Ibanez EW20AS-NT Exotic Wood

This instrument features a figured ash top, back and sides, plus an Ibanez B-Band SQR pickup with a powerful AEQ-SRT Shape Shifter preamp that features an onboard guitar tuner. Is new SoundExpand? construction method for greater resonance and much more even balance of lows, mids, and highs. The top, sides, and back are Ash. This is a new line of acoustic guitars for Ibanez.

It suits my sound. I mostly play hard rock (Sevendust, Skrape, Dark New Day, etc)I use a Mesa Dual Rec w/ a carvin 4x12 cab. Of course it's a little noisey through my Mesa. I like to run it through my Line 6 pod xt live w/ mosvalve poweramp for good clean sounds. Very few acoustic match up to this one in terms of sound. Very rich tone and projects itself very well. I don't have any complaints with the sound. I gave it an 8 only because Taylors and Martins sound better of course.

Action was decent out of the box. I could rip pentatonics up to the 12th fret and thats where the problems started, at the 13th fret. All strings have buzzing on the 13th fret. Sent the guitar back for an exchange. The next guitar I recieved had the same problem but also had very poorly filed frets. Sent it back for a third and final exchange. The 3rd guitar had the same problems as the 2nd guitar. The 3rd guitar had a poor flamed top also. The first 2 guitars had beautiful tops. While some features were finished nicely other were done so poorly that it renders the guitar unfavorable for any long term playing.

I bought it to play live. If all the features were done right I think it would make an incredible live guitar. Jaws would drop I just know it. This acoustic feels very solid. I would gig it without a backup. Although I ALWAYS have a backup I don't care how good the guitar is.

I bought the guitar from Americanmusicsupply.com. The company has been very accomidating and even paid for the shipping back and forth of all 3 guitars and has given me a refund with no hassles. The cost to get the smaller frets (2 of them) replaced and the frets filed would cost about as much as buying the guitar new.

I've been playing for 10 years. I mostly play hard rock and a little blues. I own a Ibanez rgt with prs pickups, Mesa Dual Rec, Line6 Podxt live, Mosvalve poweramp, carvin 4x12 cab.
I wish I would've played it at my local Guitar Center before buying it to save a month and a halfs time. I love the look of these acoutics. I've never seen another one more beautiful. I think if this thing was stolen I go look at a similarly priced Takamine.

Mine has an extreme to the nth degree figured ash top and back.. and book matched. There is just enough variation between the pieces that you can tell it was real wood not a photo as on some cheap guitars. Neck is a pale mahagony that goes quite nicely with the ash. Abalone inlay around the sound hole. I have never seen a prettier acoustic guitar at any price.

Bridge has a compensation on the 2nd string that gets the intonation dead on, a rarity on acoustics under a $1000.00

Nice fret size for my taste. Neck feels like a Gibson slim taper (Les Paul, Flying V) neck with a longer scale, plays like butter! I love the look of the fretboard... empty but for the 'EW' inlay at the 12th fret. actually extends from 11th to 13th and is a very cool script.

My sole gripe is the lack of a strap button at the neck heel. I hate having to tie a strap to the headstock or drill a hole in a new guitar.. makes me cringe at the thought of either. That plus the tuners, while keeping the guitar in tune very well(It was in tune when I bought it and it hasn't shifted!) just look cheap, for that a '9'

Sound is very subjective. In the electric world a Les Paul guy would say a Strat sounded thin and lifeless, while a Strat guy would say a Les Paul sounded muddy. So what do you say? I like the sound of this guitar.. reminds me of a vintage arch top my mother had. Not loud or sparkly or booming, but mellow,smooth, warm.. another reviewer said 'airy' that's a good description. One has to remember also that ash is a VERY different wood than is commonly used in acoustics so it is kinda apples and oranges for tone comparrison.

I find that the guitar comes to life when played fingerstyle, which I do with both flesh and nails. The overtones really sing out somehow and strumming with fingernails flamenco style really brings out the tone. Picked single notes, I use both plastic and stainless steel picks, or strumming don't shine quite as well.

Compared to say a $2000 Martin, no it doesn't sound so hot.. but if you compare it to other acoustics under $1000 you woukld be VERY surprised.

Guitar was set up perfectly, neck felt great. Very low action.. plays very similar to my Gibson V, only with a slightly longer scale. PLays as well as my buddy's $2000 martin.

All tooling looked great, beautiful wood. Heavy lacquer is a subjective taste.. I like it, others don't.. it certainly adds a luster to this guitar.. it just catches the light and sparkles. When done well, like this, heavy laquer can look very good... kind of like a nice piece of Scandanavian furniture.

I found a couple small blemishes in the body binding, but nothing you can see from more than a foot away.. same thing can be said for my Les Paul so, whatever.. For the money I would give it higher than 10 if I could.

The finish is quite heavy and has already taken a good knock without so much as a scratch. The tuners, while classy in shape.. sort of like a 40's or 50's archtop (kinda art deco) appear cheap... however I have played it HARD and short of bending the strings like I do on my electrics nothing has even began to budge it since I bought the thing.

I have never known anyone eles's Ibanez to wear out.. so..

Yes, I can depend on it

I have never dealt with Ibanez and no one I know has because the stuff just doesn't seem to break...

I have been playing over 20 years... Mostly electric.. I own 2 Paul Reed Smiths, a Les Paul, An SG, A Flying V and several amps.

I compared this guitar directly with a $599 Ovation, visualy with everything else in the store (at least 30 guitars) and by memory of feel with everything I have ever played.

I would absolutely buy another.

In 20 plus years this is only the second impulse buy I have made and do not regret it one bit. Again, for the money, if there were a higher rating than 10, I would give it.

2005; new this year, quilted ash, natural finish. Good tuners and string pegs, twin jacks (1/4" and XLR), 'shape' control on pickup electronics. Very attactive appearance, cutaway is not a Venetian style but more of a crescent; no case. Neck is mahogany, bridge is rosewood and nut/split saddle are IvorexII. A '10' for features, especially in this price range. You'll need a big case!

A '9' for sound on a guitar this cheap is hard to do, but it is a very balanced and resonant guitar. It's not real loud, but it is good! Warm midrange, substantial and firm bass, and clear trebles. electronics are quiet and faithful reproduction. For this price, an easy '10', but it is in there with expensive guitars for complexity and tone quality.

'10' is easy here. China-built, like the new GAD line from Guild and some of the Epiphones. This is well made guitar in every way. The action is remarkable fo a factory guitar (3/32 nd 1/16 on the bass and treble E's at fret 12). Maybe the best setup I'v seen on a factory guitar except some of the Takamines (EAN10C) are quite good. The wood grain is stunning and is not cheezy at all... it's over the top, but stylish. Finish seems to be poly gloss and is a bit heavy to suit me, but it's a factory guitar, after all, in a low price range.

This is a well made guitar and Ibanez makes quality stuff. The China made guitars I've seen from major names are good. It looks to me like the Chinese are doing better than the Koreans did. For sheer value and build quality and styling, it's impressive.

can't say

Look at the price again: full electronics, good tuners, excellent setup, sounds great and looks handsome, versatile, nicely appointed with good pegs and IvorexII nut/saddle. For $380? Don't be afraid, it really is that good for that cheap! '10' is a fantastic value? Then it is a '10'. Best new guitar I ever saw for under $400.

EW20ASENT New for 2005. Exotic Wood Collection Acoustic Guitar 21 frets 12th fret inlay EW and side fret markers only. Laminated top of highly figured ash as well as headstock (also zebrawood and quilted maple available) looks like a mahogany neck, Ivorex II nut, split saddle and bridge pins. Diecast chrome Ibanez Tuners. Interesting shallow cutaway and electronics w. tuner and phase, B-Band and 1/4" as well as XLR jacks. For an acoustic, this is the full package. No case.

'8' is not a bad rating for a laminated top guitar that costs under $380 and includes good electronics. Keep it in perspective and regardless, this is a good sounding guitar acoustically and plugged in. It's a crisp and well balanced sound and plays so well it makes it easier to get a good sound. You cannot compare it to dreads and it beats virtually all of the EA type guitars under $1000. Good midrange acoustically and percussive. Not particularly loud right now, but volume is adequate. A '10' is a professional caliber custom guitar like a Goodall. The Ibanez is a cehap factory guitar that happens to be very well made and outfitted that sounds darn good, too!

'10' ...a factory guitar set up like this is practically perfect (3/32 and 1/16 on the Es at fret 12). No flaws, gorgeous all over, good hardware. In this price range (under $400!) it's unbeatable. This is a well built guitar in every way as well as a handsome one. It's got a look that will continue to look good. China factories are doing the same thing for Guild and Epiphone at super cheap $.

It seems well made all over; I cannot believe it will fall apart. Nothing looks second rate except a bone saddle and nut would be nice, but are cheap to get installed. Finish is poly or similar and feels good on the neck. Nothing to complain about except the finish could be a bit thinner, but that's an ideal.

can't say.

Easy '10' because it is a fantastic value. It's equal in a Takamine costs about $700. Features, build, sound, action, appearance, electronics, hardware are all fine and at $380... impossible to beat under $400. Prove me wrong, please!

New for 2005 Exotic Wood Collection Acoustic Guitar 21 frets 12th fret inlay EW and side fret markers only Laminated Top of highly figured ash as well as headstock (also has zebrawood and Quilted maple available) Maple Neck diecast tuners Ivorex II nut , saddle and bridge pins. Diecast chrome Ibanez Tuners

Was surprised with the sound very airy good highs decent lows very playable neck and action. Strings Ok will swap out for everly acoustic strings.For the price you think you were playing a high end acoustic!

Set up perfectly for me from the factory.The wood cannot be described.Can get lost in the ripples (a good Thing)I saw no flaws only thing is the bullet proof laquer finish seems a liitle thick takes the woodiness quality out of the guitar's feel.

To soon to tell!

Ben playin over 30 yrs have ovation,gibson,gretsch,Washburn,fender,martin guitars.If lost r stolen would buy another. The looks alone for 249.00 how do they do it? Plus it sounds like a more expensive box. Hats off Ibanez something a little different for us average joes, that looks good sounds good and we don't have to mortgage the house to get.I,ll probably get the whole series they are that good!