Introduction
The Ibanez AW5412CE is part of the Artwood series, which focuses on high-quality, affordable acoustic instruments. Ibanez has a long history of producing outstanding acoustic guitars, and the Artwood line exemplifies their commitment to value and craftsmanship.
The AW5412CE is a 12-string acoustic-electric guitar with a solid okoume top and mahogany back and sides. It features a dreadnought body shape for full, resonant tone and an attractive open pore natural finish that allows the wood to breathe. Some of the key features that make this guitar special are the solid okoume top wood, Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp system, and premium appointments like the purpleheart fretboard.
Overall, the AW5412CE aims to deliver the rich, complex sound that players expect from a 12-string, while including modern enhancements like the onboard electronics. It’s an excellent choice for guitarists who want classic 12-string jangle and chime, but also need the flexibility of plugging in.
Body and Construction
The AW5412CE features a classic dreadnought body shape, providing a versatile and balanced platform for playing various musical styles. The top is solid okoume, a tonewood valued for its warm, detailed sound across the tonal spectrum. Okoume’s responsiveness and articulate nature also help the 12-string really shine.
The back and sides are mahogany, which adds richness and some midrange punch to the guitar’s overall voice. The open pore natural finish allows the okoume and mahogany to vibrate freely, producing optimal resonance and organic wood tones.
Ibanez implements their signature X-bracing pattern on the AW5412CE, providing strength and structural integrity while allowing the top to vibrate as freely as possible. The bracing promotes excellent resonance and impressive projection for a guitar in this price range.
Overall the construction is high-quality, with careful attention to detail and aesthetics. The materials and design make the AW5412CE comfortable and enjoyable to play for extended periods.
Neck, Fretboard, and Bridge
The Ibanez AW5412CE features a smooth mahogany neck with a slim and comfortable profile that makes playing the 12 strings feel effortless. The fretboard is made of dense and durable purpleheart, an excellent tonewood that provides a great feel and allows bends and vibrato to sing.
The guitar has a standard 20 frets, providing ample room for solos and lead playing up and down the neck. It has a 25.6" scale length and 1.69" nut width, dimensions optimized for playability and comfort on a 12-string. The scale length provides nice tension and snap while the nut width gives your fingers room to move between the paired strings.
Overall the neck feels great with its slim profile and smooth finish. It’s very playable thanks to the comfortable string spacing and profile that makes it easy to fret chords and notes. The purpleheart fretboard looks sharp and provides excellent sustain and resonance.
Electronics and Sound
The Ibanez AW5412CE comes equipped with Ibanez’s own AEQ-TP2 preamp system, designed specifically for acoustic instruments. It features an undersaddle piezo pickup that accurately captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone and resonance.
The onboard preamp provides 3-band equalization for shaping your amplified tone. Bass, mid, and treble controls allow you to dial in anything from a bright, shimmery tone to a warm, rounded sound. There is also a built-in tuner, accessible with the press of a button. This makes it easy to keep the 12 strings in tune, even for frequent alternate tunings.
Volume and tone knobs are located just below the soundhole for quick access while playing. The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the tone knob shapes the EQ curve. Having this level of tonal control right at your fingertips is extremely useful for live performances or recording scenarios.
Overall, the electronics package on the AW5412CE delivers a quality amplified 12-string sound. The undersaddle pickup blends nicely with the resonant solid wood top, capturing the Ibanez’s crisp highs, midrange punch, and tight low end. This is an acoustic-electric guitar built for the stage or studio.
Sound Quality
The AW5412CE produces a rich, balanced 12-string tone when unplugged thanks to the solid okoume top and mahogany back and sides. The dreadnought body shape projects the acoustic sound nicely, with good volume and resonance across the frequency range.
When plugged in, the Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp and undersaddle pickup accurately capture the guitar’s natural acoustic dynamics. The tone remains clear and balanced through the amplifer or PA without excessive feedback. The volume and tone controls allow easy shaping of the amplified sound.
The 12-string jangle really shines on this model. It has excellent note separation even when strumming full chords thanks to the mahogany neck and quality construction. The shimmer and chime of the doubled courses sound magical, especially on chord arpeggios and fingerpicking patterns. Overall the AW5412CE delivers the lush, complex tonality that players expect from a 12-string.
Accessories
The Ibanez AW5412CE comes with a high quality hardshell case to protect the guitar during storage and transport. The plush interior lining helps prevent dings and scratches, while the sturdy exterior shell withstands impacts.
Many guitarists appreciate a hardshell case being included, as it’s an added value that helps justify the price. Comparable hardshell cases can cost $100-150 if purchased separately.
Besides the hardshell case, the AW5412CE also includes a few other useful accessories. It comes bundled with a clip-on chromatic tuner to keep the 12 strings in tune. There’s also an adjustable truss rod for setting the neck relief and action.
Some additional accessories guitarists may want to complement their new 12-string include:
- A guitar strap for playing standing up
- A capo for alternate tunings
- A pick variety pack to find the right gauge
- A humidifier for maintaining optimal humidity
- Extra strings sets for quick changes
- Guitar polish and microfiber cloth for cleaning
- An electronic tuner pedal for on-stage tuning
Having the right supporting gear helps maximize the tone and enjoyment of this high caliber Ibanez 12-string.
Pricing
The Ibanez AW5412CE has a street price of around $799, which puts it solidly in the mid-range for high-quality 12-string acoustic-electric guitars. While not exactly cheap, this guitar provides excellent value for the money.
Considering the all-solid wood construction with a solid okoume top, mahogany back and sides, and the built-in Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp system, the AW5412CE punches well above its price class in terms of features and appointments. Many all-solid wood guitars with electronics in this price range cut costs in other areas, yet the AW5412CE delivers premium specs throughout.
The craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident, and players report the AW5412CE holding up well over years of use. Between the quality materials, electronics, and thoughtful design elements catering specifically to 12-string players, the value provided by this guitar is difficult to beat.
While those with smaller budgets may need to save up for the AW5412CE, it delivers professional-grade performance and versatility without the premium price tag of many boutique 12-string acoustics. For players who can afford it, the AW5412CE represents an excellent investment that will continue providing rich 12-string tone and enjoyment for many years to come.
Comparison
The Ibanez AW5412CE compares favorably to other models in the 12-string acoustic-electric guitar market.
Versus other Ibanez 12-string models, the AW5412CE stands out for its solid okoume top, which provides a balanced and responsive tone. The open pore natural finish is also less common on Ibanez models than a gloss finish. The AW5412CE has a slimmer neck profile and smaller body depth than the AW12 dreadnought, making it more comfortable for extended playing sessions.
Compared to the Martin D12-12 and Taylor 150e 12-string models, the Ibanez offers comparable build quality and sound at a more affordable price point. While the Martin and Taylor may edge out the Ibanez in some regards like craftsmanship and tone woods, the AW5412CE comes surprisingly close in tone and playability. The slim neck and comfortable body size give it an ergonomic advantage for many players.
Overall, the Ibanez AW5412CE hits a sweet spot between price and performance, making it an appealing choice as an entry-level 12-string or for players looking for great value. The combination of solid okoume top, easy playability, and Fishman electronics make this a versatile 12-string suitable for stage, studio, or practice use.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Solid okoume top provides a warm, balanced tone
- Mahogany back and sides give the guitar richness and projection
- Slim neck profile is comfortable for playing 12-string
- Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp captures acoustic tone accurately
- Open pore finish allows the tonewoods to resonate
- Attention to detail in the craftsmanship and build quality
- Comes with a protective hardshell case
- Excellent value for money in its price range
Weaknesses
- Electronics can feedback at higher volumes
- No cutaway limits upper fret access
- Some may find the neck width too narrow
- Not as ornate looking as similar Martin or Taylor models
- No option for a left-handed model currently
- May be too bass-heavy for some fingerstyle players
Conclusion
Overall, the Ibanez AW5412CE is an excellent 12-string acoustic-electric guitar that delivers impressive sound, playability, and value. It stands out with its solid okoume top, open pore natural finish, and slim mahogany neck that make playing this 12-string comfortable and enjoyable.
The Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp system provides natural acoustic amplification and flexible tone shaping. Both the unplugged and amplified tones have excellent balance across the registers, with the sparkling 12-string chime really shining through.
While not as fancy looking as some higher-end models, the AW5412CE offers fantastic quality and performance for its price point. The included hardshell case also adds value. This guitar is ideal for anyone looking for an affordable 12-string with professional features and great tone.
I highly recommend the Ibanez AW5412CE for intermediate to advanced players who want excellent 12-string sound and playability without breaking the bank. It provides a perfect blend of value, quality, and musical inspiration ideal for songwriters, gigging musicians, or any player ready to try their first 12-string.