Ibanez AEF20CSNERLG

This is a classical cutaway style guitar that has a solid top and laminated back and sides. It has a piezo pickup. What I licked about he design is the 1 7/8 in. neck width, thinner that a classical neck, and 20 frets. I bought it to play fingerstyle jazz through my acoustic amp. For the price is seemed to have all the right features that I needed.

The sound when plugged into an amplifier was disappointing: low volume and dull. I had to turn the volume all the way up to get a barely adequate mid range or bass response. The volume response is only ~1/3 that of my Taylor nylon string NS 32CE. I was concerned that the piezo pickup was misplaced under the bridge, but when I looked at it, it appeared to be OK. I took the guitar back to the dealer and tried the other one they had. It was no better, so I returned my guitar. Also I cannot imagine buying this guitar to play unplugged, since it is very quiet compared to just about any decent classical guitar in this price range.

Decent quality and fit except the tuners are cheap and the preamp lacks a notch filter.

It's build like a brick-sh~thouse. But I can't comment on longevity since I had to return the guitar within a week.

What good is an guitar that has limited volume plugged or unplugged? If this problem gets fixed, I'd be happy to buy this otherwise well designed guitar again.

2005 is the first year for this guitar. The one I received was made in China.
* a nylon-string classical guitar
* classical-sized body (not a thinline)
* single cutaway
* narrow neck/narrow nut, 14 frets to the body
* solid cedar top
* arched mahogany back
* mahogany sides and neck
* rosewood bridge and fretboard
* Ibanez SQR pickup and AEQ-SRT preamp with onboard tuner

Cedar and mahogany have a warm sound. I usually play unplugged, but I used this guitar once with an amplifier just to make sure the electronics worked.

The last fret on this guitar is cut flush with the contour of the soundhole, but was off-center on the first guitar I received. One section of the two-piece saddle was noticeably sunk, causing string buzz, and the nut had a sharp edge. I exchanged the guitar for another AEF20CSNERLG and was happy with its craftsmanship. The top, bridge, neck, headstock, and gold tunning machines all seem fine. The finish is low-gloss with no objectionable blemishes. The sides of the guitar and the back of the neck are wood, but feel like plastic -- not necessarily a negative, perhaps its just a type of finish that resists wear better. The battery caddie, which holds 2 AA batteries for the onboard tuner, could be more rugged with less sideways play when its slid in and out. Playing-wise, I like the low action and overall feel of this guitar.

It surprisingly light so I'm gentle with it. It seems durable, time will tell.

Problems developed after a few weeks with the onboard tuner, and I found it difficult getting a hold of someone at Ibanez. Clicking the 'support' menu option on their website only gave me an FAQ and some pdf help manuals, and I found no way to contact them. I had to go through the seller to reach someone at Ibanez, and after sending the guitar twice to an Ibanez service center, the tuner still does not function the way it did when new.

What I love about this guitar - I like the specs, I'd been looking for a narrow neck, single cutaway classical guitar with 14 frets to the body that is not a thinline, and was about to have one custom made when the AEF20CSNERLG came along. I like the conservative and traditional styling of this guitar. My hand butts comfortably against the flat heel of the neck when I play the highest frets - no pointy neck heel like those found on many Taylors and Martins, which always gives me the sensation of a circular saw blade against my hand. The arched back is very modest, not like the contour bowl of an Ovation, and the headstock is even and attractive, not lopsided like the "offset notch" headstock of the Epiphone EN546C. The low-gloss finish is subtle and attractive.

What I hate about this guitar - I have a 1970s Ibanez Les Paul (made in Japan) that is rock-solid, so I didn't hesitate buying the AEF20CSNERLG sight unseen. But this one was made in China and the first one had defects that should have been caught at the factory. The guitar could come with more useful product documentation.

I purchased this guitar from Musician's Friend and had no problem exchanging it for another AEF20CSNERLG. I also purchased the recommended Ibanez case (PF50C), but returned it because of a defect and so-so quality, and because it was too tight for the lower bout of this guitar. I bought an SKB SFR-8 Freedom case which seems well made and has a 16" lower bout that fits this guitar perfectly. I would describe MF's philosophy as "we'll keep redoing it until you're happy" rather than "we'll make sure it?s done right the first time". But judging by other reviews, my experience is not uncommon. Too bad, because I find MF?s catalogs enticing and would like to buy more from them without feeling like I will have to make returns.

Anything you wish it had - I am happy with the features of this guitar, just a few minor suggestions: there are fret dots along the edge of the neck (except the 3rd fret was omitted for some reason), why not break with tradition here and place them on the fretboard like other guitars. A strap button on the heal would be useful. I don?t need the onboard tuner, but as long as it is included have it be analog (needle instead of the less sensitive LEDs).

Overall, this is a good guitar for the price and I would purchase it again, but probably from a brick-and-mortar store so as to avoid the craps shoot of catalog and e-buying. I like the quality of Ibanez?s older guitars, but am now wary of their newer products. I would gladly pay twice what I paid to have everything right the first time and for more accessible customer service. I hope other manufacturers begin making classical guitars with the specs of the AEF20CSNERLG.