Ibanez IJV50 Review (2023)

Build Quality:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:
Average:

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Pros:

• Good quality top
• Extras like gig bag and straps are a big plus
• Extremely cheap, so it is great for beginners

Cons:

• Agathis back and neck are not the highest quality
• A little bit of a buzz

Ibanez has been in the guitar manufacturing business for long enough to find a way and give their clients what they want and need. That is a nice quality model for a very good price. Ibanez – IJV50 – Acoustic Guitar Jampack comes for a staggeringly low price and while there are some edges that have to be cut (for this price, it is unavoidable) I think it still delivers the main things that any beginner needs in a guitar.

Build Quality

V50 has spruce top, which is a great quality tonewood and frankly I was surprised because most low priced guitars tend to have lower quality tops. Ibanez understands that top plays a major part in the tone and sound of your guitar. One big thing that can be considered a minus is back and sides that are made of Agathis. Now, a lot of people hate with passion agathis because they are lower quality than, say, mahogany, but I am definitely not one of the “passionate haters”. I know there are a lot of other better quality tonewoods but agathis is also not as bad, especially when it is used on the back, as I do not think it affects the sound to the level where you will notice it (especially if you are a beginner). It also does not affect your comfort. It is unavoidable for a company not to economize on some elements of the guitar when they are selling them at such a low price and I think Ibanez decided to economize on parts that least influence the sound and playability.

Hardware

This model also comes with electronic tuner (a great plus and something that is often overlooked in guitars at this price range). And depending on where you buy it (most places) have this model with gig bag, guitar strap and accessory pouch and since I would say that this is a great model for beginners, these editions are a saviour and you can economize on them instead of going out and buying them separately.

Ibanez IJV50 Sound

Let’s get one thing straight: this is not going to sound like the most expensive and best quality Gibson or Martin but then again you should not be expected that from a guitar that costs 10-100 times less. That being said, the sound is surprisingly nice and tone is consistent, the one thing is that with some of them there is a buzz, which might be fixed by changing strings or taking them to a professional. The key is the get to know this guitar to the extent where you can make it sound good and after that, trust me, if you get a more expensive, higher quality guitar it is going to be a breeze to get used to it.  

Conclusion

Ibanez IJV50 JamPack Quick Start is extremely low-priced but I would not call it cheap. The quality of craftsmanship and knowledge gained through years of trial and error have resulted in Ibanez delivering you a “compromise” between quality and price that you will not regret. Moreover, the package that includes gig bag, strap and accessory pouch is a big benefit to you, especially if you are a beginner. I would not hesitate to buy this guitar if you are just getting yourself into playing and do not necessarily want to strap your pockets out without any guarantee that you will not get bored in several months. Of course, there are a lot of good quality guitars with better prices, but they tend to be at least twice the price.

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