Ibanez AEWC32FM AE Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Ibanez AEWC32FM is an acoustic-electric guitar model designed for players looking for versatility and excellent sound. Part of Ibanez's Artwood series, the AEWC32FM combines traditional acoustic guitar design with modern appointments that make it a great choice for a wide range of musical genres and playing situations.

This concert-shaped guitar has a classic appearance with flame maple back and sides, spruce top, and mahogany neck. The thin, playable neck profile along with the smooth satin finish on the back of the neck allow for fast, comfortable playing. While the AEWC32FM maintains an authentic acoustic guitar vibe, the built-in Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp give you the flexibility to plug in and amplify your sound.

Overall, the Ibanez AEWC32FM offers impressive build quality, rich acoustic tone, and stage-ready features at an accessible price point. It's an excellent choice for guitarists that want the versatility to play acoustic sets or plug in at the gig or studio.

Body Style

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features a classic dreadnought body, which produces a very full and booming tone with excellent projection. This generously sized body style is known for its robust bass response and strong midrange, making it an ideal choice for strumming chords as well as flatpicking. The expanded lower bout gives the guitar a round, balanced shape that provides a satisfying playing experience. Many players favor the dreadnought for its versatility across various musical styles including rock, country, folk, and bluegrass. Its traditional design offers a timeless appeal. Overall, the spacious dreadnought body of the AEWC32FM delivers the archetypal acoustic guitar voice that players have loved for generations.

The dreadnought body style has been popular for acoustic guitars since the early 20th century. Originally designed by the Martin Guitar Company, it was named after the HMS Dreadnought battleship due to its size and power. The large body provides excellent projection and a full, rich tone. Many iconic acoustic guitar models feature the dreadnought body, such as the Martin D-28 and Gibson J-45. It's larger than other common body styles like the concert and parlor. The dreadnought strikes a balance between volume, articulation, and comfortable playability. While it may lack the intimate feel of smaller-bodied acoustics, its versatile sound has made it a go-to choice for all styles of music over the past century.

Other acoustic-electric guitars like the Yamaha PAC012DLX OVS also utilize a dreadnought body shape. The PAC012DLX OVS produces a balanced acoustic tone with the help of its solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It also features a cutaway dreadnought design that improves access to higher frets while retaining the traditional dreadnought voice. Yamaha includes their S.R.T. Piezo pickup system which accurately reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic sound when plugged into an amplifier. So the PAC012DLX OVS provides another great example of the flexibility and popularity of the dreadnought body style for acoustic-electric models designed for stage use.

In summary, the Ibanez AEWC32FM relies on its classic dreadnought body to deliver bold acoustic projection, resonant bass, and balanced midrange for versatile playing across musical genres. This traditional shape has proven its enduring usefulness for decades, providing a foundational tool for guitarists to create music. Whether strumming open chords or improvising solos, the AEWC32FM's dreadnought body gives players the quintessential acoustic guitar experience.

The dreadnought body style has been popular for acoustic guitars since the early 20th century. Originally designed by the Martin Guitar Company, it was named after the British HMS Dreadnought battleship due to its size and power. The large body provides excellent projection and a booming bass response. Other manufacturers like Gibson and Taylor also produce dreadnought models. Many iconic musicians have used dreadnought guitars, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, and Keith Richards. While the dreadnought remains a staple, some players prefer the punchier midrange and tighter bass of smaller-bodied guitars like the parlor or orchestra model. The choice between a dreadnought versus a smaller-bodied acoustic ultimately comes down to tonal preferences and playing style.

Acoustic-electric models like the Ibanez AEWC32FM incorporate pickups and preamps to amplify the natural acoustic tone. This allows players to use the guitar in live performances or recordings where more volume is needed. The dreadnought body style pairs well with acoustic-electric features since it naturally provides a loud, full-bodied voice. Other acoustic-electric options like the Yamaha PAC012DLX OVS use a concert body style, which produces more balanced acoustic tones across the frequency range. While the dreadnought excels at bass and projection, the concert shape offers increased articulation and a punchy midrange. Acoustic-electric guitars are extremely versatile, blending natural acoustic sound with the convenience of amplification.

Tonewood

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features a solid spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. This is a classic tonewood combination used on many acoustic guitars.

The spruce top gives the AEWC32FM a balanced tone with crisp highs and good articulation across the frequency range. Spruce is light-weight and responsive, so it produces a lot of top vibation that projects the sound well. The spruce here comes from the North American Sitka region, known for its density and strong musical qualities.

The mahogany back and sides provide warmth and body to the overall tone. Mahogany is a medium-density wood that emphasizes the midrange, giving this guitar a nice evenly-rounded voice. The mahogany's mellow qualities nicely complement the brighter spruce top. Together, these tonewoods give the AEWC32FM pleasing notes that sustain well.

The all-solid wood construction avoids laminates, allowing the guitar to resonate freely. This gives the tone more complexity and nuance. The tonewoods produce an articulate sound across the strings, with good note separation when strumming chords. Overall the AEWC32FM has a balanced and responsive acoustic voice.

If you're looking for another quality acoustic-electric guitar, check out the Fender CP-60S 970120021. This is an affordable option with Fender's classic styling and sound. It has a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides, producing a warm and balanced tone. The Fishman electronics accurately convey the natural acoustic tone when plugged in. It comes with a cutaway for easier access to higher frets, making it a versatile guitar for various styles. The slim neck profile is comfortable to play. Overall the Fender CP-60S delivers classic acoustic tones and modern playability at a reasonable price point.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, the combination of woods used makes a big difference in the sound. Spruce and mahogany is a popular configuration because of its balanced and well-rounded tone. The Ibanez AEWC32FM uses all solid tonewoods for great resonance and sustain. The Fender CP-60S opts for laminated woods to reduce costs while still providing classic acoustic tones. Consider your budget and the tone you're after when deciding between all-solid vs laminated wood constructions. It's also important to try out the guitar's neck profile for comfort and playability. Compare the electronics too, as the preamp and pickup greatly affect amplified tone. By evaluating these factors, you can find the right acoustic-electric to match your needs and style.

Neck

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. Mahogany is a dense, strong wood that adds warmth and resonance to the overall tone. It's a popular choice for both electric and acoustic guitar necks. The rosewood fretboard complements the mahogany neck nicely. Rosewood has a bright, crisp sound that pairs well with the midrange punch of mahogany. It also has a smooth feel that many players prefer for faster lead playing. The combination of mahogany and rosewood creates a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum - lows, mids, and highs. Both woods also add to the visual appeal of the guitar with their rich grains and colors. Overall, the AEWC32FM's mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard provide great tonal characteristics and playability.

Electronics

The Ibanez AEWC32FM acoustic-electric guitar features an Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp and onboard tuner which provides quality plugged-in tone.

The preamp has a 3-band EQ for shaping your amplified sound, allowing you to boost trebles, mids, or bass as needed. There is also a built-in tuner which makes it easy to keep the AEWC32FM in tune without needing a separate tuner.

The preamp includes a volume control knob and a shape switch which lets you toggle between a scooped mid sound for solos or a boosted mid range for strumming. The onboard preamp runs on a 9V battery or can be powered via phantom power from a PA system or acoustic amplifier.

Overall, the Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp gives you the versatility to dial in your ideal amplified tone and conveniently tune the guitar with the built-in tuner. The preamp integrates seamlessly into this acoustic-electric model.

Hardware

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features quality hardware that enhances its playability and sound. It comes equipped with chrome die-cast tuners that provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. The nut and saddle are made from durable plastic which gives the strings a nice glide while maintaining intonation.

The chrome tuners are a premium feature not always found on lower-cost acoustics. The plastic nut and saddle are ideal for this guitar, providing a good balance of tone, sustain and playability. Overall the hardware complements the guitar well, giving it reliable performance for both beginners and more advanced players.

Sound

The Ibanez AEWC32FM offers a balanced tone that works well for various styles of music. The mahogany top produces a warm, rounded sound with a smooth low end that's great for blues and jazz. The flame maple back and sides add brightness and clarity, allowing the guitar to cut through a mix. This combination of tonewoods gives the AEWC32FM a very balanced tone across the frequency spectrum - lows are rich without being muddy, mids are articulate and balanced, and highs have shimmer without being harsh.

Whether you're looking for a guitar to strum open chords or pick complex fingerstyle lines, the AEWC32FM provides a versatile tonal palette. The built-in Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp provides additional tonal shaping options with a 3-band EQ, allowing you to boost lows, cut highs, add compression, and more. The end result is an acoustic-electric that sounds great plugged in or unplugged for playing anything from country and pop to more aggressive styles.

Playability

The Ibanez AEWC32FM acoustic-electric guitar features excellent playability thanks to its low action and slim neck profile. The action, or string height above the fretboard, is set low and comfortable right out of the box. This makes the AEWC32FM very easy to play, especially for beginners or those with smaller hands. Chords and fretting notes up the neck can be done with minimal effort.

The neck has a slim, tapered "C"-shaped profile that maximizes comfort and playability. It feels fast and smooth during lead playing. The slim dimensions make it easy to grip and chord. Those with smaller hands will find the Ibanez neck very accessible. Overall the combination of low action and slim neck design allows for easy, comfortable playing over long practice sessions without fatigue.

Pros

The Ibanez AEWC32FM acoustic-electric guitar has several excellent features that make it a great choice.

• Quality Materials: The guitar is constructed with solid ovangkol back and sides, which produces a warm, balanced tone. The ovangkol pairs nicely with the solid Sitka spruce top to deliver rich lows and bright articulate highs.

• Great Electronics: The guitar comes equipped with an Ibanez AEQ2T preamp featuring a built-in tuner, making it easy to plug in and amplify your acoustic tone. The preamp provides good tonal control and produces a clear amplified sound.

• Comfortable Neck: The AEWC32FM features a mahogany neck that is comfortable and easy to play. It has a silky satin finish and narrower nut width, ideal for players with smaller hands who want an acoustic-electric that plays easily.

Cons

While the Ibanez AEWC32FM is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar, it does have some drawbacks to consider.

• The build quality, while decent, is not on par with more expensive models. The AEWC32FM has a laminate spruce top rather than solid wood, and the overall fit and finish is basic.

• The electronics and preamp are functional but not highly nuanced. The guitar has a simple built-in tuner and basic tone controls. Players looking for advanced EQ will need to use outboard gear.

• The hardware is chrome-plated rather than higher-end materials. However, the guitar stays in tune well.

• There is some fret buzz and string noise evident when playing past the 12th fret, indicative of looser tolerances. This can make intricate lead playing past the 12th fret challenging.

• The tone, while balanced, lacks the complex overtones and projection of premium models. However, it has plenty of volume for jamming and practice.

Overall, the Ibanez AEWC32FM provides excellent value as a beginner-friendly acoustic-electric, but it does not have the refined features of pro instruments. However, given its affordable price point, these trade-offs are understandable. Most players will be very satisfied with the AEWC32FM as a fun, playable, and gig-worthy first guitar.