Introduction
The Ibanez Artwood Vintage Series focuses on capturing the warm, rich acoustic tone and vintage aesthetics of guitars from the Golden Era of the 1930s-1960s. These guitars utilize carefully selected tonewoods and specialized construction techniques to emulate the character of vintage instruments.
The AVD11 model embodies this vintage spirit, featuring a solid Thermo Aged spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The proprietary Thermo Aged process artificially ages the spruce top, enhancing its resonance and tonal qualities. This results in a beautifully balanced and articulate tone, with plenty of warmth and character.
Some key features that enable the vintage vibe of the AVD11 include:
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Thermo Aged Sitka Spruce top – Gives an aged, played-in tone right out of the box. The wood is "cooked" to mimic decades of aging.
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Mahogany back and sides – Provides a rich, complex midrange and excellent resonance.
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Antique Natural semi-gloss finish – Has an understated, classic appeal. Lets the wood grain shine through.
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Aged white body binding – Looks like it was on a guitar from the 1960s. Adds vintage aesthetic.
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Tortoiseshell pickguard – An iconic design touch on old Martin and Gibson acoustics.
The AVD11 brings together the highest quality materials and careful craftsmanship to capture the elusive magic of a true vintage acoustic guitar.
Ibanez Thermo Aged Technology Explained
Ibanez’s proprietary Thermo Aged process is designed to artificially age tonewoods to create instruments with a mature, vintage acoustic voice right out of the factory. Rather than air drying tonewoods for decades or using torrefaction techniques, the Thermo Aged process allows Ibanez to precisely control wood aging in only a few days.
The Thermo Aged process involves heating the wood in a specialized chamber under controlled humidity conditions. The wood is heated to temperatures between 185-215°F for several days, which causes the wood cells to gently open up. This replicates years of natural air drying, creating a wood cellular structure that is extremely stable and resonant.
The opened up wood grain allows the top to vibrate more freely, resulting in enhanced volume, projection and responsiveness. The wood’s stability also allows for consistent performance through changes in humidity and temperature. Tonally, the Thermo Aged process creates a rich, deep and open sound that imparts the character of a finely aged vintage acoustic.
Compared to traditional aging methods, Thermo Aging provides Ibanez with a reliable and repeatable process to recreate the tonal benefits of aged tonewoods. While decades of natural drying can produce spectacular tone, it lacks consistency. The Thermo Aged process allows Ibanez to precisely control the wood aging in a matter of days, resulting in acoustic guitars with the mature, seasoned sound that players desire.
Specifications & Construction
The Ibanez AVD11 features the classic dreadnought body shape, which provides excellent projection and rich bass response. The top is crafted from solid Thermo Aged Sitka spruce, which gives the AVD11 its vintage-inspired tone and articulation.
The back and sides are mahogany, adding warmth and complexity to the sound. Ibanez utilizes their proprietary Thermo Aged X-bracing pattern under the top, providing strength and allowing the top to vibrate freely for better resonance transfer and sustain.
The finish is an eye-catching Antique Natural Semi-gloss that lends to the vintage aesthetic. Both the nut and saddle are bone, which allows for better transfer of string vibrations than synthetic materials.
Chrome enclosed gear tuners are smooth and accurate for tuning, while also complementing the vintage styling. The AVD11 has a total length of 41 inches, width of 16 inches, depth of 4.5 inches and a 25.6 inch scale length.
Sound & Tonal Characteristics
The Ibanez AVD11 produces a rich, vintage-inspired acoustic tone that stays true to its Artwood Vintage series heritage. The Thermo Aged solid spruce top brings out complex overtones and sweet, singing highs without sacrificing warmth and body. There’s a pleasing balance across the tonal spectrum, with tight low end, pronounced mids, and shimmering highs.
The AVD11 projects excellently, allowing the intricate details of the guitar’s vintage voice to shine through during both energetic strumming and delicate fingerpicking. Notes ring out with sustain and clarity. The mahogany back and sides add complexity to the fundamental tone.
This is an acoustic that can handle a diverse range of musical styles. From folk and country to blues and classic rock, the AVD11 provides the perfect vintage tonal foundation. The rich harmonics allow the guitar to cut through during live performances, while also capturing beautifully in studio recordings.
The responsiveness of the Thermo Aged top means the AVD11 is dynamic – able to go from percussive rhythms to subtle intricacies. It rewards a light touch with sweet, singing tones and allows players to dig in when power and projection are needed. This versatility makes it a great choice for songwriters and musicians across many genres.
Playability & Feel
The Ibanez AVD11 has a comfortable and playable feel that enhances the vintage vibe. It features a slim C-shape neck profile that provides a smooth fretting experience. The neck width measures 1 11/16" at the nut, which is a standard width for most fingerstyle players. The fretboard radius measures 16" which allows for lower string action and easy bending.
The AVD11 comes setup with a very playable low action right out of the box. The strings sit close to the fretboard making it easy to fret notes and execute vibrato techniques. The action is smooth and buzz-free in the first few frets while still allowing adequate room for projection from the top. Players looking for very low and fast playability will appreciate the AVD11’s setup.
In terms of responsiveness, the AVD11 delivers excellent dynamics thanks to its solid spruce top. It’s very responsive to different playing techniques, allowing the player to easily control soft, delicate tones as well as percussive, aggressive attack. The notes bloom quickly with a balanced sustain, providing pleasing resonance across the tonal spectrum. Both fingerpickers and strummers will enjoy the dynamic range on tap.
Overall the AVD11 offers vintage appeal paired with modern playability. The comfortable neck shape, low action, and dynamic responsiveness come together to provide an acoustic that feels great for various playing styles and techniques. Both beginners and experienced players will find it a joy to play.
Aesthetics & Appointments
The Ibanez AVD11 delivers a classy, vintage-inspired aesthetic that complements its rich, aged tone. The Antique Natural Semi-gloss finish has an understated elegance, with just enough sheen to highlight the natural wood grain patterns. Aged white binding along the body and fretboard edges harkens back to classic dreadnoughts of yesteryear. The fretboard itself features simple dot inlays that provide just enough visual flair without detracting from the vintage vibe.
The pickguard has an authentic tortoiseshell pattern which adds to that timeless acoustic guitar look. The headstock houses sealed chrome tuners with an elegant, vintage-style Ibanez logo inlay at the top. Overall, the attention to detail from the binding to the fretwork is indicative of a high level of craftsmanship and respect for traditional acoustic guitar aesthetics. The AVD11 certainly looks the part of a guitar that produces warm, rich, vintage tone.
Electronics & Amplification (AVD11CE model)
The AVD11CE model comes equipped with Ibanez’s trusted AEQ-AP2 preamp system, providing excellent plugged-in acoustic tone and versatility for live performances or recording situations. It utilizes an undersaddle piezo pickup that accurately captures the nuances of the guitar’s natural acoustic sound.
The preamp features 2-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone, as well as an onboard chromatic tuner for quick and convenient tuning. The tuner can be easily accessed via a discrete thumbwheel control mounted on the side of the guitar.
One of the key benefits of the AEQ-AP2 preamp is its impressive feedback rejection. This allows you to push the volume levels higher on stage without worrying about pesky feedback squeals. The preamp is powered by a 9V battery for cordless convenience.
Overall, the AVD11CE’s electronics package delivers natural acoustic amplification and flexibility for plugging into PA systems, acoustic guitar amps, or direct recording interfaces. The integrated tuner is also a handy bonus not always found on acoustic-electrics in this price range. For players needing amplified acoustic tone for live gigs or studio work, the AVD11CE is an excellent option.
Value for Money
The Ibanez AVD11 Thermo Aged acoustic guitar delivers exceptional value for the money. Currently priced at around $449, it occupies a sweet spot in the market for affordable, vintage-inspired acoustic guitars. While not the cheapest option, it outpunches its price range when it comes to tone, playability, and appointments.
Compared to similar vintage-style acoustic guitars in this price tier from brands like Epiphone, Yamaha, and Takamine, the AVD11 stands out for its authentic aged tone and aesthetic. The proprietary Thermo Aged process gives it an advantage over comparably priced models using traditional non-aged tonewoods. This allows the AVD11 to compete sonically with guitars well above its price point.
The all-solid wood construction, quality hardware, and thoughtful appointments like an aged finish and tortoiseshell pickguard make the AVD11 feel like a more premium instrument than its accessible pricing would suggest. While budget models will cut costs on components, the AVD11 doesn’t compromise – it delivers pro-level build quality you would expect on guitars $200-300 more.
For players specifically seeking an affordable vintage acoustic with timeless style, rich organic tone, and professional fit and finish, the Ibanez AVD11 represents a fantastic value proposition. The combination of features and sound quality on offer make it a discerning choice for vintage tone enthusiasts shopping in the sub-$500 price tier.
Who is the Ibanez AVD11 Best Suited For?
With its rich, vintage-inspired tone and classic dreadnought shape, the Ibanez AVD11 is an excellent choice for players who enjoy genres like folk, country, blues, and light rock. The balanced sound projection and articulation help bring out the nuances in these styles of music.
Fingerstyle players in particular will appreciate the AVD11’s dynamic range. The responsive Thermo Aged top allows you to go from delicate fingerpicking to aggressive strumming as the song demands. The low action and slim neck also make fretting and bending notes effortless.
The AVD11 works great in both gigging and recording scenarios. The non-cutaway dreadnought body provides plenty of volume to cut through a live mix. And the focused tone captured by the Thermo Aged top cuts nicely in a studio setting.
For amplified situations, the AVD11CE model comes equipped with the Ibanez AEQ-AP2 preamp and undersaddle pickup. This allows you to easily plug into an acoustic amplifier or PA system while retaining the guitar’s authentic acoustic tone. The onboard tuner also makes on-stage tuning a breeze.
From amateur players to seasoned professionals, anyone looking for a quality, hand-crafted acoustic with vintage vibe will find a lot to love in the Ibanez AVD11. It brings timeless sound and style to today’s music.
Pros and Cons
Key Advantages
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Authentic vintage tone from the Thermo Aged solid spruce top – The proprietary Thermo Aging process gives the spruce top an aged, played-in sound right out of the box. Many musicians strive for years to get their acoustic tops to properly age and open up. With the AVD11, you get those mature, vintage tonewood characteristics from day one.
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Quality build and appointments – From the solid spruce and mahogany tonewoods to the bone nut and saddle, the AVD11 is crafted with premium materials. Touches like the aged white binding and tortoiseshell pickguard give it an authentic vintage vibe as well. Attention to detail is evident throughout.
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Excellent projection and articulation – The dreadnought body shape allows the AVD11 to project its warm, balanced tone with authority. Notes ring out clearly and each strum comes through with definition. It’s an acoustic that can hold its own in any jam session.
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Easy playability and low action – The slim neck profile and low string action make the AVD11 a pleasure to play. Chords shape cleanly, bends are easy to execute, and vibratos flow smoothly. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll appreciate how comfortable and effortless it feels.
Potential Drawbacks
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Limited tonal versatility – With its focus on vintage tone, the AVD11 offers a more traditional acoustic voice. It may not have the shimmery brilliance of some modern acoustics with their X-bracing and forward shifted scalloped bracing. The tone leans to the warmer side.
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No cutaway option – The traditional dreadnought shape lacks a cutaway for easy upper fret access. This may limit the AVD11 for some players who utilize a lot of high lead playing past the 12th fret.
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Not as complex as a high-end acoustic – While excellent for its price range, the AVD11 doesn’t quite match the richness and complexity of a premium solid wood acoustic. The tone, while vintage-inspired, has its limits.
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Vintage vibe may not appeal to some – The distressed Antique Natural finish and aged appointments give the AVD11 an old-school look that matches its sound. Those wanting a more modern aesthetic may find the vintage styling a turn-off.