Introduction to the Ibanez AE255BT Baritone Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Ibanez has been crafting high-quality guitars since the late 1950s. Founded in Japan, the company quickly gained a reputation for innovation, producing some of the first mass-produced electric guitars. Today, Ibanez offers a diverse range of acoustic and electric guitars, basses, and accessories for all playing styles.
The Ibanez AE255BT is a baritone acoustic-electric guitar, part of their popular AE series. But what exactly is a baritone guitar? Baritone guitars have a longer scale length than a standard guitar, usually around 27 inches compared to 25.5. This extended scale length enables the strings to be tuned lower while still retaining proper tension and tone. Most baritone guitars are tuned B to B, a perfect fourth below standard tuning. Some players use alternate tunings like C# to C# or A to A.
The lower tuning range of a baritone guitar produces deeper, richer tones. The resonant sound can add new sonic dimensions to any musical style. The Ibanez AE255BT baritone is suitable for guitarists looking to explore dropped tunings or create atmospheric textures. The slim neck and comfortable body size also make this an approachable baritone model even for smaller players. Whether you’re into rock, metal, blues, or folk, the AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric is a versatile instrument to spark creativity.
Ibanez AE255BT Specs and Features
The Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar sports a classic dreadnought body shape that’s slightly larger than a standard acoustic to accommodate the longer baritone scale. It has a solid Sitka spruce top that provides excellent clarity and projection. For the back and sides, Ibanez chose ovangkol, a tonewood prized for its warmth and resonance.
The mahogany neck has a comfortable slim taper profile that makes playing along the longer baritone neck a breeze. It’s topped with a smooth rosewood fretboard featuring a 43mm nut width and 25.6" scale length. The AE255BT employs traditional scalloped X-bracing which allows the solid spruce top to vibrate freely, resulting in impressive sustain and resonance.
For amplification and shaping your tone, the Ibanez AE255BT comes equipped with the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system. The onboard preamp includes 2-band EQ, volume control, and a built-in tuner, giving you exceptional versatility when plugging in. Visually, the guitar has some nice aesthetic touches like an abalone rosette, maple binding, and a smooth Natural High Gloss finish.
Sound and Tone Quality
The Ibanez AE255BT produces a deep, rich unplugged acoustic tone thanks to its baritone scale length and quality tonewoods. The solid Sitka spruce top gives it impressive resonance and projection for a baritone acoustic. There’s a throaty, growling character to the unplugged sound that flatters lower alternate tunings.
When plugged in, the onboard preamp and EQ help produce a clear, balanced amplified tone. The guitar retains its acoustic resonance and doesn’t get too muddy or boomy. The tone is articulate and defined across the frequency spectrum, without the muddiness that can affect some baritone acoustics.
Compared to other baritone acoustics, the AE255BT stands out for its tonal balance. It doesn’t sacrifice the low-end, but still retains articulation and character. Players praise its versatility, able to capture the brooding baritone vibe but also clean up nicely for chordal playing.
The AE255BT is well-suited for rock, metal, and blues – genres that benefit from the darker baritone colors. The guitar also works nicely for folk and Americana styles when tuned down into alternate tunings. The versatility makes it suitable for developing your own unique baritone acoustic voice across multiple genres.
Playability and Comfort
The Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar is designed for maximum playability and comfort, despite its longer 30.3" scale length. The slim taper mahogany neck has a fast, thin profile that makes it easy to navigate the fretboard. Even for players with smaller hands, most find the AE255BT very comfortable to fret and chord.
The string spacing at the nut is 43mm, slightly wider than a standard acoustic guitar. This gives plenty of room between the strings to accommodate fingerstyle playing and lower alternate tunings like C# or Drop B. The action is set low and adjustable, allowing you to dial in just the right string height for your playing style.
Overall, users praise the ergonomic design of the AE255BT. The neck shape and width, along with the body contours, make this baritone acoustic feel natural to hold and play for extended periods. While the larger body size takes some adjustment coming from a standard dreadnought, most players find it very comfortable balanced on the leg or supported by a strap. The AE255BT shows that Ibanez put a lot of thought into optimizing the playing experience on this baritone model.
Ibanez AE255BT vs Other Baritone Acoustic-Electric Guitars
The Ibanez AE255BT stands up well when compared to other baritone acoustic-electric guitars in the same price range, such as models from Taylor, Martin, and Alvarez.
The AE255BT has a solid Sitka spruce top, ovangkol back and sides, and mahogany neck. This tonewood combination gives it a rich, resonant baritone voice. The onboard preamp and tuner make it very convenient for live playing situations. At around $500-600 for a new model, the AE255BT is competitively priced.
The Taylor BBT Baritone and Martin BCPA4 are two alternatives that are comparable in terms of build quality and electronics. However, they retail for $200-300 more than the Ibanez. The AE255BT gives you great bang for your buck.
Some key pros of the Ibanez AE255BT:
- Quality tonewoods and construction
- Slim, comfortable neck profile despite longer scale
- Onboard preamp and tuner
- Great value for money
Potential cons:
- Large dreadnought body less comfortable for smaller players
- Electronics may not be as robust as higher-end preamps
- Baritone tuning requires adjustment for some players
Overall, the Ibanez AE255BT provides an excellent combination of rich baritone tone, playability, and thoughtful features at a reasonable price point. For guitarists looking to explore the baritone range without breaking the bank, it’s a superb option.
Ibanez AE255BT Price and Value for Money
The Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar has a retail price of around $500-600 USD for a new model purchased at an authorized dealer. This positions the AE255BT in the mid-range segment of the market, competing with other major brands’ baritone acoustic offerings.
Considering the all-solid wood construction with a solid Sitka spruce top and ovangkol back and sides, paired with the built-in preamp system, the AE255BT provides excellent value at this price point. Many comparably equipped baritone acoustics from other manufacturers retail for $100-200 more.
The AE255BT’s combination of premium tonewoods and electronics makes it stand out as a great value option in the baritone acoustic category. Players get the rich, resonant baritone voice from quality materials, as well as the convenience of an onboard preamp, all for an affordable price.
For those looking for even more budget-friendly options, used and vintage Ibanez AE255BT models can sometimes be found on the second-hand market in the $300-400 range. Considering the guitar’s quality and features, finding a used AE255BT in good playable condition at this lower price point would be an excellent deal.
Overall, the Ibanez AE255BT earns high marks for providing exceptional value for the money. The mix of solid tonewoods, smooth playability, and built-in electronics make this a baritone acoustic that punches well above its weight class in terms of pricing and performance. For guitarists wanting to explore the world of baritone without breaking the bank, the AE255BT delivers in spades.
Customer Reviews
The Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar has received very positive reviews from customers across various online retailers and guitar forums. Many users praise the rich, resonant baritone tones that this guitar is able to produce. The solid Sitka spruce top and ovangkol back and sides contribute to the guitar’s full, deep voice that many reviewers describe as impressive and inspiring.
Most users comment on the playability and comfort of the AE255BT, despite its longer baritone scale length. The slim taper neck profile gets high marks for making the guitar easy to play. Reviewers also note the generous string spacing that accommodates the heavier baritone strings and alternate tunings that this guitar was designed for. While a few users find the body size a bit too large and heavy for their liking, most agree that the guitar is comfortable to hold and play either seated or with a strap.
When it comes to the electronics and preamp system, customers find the onboard tuner and EQ controls very convenient for amplified playing situations. The pickup and preamp deliver a clear, balanced tone comparable to plugging into a professional PA system. One common criticism is that the preamp system lacks some brilliance and top end clarity compared to similar models. However, this is a minor complaint for most users.
Overall, the vast majority of reviews rate the Ibanez AE255BT very highly, praising its impressive build quality and components at this relatively affordable price point. It’s seen as an excellent entry point into the world of baritone acoustic guitars, with versatile sound and playability suitable for guitarists of all levels looking to explore new creative possibilities.
Demo Video
Check out this review and demo from Gear Gods on YouTube that really shows off the rich, deep baritone tones of the Ibanez AE255BT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
Right away you can hear the throaty, bass-like tones as the reviewer plays some chords and riffs. When plugged in, the sound is still very clear and articulate thanks to the onboard preamp. The AE255BT shines when used for drop tuned metal and rock, but this demo shows it’s also versatile for blues and jazz. Overall it’s a great showcase of the impressive sound you can achieve with this quality baritone acoustic-electric guitar.
Ideal Customer
The Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar is best suited for guitarists looking to explore deeper, richer tones and alternative tunings. Specifically, this guitar would appeal most to:
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Guitarists who play rock, metal, blues, or folk music. The AE255BT’s throaty baritone voice pairs perfectly with these genres, especially when using dropped tunings.
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Musicians wanting to experiment with alternate tunings like DADGAD, open G, open D, etc. The longer scale length can comfortably accommodate these lower tunings.
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Players looking for the resonant tones of a dreadnought acoustic, but with extended low-end range. The AE255BT delivers impressive bass without muddiness.
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Anyone searching for an inspiring instrument to spark creativity and new musical directions. The unique voice encourages fresh chord voicings and lead lines.
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Working musicians who need stage-ready electronics for live gigs and recording. The onboard preamp ensures amplified tones are clear and feedback-resistant.
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Guitarists with large hands or long fingers who want the extra room and comfort of a baritone neck. The AE255BT’s slim taper neck profile is very playable.
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Players seeking an affordable way to add a baritone guitar to their collection for wider sonic capabilities. The AE255BT is reasonably priced for its class.
Overall, the Ibanez AE255BT baritone acoustic-electric guitar is a versatile option perfectly suited for guitarists aiming to expand their musical horizons. Its impressive sound, playability, and features make it an inspiring instrument for rock, metal, blues, folk, and alternate tuning creativity.
Conclusion
After reviewing all aspects of the Ibanez AE255BT Baritone Acoustic-Electric guitar, it’s clear that this model offers an exceptional value for guitarists looking to explore the baritone range.
The AE255BT’s strengths lie in its impressive resonance and sustain thanks to the solid Sitka spruce top and ovangkol back and sides. It delivers the deep, throaty baritone tones it promises while still retaining definition. The onboard preamp reproduces these tones faithfully when plugged in.
Another asset is the AE255BT’s playability, with its comfortable neck profile and slim taper that belies its longer baritone scale. The action is smooth and forgiving on the fingers. The guitar feels solidly built yet not too heavy or cumbersome.
In terms of weaknesses, some users have reported that the larger body size takes some adjustment coming from a standard acoustic. The overall footprint is slightly bigger, as expected for a baritone model. The other potential downside is that the warmer ovangkol wood may not have the same crisp bite as rosewood or maple back and sides.
Taking everything into account, the Ibanez AE255BT earns a 4/5 star rating as an inspiring and affordable way for players to explore the baritone range. While not perfect, it outpunches its price tag and encourages creativity. For guitarists seeking to expand their tonal palette, the AE255BT is easy to recommend.