Introduction
Ibanez has been crafting fine acoustic guitars since the late 1960s. Originally known for innovative electric guitar designs, the Japanese company expanded into acoustics in the 1970s and has since become respected for their high quality craftsmanship and diverse lineup of acoustic models.
The Ibanez Performance Series sits in the middle of their acoustic guitar range, offering professional features and premium tonewoods at an accessible price point. First launched in 2002, the Performance Series aims to deliver rich acoustic sound, comfort, and reliability for gigging musicians and intermediate players. Models like the single-cutaway PC12MHCE demonstrate Ibanez’s commitment to blending traditional acoustic aesthetics with modern playability.
Ibanez PC12MHCE Specifications
The Ibanez PC12MHCE features a grand concert body shape, which is a comfortable middle ground between small parlor sizes and large dreadnoughts. This makes the PC12MHCE a versatile choice for various playing styles and situations.
The top is made from solid mahogany, which gives a balanced tone with clear mids and lows. The back and sides are also mahogany. Mahogany is known for its warm, rich sound that emphasizes the midrange.
The neck is constructed from mahogany as well, with a rosewood fingerboard on top. Rosewood contributes brightness and articulation. The scale length measures 25.6 inches, while the nut width is 1.69 inches. This combination allows comfortable playability for most hand sizes.
Unique Features of the PC12MHCE
The PC12MHCE has several unique features that set it apart from other acoustic-electric guitars in its class:
-
Single-cutaway body design – The single cutaway allows easier access to the upper frets while retaining the grand concert body shape. This expands the playing range and makes it great for soloing and lead playing.
-
Open pore natural finish – Rather than a glossy coating, the PC12MHCE has an open pore finish that accentuates the natural wood grain of the mahogany. This gives it an organic, resonant look and feel.
-
Tortoiseshell rosette design – The classic tortoiseshell pattern rosette around the soundhole provides a visually striking decorative touch. This nod to vintage aesthetics enhances the guitar’s overall style.
-
Ibanez AEQ2T preamp – The built-in preamp includes 2-band EQ, tuner, and phase switch for shaping your amplified tone. With the Ibanez preamp you can sculpt your sound for live gigs or recording scenarios.
-
Undersaddle pickup system – The pickup is mounted under the saddle for a more natural acoustic tone when plugged in. The under-saddle design preserves the guitar’s resonant properties.
Sound and Playability
The Ibanez PC12MHCE produces a rich, warm unplugged acoustic tone thanks to its all-mahogany construction. The solid mahogany top resonates nicely and projects the sound outward with clarity and balance across the tonal spectrum. While mahogany may not be as bright as spruce, it provides a pleasing rounded tone that works well for various musical styles.
When plugged in, the PC12MHCE maintains its natural acoustic sound thanks to the under-saddle piezo pickup. This allows it to be amplified without the quackiness or sterile tones that can plague some acoustic-electric models. The guitar has plenty of volume to hold its own in jam sessions or live performance settings. The Ibanez AEQ2T preamp provides some EQ shaping capabilities with bass and treble controls, allowing the amplified tone to be tweaked as needed. The 3-band EQ gives you the flexibility to dial in anything from a scooped out midrange to boosted lows or highs.
In terms of playability, the grand concert body size and smooth satin neck make the PC12MHCE comfortable and easy to play. It feels great when strumming chords or flatpicking melodies and solos. The medium string spacing and action allow for solid technique development and precise fingering. Whether you’re into rock, pop, folk, country, blues, or jazz, this guitar will accommodate a wide range of genres and playing styles. The single cutaway design grants easy access to the upper frets, enabling solos, lead lines, and melodic riffs up and down the neck.
Overall, the PC12MHCE is a pleasure to play both acoustically and plugged in. It produces great tone across various musical applications while remaining comfortable and playable.
Ibanez PC12MHCE vs. Other Models
The Ibanez PC12MHCE stands out when compared to other acoustic-electric guitars in the same class and price range. Here’s how it contrasts with some comparable models:
Compared to other Ibanez PF Series models: The PC12MHCE has a more compact grand concert body size compared to the larger dreadnought shapes of guitars like the PF15ECE. The single-cutaway design also provides easier access to upper frets than the double-cutaway PF5ECE.
Vs Taylor GS Mini: The Taylor GS Mini is another popular small-bodied acoustic, but it has a tropical mahogany top versus the solid mahogany construction of the Ibanez. The GS Mini also has a shorter 23.5" scale length.
Vs Martin LX1E: This all-mahogany Martin dreadnought uses HPL (high pressure laminate) for its back and sides rather than solid wood. The Ibanez offers an all-solid mahogany build for a more resonant acoustic tone.
Vs Yamaha FG800: The Yamaha is an inexpensive dreadnought, but it lacks the electronics and cutaway design of the Ibanez. The Ibanez offers greater versatility for plugging in and soloing.
Vs Epiphone DR-100: The Epiphone is a budget acoustic with a spruce top and mahogany back/sides. It lacks the preamp and cutaway of the Ibanez, though it costs significantly less.
Overall, the Ibanez PC12MHCE combines great value, tonewood quality, and stage-ready features that help it stand out in the sub-$500 acoustic-electric market. The compact grand concert body with single-cutaway makes it a versatile workhorse guitar.
Accessories and Options
The Ibanez PC12MHCE comes with a few useful accessories right out of the box. It includes a lightweight Ibanez gig bag, which provides basic protection for transport and storage. While convenient, guitarists planning to play a lot of gigs or travel frequently may want to invest in a hardshell case for better protection. Some good hardshell case options for the PC12MHCE include the Ibanez AEGC12 Grand Concert case or the Mono Vertigo acoustic guitar case.
For optimal playing comfort, a guitar strap is recommended. Some good strap choices for the PC12MHCE include the Ernie Ball 2" Polypro Webbing strap or the Fender Monogrammed Jacquard strap. Leather straps like the Levy’s Leathers M8-BLK strap are also popular choices. Make sure to select a strap style and width that fits your body type and playing style.
The right guitar pick can also enhance tone and playability. For strumming, try a thicker pick around 1.0-1.5mm. The Dunlop Nylon Standard picks offer a smooth, warm tone. For fingerpicking, a thinner pick like the Dunlop Primetone Sculpted Plectra Triangle 1.3mm allows for more delicate playing. You may want to experiment with different pick shapes and thicknesses to find your ideal match with the PC12MHCE. Consider a variety pack like the Pickworld 5-Pack to sample different options.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Warm, balanced tone from the all-mahogany construction
- Compact grand concert body size is comfortable to play
- Single-cutaway design allows easy upper fret access
- Ibanez AEQ2T preamp provides versatile tone shaping
- Under-saddle pickup captures the guitar’s natural acoustic voice
- Open pore finish highlights the wood grain beautifully
- Tortoiseshell rosette and mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays add visual flair
- Excellent value compared to similar acoustic-electric models
Cons:
- Lack of solid wood back and sides means less projection and complexity versus higher-end models
- Limited onboard tone controls compared to some other preamp systems
- Electronics can be prone to feedback at higher volumes
- No option for an internal mic, limited to under-saddle pickup
User Reviews and Ratings
The Ibanez PC12MHCE has received very positive reviews and ratings from owners across various online guitar forums and retailer websites. On popular forums like The Gear Page and Acoustic Guitar Forum, owners praise the guitar for its full mahogany construction that delivers a warm, balanced tone. Many mention that it punches above its price point in terms of build quality and sound.
On music gear retailer Reverb.com, the PC12MHCE currently holds a 5 out of 5 star average rating from over 50 reviews. Here are some example quotes from satisfied customers:
"The sound is so rich and full for a guitar in this price range. Strumming has great projection and definition. Fingerpicking is very responsive across the strings."
"I was blown away by the quality of this guitar for the money. The tone is super warm and full without being boomy."
"The preamp and tuner make this guitar gig-ready right out of the box. I’ve played it on stage with my band and it performs great."
"For the price, you can’t beat the build quality and components. The open pore finish is beautiful and really lets the mahogany shine."
While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few users mention the lack of cutaway access to the upper frets due to the small body size. Overall though, most reviewers strongly recommend the Ibanez PC12MHCE as an affordable, great sounding acoustic-electric guitar.
Pricing and Value
The Ibanez PC12MHCE has a street price typically ranging from $300 to $400 USD. This positions it as a very affordable acoustic-electric in the entry to mid-level price range. Compared to other major brands like Taylor, Martin, and Gibson, the Ibanez offers strong value, providing all solid wood construction and quality electronics at a fraction of the cost.
The main alternatives in this price tier are the Yamaha FGX800C and Fender FA-115E. The Yamaha is an excellent budget choice but lacks the cutaway and upgraded preamp of the Ibanez. The Fender has a similar preamp but uses laminate woods rather than all solid.
When it comes to deals, the Ibanez PC12MHCE can occasionally be found on sale for $50-100 off MSRP from major retailers. Bundles including a hardshell case, strap, picks, and other accessories are also available for an attractive package price. Overall, the PC12MHCE punches well above its weight class in terms of features, quality, and value in the sub-$400 acoustic-electric market.
Conclusion
The Ibanez PC12MHCE is a versatile and affordable acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class. With its compact grand concert body shape and solid mahogany top, it produces a warm, balanced acoustic tone that projects well unplugged. The addition of the Ibanez AEQ2T preamp gives players control over their amplified sound with built-in EQ and tuner.
The single-cutaway body style provides easy access to the upper frets while retaining a comfortable feel and classic acoustic aesthetic. This makes the PC12MHCE a great choice for fingerstyle players who want to solo up the neck. It’s also suitable for strumming and flatpicking across genres from folk to rock.
For an import model under $500, the Ibanez offers tremendous value. The all-mahogany construction gives it an organic, vintage-inspired voice. While the lack of solid wood back and sides keeps the cost down, it doesn’t sacrifice on tone or playability. Overall, the PC12MHCE punches above its weight given its price point.
The Ibanez PC12MHCE is highly recommended for gigging musicians, students, and intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric. It may lack some bells and whistles of premium models, but provides versatile tone and playability. For those seeking great bang-for-buck, the PC12MHCE is a top choice in the sub-$500 acoustic-electric market.