Introduction
The Ibanez AEWC400 represents an exciting new offering in Ibanez’s lineup of acoustic-electric guitars. This model blends comfort, playability, and versatile tone into a thoughtfully designed package.
With its stylish looks and ergonomic body shape, the AEWC400 aims to provide an exceptionally comfortable playing experience. At the same time, it incorporates high-end appointments like a flamed maple top and Fishman electronics to deliver pro-level amplified performance.
As a respected industry leader, Ibanez has long pushed the boundaries of guitar design. Models like the AEWC400 demonstrate their commitment to innovation. By combining ease of play with visual flair, this acoustic-electric appeals to a wide range of players.
The AEWC400’s unique specs place it in an intriguing new niche. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore what makes this such a compelling option for guitarists seeking comfort, style, and musical inspiration.
Design and Construction
The Ibanez AEWC400 features a unique ergonomic body shape designed for player comfort. This contoured body allows for hours of fatigue-free playing thanks to its strategically arched back that fits nicely against the player’s body in both seated and standing positions.
The top of the AEWC400 is made of gorgeous flamed maple, giving it eye-catching looks. This flamed maple top is paired with matching flamed maple back and sides for a cohesive aesthetic. The AEWC400 is available in two high-gloss finish options – Transparent Black Burst and Indigo Blue Burst. Both finishes allow the beautiful wood grain to shine through while adding protection and style.
In terms of construction, the AEWC400 does not cut any corners. Solid woods are used for the top, back, and sides, along with scalloped X-type bracing for structural integrity and excellent resonance. Details like the body, neck, and headstock binding showcase Ibanez’s fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Chrome die-cast tuners provide precise and reliable tuning stability. Overall, the AEWC400 has a very sturdy and robust construction despite its contoured body shape.
Playability and Comfort
The Ibanez AEWC400 delivers exceptional playability and comfort, making it a joy to play for extended periods. The guitar features a slim, fast neck profile that allows for easy fretting up and down the maple neck. The neck has a natural satin finish that feels smooth and allows your hand to glide effortlessly during faster solos or intricate chord changes.
The cutaway on the AEWC400 is smoothly sculpted to allow unfettered access to the upper frets, enabling you to rip out solos and reach challenging chords with ease. The cutaway seamlessly transitions into the body contour, providing a comfortable feel whether you’re playing down low by the nut or up high on the lower bout.
Finally, the AEWC400 is remarkably lightweight thanks to its nyatoh back and sides paired with the arched, solid spruce top. Weighing in at just over 3 lbs, the AEWC400 won’t weigh down your shoulders or cause fatigue even during marathon practice or gigging sessions. The ergonomic body shape rests comfortably against your body in both seated and standing playing positions.
Tonewoods and Sound
The Ibanez AEWC400 features a flamed maple top paired with flamed maple back and sides. This all-maple tonewood combination produces a beautifully balanced and articulate acoustic tone. The flamed maple has an evenly dispersed grain pattern that results in a warm yet crisp sound with excellent note separation and clarity across the tonal spectrum.
When strummed, the AEWC400 has a clear, resonant and projecting acoustic voice. Both the treble and bass registers come through with pristine articulation. There is never any muddiness or boominess to the sound. The notes have a tight focus while still blooming with complexity.
The onboard Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp and Fishman Sonicore pickup system further enhance the AEWC400’s acoustic performance. The preamp’s volume, bass, treble and shape controls allow for tone shaping when plugged in. Meanwhile, the Sonicore pickup accurately captures the guitar’s natural tone and dynamics. This makes the AEWC400 very stage-friendly for live performances where amplification is needed.
Electronics and Plugged-In Performance
The Ibanez AEWC400 comes equipped with an Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp and Fishman Sonicore pickup system, providing versatile control options and excellent amplified tone. The preamp features volume, bass, treble, and shape controls, allowing you to easily dial in your desired sound.
The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the bass and treble knobs let you adjust the low and high frequency response to suit your playing style or the room acoustics. The 3-band EQ gives you tremendous tonal flexibility when plugged in.
The shape control is unique to Ibanez preamps and allows you to tweak the midrange response for increased presence and articulation when amplified. Combined with the bass and treble controls, you can really sculpt your ideal amplified tone.
The built-in Fishman Sonicore pickup accurately captures the natural resonance and dynamics of the guitar. Thanks to the undersaddle transducer design, it produces a balanced, organic amplified tone that retains the character of the instrument.
Whether using a PA system or guitar amp, the AEWC400 delivers excellent amplified sound quality and responsiveness through the preamp and pickup combination. The guitar is designed to minimize feedback, allowing for increased volume levels on stage without problematic ringing or squealing.
Overall, the AEWC400’s electronics package gives players great control over their plugged-in sound along with the feedback resistance needed for live performances.
Aesthetics and Finish
The Ibanez AEWC400’s visual aesthetics are just as impressive as its sound and playability. The elegant flamed maple top gives the guitar a distinctive figured appearance, with curly wood grain patterns that catch the light beautifully. Ibanez offers two high-gloss finish options to showcase the flamed maple: Trans Black Burst and Indigo Blue Burst.
The Trans Black Burst finish features a black background with an artistic sunburst pattern emanating from the center, highlighting the flamed maple’s chatoyance. The Indigo Blue Burst has a deep blue background with a lighter blue burst pattern, creating an eye-catching contrast against the flamed maple. Both finishes are smooth, flawless, and really make the wood grain pop.
The hardware accents also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal. The chrome die-cast tuners provide a clean, polished look. The fretboard has classy offset pearl dot inlays along its length. Even small details like the maple binding and rosette around the soundhole demonstrate Ibanez’s attention to visual design. Overall, the Ibanez AEWC400 is one stylish acoustic-electric that looks as good as it sounds.
Value for Money
The Ibanez AEWC400 provides excellent value for money given its features, quality construction, and competitive pricing. When comparing it to other acoustic-electric guitars in the $500-600 price range, the AEWC400 stacks up very favorably.
The street price for a new Ibanez AEWC400 tends to be right around $549. This positions it as a mid-priced acoustic-electric, below premium models from Martin, Taylor, and Gibson which can run $1,000+, yet above entry-level guitars. What’s remarkable is the level of craftsmanship, tonewoods, and electronics the AEWC400 offers at this price point.
The ergonomic cutaway body shape, slim neck profile, and Fishman electronics are features more commonly found on guitars $200-$300 higher in price. That makes the AEWC400 a great value for players seeking those attributes along with excellent playability and amplified sound quality. The flamed maple top and body binding add a touch of elegance not always expected in this price tier.
Compared to similarly priced acoustic-electrics like the Yamaha A-Series A5R or Seagull Performer CW Q1, the Ibanez AEWC400 competes very well on paper and in quality. It’s able to deliver versatility for both live amplified gigs and unplugged practice at home or in the studio. Bottom line is that the AEWC400 gives you a lot of guitar for the money.
Who is the Ibanez AEWC400 Best Suited For?
The Ibanez AEWC400 acoustic-electric guitar is an excellent choice for certain players due to its blend of comfort, versatility, and style.
Comfort-Focused Players
First and foremost, the ergonomic body shape and lightweight build of the AEWC400 make it ideal for guitarists who prioritize comfort and playability during extended sessions. The slim neck profile allows for easy fretting, while the smooth cutaway enables access to higher frets without strain. For musicians who tend to experience fatigue when practicing or performing for long periods, the AEWC400’s comfort-enhancing design can help reduce hand and shoulder tension.
Musicians Seeking Versatile Tone
In addition to comfort, the AEWC400 appeals to players wanting tonal flexibility from their acoustic guitar. Between its flamed maple top and Fishman electronics, this Ibanez model can shift seamlessly from rich, balanced acoustic tones to amplified sounds suitable for stage use. The onboard preamp and pickup system give guitarists control over their amplified tone, allowing the AEWC400 to cover both acoustic and electric needs.
Style-Conscious Players
Finally, the striking visual aesthetics make the AEWC400 a great fit for guitarists who appreciate eye-catching looks. Between the flamed maple top, glossy finish options, and elegant appointments, this Ibanez acoustic brings plenty of style to the table. Musicians who want their instrument to make a visual statement on stage will find the AEWC400 delivers on both appearance and performance.
Pros and Cons
The Ibanez AEWC400 has several notable strengths as an acoustic-electric guitar:
-
Ergonomic body shape: The contoured body shape provides exceptional comfort during extended playing sessions. The smooth cutaway facilitates easy upper fret access as well.
-
High-quality construction: From the solid woods to the sturdy bracing inside, the AEWC400 exhibits careful craftsmanship and attention to detail.
-
Balanced acoustic tone: The flamed maple and mahogany tonewood combination produces a rich, balanced acoustic voice.
-
Onboard electronics: The built-in Ibanez preamp and Fishman Sonicore pickup offer enhanced plugged-in performance and versatility.
-
Smooth playability: The slim neck profile coupled with low action results in very comfortable and fast fretting across the fretboard.
-
Visual appeal: The flamed maple top and glossy finish options give the AEWC400 an elegantly stylish look.
In terms of potential weaknesses, a few points can be considered:
-
The electronics may lack some of the tone-shaping parameters offered by preamps from other brands. However, the onboard preamp still provides a good variety of EQ controls.
-
The use of mahogany back and sides may not produce as complex acoustic tones as rosewood or other high-end tonewoods. But it helps keep the price reasonable while still delivering balanced, quality acoustic sound.
-
The plastic nut and saddle are cost-effective but may be considered lower quality compared to bone or tusq options on some guitars. However, they do not negatively impact the playability or tone.
Overall, the Ibanez AEWC400 offers excellent value by combining comfort, playability, and versatile acoustic-electric performance in an attractively designed package.
Conclusion
The Ibanez AEWC400 acoustic-electric guitar delivers an exceptional blend of comfort, playability, and visual appeal. Its ergonomic body shape and slim neck profile allow for hours of fatigue-free playing, while the smooth cutaway grants easy access to upper frets. Tonally, the AEWC400 produces a balanced, nuanced acoustic voice along with plugged-in tones made possible by the onboard electronics.
For guitarists seeking a high-quality, comfortable acoustic-electric, the Ibanez AEWC400 is easy to recommend. Players who prioritize ergonomic design, versatility, and elegant aesthetics will find this model ticks all the boxes. The flamed maple top and high-gloss finish options add striking visual flair sure to catch eyes. Overall, the AEWC400 represents excellent value at its price point, offering pro-level features, construction and tone.
If you’re looking for an acoustic-electric that plays like an absolute dream both unplugged and amplified, don’t pass up the opportunity to try the Ibanez AEWC400. Its blend of comfort, playability and versatile sound quality makes it a guitar that’s hard to put down.