Introduction
The Ibanez AEB10E is an exciting new acoustic-electric bass guitar that offers warm, resonant acoustic tones and versatile plugged-in sounds. This 4-string bass features a solid spruce top and Sapele back and sides for excellent projection, along with a slim Mahogany neck for comfortable playing.
One of the key features of the AEB10E is the built-in Fishman Sonicore pickup and SST preamp, providing natural acoustic amplification and flexible tone shaping when plugged in. The onboard controls like volume, 3-band EQ, and tuner make dialing in your sound quick and easy.
This bass is well-suited for beginner to intermediate players looking for their first acoustic bass or those seeking a high-quality workhorse instrument for gigs and recording. The comfortable neck profile and accessible price point make the AEB10E a great choice for developing bassists ready to explore the world of acoustic-electric instruments. More experienced players will appreciate the quality craftsmanship and acoustic resonance that punch through the mix.
Design & Construction
The Ibanez AEB10E features a solid spruce top paired with sapele back and sides, giving it a balanced and resonant acoustic tone. The top is nicely bookmatched, showing off the straight grain of the spruce. The sapele has an attractive figuring that gives the bass some visual flair.
The overall build quality and craftsmanship is very good for the price point. The joints are tidy, with no visible gaps or rough spots. The finish is smooth and consistent across the body. Attention was paid to smaller details as well, like cleanly cut fret ends and a nicely cut nut.
This bass comes in two classic finish options – a reddish-brown Dark Violin Sunburst, and an elegant all-Black stain. The sunburst model really lets the spruce and sapele woods shine, while the black finish gives it a more refined and understated look. Both options look great and are sure to appeal to a wide range of players.
Electronics & Controls
The Ibanez AEB10E features electronics from Fishman, a respected brand known for their quality acoustic amplification systems. It utilizes Fishman’s Sonicore pickup and SST preamp to accurately capture the true acoustic tone of the bass.
The Sonicore is a blend-style pickup that combines an undersaddle transducer with a soundhole mounted microphone. This allows it to reproduce the full frequency range and natural dynamics of the acoustic bass. The pickup connects to the SST preamp, which provides tone shaping and enhances the acoustic characteristics.
For controls, the AEB10E has master volume, bass, midrange, and treble EQ knobs. There is also a built-in tuner that can be easily engaged with a button press. An LED indicator shows tuning status. To power the preamp, the bass uses a single 9V battery accessed via a compartment on the back.
The output jack is located on the side of the lower bout, allowing for quick plug-and-play connections to an amplifier or PA system. Overall the Fishman electronics package gives players flexibility for shaping their amplified tone while maintaining the true unplugged sound of the bass.
Sound & Performance
The Ibanez AEB10E produces a rich, warm acoustic tone thanks to its solid Spruce top and Sapele back and sides. The bass resonates nicely when played unplugged, with plenty of sustain and projection. The acoustic sound is very balanced across the low frequencies, with enough punch in the low mids and low end.
When amplified through an acoustic bass amp or PA system, the AEB10E’s Fishman Sonicore pickup and SST preamp provide excellent tone shaping ability. The onboard EQ allows boosting or cutting the lows, mids, and highs to dial in the perfect amplified tone. There’s enough tonal control to go from a scooped, modern slap sound to a smooth, thumpy upright bass tone.
Feedback is well controlled thanks to the SST preamp’s notch filter and phase switch. This allows the AEB10E to be played at higher volumes on stage without excessive howling or ringing. The bass cuts through the mix very nicely in both full band and solo/duo settings.
Overall, the AEB10E sounds fantastic when played acoustically or plugged in, with versatile EQ options and great feedback resistance.
Playability
Out of the box, the Ibanez AEB10E comes with a quality setup and intonation. The action sits at a comfortable medium height that allows for easy fretting without buzzing. I found the string spacing at the nut to be appropriate for fingerstyle or picking techniques without feeling cramped.
The neck profile on the AEB10E provides a nice rounded C-shape that feels fast and smooth during performance. The neck width helps facilitate solid hand positioning as well. The medium jumbo frets along the fretboard are nicely finished for speed and accuracy.
Overall, the playability of the AEB10E makes it accessible for beginners, while still feeling responsive for more advanced players. The action, string spacing, and neck profile come together to offer a quality playing experience on this acoustic-electric bass. It’s clear that playability was a priority for Ibanez when designing the AEB10E.
Accessories
The Ibanez AEB10E comes with a few useful accessories included. It ships with a padded gig bag that provides basic protection for transporting the bass to rehearsals or gigs. The gig bag has adjustable backpack-style straps, exterior pockets, and padding to protect the bass while in transit.
While a hardshell case provides more protection, the included gig bag is a nice value-add at this price point. For musicians wanting more heavy-duty protection, aftermarket hardshell cases specifically fitted for the AEB10E are available from brands like Gator.
A 9V battery is also included to power the preamp and electronics. Expected battery life is over 100 hours, providing months of use before needing to be changed. Additional batteries are inexpensive and widely available when it does come time to swap it out.
The accessory bundle is rounded out by an Ibanez polishing cloth and certificate of authenticity, providing useful maintenance and documentation items. Overall, the included accessories cover the basics for getting started with the AEB10E acoustic-electric bass.
Price
The Ibanez AEB10E has a very attractive price point, especially for an acoustic-electric bass guitar. At major retailers, it can currently be found new for around $399 USD. This positions it as a very affordable high-quality acoustic bass for beginners and intermediate players.
Used pricing on the secondhand market is typically in the $250-350 range, depending on condition. So the AEB10E holds its value relatively well even with some wear and tear.
Compared to other acoustic basses in its class, the AEB10E is very competitively priced. Similar models from Fender or Taylor can run $100-300 more for comparable features and build quality. The AEB10E manages to keep costs down without sacrificing on tone or playability.
Overall, the Ibanez AEB10E delivers outstanding value for money. The quality of its construction and electronics rivals more expensive acoustic basses. For gigging musicians on a budget or new players, it’s hard to find a better acoustic-electric bass at this price point.
Pros & Cons
The Ibanez AEB10E acoustic-electric bass guitar has several notable strengths that make it a great option for gigging musicians and intermediate players.
Pros
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Quality build and aesthetics – The Spruce top and Sapele back/sides give the AEB10E a rich, resonant acoustic tone and attractive appearance. The craftsmanship is excellent.
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Versatile acoustic-electric design – Players can easily go from unplugged acoustic sets to plugging into an amp or PA system. The Fishman Sonicore pickup reproduces the natural acoustic tone very well.
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Impressive value – For the quality of materials and electronics, the AEB10E is very reasonably priced compared to similar acoustic basses. It punches above its weight class.
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Lightweight and comfortable – Weighing just over 8 lbs, the AEB10E is easy to play standing up and won’t weigh you down during long gigs. The neck profile is smooth and fast.
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Onboard tuner – The built-in chromatic tuner makes it easy to keep the AEB10E in tune without needing external gear. Very handy for live performances.
Cons
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Not ideal for slap/pop style – The acoustic design doesn’t lend itself well to aggressive slap bass technique. Players focused on that style may want a solid body electric bass.
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Minimal tone controls – Just volume and EQ. Some players may want more tone shaping options, but the onboard preamp covers the basics well.
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Gig bag, not hardshell case – It only includes a padded gig bag, not a rigid hardshell case. If you want maximum protection, you’d need to buy a hardshell case separately.
Overall, the Ibanez AEB10E provides stellar quality and features for the price. A few minor limitations aside, it’s an excellent acoustic-electric bass for performing musicians.
Demo
The best way to get a sense of how the Ibanez AEB10E sounds and performs is to check out some video demos. Here’s an excellent demo from the Andertons Music Co. YouTube channel that highlights both the acoustic and amplified tones of the AEB10E:
In this video, you can really hear the warm, resonant acoustic tone of the AEB10E. When plugged in, the onboard Fishman preamp provides a nice blend of lows, mids, and clear highs. The player demonstrates fingerstyle, pick, and slapping techniques to showcase the versatility of this bass. Overall, it’s a great demo that gives viewers a good sense of the AEB10E’s acoustic and amplified sound. Watching the video is highly recommended to prospective buyers interested in hearing this Ibanez acoustic-electric bass in action before purchasing.
Conclusion
The Ibanez AEB10E acoustic-electric bass guitar provides great value and versatility for the price. Its combination of warm, resonant acoustic tone and clear amplified sound make it suitable for practice, recording, and live gigs. The slim neck and comfortable body size accommodate various playing styles and genres.
While it may not have the projection of a full hollowbody acoustic bass, the AEB10E’s smaller body reduces feedback issues. The onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup and preamp provide flexible tone shaping when plugged in.
Overall, this a quality, affordable acoustic-electric bass. It’s a great choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for an acoustic bass to grow with. The Ibanez AEB10E also gives gigging bassists a solid backup option.
If you’re seeking an acoustic bass under $500, be sure to try out the Ibanez AEB10E. Its comfortable feel and balanced acoustic-electric tones make it a versatile option worth checking out.