Introduction
Ibanez is one of the most respected and innovative guitar brands, known for impeccable craftsmanship and cutting-edge designs since the late 1950s. The company has pushed boundaries in both electric and acoustic guitars, appealing to players of all levels.
The Ibanez AEW series represents the pinnacle of their acoustic engineering, featuring premium tonewoods and electronics in an exotic, stylish package. These guitars showcase Ibanez’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to outstanding musical instruments.
The AEW51 stands out as the flagship of the AEW line, exemplifying Ibanez’s passion for fine luthierie. This stunning grand concert acoustic-electric utilizes a gorgeous selection of exotic tonewoods normally reserved for high-end custom builds. Paired with state-of-the-art electronics, it delivers exceptional amplified performance on par with its rich acoustic voice.
From the striking multi-wood binding to the silky playability, the AEW51 is tailored for discerning players who appreciate superb craftsmanship and tone. Though carrying a premium price tag, it promises to be a sound investment for years to come. This is a masterfully designed acoustic-electric worthy of consideration by serious musicians.
Design and Construction
The Ibanez AEW51 features a gorgeous construction with exotic tonewoods selected for both their beauty and tonal qualities. The top is made of solid Engelmann spruce, which is prized for its light weight and resonant properties that emphasize the treble and bass. Engelmann spruce is known for producing a balanced tone across the frequency spectrum.
The back and sides consist of stunning figured Indian rosewood, which gives the AEW51 a rich, complex midrange along with clear bass and sparkling highs. The combination of spruce and rosewood creates an excellent tonal blend that works well for various styles of playing. The rosewood’s attractive grain patterns also contribute to the visual appeal of the multi-wood body binding and rosette.
The AEW51 has a comfortable grand concert body shape with a Florentine cutaway. This provides easy access to the upper frets while maintaining a balanced and ergonomic feel. At just under 5 lbs, the AEW51 is lightweight enough for prolonged playing sessions without causing fatigue.
From the exotic wood selection to the intricate inlay work, Ibanez’s expert craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident throughout the construction of the AEW51. It is a testament to Ibanez’s commitment to building high-end acoustic guitars that sound and look stunning.
Appearance
The Ibanez AEW51 is a true stunner when it comes to visual appeal. The guitar features a high gloss natural finish that allows the beauty of the exotic tonewoods to shine through. The Engelmann spruce top has a rich golden hue that gives the AEW51 a vibrant and lively look. The rosewood back and sides have an intricate grain pattern that catches the light beautifully.
The binding and purfling are where the AEW51 really stands out. Ibanez used a specialized multi-wood mosaic technique to create the binding. Thin strips of maple, walnut, padauk and bubinga woods are arranged in a mosaic pattern around the top and back edges of the body. The effect is mesmerizing to look at, especially paired with the abalone rosette around the soundhole. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on the binding help make the AEW51 a true work of art.
Other aesthetic appointments like the wooden bridge pins, mother of pearl fretboard inlays, and gloss finish headstock overlay further enhance the visual presentation. The AEW51 manages to balance ornate decorative elements with the natural beauty of the tonewoods. This gives the guitar a refined yet organic look.
Overall, the Ibanez AEW51 is arguably one of the most stunning acoustic-electrics on the market currently. The exotic wood selection and expert craftsmanship come together to create a guitar that looks as impressive as it sounds. For players who appreciate fine visual details, the AEW51 is sure to delight.
Sound Quality
The Ibanez AEW51 showcases superior acoustic resonance and projection thanks to its exotic tonewood combination. The solid Engelmann spruce top produces brilliant highs with complexity and articulation. Meanwhile, the Indian rosewood back and sides generates a warm, punchy low end and rich sustain.
Fingerstyle players will appreciate the AEW51’s harmonic complexity, allowing subtle nuances and dynamics to shine through. The exotic wood pairing also lends itself well to aggressive strumming, with enough headroom to avoid muddiness. The tones are well-balanced across the frequency spectrum, avoiding an overly bright or boomy sound.
When plugged in through an acoustic amplifier or PA system, the AEW51 retains its natural acoustic characteristics. The Fishman Sonicore pickup accurately captures the guitar’s dynamics and allows for shaping the tone with the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system. The AEQ-SP2 offers adjustable midrange, treble, and bass controls, plus useful features like a phase switch and notch filter to tame feedback.
Overall, the AEW51’s acoustic and plugged-in tones excel in versatility across various musical genres. It’s capable of handling anything from intimate fingerstyle to a full band mix. The exotic tonewoods reward refined playing technique with their superior resonance while also proving stage-worthy.
Electronics and Plugged-In Performance
The AEW51 features Ibanez’s top-of-the-line AEQ-SP2 preamp system, designed specifically for acoustic-electric guitars. The preamp incorporates a 3-band EQ, volume control, notch filter, phase switch and onboard tuner, giving you exceptional tone-shaping ability when plugged in.
The heart of the electronics is the Fishman Sonicore pickup, chosen for its natural and transparent sound. The Sonicore combines an under-saddle transducer with a soundhole mounted microphone, capturing the guitar’s true acoustic tone and nuances. The result is an amplified tone that accurately represents the AEW51’s lush exotic woods and resonant body.
Through an acoustic amplifier or PA system, the AEW51 has plenty of volume on tap without sacrificing warmth or going into feedback. The EQ gives you the flexibility to dial in anything from sparkling highs to deep, rich bass. The phase switch helps eliminate feedback at higher volumes, allowing the AEW51 to handle loud stage environments with ease.
Many reviewers praise the AEW51’s plugged-in performance, noting how the Fishman pickup preserves the guitar’s complex harmonics, three-dimensional imaging, and organic response. It’s an exceptional amplified tone that makes the AEW51 shine both on stage and in the recording studio.
Playability and Feel
The AEW51 has an exceptionally playable feel that makes it a joy to pick up and play for hours on end. The C-shaped mahogany neck has a smooth satin finish that glides easily up and down the fretboard. It features a standard nut width of 1 11/16 inches, which provides a comfortable and familiar feel for most players.
The neck is topped with an ebony fretboard that has a 20 fret configuration. The ebony is known for its hardness and durability, while also providing a smooth surface for bending strings and fast fingering. The fretwork from the 1st to the 20th fret is immaculately dressed and polished, with no sharp fret ends to cause discomfort.
The AEW51 has a very comfortable action right out of the box, thanks to Ibanez’s expert setup. The action measures just under 2/32" on the treble side and 2/32" on the bass side, making chords and leads very easy to fret without buzzing. Intonation is perfectly set, allowing chords to ring true up and down the neck. The low action doesn’t compromise projection either, as the tone remains loud and resonant.
Overall, the AEW51 provides incredible playability that makes you want to play it for hours without fatigue. The smooth neck, ebony fretboard, and expert setup allow for easy bending, fast fingering, and buzz-free chording anywhere on the neck. It’s clear that playability was a top priority for Ibanez when designing this guitar.
Quality
The Ibanez AEW51 stands out in terms of its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail from the luthiers at Ibanez. Everything from the choice of tonewoods to the final setup and inspection receives meticulous care.
The solid Engelmann spruce used for the top is hand-selected from resonance-optimized cuts, then precisely joined and braced for optimal vibration and projection. The rosewood back and sides are chosen for attractive figuring and also contribute to the full, balanced tone. Even the multi-wood binding and rosette are assembled with care to align the wood grains perfectly.
The neck is carved from high-grade mahogany for stability, then topped with an ebony fretboard featuring smoothly rolled edges for buttery playability. The bone nut and compensated saddle are cut and positioned with precision to ensure excellent intonation up and down the neck. The frets are finely dressed and polished for speedy, fluid playing.
Every detail in the appointments also shows the attention given, from the abalone and wood mosaic rosette to the elegant headstock binding and inlay. The high-gloss finish is applied flawlessly to enhance the natural beauty of the exotic tonewoods. Even the label inside bears the signature of the Ibanez luthier who built it.
Owners of the AEW51 are unanimous in their praise of the immaculate fit and finish, which exceeds their expectations for a production acoustic-electric in this price range. It’s clear that skilled craftspeople took great pride in constructing an instrument destined to provide a lifetime of inspiration.
Value for Money
At around $999, the Ibanez AEW51 sits at the upper end of the acoustic-electric market in terms of pricing. However, it offers tremendous value for what you get.
The use of solid Engelmann spruce and rosewood for the top, back, and sides is a key factor in the AEW51’s pricing. These exotic tonewoods are becoming increasingly rare and expensive to source. The spruce gives the AEW51 a rich, complex tone with excellent resonance and projection. The rosewood backs and sides add warmth, sweetness, and nuance to the sound. These premium tonewoods carry a significant cost.
In addition to the exotic wood selection, the AEW51 displays masterful attention to detail and craftsmanship. The multi-wood binding, rosette, and body purfling exhibit expert woodworking. The high gloss finish and appointments like the bone nut and saddle demonstrate Ibanez’s commitment to quality.
When comparing the AEW51 to other acoustic-electrics using more common tonewoods like mahogany or maple, the exotic wood pairing helps justify the higher price. The tonal complexity and visual appeal of the AEW51 make it a special instrument.
For intermediate to advanced players seeking the ultimate acoustic tone and aesthetics, the AEW51 represents an excellent long-term investment. While the upfront cost is substantial, owners can expect this guitar to hold its value and potentially appreciate over decades of use when well maintained.
When evaluating what you get for the money – exotic tonewoods, exquisite craftsmanship, rich acoustic sound, top-notch electronics – the AEW51 offers fantastic value for discerning guitarists. It’s a worthy investment for those who can afford its premium price tag.
User Reviews and Opinions
The Ibanez AEW51 has received glowing reviews from owners who have purchased this premium acoustic-electric guitar. Many praise the impressive looks, rich acoustic tone, and top-notch playability that makes the AEW51 stand out.
On guitar forums and in video reviews, owners describe the AEW51 as having a "stunning visual appeal" with its exotic wood construction and intricate appointments. The multi-wood binding and mosaic rosette are repeatedly mentioned as being eye-catching. Owners say the high gloss finish really makes the figured wood "pop" for a luxurious look.
In terms of sound, Ibanez AEW51 owners rave about its acoustic resonance and sustain. The solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides produce warm, balanced tone with nice overtones in the trebles. One owner said it has "the kind of acoustic tone I could listen to for hours." Many mention its ability to handle various techniques from fingerstyle playing to aggressive strumming all while maintaining rich tone.
The plugged-in tone also gets high marks, with one reviewer calling it "as good as it gets for an acoustic-electric." Owners like the versatility of the AEQ-SP2 preamp system and praise the AEW51’s ability to handle live performances without feedback. In the studio, its balanced tone works well for recording scenarios.
When it comes to playability, owners describe the AEW51 as having a very comfortable and fast neck that makes it easy to play for long sessions. The action is set up low and the intonation is spot-on right out of the box. One owner said it "plays like an absolute dream." The light weight of the thinline body is also a plus for many players.
In terms of drawbacks, some owners wished for an onboard tuner as part of the preamp system. A few mentioned minor finish flaws like small dings or scratches, but this did not affect the tone or playability. Overall, Ibanez AEW51 owners are very enthusiastic about this guitar and highly recommend it for its stunning exotic looks and premium sound.
Comparison to Other Ibanez Acoustic-Electrics
The Ibanez AEW51 sits at the top of the AEW series as the flagship model, with the AEW40 and AEW22 positioned as more affordable options that still deliver great quality and value.
Compared to the AEW40, the AEW51 features upgraded construction with solid Engelmann spruce top versus laminate spruce, along with rosewood back and sides rather than mahogany. This exotic wood pairing gives the AEW51 a richer, more complex tonal character. The AEW51 also has higher end appointments like abalone rosette and ebony fretboard.
The AEW22 has a grand concert body similar to the AEW51, but with laminate spruce top and mahogany back and sides. While still an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric, the AEW22 can’t match the resonance and projection of the all-solid AEW51. The AEW22 also lacks the striking visuals, with a more basic rosette and fretboard.
For players specifically wanting a thinline acoustic-electric, the Ibanez AEG series is another option. The AEG50 has a similar preamp system as the AEW51 but in a thinner, more electric-like body. The AEG50 prioritizes playability and electric-style tone, while the AEW51 aims for rich, natural acoustic sound.
The AEW51 remains the top choice for players wanting the exotic tonewood pairing, premium aesthetics and appointments, and uncompromising acoustic tone and performance. It justifies its higher price tag by delivering Ibanez’s finest acoustic craftsmanship and sound.