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Pros:
- Great sound
- Quality tonewood
- Great, easy to use electronics
Cons:
- Strings
- Might be expensive for beginners
The first guitar I ever got was Ibanez guitar so you can imagine I cannot be as objective as I would be with other brands. Then again, the reason why I got Ibanez is that it was one of the best models on the market at the time in my price range. The company has continued being one of the leading brands in the guitar manufacturing business for years and will continue on being one because they produce high-quality instruments. It does not matter whether it is a high-end model or an affordable, beginner-friendly guitar Ibanez puts all its efforts in delivering on instruments that will make your journey in the world of music enjoyable. On that note, let’s discuss Ibanez acoustic-electric AW54CEOPN model.
Build
This dreadnought-style acoustic-electric guitar with a cutaway is a perfect fit for beginner and intermediate players. Dreadnoughts sometimes might feel a bit uncomfortable in beginner’s hands who is not that used to bulkier guitars but the AW54CEOPN’s small weight and cutaway take away this problem.
This is an all-mahogany model that brings out the rich, woody sound of acoustic guitars while also not compromising the sound. It is, honestly, fascinating that Ibanez used solid mahogany because most brands would economize on that with their “mid-range” prices models. Also, with the X-bracing this guitar is not only more sturdy but also gains a more balanced tone.
Hardware
Ibanez went all the way. They put in the effort, great tonewood and amazing hardware to deliver the best sound that they promise. While a lot of even more expensive models sometimes use plastic nut and saddle, the AW54CEOPN uses real bone that adds to the crispness and vibration to better the overall sound.
This model ships with D’Addario EXP11 Coated 80/20 Bronze, Light which is pretty great in quality but I always prefer medium gauge strings to light sets. For me, it helps bring out the sound better. If you are anything like me, maybe change the strings, otherwise, they are great. AND if you are a beginner light gauge strings might feel a lot more comfortable. There is a lot more to be mentioned about the hardware on this baby like great Tortoise pickguard and easy-to-use chrome die-cast Grover tuners. Ibanez Advantage bridge pins make it so much easier to restring and not have any trouble with properly reinserting the pins so that they do not fall out.
Ibanez AW54CE Sound
Yes, after all the praise of the tonewood and hardware which pretty much always means that the sound is amazing, I will still be discussing the sound a little bit. It will come as no surprise if you read the article and know a bit about Ibanez, that the AW54CEOPN has amazing sound. The all-mahogany body creates an electrifyingly beautiful tone and sound that is rich and full. You will be shocked that a guitar in this price range can actually produce such results because I was definitely dumbfounded.
Electronics
Fishman is great at making amplification systems and the Sonicore pickup is not an exception. The Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp has all the necessary controls like bass, volume, and treble and allows you to fully and easily control the sound. On top of that, you get the onboard tuners. For a beginner, this is a dream come true. The amplification does not lose the beautiful, acoustic sound and it is simple to use even for beginners who have never before dealt with acoustic-electric models.
Conclusion
I cannot sing more praise about this guitar. It is beautifully built with great tonewood, the hardware is top notch and the electronics are simple to use, making this a perfect model for a beginner. It is often marketed as a beginner to an intermediate product but that does not mean that a professional player would not enjoy the AW54CEOPN. Plus, for a beginner guitar it might be a bit expensive (since there are so many $200 beginner-friendly models) BUT if you are looking for a “long-haul” guitar, this is the one for you.
Click here to view more from Best Acoustic Electric Guitars Under 300.
