Introduction
The Ibanez AW150CE is part of the Artwood series, Ibanez’s line of premium, all-solid acoustic guitars. These guitars aim to deliver impressive looks, playability, and tone at an accessible price point.
The AW150CE model is a cutaway dreadnought acoustic-electric, featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Some of the key specs and selling points include:
- Solid Sitka spruce top – Provides excellent projection, volume, and articulation
- Mahogany back and sides – Offers a balanced, warm tone
- Fishman Sonicore electronics – Quality undersaddle piezo pickup for natural amplified tone
- Cutaway dreadnought body – Allows easy upper fret access
- Open pore natural finish – Showcases the beautiful solid wood grain
This guitar combines premium tonewoods, Fishman electronics, and Ibanez’s renowned build quality to offer an impressive acoustic-electric package suitable for a wide range of players. The AW150CE looks to deliver rich acoustic tone and comfortable playability at an accessible price point.
Ibanez AW150CE Specs & Features
The Ibanez AW150CE features a stylish and versatile cutaway dreadnought body shape that provides easy access to the upper frets while retaining the traditional dreadnought sound.
The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, which gives it excellent resonance and projection. Sitka spruce is prized for its balanced tone and dynamic range. The back and sides are mahogany, which adds warmth and focus to the midrange frequencies.
It has a Fishman Sonicore undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp system, which accurately reproduces the natural acoustic tone when plugged in. The simple controls include volume and tone knobs.
The hardware includes a rosewood bridge and high-quality die-cast tuners, providing rock-solid intonation and tuning stability. The neck is also mahogany for a comfortable and smooth feel. Overall, the specs and components are impressive for the price.
Build Quality
The Ibanez AW150CE displays impressive build quality and craftsmanship, especially considering its affordable price point. Ibanez pays close attention to detail, using premium tonewoods and high-quality components.
The guitar has a flawless finish, with no visible imperfections in the open pore natural coating. The binding along the body and neck is neat and tidy, accentuating the woods used. There is no unsightly excess glue or uneven joints, which can sometimes be an issue on lower priced models.
The solid Sitka spruce top is smoothly and evenly cut, with tight and consistent grain patterns. The mahogany back and sides also display attractive wood grain under the translucent finish. The fretwork is immaculate, with smooth and leveled frets along the rosewood fingerboard.
All hardware components are high quality, like the die-cast chrome tuners that provide stable and accurate tuning. The nut and saddle are well-cut from quality bone. Overall, the attention to detail and craftsmanship make the AW150CE feel like a more expensive instrument.
Sound & Tone
The Ibanez AW150CE produces a rich, balanced, and articulate acoustic tone when played unplugged. The solid Sitka spruce top contributes to excellent projection and resonance, allowing the guitar to fill a room with its acoustic voice.
Strumming and fingerpicking styles are both well-served by the guitar’s dynamic range and responsiveness. The solid top provides clarity in the high end while the mahogany back and sides add pleasing low-mid warmth. Notes decay smoothly and evenly across the tonal spectrum.
When plugged in, the Fishman Sonicore undersaddle pickup produces a very natural amplified tone. The guitar retains its acoustic character thanks to the sensitive piezo pickup, with no harshness or quackiness often associated with cheaper pickup systems. The tone remains clear and balanced whether using a light picking touch or digging in more aggressively.
The Fishman preamp provides some basic EQ controls for shaping the amplified tone, allowing you to add a bit more bass punch or dial in a slight high-end boost. While not as versatile as the electronics on higher-end models, it’s more than sufficient for gigging and recording applications.
Overall the Ibanez AW150CE offers an impressive tonal palette both unplugged and amplified, making it a versatile and great-sounding acoustic electric guitar. The premium solid wood top and Fishman electronics combine to deliver excellent acoustic and plugged-in tones at this price point.
Playability
The Ibanez AW150CE sports a comfortable and easy-playing neck profile that accommodates various playing styles. The slim mahogany neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast runs up and down the fretboard without sticking.
The medium string action on the AW150CE is set up nicely right out of the box, providing a good balance of playability while still allowing room for heavier strumming without buzzing. The action can be easily adjusted to suit personal preferences, but most players will find it very comfortable as-is.
The fretwork on this guitar is tidy and precise, with smoothly finished medium jumbo frets that are comfortable on the fingers. There are no sharp fret ends or uneven spots along the edges of the rosewood fretboard. Combined with the smooth neck, this allows for very fluid playing across the entire fretboard.
The cutaway dreadnought body shape provides excellent access to the upper frets while still retaining the balanced and rich acoustic tone. Players can easily reach the higher notes on the neck thanks to the deep cutaway and slim neck heel. This makes the AW150CE a versatile guitar suitable for lead playing and soloing.
Overall, the Ibanez AW150CE offers very impressive playability right out of the box, with a fast and comfortable neck profile, quality fretwork, and accessible upper frets thanks to the cutaway design. It’s built for comfort during long practice or gigging sessions.
Value For Money
The Ibanez AW150CE offers excellent value for money given its impressive specs and quality components. At its typical retail price of around $400, it competes very favorably against other acoustic-electric guitars in this price tier.
The all-solid wood construction with a solid Sitka spruce top is rare to find at this price point. Most comparably priced acoustic-electrics will use laminate tops and backs/sides. The solid woods contribute greatly to the AW150CE’s rich acoustic resonance and projection.
Additionally, the Fishman Sonicore electronics and Ibanez’s excellent build quality add a lot of value. Many guitars around $400 will cut costs with cheaper electronics and hardware. The AW150CE does not compromise and delivers pro-level components.
Overall, the Ibanez AW150CE provides amazing bang for your buck. The combination of tonewoods, electronics, playability and craftsmanship make this a bargain buy. Intermediate players, gigging musicians and home recording artists will be very impressed by the performance and quality delivered at this affordable price point.
Ibanez AW150CE vs Ibanez AW54 Comparison
The Ibanez AW150CE is a higher-end model compared to the more affordable AW54. Here’s a look at how the two models differ:
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Woods – The AW150CE has a solid Sitka spruce top, while the AW54 has a laminate spruce top. Solid wood tops are considered superior for resonance and tone. The sides and back are mahogany on both models.
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Electronics – The AW150CE is equipped with a Fishman Sonicore pickup system, while the AW54 has a simpler Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp. The Fishman Sonicore is known for providing a more natural amplified tone.
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Craftsmanship – As a more premium model in the Artwood series, the AW150CE exhibits some nicer appointments like binding, pearl fretboard inlays, and more detailed finish work. The AW54 has a plainer appearance in line with its budget-friendly price.
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Sound – With its solid spruce top and Fishman electronics, the AW150CE produces richer, more complex acoustic tones. The laminate top and simpler preamp of the AW54 results in adequate but less impressive sound.
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Price – The current street prices are about $400 for the AW54 vs $700 for the AW150CE. The upgrades in woods, electronics, and craftsmanship on the AW150CE justify the higher cost for players who can fit it into their budget.
Overall, while the Ibanez AW54 is a decent entry-level acoustic-electric, the AW150CE offers significant upgrades in sound quality and features for intermediate players willing to spend a bit more. The tonal improvements and Fishman electronics make it a better investment for years of musical enjoyment.
Ideal Player
The Ibanez AW150CE acoustic electric guitar is best suited for intermediate to advanced players looking for a quality gigging instrument. The solid wood construction and Fishman electronics provide the amplified tone and durability required for live performance.
The comfortable neck profile and lightweight body also make the AW150CE a great choice for players who need to stand and play for extended periods. The cutaway dreadnought shape works well for musicians who need to access higher frets while strumming or flatpicking.
This Ibanez model excels across a wide variety of musical styles. The balanced tone and Fishman preamp give it versatility for folk, country, blues, rock and even jazz. The articulation is ideal for fingerstyle while the projection handles heavier strumming.
Overall, the AW150CE is an excellent match for gigging musicians, intermediate players, and those interested in home recording. It provides professional features and premium woods in an affordable package.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid spruce top provides excellent projection and resonance
- Quality mahogany back and sides offer balanced, warm tone
- Fishman Sonicore pickup captures natural acoustic tone when plugged in
- Impressive build quality and attention to detail for the price
- Comfortable neck profile and smooth fretwork enhance playability
- Cutaway dreadnought body allows easy upper fret access
- Open pore finish highlights the beautiful wood grain
Cons
- Plain looks may not appeal to some players
- On the heavier side compared to other acoustics
- Limited tone shaping controls with the pickup preamp
- Electronics can be prone to feedback at higher volumes
- Not as much midrange punch as rosewood back/sides
Conclusion
The Ibanez AW150CE is an excellent choice for intermediate and advancing players looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar with premium tonewoods and electronics. Its solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides produce a rich, balanced tone that projects beautifully when played unplugged. The Fishman Sonicore pickup and preamp provide a very natural amplified sound, perfect for plugging into an acoustic amp or PA system.
For around $500, the craftsmanship and attention to detail on the AW150CE are truly impressive. The guitar features precise construction, immaculate fretwork, and high-end components you would expect to see on models costing much more. It looks, feels, and plays like a far more expensive instrument.
If you’re looking to upgrade your acoustic-electric without breaking the bank, the Ibanez AW150CE should be at the top of your list. It punches well above its weight class in terms of tone, playability and aesthetics. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal on the market right now.
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars