Introduction
Ibanez has a long history of producing high quality acoustic guitars dating back to the late 1800s. Originally founded in Japan, Ibanez has become one of the most popular and respected acoustic guitar brands in the world.
In the 1970s, Ibanez began producing acoustic models specifically for the US market. The AEWC series, first introduced in the 2000s, represents Ibanez’s efforts to blend modern appointments with traditional acoustic guitar design principles.
The AEWC11 is part of Ibanez’s Artwood series, which signifies their premium all-solid wood acoustic instruments. As an acoustic-electric model, the AEWC11 combines traditional acoustic tonewoods with modern electronics, making it versatile for both unplugged and amplified use.
This review will take an in-depth look at the features, sound, and playability of the Ibanez AEWC11 acoustic-electric guitar. We’ll see how it stacks up to other Ibanez acoustic models and assess who this modern acoustic is best suited for.
Ibanez AEWC11 Features & Specifications
Body Shape and Size
The Ibanez AEWC11 features a classic dreadnought body shape, which provides a balanced and powerful acoustic tone. This is one of the most popular acoustic guitar body styles due to its versatility across many musical genres.
The body has a total length of 20 1/4 inches, with a width of 15 3/4 inches at the lower bout and 11 inches at the neck joint. It has a standard dreadnought depth of 4 5/8 inches. The AEWC11 has a comfortable weight of just under 5 pounds, which makes it easy to play while seated or with a strap while standing.
The top of the AEWC11 is made of solid Sitka spruce, which provides crisp highs and excellent resonance. The back and sides are made of okoume, which gives the AEWC11 a balanced midrange and focused bass response. The combination of spruce and okoume creates a rich and nuanced acoustic tone.
Neck and Fretboard
The Ibanez AEWC11 features an Okoume neck and Walnut fretboard, providing a smooth and comfortable playing experience. Okoume is known for being a lightweight and resonant tonewood that enhances the guitar’s sustain.
The fretboard is made of beautiful dark Walnut which complements the AEWC11’s visual aesthetic. Walnut offers a tight grain pattern and hardness that makes for a durable and smooth fretboard that’s built to last. The fretwork from Ibanez is very well done, with nicely finished medium-jumbo frets.
The AEWC11 has a 25.6" scale length, which is the standard scale for many steel-string acoustic guitars. This versatile scale length is a comfortable middle ground, suitable for strumming chords or intricate fingerstyle playing. The scale length also contributes to the AEWC11’s balanced tone across the strings.
Overall, the neck and fretboard specs of the AEWC11 provide an excellent playing feel. The Okoume and Walnut pairing results in a responsive, resonant, and great sounding acoustic guitar neck that makes playing the AEWC11 an absolute pleasure.
Ibanez AEWC11 Features & Specifications
Electronics and Hardware
The Ibanez AEWC11 comes equipped with a versatile electronics system for amplified performance. At the heart of it is the Ibanez AEQ-SP1 preamp, which includes 3-band EQ, volume control, tuner, and phase switch. This allows for detailed tone shaping and feedback control when plugged in.
The guitar uses a Fishman Sonicore pickup system, with an undersaddle piezo pickup that accurately captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone. Many players prefer the transparent and dynamic sound of an undersaddle pickup compared to a soundhole pickup.
Chrome die-cast tuners provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. The Ibanez Advantage bridge pins add brightness and projection to the guitar’s tone.
Overall, the electronics and hardware appointments on the AEWC11 give it stage-ready amplified performance, while retaining the acoustic resonance that Ibanez is known for. Players who need plug-and-play live sound will appreciate the tonal flexibility of the preamp and pickup configuration.
Sound and Playability
The Ibanez AEWC11 delivers excellent sound and playability that makes it a joy to play. When unplugged, the all-solid wood construction produces a balanced and projecting acoustic tone. The combination of solid Sitka spruce on top and okoume back and sides results in great warmth and articulation. Strumming chords has nice fullness and character. The dreadnought body shape gives it plenty of volume to fill a room or accompany vocals.
When plugged in, the onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP1 preamp provide amplified tones with great clarity and dynamics. The pickup accurately captures the nuances of the guitar’s natural acoustic sound. The preamp gives you control over the EQ and volume, allowing you to shape the amplified tone to your liking. The guitar has great feedback rejection when plugged in, even at higher volumes.
In terms of playability, the Ibanez AEWC11 features a slim neck profile that feels comfortable and fast. The okoume neck has a smooth satin finish for ease of movement up and down the neck. The action is set medium-low from the factory, making barre chords and lead playing very comfortable without buzzing. The wider nut width provides a nice roomy feel that accommodates fingerstyle playing. Overall, the AEWC11 is a very playable instrument suitable for all styles of music.
Comparison to Other Ibanez Models
The Ibanez AEWC11 stands out from other acoustic models in the Ibanez lineup in a few key ways.
Vs Other AEG Models
The AEWC11 contrasts with Ibanez’s popular AEG acoustic-electric series. While both feature cutaway dreadnought designs and onboard electronics, there are some notable differences:
-
The AEWC11 uses solid Sitka spruce for its top, while AEG models use spruce laminates. This gives the AEWC11 a slightly richer and more complex acoustic voice.
-
The AEWC11 has a 3-piece neck design while the AEG uses a 1-piece neck. The 3-piece neck aims for more stability and sustain.
-
The AEWC11 comes equipped with the Ibanez AEQ-SP1 preamp, while AEG models have the simpler Ibanez AEQ-2T. The AEQ-SP1 gives you more tone shaping control.
-
The AEWC11 tends to use more premium appointments, with details like walnut binding and an abalone rosette. AEG specs are a bit more modest.
-
The AEWC series is positioned as a more professional-level instrument compared to the intermediate AEG lineup. This comes across in both its build and its price tag.
Vs Nylon String Models
Compared to Ibanez’s nylon string acoustic options, like their GA series, the AEWC11 offers:
-
The bright, crisp tone of steel strings rather than mellower nylon. This gives it more bite for strumming and picking.
-
The ability to cut through a mix better when plugged in, thanks to the steel string’s higher overtones.
-
A wider neck profile better suited for electric and steel string players. Nylon necks tend to be slimmer.
-
More versatility across musical styles, from pop and rock to folk and country. The nylon suits classical and Latin-inspired genres best.
Where It Fits in the Ibanez Lineup
The AEWC11 sits in the upper mid-range of Ibanez’s acoustic offerings. It’s a step above entry level models like the Ibanez PF15ECE but below premium artist signature models like the Ibanez PM200.
Some key things that set it apart:
-
All solid wood construction – most sub-$500 Ibanez acoustics use laminates.
-
Richer appointments like abalone trim and walnut binding.
-
Excellent amplified sound thanks to the AEQ-SP1 preamp.
-
Smooth playability from the satin-finished neck and expert fretwork.
So the AEWC11 takes a big step forward in build, sound, and playability while keeping costs relatively affordable. It hits a sweet spot in Ibanez’s diverse acoustic catalog.
Aesthetics
The Ibanez AEWC11 features smooth, refined aesthetics with modern appointments that complement its versatile acoustic tone. This guitar is available in two eye-catching finish options:
-
Dark Violin Sunburst – The AEWC11 takes on a rich, dark burst finish that gradually lightens from the edges to the center, showing off the guitar’s layered woods. Gold die-cast tuners provide a classy accent.
-
Natural High Gloss – For a more traditional look, the AEWC11 also comes in a natural gloss finish that allows the okoume and spruce tonewoods to shine through. The abalone rosette rings pops against this clean backdrop.
In both versions, the binding and purfling are cleanly executed for a refined appearance. The fretwork is immaculate with smoothly finished frets across the walnut fingerboard.
The headstock has an elegant tapered design with the Ibanez logo printed in gold. The chrome tuners and compensated saddle provide modern upgrades to the traditional dreadnought body style.
Overall, the Ibanez AEWC11 has excellent attention to detail and sports a contemporary style appointment that looks as good as it sounds. The smooth gloss finishes and fine details give this acoustic a high-end appearance.
Value and Cost
The Ibanez AEWC11 offers excellent value for players of all levels. At an MSRP of $599, it competes very favorably with other acoustic-electrics in this price range from major brands like Yamaha, Takamine, and Guild.
For example, the Yamaha A5R dreadnought retails for a similar $599 but lacks the all-solid wood construction of the AEWC11. The Fishman electronics and Ibanez preamp also give it an edge over the Yamaha’s simpler System66 pickup.
Beginner players get a lot of guitar for the money with the AEWC11. The solid spruce top provides excellent projection unplugged, while the electronics allow plugging into an amp or PA system. The smooth neck and comfortable body size also make it ideal for new players.
Intermediate and advanced players will appreciate the balanced acoustic tone from quality tonewoods, as well as the versatile Fishman pickup and Ibanez preamp. The modern appointments like the abalone rosette give it an attractive look on stage. Overall, it punches above its weight class.
The included accessories also add value, with the AEWC11 coming in a high-quality padded gig bag. Some bundles may include a hardshell case, adding even more value. Overall, the Ibanez AEWC11 gives players top-notch specs, electronics, and playability at a very competitive price point among acoustic-electrics.
Conclusion
The Ibanez AEWC11 offers a lot of value in an affordable modern acoustic-electric guitar. To summarize the key pros and cons:
Pros
- Well-balanced tone from solid spruce top and okoume back/sides
- Fishman electronics provide great amplified sound
- Smooth and comfortable neck for easy playability
- Nice appointments like abalone rosette
- Good quality construction and materials
- Comes with padded gig bag or optional hardshell case
Cons
- Electronics may not satisfy more advanced players
- Limited color options compared to other models
Overall, the Ibanez AEWC11 is best suited for intermediate players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric guitar for gigs and recording. The quality and amplified tone make it a reliable choice for the stage or studio. The accessible neck and comfortable body size also accommodate beginning players nicely.
For those seeking top-tier electronics or more premium appointments, higher-end Ibanez models like the AEW40ZW may be preferable. However, the AEWC11 offers great quality and features for the price point.
If you’re an intermediate guitarist shopping for an acoustic-electric, the Ibanez AEWC11 is easy to recommend. It provides versatile plugged-in and unplugged tones in an attractive, playable package.
Video Demo
To see and hear the Ibanez AEWC11 in action, check out this video demo from Ibanez:
This high quality video really showcases the versatile sound of the AEWC11 acoustic-electric guitar. You can hear its balanced and warm unplugged tone during the fingerstyle passages. When plugged in, the clarity of the amplified sound comes through nicely.
The demonstrator runs through various musical styles to highlight the guitar’s versatility. Everything from soft folk fingerpicking to energetic rock strumming exemplifies how well the AEWC11 can adapt to different genres.
Overall the video provides an excellent up close look at the AEWC11 in action. Watching it will give you a great feel for the playability and sound that this modern Ibanez acoustic-electric offers. Be sure to check it out before making your buying decision!