Introduction
Ibanez has a long history of crafting high-quality acoustic guitars dating back to the late 1960s. The company is known for using premium tonewoods and innovative design to produce guitars with exceptional sound and playability.
The Ibanez AEW series represents their line of exotic wood acoustic-electric guitars. These guitars utilize rare and beautiful tonewoods to provide a unique look and sound.
The Ibanez AEW22CD model is one of the standouts in this series. It features a grand concert body made with Cordia wood back and sides along with a solid spruce top. Cordia is an exotic tonewood prized for its warmth and balanced tone.
Other notable features on the AEW22CD include a slim mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and Fishman electronics. It also comes packaged with a premium padded gig bag, making this an excellent value. With its exotic woods and great electronics, the AEW22CD offers exceptional sound and versatility perfect for gigs, recording, and practice.
Ibanez AEW22CD Specs & Features
The Ibanez AEW22CD features a thin, lightweight grand concert body shape made from exotic tonewoods. The back and sides are crafted from Cordia, which has a unique appearance similar to Koa. The top is solid Sitka spruce, known for its balanced tone and crisp projection.
The mahogany neck has a comfortable slim profile and silky satin finish. It joins the body at the 14th fret and has a 25.6" scale length with 20 frets on the rosewood fingerboard. The nut width measures 1.69", providing ample room for fingerstyle playing while still playable for smaller hands.
Electronics consist of an undersaddle Fishman Sonicore pickup paired with Ibanez’s own AEQ-SP2 preamp system. It offers a 3-band EQ, built-in tuner, phase switch and more for shaping your amplified tone. The onboard preamp packs a punch while retaining the natural acoustic sound.
Adding to the value, Ibanez includes a deluxe padded gig bag, so you can safely transport this exotic wood instrument to performances or the studio. The premium bag protects the guitar while providing handy storage for cables, picks, and other accessories.
Sound & Tone
The Ibanez AEW22CD produces a rich, balanced acoustic tone when played unplugged. The combination of the exotic Cordia back and sides with the solid Sitka spruce top results in a unique voice that stands out from typical rosewood or mahogany acoustics.
The Cordia wood brings a certain warmth and resonance to the guitar’s natural sound. Notes are sustained beautifully, with a pleasing decay. Treble tones have nice sparkle and clarity thanks to the crisp spruce top. There’s an impressive balance across the tonal spectrum – neither the highs nor lows overpower the mids.
When plugged in through an acoustic amp or PA, the AEW22CD maintains its excellent tonal balance. The Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez preamp faithfully reproduce the guitar’s natural acoustic dynamics and voicing. There’s enough punch in the lows to come through in a live mix, and sufficient sparkle on the treble strings to cut through bright. The mids are robust without getting muddled.
The grand concert body style provides excellent note definition and resonance while still being comfortable for smaller players. Notes ring out with sustain, and chords are evenly balanced across all six strings. The AEW22CD projects well when playing live while maintaining a refined, finished tone.
Playability & Feel
The Ibanez AEW22CD features a comfortable grand concert body shape that is ideal for smaller players or anyone who prefers a compact acoustic. The slender mahogany neck has a fast, thin profile that feels great in the hand. It’s very playable right out of the box thanks to Ibanez’s precision fretwork and quality control on the setup.
The action on the AEW22CD is set moderately low for effortless fretting and barre chords. There are no sharp fret edges or buzzing notes across the neck. The frets themselves are nicely finished with smooth, rounded edges that don’t dig into your fingers during long practice sessions.
Overall, the AEW22CD offers a very resonant and responsive playing experience. The thinner body depth provides enhanced comfort and ergonomics compared to a bulky dreadnought body. Between the slim neck profile, low action, and compact grand concert shape, this is one of the most playable acoustic-electrics you’ll find in this price range.
Electronics & Controls
The Ibanez AEW22CD comes equipped with a quality Fishman Sonicore undersaddle piezo pickup and Ibanez’s own AEQ-SP2 preamp system. This combination provides a very natural amplified tone without excessive electronic artifacts or feedback issues.
The Fishman Sonicore pickup accurately captures the guitar’s authentic acoustic resonance and projects it through an amp or PA system. It has a transparent sound with excellent dynamics and string separation. The pickup blends seamlessly with the AEW22CD’s spruce top and exotic Cordia back/sides.
Controlling the Fishman pickup is the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp packed with useful features. It has a simple control layout consisting of volume, bass, mid, and treble knobs, plus a phase switch to cut feedback. An onboard tuner makes on-stage tuning a breeze. The preamp runs on a 9V battery or phantom power.
The volume knob doubles as an on/off switch, while the 3-band EQ gives you tonal control over the amplified sound. The phase switch helps eliminate feedback at higher volumes. The tuner is easily accessible without cluttering the interface. Overall, the electronics onboard the AEW22CD are intuitive to use while still offering versatility for shaping your amplified tone.
Build Quality & Aesthetics
The Ibanez AEW22CD showcases excellent build quality and aesthetics that exceed expectations for the price. The construction utilizes quality tonewoods put together with precise craftsmanship.
The Cordia back and sides display attractive wood grain patterns and figuring. Ibanez chose this exotic wood not just for its tonal properties but its visual appeal as well. The multi-rosewood binding and rosette provide elegant design details.
Attention was paid to fine points like the fretwork, which is immaculate straight out of the box. The fretboard edges are smoothly rolled for comfort. The headstock overlay features the Ibanez logo in a complementary font. It’s clear this guitar was built with care by skilled luthiers.
The hardware including the tuners and bridge are durable and do their job reliably. Overall the guitar feels solid and built to last thanks to its high-quality construction. The aesthetics and fine details give it a refined, premium look that punches above its price range. Players will appreciate both the beauty and craftsmanship of the Ibanez AEW22CD.
Value & Comparisons
The Ibanez AEW22CD has a very competitive price point for an exotic wood acoustic-electric in the mid-range category. The guitar sells for around $599, which includes the premium padded gig bag. Considering the use of premium tonewoods like Cordia and Sitka Spruce, along with pro-level Fishman electronics, this is an outstanding value.
When comparing to other similar Ibanez acoustics, the AEW22CD easily beats models like the AW54 dreadnought in terms of exotic appeal and amplified sound quality. The AEW is clearly a more high-end instrument.
Compared to guitars from other brands in this price range, the AEW22CD holds up very well. It can compete with Taylor’s 100 series for playability and amplified tone, with a more exotic look. The Yamaha A Series and Martin Road Series are also competitors, but they may not have electronics or solid wood construction at this price point. Overall, the Ibanez AEW22CD punches above its class with great value.
Ideal For
The Ibanez AEW22CD is ideal for gigging musicians and recording artists who need a stage-ready acoustic guitar with plugged-in amplification and balanced tone. Its exotic tonewoods and Fishman electronics make it a versatile choice for playing folk, pop, rock, country, blues, and other contemporary styles.
The AEW22CD’s grand concert body shape and comfortable thin profile also make it a great fit for players with smaller hands and frames. The smooth neck and easy playability allow for quick transitions between chords and lead lines. This makes it perfect for singer-songwriters who accompany themselves and need a guitar that excels both strummed and fingerpicked.
Younger musicians just starting to gig and record will appreciate the AEW22CD’s professional-grade appointments like the solid spruce top and Cordia back and sides. It gives off stage-worthy sound and looks far above other beginner level acoustics. The included deluxe gig bag provides protection for taking this Ibanez to performances or the studio.
While the AEW22CD suits most playing styles from picking to strumming, fingerstyle guitarists will especially enjoy the balanced tone, warm low end, and articulated highs. The exotic wood construction rewards a delicate touch by responding with rich harmonics and singing sustain.
Overall, gigging and recording artists who need amplified acoustic tone and comfort in a mid-priced package will find their ideal match in the Ibanez AEW22CD. It punches above its weight across metrics like sound, playability, and stage-readiness.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Exotic Cordia tonewood provides a rich, balanced sound
- Solid spruce top offers excellent projection and clarity
- Fishman electronics accurately capture the natural acoustic tone
- Grand concert body provides comfort for smaller players
- Quality craftsmanship with premium fit and finish
- Includes deluxe padded gig bag for protection
Cons:
- No cutaway limits upper fret access
- Only basic onboard preamp controls
- Grand concert body may be too small for some players
- Higher cost due to exotic tonewood construction
The pros highlight the unique tonewoods, Fishman electronics, playability, included gig bag, and high build quality. The cons mention the lack of a cutaway, basic preamp controls, smaller body size, and higher cost. This summarizes the key advantages and potential drawbacks in a concise bulleted format.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly testing and reviewing the Ibanez AEW22CD acoustic-electric guitar, I can confidently give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is an exceptionally well-crafted and great sounding instrument that punches well above its price point. The AEW22CD is perfect for the gigging musician or any player looking for a quality, exotic wood acoustic-electric at an accessible price.
The AEW22CD’s Cordia back and sides provide a lush, balanced tone that really shines when plugged in. Paired with the clear and articulate solid spruce top, this guitar offers versatility for various musical styles. The slim neck and comfortable body size also make it a joy to play for extended periods. While the electronics and controls are basic, they accurately capture the natural acoustic tone. For under $500 including a deluxe gig bag, the Ibanez AEW22CD is tough to beat.
In closing, if you want an exotic wood acoustic-electric that looks, sounds, and feels like a much more expensive instrument, the Ibanez AEW22CD is a phenomenal choice. It provides incredible value by combining premium tonewoods, Fishman electronics, and high-end craftsmanship. For intermediate players, working musicians, or anyone needing an affordable stage-ready acoustic, the AEW22CD gets my highest recommendation.