players who want expressive clean tones, warm chords and smooth driven sounds without the bulk of a larger instrument. It can sit comfortably in a mix, respond well to pedals and cover a wide range of styles from jazz and blues to indie and worship music.
For players moving from solid body guitars, the AM53 is an accessible way to explore semi-hollow tone while keeping the familiar feel of a compact electric guitar.
Looking for advice on choosing the right semi-hollow electric, Ibanez Artcore model or pre-owned guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.
Story & Context: Ibanez Artcore Series
The Ibanez Artcore Series was created to make hollowbody and semi-hollow guitars more accessible to a wider range of players. These guitars offer classic-inspired sounds and looks while retaining Ibanez’s focus on playability, reliability and value.
The AM53 sits within that family as a compact semi-hollow model. It is designed for players who want the warmth and resonance of a semi-hollow guitar but prefer a smaller body that feels easy to handle.
With its simple controls, dual-humbucker layout and comfortable body shape, the AM53 is a practical and musical choice for players exploring semi-hollow tones.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar |
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Model | AM53 |
| Finish | Sunburst Red Flat |
| Body Style | Compact Double-Cutaway Semi-Hollow |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Pickups | Dual Humbuckers |
| Pickup Selector | 3-Way Selector |
| Controls | Volume, Tone |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic Style Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar Tailpiece |
| String Configuration | 6-String |
| Condition | Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition |
Power Requirements
No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.
Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?
Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.
When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:
Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience
Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.
Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.
We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.
Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.
It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.
FAQ
Is the Ibanez AM53 suitable for beginners?
Yes. Its compact body, simple controls and versatile humbucker tones make it a strong choice for beginners who want a comfortable semi-hollow electric guitar.
What styles does the Ibanez AM53 suit?
It works well for blues, jazz, indie, alternative, soul, funk, worship, classic rock and clean rhythm playing.
How does the AM53 compare with a full-size semi-hollow?
The AM53 has a smaller body, making it easier to handle while still delivering semi-hollow warmth and resonance.
Is this guitar good for clean tones?
Yes. The semi-hollow body and humbuckers give clean tones a warm, rounded and expressive character.
Can it handle overdrive?
Yes. The AM53 works well with light to medium overdrive for blues, rock, indie and roots-style playing.
Is it suitable for recording?
Yes. Its warm semi-hollow voice makes it useful for recording rhythm parts, lead lines and layered guitar textures.
Does it work well with pedals?
Yes. It works well with overdrive, boost, compression, delay, reverb, tremolo, chorus and amp-modelling setups.
How does it compare with a solid body guitar?
A solid body guitar usually sounds tighter and more direct, while the AM53 offers more resonance, warmth and air.
Is this a good choice for players moving from acoustic guitar?
Yes. Its warmer response and semi-hollow resonance can feel familiar to acoustic players moving into electric guitar.
Can I try this guitar in-store?
Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Ibanez Artcore guitars, semi-hollow electrics and pre-owned instruments.