Allan Holdsworth, the internationally renowned jazz/fusion guitarist, was an Ibanez endorser from 1984 to 1987. His signature Ibanez AH-10 and AH-20 guitars are now considered collector's items by many guitar collectors.
Per reputable reports Allan loved the quality of the AH-10 model that Ibanez made personally for him but honestly wasn't crazy about the quality of the production models that followed. He felt they were lacking in sound quality compared to his personal guitar which resonated in a more pleasing fashion. Nevertheless many guitar players were very satisfied with their Holdsworth Ibanez guitars. And Allan's auditory perception was certainly far above most mortal guitar players!
Manufacturer Description:
After two years of careful preparation by the Ibanez R & D team, the Allan Holdsworth model has finally arrived! Each detail of this guitar is carefully specified by Allan Holdsworth, enabling him to achieve the maximum in musical range and expression. It is our honor to create this instrument in collaboration with this legendary musician, an artist noted for his virtuosic talent and taste. The body is constructed of select light weight basswood with a specially constructed sound hole to produce an incredibly dry, clear sound. The AH10 also features a special pickup system, custom wound for Allan Holdsworth. The Powerocker tremolo is made with an aluminum block, the material found most effective in enhancing rich overtones and pure harmonics. The string passes through the inside of the block, enabling maximum sustain, and the kind of tone Allan looks for in a guitar. Probably the most unique feature of the AH10 is its 25-1/2" scale neck with a custom 53 mm string pitch at the bridge. This is a much narrower spacing than an ordinary guitar, allowing for excellent string balance and perfect alignment for the maximum in speed and feel. The neck is flat and wide. The fingerboard is arched in a 17 inch radius and is finished with extra large Jim Dunlop #6100 frets for comfort and handling. The AH10 is wired to ensure consistent tone at all volumes, giving it the versatility to handle any playing situation.
Addition Manufacturer Information:
At the winter NAMM Show in Los Angeles in 1982, Allan Holdsworth was looking for the guitar that would meet the demands of his extraordinary technique and give him the freedom to express his musical ideas. He began talking to Roy Miyahara from Ibanez about his concepts for his new guitar. After quite a bit of discussion at the show, Allan invited Roy to his home to continue the conversation.
Allan's ideas of what the guitar should be like were no less exacting than his playing. Every detail was laid out - body weight and wood type, string spacing, fingerboard radius, fret size, scale length, even the coil wire gauge for the pickup, and a special sound chamber underneath the pickguard. Nothing was left to chance. Roy took the sketches and specifications Allan had laid out home with him and sent them to Fritz Katoh at Ibanez R&D in Japan. There, Fritz translated Allan's ideas into five prototypes over a period of two years, each incorporating improvements over the last, each scrutinized by Allan. Finally, in 1984, this work resulted in the introduction of the AH10 Allan Holdsworth Model, a guitar of uncommon playability and depth of tone, or as Allan put it - "... superior to any I'd previously owned". We think you will agree.
In 1986 Ibanez expanded the series with the AH20 two pickup model for expanded tonal versatility.
Key Features:
- Spider Logo: Designed by Allan Holdsworth himself, this distinctive logo identifies the AH10 as a unique instrument built for the discriminating player.
- Neck and Frets: The 17 inch radius ebony fingerboard is extra flat and wider for exceptional playing ease. Jim Dunlop #6100 jumbo fret wire is used, providing a comfortable, solid feel.
- Body: The body of the AH10 is built of lightweight basswood with a special sound cavity under the pickguard. This sound chamber adds a distinct clarity and warmth helping to create a "singing" tone quality.
- Pickup: The new AH Special pickup was developed to meet Allan's exacting needs. Custom coil winding and Alnico magnets were used to achieve an exceptionally clear, smooth, warm sound. All twelve polepieces are adjustable to assure perfect string to string balance.
- POWEROCKER Special: This black-chrome plated tremolo has several features designed especially to suit Allan's unique style. An aluminum block brings out rich, full harmonics. Narrow spacing between strings aids in lightening fast right hand passages, while lining the strings up perfectly with each polepiece of the pickup. A short 150mm tremolo arm makes subtle vibrato shading possible.
Specifications:
- Body: Basswood
- Neck: Maple 1 pc.
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Machine Heads: SMOOTH TUNER II
- Scale: 25-1/2 (22 frets)
- Pickup: AH Special
- Bridge: POWEROCKER Special
- Control Knobs: TEK GRIP
- Hardware: Black Chrome
- Finishes:
- BY (Burgundy)
- FG (Forest Green)
- BK (Black)
- WH (White)
The AH10s, though fairly scarce these days, are definitely easier to find than the AH20 dual pickup models. These are pretty rare and I've only seen a couple of them for sale online in the past 2 or 3 years.
Check out the Ibanez Allan Holdsworth guitars for sale on eBay!
