Introduction
Ibanez is a Japanese guitar company with a long history of crafting high quality instruments. Founded in 1908, they have built their reputation on creating affordable, playable, and great sounding guitars. The Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar continues this tradition, offering vintage style in a compact, versatile package.
The PN12E features the classic parlor body shape, resulting in a comfortable, portable size while still providing balanced tone and projection. This makes the PN12E an ideal choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for their first acoustic-electric or travel guitar. The compact body style also suits fingerstyle players who appreciate the comfortable feel.
Despite its smaller size, the all-mahogany body and top deliver a rich, warm sound with plenty of volume. The addition of an Ibanez undersaddle pickup and built-in preamp gives players the flexibility to plug in and amplify their sound. Musicians who play at home, in coffee shops, or even on stage will appreciate being able to switch from unplugged to amplified tones.
Overall, the Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric is best suited for:
- Beginning and intermediate guitarist looking for their first quality acoustic-electric
- Musicians and songwriters seeking an affordable, portable travel guitar
- Players who enjoy vintage-inspired instruments with a compact, comfortable feel
- Anyone needing a versatile acoustic-electric for playing live or recording
With its combination of playability, full sound, and flexible electronics, the PN12E delivers outstanding value in a parlor-sized instrument. Ibanez has crafted a guitar that appeals to broad range of players while staying true to the company’s legacy of quality and innovation.
Design & Construction
The Ibanez PN12E features the traditional parlor body shape, which is known for its compact size and balanced, focused tone. Though small, parlor guitars produce a surprisingly full voice.
The PN12E has a solid mahogany top, which adds warmth and richness to the tone. Mahogany is a popular tonewood that provides good note definition and a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The back and sides are made from nyatoh, an affordable wood that shares many similarities with mahogany. It offers a clear and balanced tone while keeping costs down.
The PN12E has a slim mahogany neck that makes playing very comfortable. The fretboard and bridge are rosewood, a dense tropical hardwood that adds brightness and articulate high end. Overall, the use of all solid woods results in excellent resonance and sustain.
Visually, the PN12E has an elegant vintage vibe thanks to its mahogany sunburst finish. The binding along the top and back provides an extra touch of refinement. Despite its traditional looks, the PN12E offers modern playability and versatility.
Sound & Playability
The PN12E produces a balanced, well-rounded unplugged acoustic tone thanks to its parlor body shape and solid mahogany top. Despite the compact size, the guitar projects nicely and doesn’t sound thin or quiet when played unplugged.
The mahogany top adds some midrange focus and warmth to the acoustic voice, while still having enough treble sparkle and low-end punch. It’s a versatile unplugged tone well-suited to various playing styles and genres.
In terms of playability, the PN12E sports a comfortable, slim C-shaped neck profile with smooth satin finish. The action is set low and fast out of the factory, making it very playable right away. The shorter 24.72" scale length reduces string tension, allowing for easy fretting and bending.
For amplification, the PN12E comes equipped with Ibanez’s AEQ-2T preamp system which includes a built-in tuner, 2-band EQ, volume control, and phase switch. The onboard preamp provides a very natural amplified tone without excessive EQ coloration.
The Ibanez undersaddle piezo pickup accurately conveys the guitar’s acoustic voice with excellent dynamics and resonance. Plugged in, the PN12E projects clearly with enough volume for stage use or recording applications. The preamp’s EQ controls allow shaping the amplified tone to taste.
Hardware & Accessories
The Ibanez PN12E is equipped with quality hardware that matches its excellent craftsmanship. It features chrome die-cast tuning machines that provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. Many acoustic guitars in this price range cut corners with cheaper tuners, but the PN12E includes higher-end tuners typically found on more expensive models.
The bridge and bridge pins are also well-made components that enhance the tone and playability. The pins help transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings into the body of the guitar for better volume and sustain. The composite bridge material is durable and designed specifically for steel string acoustics like the PN12E.
In terms of included accessories, the PN12E comes with a lightweight padded gig bag for safe transportation and storage. While a hardshell case provides more protection, the included gig bag is sufficient for most needs and helps keep the overall cost down. The guitar also includes a clip-on tuner, spare strings, and other useful accessories straight out of the box.
Overall the hardware and included accessories on the Ibanez PN12E are well-chosen to offer great functionality without driving up the price. The guitar provides great value by focusing budget on sound and playability rather than unnecessary extras.
Craftsmanship & Quality
Ibanez has built a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail over the company’s long history. The PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar upholds this tradition with its solid construction and impressive factory setup.
Right out of the box, the PN12E exhibits Ibanez’s commitment to quality control. The guitar arrives with low, comfortable action and accurate intonation across the fretboard. This precision factory setup allows the PN12E to play smoothly and sound its best without the need for a professional setup.
Attention has also been paid to the finer details that affect playability and tone. The fretwork is immaculate with smoothly finished frets, the nut slots are cut accurately, and the bridge is fitted precisely. The finish work and binding on the body and neck shows care and consistency.
Overall, the PN12E reflects the conscientious craftsmanship that players have come to expect from Ibanez over the decades. While affordably priced, it does not compromise on construction quality or setup. This is a well-made instrument that provides great value by delivering impressive playability and tone right out of the box.
Price & Value
The Ibanez PN12E has an MSRP of $299.99, but the real value comes from its street price, typically ranging from $199 to $249 from most major retailers. This positions the PN12E at the lower end of the spectrum for parlor sized acoustics, providing great value for players looking for an affordable option.
Compared to other parlor acoustics in this price range, the PN12E holds up remarkably well. The all-solid wood construction and quality hardware help it punch above its weight class. Most competitors like the Epiphone PR-150 around $200 use laminate woods, resulting in a less resonant and organic acoustic tone. The PN12E’s solid mahogany and sapele woods help create a rich, warm sound comparable to pricier models.
Another major selling point is the built-in Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp system, offering a tuner, EQ controls, and useful feedback suppression for amplified performances. Most affordable parlor acoustics lack any electronics, limiting their versatility. This makes the PN12E a great value buy for players wanting plug-and-play convenience from their compact parlor guitar.
Overall, the combination of all-solid tonewoods, quality hardware and electronics, along with Ibanez’s reputation for consistency, make the PN12E an incredible value proposition. It’s an ideal choice for the budget-conscious player looking to add an inspiring parlor acoustic-electric to their arsenal.
Pros & Cons
The Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar has several notable strengths that make it an appealing option for players looking for a quality, affordable guitar. Some of the key pros include:
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Great tone and projection – The solid mahogany top produces a balanced, focused tone with nice volume and sustain unplugged. The compact parlor body projects the sound well.
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Smooth playability – The neck has a comfortable profile and the action is set low and smooth right out of the factory. It’s an easy, enjoyable guitar to play.
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Onboard electronics – The Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp and undersaddle pickup allow you to amplify with clear, natural acoustic tone.
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Lightweight build – The small parlor body makes this one of the most portable, easy to handle acoustic-electrics.
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Vintage vibe – From the mahogany sunburst finish to the decorative rosette, this guitar nails the vintage parlor look and feel.
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Affordable price – With a street price under $300, this guitar offers great value for the money.
In terms of potential weaknesses, there aren’t many major flaws or dealbreakers. A couple minor cons to note:
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The parlor body size may feel too small for some larger-framed players.
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The pickup and preamp, while very good, are basic. Players wanting more advanced acoustic electronics may need to upgrade.
Overall though, the Ibanez PN12E is a versatile, great sounding, and easy playing acoustic-electric that punches above its price point. For intermediate players or those wanting an affordable entry-level guitar, the pros easily outweigh the cons.
Who Is the Ibanez PN12E Best For?
The Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar is an excellent choice for a range of players. Its compact parlor body size and affordability make it a great option for beginner and intermediate players looking for a quality instrument. The smooth playability from its comfortable neck profile and low action also cater well to developing musicians.
The PN12E’s small body and acoustic-electric features additionally make it ideal for guitarists needing a portable travel instrument. The guitar’s compact parlor size allows it to fit nicely into tight spaces, like overhead bins on airplanes. And its built-in preamp and pickup make it easy to plug in for amplified jam sessions or practice anywhere. This maximizes the guitar’s versatility on the go.
Beyond students and traveling musicians, the vintage parlor style and smooth playability also appeal to roots music enthusiasts interested in folk, blues, country and more. The PN12E delivers an authentic old-school vibe perfect for these genres.
Finally, the affordability and quality of the PN12E make it a great choice for any player looking for an acoustic-electric in this price range. It delivers solid features and construction at an accessible cost.
In summary, the Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar is best suited for beginner to intermediate players, musicians needing a compact travel guitar, vintage music enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an affordable, quality acoustic-electric. Its versatility and value make it a guitar with broad appeal.
Conclusion
The Ibanez PN12E parlor acoustic-electric guitar punches above its weight class, offering vintage parlor tone and modern versatility at an affordable price. This compact guitar’s mahogany top produces a focused, articulate sound with plenty of midrange character. The smooth playing feel, quality electronics, and impressive construction make the PN12E a great value.
Overall, the Ibanez PN12E is easy to recommend for beginner to intermediate acoustic guitarists seeking an accessible parlor model. Its vintage vibe, portable size, and acoustic-electric flexibility also appeal to roots music aficionados and gigging musicians. The PN12E’s blend of traditional looks and contemporary reliability cement its reputation as one of the best parlor guitars under $500.
Video Demo
Check out this video review of the Ibanez PN12E Parlor Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
The video provides an excellent overview of the PN12E’s features, sound quality, and playability. It highlights the warm, balanced tone of the mahogany and nyatoh woods, and demonstrates the plugged-in sound through an amplifier. Overall, it’s a great supplement to this written review, allowing you to see and hear the Ibanez PN12E parlor guitar in action. Check out the video to get a hands-on perspective before you make your purchasing decision.