Top 6 Best Ibanez Acoustic Guitar Reviews in 2021

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While they may have started out as a mid-tier guitar brand, Ibanez has slowly climbed its way up in the past couple of decades. And now, they are considered one of the best guitars brands out there.

The brand has a wide and varied collection of guitars from expensive and premium signature models, to more affordable ones for beginners. In this article, we’re taking a look at their best acoustic models.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of reviews of the best Ibanez acoustic guitars based on their sounds, comfort, playability, and price. Read on to learn more!

Quick Summary

BEST ALL-ACOUSTIC GUITAR
IBANEZ AW540PN ARTWOOD DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR
BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR KIT
IBANEZ IJVC50 ACOUSTIC GUITAR PACK
THE AW540PN WITH A PICKUP
IBANEZ AW54CEOPN
BEST CONCERT SIZE GUITAR
IBANEZ PC12MH
BEST ACOUSTIC KIT FOR BEGINNERS
IBANEZ IJV550
BEST NYLON THINLINE ACOUSTIC GUITAR
IBANEZ GA35TCEDVS ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC GUITAR
Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Open Pore Natural
Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Right, Natural (IJVC50)
Ibanez AW54CEOPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Open Pore Natural
Ibanez 6 String PC12MHOPN Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar, Open Pore Natural
Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Ambidextrous, Natural Gloss (IJV50)
Ibanez GA35TCEDVS Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Dark Violin Burst
$229.99
$169.99
$329.00
$179.99
$153.25
$299.99
BEST ALL-ACOUSTIC GUITAR
IBANEZ AW540PN ARTWOOD DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Open Pore Natural
$229.99
BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR KIT
IBANEZ IJVC50 ACOUSTIC GUITAR PACK
Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Right, Natural (IJVC50)
$169.99
THE AW540PN WITH A PICKUP
IBANEZ AW54CEOPN
Ibanez AW54CEOPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Open Pore Natural
$329.00
BEST CONCERT SIZE GUITAR
IBANEZ PC12MH
Ibanez 6 String PC12MHOPN Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar, Open Pore Natural
$179.99
BEST ACOUSTIC KIT FOR BEGINNERS
IBANEZ IJV550
Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Ambidextrous, Natural Gloss (IJV50)
$153.25
BEST NYLON THINLINE ACOUSTIC GUITAR
IBANEZ GA35TCEDVS ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC GUITAR
Ibanez GA35TCEDVS Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Dark Violin Burst
$299.99

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Top 6 Best Ibanez Acoustic Guitar Reviews in 2020

#1, Ibanez AW540PN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – The Best All-Acoustic Guitar

Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Open Pore Natural
  • Dreadnought body
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Mahogany back & sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood bridge and fretboard

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

One of the best ways to get a quality tone from an acoustic guitar is to make sure there are no electronics in the way. That means having an all-wood guitar so that nothing will hinder the sound.

That’s exactly what you get with this model. It has an Okoume top, which gives it a very warm tone a very deep and dark finish. It has an Ovangkol fretboard, a bone nut, and saddle, as well as chrome tuners.

It has a beautiful tone that works great for a lot of guitar styles, and it arrives to you well-set up, ready to play, and soft on the fingers. An ideal option for anyone looking for a quality acoustic guitar with no electronics.

Pros
  • Great tone
  • Dark brown finish
  • Light on the fingers
  • Has an open pore finish
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with a gig bag

#2, Ibanez IJVC50 Acoustic Guitar Pack – The Best Acoustic Guitar Kit

Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Right, Natural (IJVC50)
  • Everything you need to get started
  • Gig bag included
  • Tuner Included
  • Saddle material:Plastic

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re looking for a kit that contains a well-made and great sounding guitar with quality accessories, this might be the one for you.

This guitar kit comes with an all-acoustic guitar made with a Spruce top and Meranti body. This results in a very bright tone that’s great for strumming. It also comes with just about everything you need to get started with the guitar.

You get a tuner, picks, a spare plastic saddle, a gig bag, an accessories bag, a strap, and an alien key. So if you’re looking to build a complete guitar kit at an affordable price, then you should definitely give this one a look.

Pros
  • Complete guitar kit
  • Bright sound
  • Full-sized acoustic guitar
  • Comes with an accessories bag
Cons
  • The guitar has no pickup

#3, Ibanez AW54CEOPN – The AW540PN With A Pickup

Ibanez AW54CEOPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Open Pore Natural
  • Dreadnought body with cutaway
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Rosewood bridge and fretboard
  • Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp with onboard tuner

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you liked the specifications of the first entry on this list but need a guitar that can be plugged into an amp or sound system, then this might be the right one for you.

This model has an open pore finish with a mahogany body, which gives it a warm and rich tone and a great look. It also a rosewood fretboard that feels great on the fingers, making it a great guitar for those who might find themselves performing a lot.

On top of that, it has a dreadnought body with a cutaway. So this makes it very large, pretty loud, and the cutaway will allow you to reach the higher frets with ease. A great guitar for a performer looking for a trusty instrument.

Pros
  • Comes with a pickup
  • Easy on the hands
  • Large body
  • The cutaway allows you to reach the higher frets
  • Open-pore finish
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with a gig bag

#4, Ibanez PC12MH – The Best Concert Size Guitar

Ibanez 6 String PC12MHOPN Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar, Open Pore Natural
  • Mahogany top
  • Grand Concert Body
  • Ibanez advantage Bridge pins

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

While the dreadnought sized guitars are a great pick for a lot of people, sometimes that isn’t what you need. Concert size guitars are easier to bring around, lighter to carry, and doesn’t sacrifice the tone at all.

This Ibanez model has a very dark finish and a mahogany body. For those who are looking for a deep and bold tone, this is one of the best Ibanez picks out there. 

It also has a beautiful pickguard that complements the body very well and can keep the finish of the guitar safe from picks. While it doesn’t have a pickup, the lack of electronics also provides for a really good tone, making this guitar one of the top acoustic ones on the market today.

Pros
  • Concert-size
  • Easy to carry
  • Lightweight
  • Great tone
  • Beautiful dark finish
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a pickup

#5, Ibanez IJV550 – The Best Acoustic Kit For Beginners

Ibanez 6 String Acoustic Guitar Pack, Ambidextrous, Natural Gloss (IJV50)
  • Spruce Top
  • Natural Finish
  • Includes Gig Bag and Accessories

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Guitar kits and packages are a great way to start playing and learning the instrument. But usually, beginners wouldn’t want to spend too much money on their first instrument. This is why this guitar kit is truly one of the best out there.

It comes with an electronic tuner, picks, a guitar bag, and accessories pouch, and a guitar strap. And with all that, you also get a very well-made Spruce top acoustic guitar.

You get a very classic bright and twangy guitar tone with this combination of woods, and the setup also makes it a bit lighter on the fingers and an ideal feature for beginners. So if you’ve been looking to start a musical journey and you’re looking for a place to start, then this Ibanez kit is a great place to start. 

Pros
  • Complete kit
  • Great sounding guitar
  • Affordable
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Easy on the fingers
Cons
  • May not have the most premium tone

#6, Ibanez GA35TCEDVS Acoustic/Electric Guitar -The Best Nylon Thinline Acoustic Guitar

Ibanez GA35TCEDVS Acoustic/Electric Guitar - Dark Violin Burst
  • Spruce-topped mahogany
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ210T preamp provide extraordinary sound when you play plugged in
  • AEQ210T preamp system includes an onboard tuner
  • Smaller-than-average body style fits guitarists of all sizes

Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nylon guitars produce some of the best guitars sounds out there. They are much mellow and rounder, making these guitars ideal for flamenco, jazz, and classical guitar pieces.

This model from Ibanez has a thinline body, which means it is much slimmer than a regular guitar, making it much easier to bring around and carry on stage. And one of the best parts about this is that the sound is not compromised too much. The sound is admittedly thinner than that of a dreadnought guitar, but it isn’t too noticeable.

This guitar is also has a pickup and pre-amp, so you can plug into an amp or sound system for easy amplification at a performance or gig. The comfort of this guitar makes it a great pick for those who might find themselves performing and playing a lot.

Pros
  • Easy to play
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to travel with
  • Comes with a pickup
  • Nylon strings
Cons
  • Not the best tone when plugged in

What To Consider When Buying An Ibanez Acoustic Guitar

  1. Type Of Guitar

First things first, you have to figure out what type of guitar you’re looking for. 

There are a lot of acoustic guitars out there, so you have to narrow down your options as much as possible. You can usually choose from either a pure steel-string acoustic, an acoustic/electric, or a nylon guitar.

Each of these guitars has their own set of benefits and have their own signature sounds that make them ideal for certain genres. Figuring out the right one for you will take a lot of thought, but once you figure out what type of music you’ll be playing, where you’ll be playing, and when you’ll be playing, things will get much easier.

  1. Size

Once you’ve figured out the type of guitar you want, next, you have to figure out the size you want. The choices you have are concert, dreadnought, parlor, ¾, and ½ sized guitars.

¾ and ½ sized guitars are usually reserved for children below the age of 12, but if you find that that is the most comfortable size for you, then that’s no problem. Concert and parlor guitars are smaller than a dreadnought, so they are easier to carry around. But dreadnought guitars carry the loudest tone because of their large size.

The right size for you will all depend on your needs as a guitarist and what you are most comfortable with.

  1. Price

Lastly, you will have to take into consideration the price you’re willing to pay. Guitar prices vary greatly. You can pay as low as $100 for a decent sounding guitar, and upwards of $5000 for rare and premium models.

Figuring out how much you’re willing to spend will largely depend on your means and needs with the guitar. If you plan to play professionally, then investing in a high-quality instrument is a great idea, but for simple sing-alongs at home, a cheap but decent sounding guitar would be more than enough

FAQ’s

Are Ibanez Acoustic Guitars Good?

Yes, these guitars are considered some of the best on the market today. They are made with high-quality materials, close attention to detail, and on top of that, they are very affordable.

Who Makes Ibanez Acoustic Guitars?

Ibanez acoustic guitars are made in Japan by the Ibanez company. However, the first Ibanez guitars were made by the founder and owner, Hoshin Gakki all the way back in 1908.

Why Are Ibanez Guitars Cheap?

A lot of Ibanez guitars are affordable because they are made in mass quantities in low-cost factories. That being said, even if they are cheap they are still high-quality and great sounding instruments.

Which Is Better Ibanez Or Epiphone?

This will depend on the type of music you want to play and your own musical preferences. Ibanez and Epiphone models are generally in the same price range and are made with the same-quality materials. To really figure out which brand suits you better, you have to take the time to try the instruments out yourself.

Where Are Ibanez Acoustic Guitars Ever Made?

Components for Ibanez guitars are made all over the world. Some are made in Japan, China, the US, and Indonesia. They are then assembled and put together to produce quality acoustic guitars.

Conclusion

And that concludes our list.

Figuring the absolute and objective best Ibanez acoustic guitar out there would be impossible, especially since everyone has their own tastes and prefertences. At the end of the day, the best guitar for you is the one that feels the most comfortable in your hand.

And if you think you’ve found it on this list, then all that’s left to do is to go out and get one for yourself!

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