ivy IPF-300 TSB Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Ibanez is a leading Japanese guitar brand founded in 1957 and known for their high quality and innovative instruments. They make acoustic, electric, and bass guitars in a wide range of models and price ranges.

With decades of experience, Ibanez has become renowned for their attention to detail in guitar design and manufacturing. They aim to produce instruments that are not only visually striking, but offer excellent playability, great tones, and reliable hardware.

One of their newer offerings is the Ibanez AEG acoustic-electric guitar series, featuring smaller bodies while retaining rich acoustic resonance. The IPF-300 TSB is an affordable model from this range, offering solid specs and electronics to amplify the sound.

Let's examine what this guitar has to offer for the money.

Overview

The ivy IPF-300 TSB is an acoustic electric traveler sized guitar, equipped with the T-Series body and full back full tone for enhanced tonal projection in a portable body. Some key features:

• Traveler size dreadnought guitar body
• Solid sitka spruce top with full back and sides
• Mahogany neck with 20 fret rosewood fingerboard
• Ibanez under saddle pickup and preamp
• Die-cast chrome tuners
• Tortoise shell pickguard
• Gig bag included

The IPF-300 TSB offers a rich, resonant acoustic tone and stage-ready amplified tones in a compact size perfect for travel and practice on the go. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide excellent projection, while the built-in Ibanez electronics offer easy plug-and-play amplified tones. With its stylish looks, great playability and flexible acoustic-electric design, the IPF-300 TSB is an ideal choice for players seeking an acoustic guitar suited for both unplugged practice and live amplified performance. The compact travel size body makes it perfect for musicians on the go who need portability without sacrificing full acoustic tone. It's an excellent option for gigging musicians who play a wide variety of venues, from small coffee shops to larger stages. The built-in Ibanez electronics with undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp provide easy amplification when needed, while retaining the nuanced acoustic tone when unplugged. For guitarists wanting flexibility, convenience, and great acoustic sound in a portable package, the IPF-300 TSB delivers.

For players wanting similar portability and acoustic-electric flexibility in a jumbo body style, the Ibanez AEWC32FM AE is an excellent choice to consider. This grand auditorium acoustic-electric guitar packs powerful acoustic projection in a compact, stage-ready body design. It features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides for full low-end punch and shimmering high-end clarity. The slim mahogany neck offers smooth playability, while the built-in Ibanez electronics have a flexible 3-band EQ for dialing in tones. Much like the IPF-300 TSB, the AEWC32FM AE provides impressive unplugged acoustic sound alongside easy amplification when needed. Its slightly larger body projects volume while still being convenient for travel and practice on the go. For guitarists wanting big acoustic tone in a compact acoustic-electric guitar, the Ibanez AEWC32FM AE is a great option that complements the portability and flexibility of the IPF-300 TSB travel acoustic.

Body & Neck

The acoustic body of the Ivy IPF-300 TSB guitar is made of high quality solid spruce, which provides excellent tone, feel and resonance. The spruce top, paired with a mahogany back and sides gives a full, balanced sound. The mahogany sides and back add warmth and mid range punch to the bright overtones from the spruce top. The neck is made from nato and has a 25.59" scale length, providing comfortable playability up and down the neck. They've shaped the neck for an easy to reach 1 11/16" nut width. The C-shaped neck profile is chunkier than some but allows for great control over chord shapes and leads. The truss rod can be adjusted for a custom setup if needed. Overall the body size, neck feel and materials used come together to provide excellent playability, comfort and acoustic resonance.

The Ivy IPF-300 TSB has a classic dreadnought body shape that provides booming bass, balanced mids and clear treble tones. The solid spruce top is responsbile for the bright, articulate highs, while the mahogany back and sides fill out the midrange nicely. Many players prefer the balanced voicing of a spruce and mahogany acoustic. The neck is also very comfortable and easy to play, thanks to the smooth satin finish and optimized 1 11/16" nut width. Players with smaller hands appreciate the slightly narrower nut, while those with larger hands still find it very playable. The C-shaped neck has a vintage feel that many players love. Overall, the materials and construction result in great tone, playability and comfort. For another quality option, check out the Fender CD-60S acoustic-electric. It features a solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides, producing a warm, rounded tone. The slim neck profile is very comfortable and easy to play. With its onboard Fishman preamp, the CD-60S is ready to plug in and play live. It's an excellent choice for players looking for an affordable acoustic-electric with classic styling and Fishman electronics.

Electronics

The electronics on the IPF-300 TSB are designed for versatile acoustic-electric performance. It features a built-in preamp and pickup system that allows you to plug into an amplifier or PA system.

Pickups

The guitar has an under-saddle piezo pickup that accurately captures the nuances of the guitar's natural acoustic tone. Piezo pickups are known for their clear and balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. They pickup the guitar's vibrations for an authentic amplified acoustic sound.

Controls

It has volume and tone control knobs that allow you to shape your amplified tone. The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the tone knob lets you dial in more treble or bass response. This gives you flexibility for different playing scenarios.

Preamp

The preamp boosts the pickup's signal to optimal levels for performing. It's engineered to preserve the guitar's natural tone and dynamics. The preamp also has a built-in tuner, so you can easily tune on stage. There's an EQ control to further tweak your amplified EQ. The preamp requires a 9V battery.

Sound & Tone

The IFP-300 produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone that projects well unplugged thanks to its mahogany top, back and sides. The solid mahogany neck and bridge also help produce a rich, resonant acoustic sound.

When amplified, the IFP-300 maintains its acoustic character thanks to its piezo pickup system. The onboard preamp provides tone shaping controls for volume, bass and midrange, allowing you to dial in a balanced amplified tone. The piezo pickup reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic sound accurately and cleanly through an amplifier or PA system.

Overall, the IFP-300 delivers a quality acoustic guitar tone that translates well when plugged in. The mahogany construction gives it a smooth, warm character. And the flexible preamp lets you fine tune your amplified sound. It's a versatile acoustic-electric that performs admirably as both an acoustic guitar and a plugged-in instrument.

Playability

The Ibanez IPF-300 has an easy-playing neck that feels fast and smooth. The neck has a comfortable "C" profile that fits nicely in the hand. The 25.5" scale length and rosewood fretboard facilitate both intricate solos and big chord voicings up and down the neck.

The action on this guitar is set very low from the factory, making it effortless to press the strings down without much finger pressure. This allows for speedy lead lines without hand fatigue. The jumbo nickel frets are nicely finished, providing a satisfying tactile sensation under the fingers.

Overall the IPF-300 offers excellent playability right out of the box. The fast neck, low action, and smooth frets come together to create an acoustic-electric that plays with the ease of an electric guitar. Guitarists looking for impressive playability in an acoustic-electric model will be very pleased.

Hardware

The IPF-300 features reliable hardware that performs well. The die-cast chrome tuning keys hold tune accurately. The adjustable truss rod allows you to customize the straightness of the neck to suit your playing style.

The maple bridge and saddle are built sturdily. The bridge pins keep the strings securely in place. The compensated saddle provides proper intonation up and down the neck, so chords played in any position will be in tune.

Overall, the hardware components are well-made and allow for easy tuning and adjustment. The guitar stays in tune well and intonates accurately, allowing you to rely on it during practice or live performance.

Pros

• The IPF-300 TSB delivers rich sound in a compact, lightweight package. The short scale design makes it feel very comfortable to hold and play.

• The under-saddle pickup gives strong yet balanced amplified tone. It accurately conveys the acoustic resonance and warmth.

• The 2-band EQ allows shaping of the amplified tone to suit different musical styles and settings. The tuner is handy for quick tuning on stage.

• The hardware, including tuners and bridge, is durable and smooth. The guitar stays in tune through extended playing sessions.

Cons

The IPF-300 has a few drawbacks to consider:

• The intonation out of the box can be a bit off. The bridge saddles may need minor adjustments to get perfect intonation up the neck. This is not uncommon for guitars in this price range.

• The pickup and preamp are decent but not amazing. It's a simple single-coil pickup with volume and tone controls. Don't expect the nuanced sound of higher end electronics. The tone is a bit bright and can be prone to feedback at higher volumes.

• The tuners are functional but can sometimes slip out of tune during playing. Upgrading to higher quality tuners may be desired for stable tuning, especially during gigs or recording.

• While the solid spruce top contributes to nice projection and tone, the back and sides are made of cheaper composite wood. This guitar doesn't quite have the same full resonant tone you'd get from an all solid wood acoustic-electric in a higher price tier.

Conclusion

Overall, the Ivy IPF-300 TSB is a solid acoustic-electric guitar for the price. It's well-made with a classic dreadnought body shape, spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The thin profile neck and satin finish make it very playable and comfortable against your hand.

The onboard electronics give you 3-band EQ and a built-in tuner for amplifying your acoustic tone, though the pickup and preamp are pretty basic. It gets the job done for practice and performances, but don't expect top-tier electronics and tone.

The hardware is decent but upgrading to higher quality tuning machines could help keep it in tune better. The plastic nut and saddle are common at this price point but replacing with bone could improve tone and sustain slightly.

The IPF-300 TSB punches above its weight given the affordable price tag. Comparable models in this price range would be the Yamaha FG800 or Fender CD-60S. Overall it's an excellent beginner or intermediate level acoustic-electric with nice tonewoods and playability. More serious players may want to consider spending more for electronics and hardware upgrades. But for the budget-conscious, the Ivy IPF-300 TSB is a great option.