Ibanez AW120ECE Acoustic

This particular unit is stamped as an Artwood, made in Korea, 120 CE-RDV-1M-01. Found the retail price from the Ibanez website as going for $714.00.

But there are a few features (on this model) the previous review and the 2007-8 catalogue which aren't the same. Everything mentioned is identical, except this guitar has no XLR output or on-board tuner. Instead there is a standard Ibanez AEQ equalizer; an installed case for a 9-volt battery for pre amp; low battery indicator light; volume control knob; a phase push-switch and a standard 1/4 inch phone output jack at the base strap button, as typical.

It is an aesthetically pleasing as it is comfortable to play, and projects a tonal quality of that to compare with instruments of a much greater price range.

It does have a semi-gloss finish. But what struck me was the blend of color range over the entire guitar itself. Many other brands have either a darker or lighter body color as compared to the top. My search was over when I chose this to be my next guitar and replace a Yamaha acoustic I've had for almost 25 years.

So a hunt is on, whether this is an older model in the series, or maybe an expert modfication I am not aware of. It was purchased at a local music store this past few months.

With no pickguard to better the resonance of the solid top, it provides freedom of finger style playing and tonal projection expected from that of a maple body, of which I had tried in the same model line, but preferred this mahogony and its warm, tonal quality it provided.

Electronics can make even a 'cheap' guitar sound good. But when the guitar as this is sounding as good as it does unplugged, then one expects soemthing even better. And, it performs well enough, indeed. I wasn't disappointed.

Some want more bass or volume, then go to a jumbo. Some, brighter. Then go to a full maple body. But that doesn't always cure such preferences. It gets expensive and over rated, more than you bargained for or needed. Matter of personal taste and hearing while having to sacrifice comfort sometimes.

The action comes with the comfort and ease in playing hours at a time. If the shoe doesn't fit...!

Set up was acceptable and the first few minutes I had first played the 120, convinced me it was so much like the Yamaha, of which even many others I have tried in the past, had to beat.

In the past I had purchased a fancy Alverez, but would come back to my old Yamaha because there had to be a difference in playing comfort to my hands. I traded that Alverez (which was worth 3 times more than the old Yamaha) for a 4 track.

I have to wonder if this Ibanez isn't made by the same outfit which puts out some Yamahas. The split inlay pattern on the back is almost identical to that 80's 335 II! But the Yamaha was made in Tiawan (?)

It is hard to see anything wrong with this antique violin finish which is so uniform over the entire guitar. As an artist, I really appreciate such attention to color and application. What is, as you look closer though, are pin-sized dimples in the finish. As a woodworker, this is a result of such a semi-gloss finish as it allows for such curing. I accept such a minute flaw as being characteristic of the final coat itself. Wood has to breath and it will aid in its age processing.

Will it stand up with what I will put it through? Certainly. I am but an amateur, but serious a one, and yet, I do take care of my things and the components as I have seen will do very well over the years ahead.

The finish is going to be more than one could expect, as todays coating formulas outlast the brittle varnishes of the past. It is going outdoors as well when the time comes.

This is an attractive piece and anyone having this for show n' go should be proud to have it as a companion.

It can speak for itself, well enough. But it is more fun with a group!

I would first seek out any help from those whom I had purchased the unit from. They have been in business for 35 years and know far more than I do when it comes to warrany or repair, if needed. Ever. Anytime.

(Rating based on any future contact with Ibanez. Not the music store!)

I have been playing guitar for over 40 years. Today I own and play a Peavey T-60 as well and have an old Silvertone Classic stored away, my first guitar. Since 1965.

I would have asked why my particular model was 'different' as I had described in having no XLR or tuner. But, less hardware the better I say.

Compared to others?

You better believe it. Yamaha, Takamine, Dean, Fender, Epiphone as close relatives. Even the big guys (Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Guild, Washburn, etc.) couldn't bring me to their side as they have outpriced and over-rated themselves these past several years. C'mon, I spend my money on other wants and needs.

I found what I have been looking for. But had to part with my Yamaha. (Sniff.) I chose the Ibanez to be a good and even better replacement with the addition of its electronics I had been looking for, without having to compromise on the quality of sound. Or comfort.

(What else could it have? A cup holder? A hand warmer would be nice.)

Replace it? Geeze, maybe I should get it insured? Yeah, it was a challenge to find this thing, so I'd want it back or a replace it with the same.

Its a beauty. I call it my 'The Dark Mistress'. Reflects my personal taste and level of ability of playing a guitar.

Try this and the rest of the line. The maple body may be the one (AW 130) or the jumbo, as I was close in taking those. The whole Ibanez product line of guitars is overwhelming.

Dean would have been my second choice. But they didn't have one as pretty.

This dreadnought guitar has a dark finish with mahogany back and sides with a solid spruce top. It has grover tuners, an Ibanez SQR pickup and SRT preamp. Its made in Korea.

First of all, let me mention this: The guitar has one MAJOR flaw: It has an XLR output as well as a 1/4" output, but in order for the XLR output to work, you have to put a dummy plug in the 1/4 output. This makes pretty much no sense at all, but whatever... I've been using the 1/4" output and running through a DI box and have had no trouble at all. Given that, I'm not going to mark the guitar down for that as most guitars don't even have an XLR out.

Ok, that gets the one negative thing out of the way. The positive on features would be the onboard tuner works very well. Also, instead of a 9volt, this guitar uses 2 AA batteries which means that if they go out, you can just steal them from a remote control, which I've done.

I play anything from acoustic singer songwriter to hard rock to blues to really bad covers of britney spears and this guitar does anything you could ever expect an acoustic to do. Unplugged, it sounds good, but not as good as a $2000 taylor or martin. Having said that, plugged in, it is THE BEST SOUNDING ACOUSTIC I OWN. And I own 8 of them. When I play an acoustic onstage or in the studio, I always play this one. I have a few much more expensive guitars but the pre-amp on this one is so amazing that I leave all of them at home. There is something funny about leaving a $1500 and a $2000 guitar sitting in your rack and bringing your cheap Korean Ibanez to the studio, but my concern isn't impressing people, its sound.

The guitar was set up perfectly when I bought it at Guitar Center and its never needed adjusting. It stays in tune extremely well and feels very tight and well put together.

Again, I have been gigging with this guitar for a year and have had NO ISSUES AT ALL other than breaking a string here and there, but thats happened with pretty much every guitar I've ever owned. I never, EVER gig without a backup, but I'll only play one if I break a string on this one.

I've never had to contact Ibanez.

I've been playing for over 20 years. I own a total of 12 guitars from a 1962 Gibson 330 to a Guild, to an 1986 Ibanez Pro-Line (the set neck one with pickup presets... most underrated electric guitar ever). I have a Mesa studio 22 and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and a full PA in my living room. The whole reason I bought this guitar was as a backup-backup (in case I broke strings on TWO guitars and also I wanted a cheap guitar to travel with. I never thought it would become my primary acoustic. If it were stolen or lost, someone would have to die, but I'd buy another one in seconds. My favorite feature is the pre-amp which is worth the entire cost of the guitar. I compared it to everything in its price range and chose it about 2 seconds after I heard it through GC's roland acoustic amp.