Introduction
The Ibanez AEW series represents the company’s premium line of exotic wood acoustic-electric guitars. Known for their detailed craftsmanship and stunning tonewoods, the AEW models stand apart from Ibanez’s more affordable acoustic offerings.
The AEW40AS in particular catches the eye with its elegantly figured ash body. Ash is prized for its balanced and articulate tone, which makes it a great match for fingerstyle playing. The unique grain patterns of each AEW40AS body make every guitar visually distinctive.
This model also utilizes a slightly smaller grand concert body shape. This provides excellent comfort and playability, while still offering impressive projection thanks to the solid wood construction. The AEW40AS is an ideal fit for solo performers who need their acoustic-electric to sound great plugged in or unplugged.
The target buyer for the AEW40AS is likely an intermediate to advanced guitarist who appreciates exotic tonewoods and elegant visuals. The expansive sonic palette and smooth playability cater to fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, and pop/rock guitarists looking to stand out on stage. Players who want an inspiring and responsive instrument will feel right at home with the AEW40AS.
Body and Neck
The AEW40AS features a stunning figured ash body that produces a balanced and articulate tone. Ash is known for its bright yet warm sound that pairs nicely with steel strings. The unique grain patterns in the figured ash give each guitar a distinctive visual flair.
This model utilizes a comfortable grand concert body shape that provides excellent playability. The grand concert design is a nice middle ground – not as big as a dreadnought but with more projection than a parlor size. It offers great balance between volume and articulation, allowing the ash tonewood to shine.
The neck is crafted from mahogany which contributes to a smooth, rounded tone. It has a slim C-shape profile that feels great for chording and single note runs. The bound rosewood fingerboard has a pleasing smoothness that is easy on the hands during long practice or gigging sessions. Overall the neck provides a very playable experience.
Sound and Electronics
The Ibanez AEW40AS comes equipped with Ibanez’s AEQ-SP2 preamp system and Sonicore pickup, giving it professional amplified sound while retaining the guitar’s natural acoustic tone when unplugged.
The AEQ-SP2 preamp provides impressive sound shaping capabilities in a compact and easy-to-use format. It features a 3-band EQ, notch filter, built-in tuner, and phase switch, giving you control over the lows, mids, and highs. The preamp has been specially voiced to complement the bright and articulate tone of the AEW’s ash body.
The Sonicore pickup installed under the saddle accurately captures the AEW40AS’s natural acoustic dynamics and resonance. This pickup is designed for feedback elimination, making the AEW40AS stage-ready. The AEQ preamp and Sonicore pickup work together seamlessly to produce amplified acoustic tones that are clear, balanced, and studio-quality through a PA system or acoustic amplifier.
Unplugged, the AEW40AS projects beautifully with impressive volume and sustain thanks to its solid ash construction. The amplified tone retains the crisp highs, balanced mids, and tight lows of the raw acoustic sound. While there is a slight difference in resonance and room ambience when amplified, the AEQ system aims to reproduce the guitar’s inherent acoustic voice as accurately as possible.
Overall, the AEQ-SP2 preamp and Sonicore pickup equip the AEW40AS with pro-level plugged-in sound that faithfully captures the voice of this exotic wood acoustic-electric.
Fit, Finish, and Aesthetics
The Ibanez AEW40AS features a stunning high gloss finish that beautifully showcases the exotic figured ash grain. The natural finish has a smooth, glass-like feel and provides great protection for the vulnerable figured wood grain. Some figured ash guitars can show signs of finish checking over time, but the AEW40AS’s durable finish should help minimize this.
The overall attention to detail in the AEW40AS’s construction is apparent in the immaculate fretwork and factory setup. The medium jumbo frets are smoothly finished and properly seated in the rosewood fretboard. Out of the box, the action, intonation, and neck relief are set up well for comfortable playability. While a pro setup can eke out a bit more playability, most players will be very satisfied with the AEW40AS right off the shelf.
Exotic tonewoods like ovangkol are used for the bridge and ebony for the fingerboard, providing an upscale look and feel. The bindings and rosette have an understated elegance, matching the vibe of this modern exotic wood acoustic. The appointments strike a nice balance between ornate and simple, perfectly complementing the eye-catching figured ash top.
Playability and Feel
The AEW40AS features a slim C-shape mahogany neck that provides smooth playability across the fretboard. The satin finish on the neck allows for fast runs without any sticking.
The string spacing at the nut is 1 11/16", which gives enough room for fingerstyle playing while still allowing easy chord formations. The action is set low from the factory, providing fast playability without buzzing.
Overall, the AEW40AS is a very comfortable and playable acoustic-electric. The slim neck profile and smooth satin finish facilitate intricate fingerstyle passages and quick lead runs. The low action and ample string spacing also make this a great guitar for strumming rhythms.
The AEW40AS excels as an all-around guitar for various styles – from intricate fingerpicking to aggressive strumming. Its playability will appeal to singer-songwriters who want comfort and versatility. The smooth neck and comfortable body size make this a great guitar for long practice or stage sessions.
Value and Comparisons
The Ibanez AEW40AS has a retail price of $1,299.99, putting it solidly in the mid-range for an acoustic-electric guitar with exotic tonewoods. It comes with a high quality Ibanez AEW-C hardshell case, so you don’t have to purchase this separately. The included case helps justify the price point.
Compared to other guitars in the Ibanez line, the AEW40AS is similar in price to models like the AEG50N and AEG40II acoustics. However, the figured ash body and Sonicore pickup make the AEW40AS more tailored for players who will plug in on stage. The AEW series in general provides better amplified acoustic tone than the AEG series.
The AEW40AS goes head-to-head with exotic wood acoustics from other major brands like Taylor and Martin. Models like the Taylor 414ce and Martin GPC-13E are similar in having a grand concert body shape with solid wood construction and a mid-range price point. The Ibanez stands apart in having a slightly brighter, more articulate amplified tone. Overall, it provides comparable quality and value to these competing models.
The bottom line is the Ibanez AEW40AS punches above its weight class, providing pro-level appointments, electronics, and playability at this accessible price point. The figured ash is stunning visually and tonally, making this an exotic wood acoustic that actually delivers on its looks and promises.
Sound Demo
To get a sense of how the Ibanez AEW40AS sounds, be sure to check out this YouTube demo video. The video showcases the crisp, balanced acoustic tone of the figured ash body. You can really hear the bright, articulate voice of the AEW40AS when it’s played unplugged.
When plugged in, the guitar has a very natural amplified tone thanks to the Sonicore pickup and AEQ-SP2 preamp. The EQ controls allow you to shape the tone to fit a mix or cut through a live performance. There’s very little tonal difference between playing it acoustically versus amplifying it through a PA system. Overall the demo highlights the impressive dynamic range and musicality of the AEW40AS.
Who It’s For
The Ibanez AEW40AS is best suited for fingerstyle guitarists who want a compact, exotic wood acoustic-electric with pro-level appointments. The smaller grand concert body size provides excellent comfort for intricate fingerpicking, while still offering balanced tone and projection.
Advanced players will appreciate the figured ash body and quality electronics that provide versatility for stage use. The smooth playability also makes it a great choice for intermediate players looking to upgrade from a beginner acoustic.
The AEW40AS particularly shines for:
- Fingerstyle guitarists who want the tactile experience of exotic tonewoods. The figured ash has beautiful visual flair.
- Solo, acoustic singer-songwriters needing a professional plugged-in acoustic tone.
- Guitarists wanting a high-end electro acoustic without the premium price tag.
- Players seeking an inspiring practice and composing guitar with luxurious appointments.
- Performers needing a compact body shape that’s comfortable for long gigs.
While suitable for all styles, the AEW40AS really excels for fingerpicking genres like classical, folk, country, and bluegrass. The balanced EQ, warm mids, and tight bass make complex fingerstyle arrangements come alive.
The exotic woods and smaller body may not be ideal for aggressive strummers. But for discerning fingerstyle aficionados, the Ibanez AEW40AS is an excellent choice offering premium tonewoods and playability without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
Key Strengths
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The figured ash body offers a balanced and articulate acoustic tone with a beautiful visual grain. Ash is a great tonewood that provides resonance without being overly bassy.
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The AEQ-SP2 preamp gives you excellent amplified tone control and flexibility. The onboard tuner and feedback resistance make it very gig-friendly.
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The Grand Concert body strikes the perfect balance of comfort, playability and projection. It’s compact without sacrificing fullness.
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The high gloss finish not only shows off the figured ash beautifully, but provides great protection against dings and scratches.
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The neck has a comfortable profile that accommodates both fingerstyle and strumming. The action is set up well out of the box.
Weaknesses
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The price tag is on the higher side, although justified by the exotic tonewoods and quality electronics. Those with a budget under $1000 may want to consider the AEG series.
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It doesn’t come with a hardshell case, only a gig bag. You may want to invest in a case for better protection.
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The smaller body doesn’t provide as much volume and bass as a dreadnought. It suits intimate playing better than trying to fill a large room acoustically.
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The high gloss finish, while beautiful, does show pick scratches more easily. Some may prefer a satin finish for the neck.
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It only comes in one color option. Those wanting more visual variety may be disappointed.
Overall the Ibanez AEW40AS has far more pros than cons. The exotic ash tonewood and quality preamp electronics make it a great value for intermediate players wanting to upgrade to a professional-grade acoustic-electric. The few minor weaknesses shouldn’t deter most players.
Conclusion
The Ibanez AEW40AS is a stunning acoustic-electric guitar that delivers impressive looks, feel, and tone. Its figured ash body produces a bright, balanced acoustic sound with excellent resonance and sustain. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate smooth and comfortable playing across various styles.
Plugged in, the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system gives you exceptional control over your amplified tone. Combined with the Sonicore pickup, it accurately captures the guitar’s natural acoustic dynamics and voice. The AEW40AS sounds fantastic through both acoustic amps and PA systems.
At its price point, the Ibanez AEW40AS is an incredible value. You get exotic tonewoods, top-notch electronics, and impeccable attention to detail rarely found on acoustics costing far more.
If you’re seeking a gorgeous, great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar perfect for fingerstyle playing, singing, and songwriting, the Ibanez AEW40AS is a phenomenal choice worth serious consideration. Its blend of visual flair, acoustic power, and amplified versatility make it a winner for gigging musicians.
Call to Action: Check out the latest pricing and bundles for the Ibanez AEW40AS at Sweetwater or Guitar Center to grab this exotic beauty for your acoustic arsenal.