Introduction
Ibanez has been crafting quality acoustic guitars since the late 1960s, establishing themselves as a leader in the industry over the past 50 years. The Ibanez AVN9 Artwood Vintage model pays homage to the company’s roots while incorporating modern appointments for today’s discerning player.
This parlor-sized acoustic is part of Ibanez’s Artwood Vintage series, combining old-world craftsmanship with contemporary enhancements. The compact body shape and solid mahogany top produce a warm, balanced tone perfect for fingerstyle playing and recording applications.
Parlor guitars trace their history back to the 19th century but have enjoyed a resurgence lately among acoustic players seeking an intimate, vintage vibe. The diminutive size sits comfortably during lengthy practice sessions while providing dynamic range across the tonal spectrum.
The AVN9 Artwood packs an all-solid wood body, open gear tuners, and bone nut and saddle into a retro-inspired frame with timeless appeal. Ibanez leverages modern manufacturing techniques like its proprietary Thermo Aging process to simulate the patina of a lovingly played original. This nod to tradition in a freshly minted instrument has struck a chord with today’s players.
Construction and Materials
The Ibanez AVN9 Artwood Vintage parlor acoustic features solid mahogany construction with a unique Thermo Aging treatment to give it a vintage look and feel. The top is made from solid mahogany that has gone through Ibanez’s special Thermo Aging process. This proprietary technique involves subjecting the wood to precise temperature changes and humidity levels to artificially age it and simulate the tonal maturation that occurs over decades of playing. The result is a brand new guitar that looks and sounds like a well-loved vintage instrument.
Complementing the solid Thermo Aged mahogany top are mahogany back and sides. Mahogany is a warm, balanced tonewood that provides a smooth midrange, sweet highs, and tight low end. It’s a great choice for smaller-bodied guitars like parlor acoustics that need warmth and punchiness. The AVN9 uses an X-bracing pattern that offers a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, with good volume and articulation.
The guitar’s nut and saddle are both made from bone, which is favored for its hardness and ability to transfer string vibrations efficiently. Up top, the AVN9 has chrome enclosed tuning machines from Ibanez that hold tuning reliably. Overall, the materials and components on the AVN9 are designed to produce a resonant, vintage-inspired tone in a roadworthy and playable package.
Tone and Sound Profile
The Ibanez AVN9 produces a warm, balanced tone with a pronounced midrange that brings out the guitar’s vintage character. The solid mahogany top contributes to a focused and clear sound, allowing individual notes to ring out with separation even during complex fingerstyle playing.
The guitar has impressive dynamic range and is very responsive to playing dynamics – it truly comes alive when played with a delicate touch. Notes bloom with complexity as you dig into the strings, with the AVN9 excelling at highlighting the nuances of fingerstyle technique. The mahogany body adds depth and resonance to each note while retaining excellent clarity.
While many modern acoustics aim for huge projection, the AVN9 goes for a more intimate vintage parlor vibe. The warm overtones and mellow treble make it an extremely comfortable guitar to play for long periods. It’s a highly nuanced acoustic that rewards the player for their technique and touch.
Playability and Feel
The AVN9’s compact parlor body shape and dimensions make it an extremely comfortable guitar to play. Despite the small size, it doesn’t feel toy-like or cramped.
The fast mahogany neck has a very playable satin finish that allows smooth movement up and down the fretboard. The 12" radius fretboard further enhances playability with a flatter profile that most fingerstyle players prefer.
Out of the box, the action is set nice and low for effortless fretting and string bending. Intonation is accurately set up from the factory as well. Overall, the feel and playability make this one of the easiest parlor acoustics to just pick up and start fingerpicking right away.
An ideal string tension balances the need for playability and an open, airy tone. With its shorter 24.9" scale length, the string tension on the AVN9 is perfect for fingerstyle techniques like arpeggios, Travis picking and delicate strumming patterns. The strings aren’t too slinky, yet not overly tight and hard to fret. This guitar simply feels at home when played with fingers rather than a pick.
Hardware
The Ibanez AVN9 comes equipped with quality hardware to complement its acoustic tone and playability. It features an Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system, which includes an undersaddle piezo pickup, 3-band EQ, tuner, and more.
Undersaddle Pickup
The guitar has an Ibanez undersaddle piezo pickup installed. This allows you to plug the AVN9 into an amplifier or PA system to project its acoustic tone in live performances or recordings. The pickup captures the guitar’s natural resonance and dynamics well. It has a balanced tone that translates the AVN9’s voicing accurately.
Onboard Preamp with 3-Band EQ
To shape and amplify the pickup’s signal, the AVN9 has Ibanez’s AEQ-SP2 preamp built-in. It’s a 2-band preamp with bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to dial in your tone. There’s also a semi-parametric mid frequency control for additional tonal shaping ability. The preamp boosts the pickup’s output to line level while preserving the guitar’s dynamics.
Output Jack
The output jack is located just below the preamp controls for easy access. It allows you to connect a standard 1/4" instrument cable from the guitar to your amp rig or PA system. The output signal is optimized for both stage and studio use.
Built-in Tuner
The AVN9 also comes equipped with a handy built-in tuner, accessible by pressing a discreet button located on the guitar. The tuner is fast, accurate, and easy to use. It’s a convenient feature, especially helpful when gigging or playing live shows. The tuner ensures you’re always perfectly in tune.
Included Accessories
The AVN9 comes packaged with a few useful accessories right out of the box. Most notably, it includes a premium hardshell case to protect the guitar during storage and transport.
The case features plush interior lining to prevent scratches and dings, and has reinforced edges for extra impact protection. It’s also lightweight yet sturdy, making it easy to carry the guitar around. The snug fit keeps the instrument secure, while the locking latches ensure the case won’t pop open accidentally.
For players looking to get started right away, the AVN9 also ships with a pack of premium celluloid guitar picks in assorted thicknesses. The picks are made of durable celluloid and have a smooth bevel for comfort during extended playing sessions.
An additional accessory pouch provides extra storage for small items like capos, slides, strings, and other gear. The spacious pouch has mesh pockets and durable nylon construction. With the hardshell case and these accessories included, the AVN9 comes ready to play straight from the box.
Competitor Comparison
The Ibanez AVN9 Artwood holds up well when compared to similar parlor acoustic guitars from top brands like Martin, Taylor, and others. Here’s how it stacks up:
Martin 00-15M – The Martin 00-15M StreetMaster is a similar mahogany top and back parlor acoustic. It has a slightly wider nut width of 1.725" compared to the AVN9’s 1.6875". While the Martin produces a warm, balanced tone, the Ibanez has a bit more mid-range presence and responsiveness. The Martin costs nearly twice as much as the Ibanez.
Taylor 214ce DLX – Taylor’s higher-end 214ce DLX is another comparable parlor acoustic with solid Sitka spruce top. It produces a brighter, more articulate tone than the warmer AVN9. The Taylor has a wider 1.75" nut width but doesn’t include the hardshell case. It costs around $1,000 more than the Ibanez.
Blueridge BR-160 – The all-mahogany BR-160 from Blueridge delivers a comparable warm and mellow parlor guitar tone. The Ibanez offers more mid-range punch and dynamics. The Blueridge has a slightly wider 1.72" nut but doesn’t come with a case. It’s priced around the same as the AVN9.
Seagull Coastline S12 – This all-solid-wood Seagull model makes a great comparison point. It has a similar tonewood profile and construction to the Ibanez. The Seagull produces a slightly brighter tone with more sparkle in the highs. It has a wider 1.8" nut but no included hardshell case. The Seagull retails for around $700-800.
Overall, the Ibanez AVN9 Artwood holds up very well against the competition. While there are comparable models from other brands, the Ibanez provides an excellent combination of warm, balanced tone, vintage vibe, playability, and included accessories at this price point. The hardshell case in particular makes it a great value vs other models.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Rich, balanced tone: The AVN9 produces a wonderfully warm and balanced tone, thanks to its solid mahogany top and back/sides woods. There’s a strong focus on the midrange frequencies, which helps each note sing with clarity.
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Superb playability: The slim neck profile and shorter scale length make the AVN9 extremely comfortable and easy to play. Whether fingerpicking or strumming, you’ll find this a very playable instrument.
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Great value: For the quality of materials and construction, the AVN9 represents excellent value in this price range. It stacks up well against comparably priced parlor acoustics.
Cons
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Limited availability: As a smaller luthier brand, Ibanez doesn’t produce the Artwood series in huge numbers. So the AVN9 may be difficult to find in some markets.
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No cutaway option: Those who prefer cutaway body styles will be disappointed, as the AVN9 only comes in a traditional parlor silhouette. The lack of upper fret access may limit more advanced players.
Who is it For?
The Ibanez AVN9 Artwood Vintage parlor acoustic guitar is an excellent choice for certain players based on its size, vintage vibe, and tonal characteristics. Here are the types of guitarists who would appreciate the AVN9 the most:
Fingerstyle Players
The compact parlor body size and comfortable neck profile of the AVN9 make it a fantastic fingerstyle guitar. The width between strings is ideal for intricate fingerpicking patterns. The satin neck also allows smooth movement up and down the fretboard. Fingerstyle guitarists will appreciate the dynamic range and note separation from the AVN9. The solid mahogany construction brings out clarity and nuance.
Recording Musicians
The AVN9’s balanced and warm acoustic tone makes it a great parlor guitar for recording. Its pronounced midrange and vintage vibe add character that stands out in a mix. The guitar captures subtle playing dynamics thanks to its responsiveness. For recording, the optional pickup and preamp provide flexibility for getting quality amplified tones.
Traveling/Portable Setup
The small parlor body and included hardshell case make the AVN9 easy to transport to gigs or rehearsals. The durable construction can withstand the rigors of frequent travel. For guitarists needing a quality acoustic with vintage appeal for coffee shops or other intimate venues, the AVN9 is an excellent portable choice. Its size also makes it easy to play for extended periods during long sets or practice sessions.
Conclusion
Overall, the Ibanez AVN9 Artwood Vintage Parlor Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for fingerstyle players looking for a responsive, vintage-voiced parlor guitar. The solid mahogany top and back/sides produce a warm, balanced tone with pronounced mids and clear articulation. The vintage open pore finish looks stunning and feels smooth, while the compact parlor body is comfortable for long practice sessions.
I would rate the AVN9 a 9/10 overall. The vintage vibe, resonant tone, and buttery playability make this a special instrument that punches above its price point. The only minor drawbacks are the lack of onboard effects compared to some competitors and the limited tonal versatility. However, if a rich, dynamic fingerstyle tone is what you seek, the Ibanez AVN9 delivers in spades.
I highly recommend the AVN9 to fingerstyle players, recording artists, and those seeking an inspiring parlor guitar under $1000. It’s an amazing value for the money that looks, sounds, and feels like a vintage gem. You can find the Ibanez AVN9 Artwood Vintage Parlor Acoustic Guitar at most major music retailers like Guitar Center and Sweetwater, as well as various online stores. Definitely try one out if you get the chance!