Ibanez AAD50CETCB Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB is a premium acoustic-electric guitar that offers great sound and excellent playability. This guitar comes with a unique body shape made of mahogany and spruce, resulting in balanced warm tones and articulate highs. The stylish cutaway design provides easy access to the higher frets while the neck has a comfortable silky feel.

With an onboard preamp, this acoustic-electric guitar can easily be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for amplified performances. Overall, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB is a versatile guitar well-suited for a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. Its quality craftsmanship and great attention to detail make it an attractive option for intermediate to advanced players looking for a premium acoustic-electric guitar.

Body Style and Construction

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB has a classic dreadnought body shape that projects volume and resonance. The back and sides are made from mahogany, while the top is solid spruce.

Mahogany is a dense, strong wood that adds depth and richness to the guitar's tone. The midrange is pronounced, allowing chords to ring clearly. Mahogany's characteristic warmth pairs nicely with the crisp, articulate highs of a solid spruce top.

Spruce is the preferred tonewood for acoustic guitar tops. Its lightweight and stiff construction allows the top to freely vibrate, resulting in excellent volume, dynamics, and clarity. The AAD50CETCB's solid spruce top will break-in nicely over time, improving tone and resonance the more its played.

The dreadnought's large body pushes a lot of air to produce loud, bold tones. The combo of mahogany and spruce offers an excellent balance of warmth, articulation, and volume perfect for various playing styles.

The body style and construction of an acoustic guitar has a significant impact on its sound. The size and shape of the body determines volume and projection, while the wood used affects the tone. Mahogany back and sides provide a warm, balanced foundation. The spruce top brings shimmering highs and dynamic range. Together they create a versatile acoustic well-suited for playing chords or fingerstyle.

There are many options when choosing an acoustic guitar body style. The Asmuse 1026988 offers another take on the classic dreadnought design. It has a similar shape but slightly smaller body size. The back and sides are nato, with a spruce top. Nato is tonally similar to mahogany - warm and clear with excellent midrange. The smaller body increases comfort and playability. This makes the Asmuse 1026988 a great choice for players looking for rich, balanced tone in a more compact dreadnought size.

While the Ibanez produces bigger, louder dreadnought tones, the Asmuse 1026988 offers comparable warmth and articulation in a more manageable package. The all-laminate construction helps make it affordable as well. Laminate isn't as tonally complex as solid woods, but provides great value. Both guitars have their merits and appeal depending on playing style and needs. The choice comes down to priorities in aesthetics, tone, and ergonomics.

When researching acoustic guitars, construction details provide valuable insights into how a guitar will sound and feel. Key factors like body style, materials used, bracing patterns, and more all influence the player's experience. Understanding these elements helps match the right guitar to your needs and playing style. While no substitute for trying instruments in person, learning about build specs can narrow the field when choosing an acoustic.

Neck and Fretboard

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB features a high quality mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. The mahogany neck provides stability and sustained notes, while the rosewood fretboard offers smooth playability with reduced finger noise. The neck has a comfortable slim profile that gives excellent feel and fast action. It has a standard 25.5 inch scale length.

The rosewood fretboard has dot inlays on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, and 24th frets. It has a 12" radius for smooth string bends. Overall the neck and fretboard are made to very high specifications and feel great to play. The quality woods and excellent craftsmanship provide a responsive and resonant playing experience.

The neck and fretboard are key components that greatly impact the feel and playability of an acoustic guitar. As the primary touchpoints for the player's hands, their design directly affects the playing comfort. The Ibanez AAD50CETCB has an excellent neck and fretboard made from quality tonewoods that provide a great feel. The mahogany neck offers stability and sustain while the rosewood fretboard gives smooth playability. Overall, the neck and fretboard allow for comfortable, fast playing with great resonance.

When shopping for an acoustic guitar, the neck and fretboard are features to pay close attention to. Their width, thickness, radius, and materials all factor into the playability. Testing different guitars to find one whose neck feels comfortable to your hands is advised. While the Ibanez AAD50CETCB has an excellent neck and fretboard, personal preference will determine if it's a good match for your playing style. Taking the time to assess and compare different necks is an important part of finding your ideal acoustic guitar. If you're looking for an acoustic with fast playability and great feel, be sure to check out the Ibanez AAD50CETCB.

For another quality acoustic guitar option, look into the Fender 0998003706. This steel-string dreadnought acoustic guitar produces impressive sound with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has a comfortable neck with a rosewood fretboard and 20 frets. The slim neck profile and low string action allow for easy playing and smooth transitions up the neck. This Fender acoustic provides warm, balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. It's an excellent choice for all playing styles and genres. If you want a great sounding, playable acoustic guitar, the Fender 0998003706 is worth consideration.

Hardware

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB features quality hardware that enables great sound and easy tuning stability. It utilizes chrome die-cast tuners that keep the guitar in tune through changes in humidity and temperature. Many acoustic-electrics at this price point use cheaper tuners that can slip out of tune more easily. The chrome tuners on the Ibanez are durable and precise.

For amplifying its acoustic tone, the guitar includes a Fishman Sonicore pickup system. Fishman is known for making quality pickups that accurately capture the natural resonance of the guitar body. The Sonicore system utilizes an under-saddle pickup and preamp with tone shaping controls. This allows you to plug into an amplifier or PA system while retaining the rich nuances of the all-mahogany body. The Fishman pickup and preamp provide excellent amplified tone and make this Ibanez suitable for stage use.

Sound and Tone

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB Acoustic-Electric guitar produces a warm, well-balanced tone that works well for various music genres. The all-mahogany body and neck contribute to the guitar's rich low-end and pleasant midrange.

When playing acoustically, the AAD50CETCB projects very nicely. The body shape and bracing allow the guitar's sound to fill a room without needing heavy strumming or picking. Volume and sustain are adequate for both home playing and jamming with others.

Plugged in, the onboard Ibanez Sonicore pickup and AEQ-SP2 preamp provide a robust amplified tone. The guitar maintains its acoustic character and resonance when playing live or recording direct. The pickup and preamp combo captures the AAD50CETCB's balanced sound across the frequency spectrum.

Playability

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB has excellent playability thanks to its low action and comfortable neck profile. The action refers to the height of the strings off the fretboard, and this guitar has a nice low action right out of the box. Lower action makes it easier to fret notes and play complex chords without buzzing. Many beginner guitars come with high action that can make playing difficult and frustrating, but the AAD50CETCB is set up with beginners in mind.

The neck has a smooth satin finish that feels great in your hand. It uses Ibanez's comfortable Artcore neck profile that is slim and tapered, making it easy to wrap your fingers around for both chords and lead playing. The neck is neither too thick nor too thin, hitting that sweet spot that most players will find very inviting. The slim profile allows easy access to the higher frets as well. Overall the Ibanez AAD50CETCB is designed for maximum playability right from the start, without the need to bring it to a guitar tech for a setup.

Pros

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB has several notable benefits that make it a great choice for many players.

Quality Materials

The AAD50CETCB features a solid mahogany top, back, and sides which give it a full, balanced tone. The mahogany construction makes the guitar lightweight yet durable. The rich tonewood provides excellent resonance and sustainability.

Balanced Warm Tone

This Ibanez produces a warm, balanced tone that works well for various musical styles. The mahogany body gives it a rounded, mellow sound with pronounced midrange and controlled overtones. It's full and rich without being overly bright.

Fishman Electronics

The guitar comes equipped with Fishman Sonicore undersaddle pickups and Presys preamp electronics. These allow for natural amplification and effects without sacrificing the instrument's acoustic sound. The Fishman system accurately reproduces the AAD50CETCB's warm, nuanced tone.

Cons

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar does have some downsides to consider.

• The electronics and preamp are decent, but not as robust as higher-end models. The EQ controls are basic and may not allow detailed tone shaping. Some players feel the electronics lack warmth and nuance compared to similar guitars.

• As a mid-priced dreadnought, the AAD50CETCB may not project or be as loud as premium all-solid wood dreadnoughts. The laminate back and sides put some constraints on volume and acoustic resonance. It's certainly loud enough for everyday playing, but not a cannon like some high-end dreadnoughts.

The AAD50CETCB makes some expected tradeoffs for its price point. While the electronics and acoustic volume aren't top-tier, they still offer versatility for practice, recording, and gigging. Players wanting maximum acoustic presence and detailed EQ may need to spend more. But the Ibanez holds up well considering its affordable price and quality construction.

Who Is This Guitar For?

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB is an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate level players looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar option. With its comfortable body size, slim neck profile, and built-in electronics, it's a very playable and versatile guitar that can grow with you as you improve.

Specifically, this Ibanez model is a great fit for:

• Beginner players - The AAD50CETCB is very accessible for beginners. The smaller body size reduces fatigue during long practice sessions. The slim neck and low action facilitate easier fretting and chording. The onboard tuner provides assistance with staying in tune. Altogether, it's a user-friendly guitar for starting out.

• Intermediate players - Beyond the beginner phase, the AAD50CETCB has features to keep up with your playing. The Fishman electronics and EQ allow you to shape your amplified tone as desired. The smooth neck enables intricate fretting work. And the solid spruce top rewards a controlled fingerstyle attack. The guitar has room to grow with intermediate players.

• Folk and country players - With its bright, balanced tone from the spruce top and mahogany back/sides, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB suits acoustic genres like folk and country. The clear articulation brings out fingerstyle nuance, while the warmth fills out strumming chords. The compact body size also makes the guitar comfortable for prolonged playing during folk and country sessions.

Conclusion

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB is a well-balanced, thoughtfully constructed acoustic-electric guitar that is ideal for developing players. With its concert body style and compact proportions, it's comfortable to hold and easy to play. The solid spruce top produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum - bright and articulate yet grounded with enough warmth and depth. The mahogany back and sides add further dimension to the sound.

While not as loud as a jumbo or as complex sounding as a high-end acoustic, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB provides a satisfying unplugged experience for recreational playing and practicing. The onboard electronics give it stage-ready amplified tones, making it versatile for gigging. The smooth satin neck and slim profile fretboard facilitate fluid playing and reduce hand fatigue during long practice sessions. And with its attractive looks, understated styling, and accessible price point, this Ibanez presents great value for money. For beginner to intermediate level players, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB is a thoughtfully designed, well-constructed, great sounding acoustic-electric guitar.