Ibanez PC15VS Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Ibanez PC15VS is a quality acoustic-electric guitar that delivers smooth, rich sound at an affordable price point. Part of Ibanez's Performance Series, the PC15VS offers guitarists a concert-sized instrument built from solid mahogany topped with select spruce. This guitar produces dynamic acoustic tone and projection, enhanced through its onboard active Fishman electronics.

With its classic body shape and sunburst finish, the PC15VS retains a vintage appeal while incorporating modern appointments for optimal playability. The mahogany neck has a comfortable, slim profile while the rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth surface for chording and soloing. For amplified performance situations, the PC15VS is equipped with an Ibanez under-saddle pickup that blends well with its acoustic resonance. This is a versatile starter guitar that can grow along with developing musicians.

Construction

The Ibanez PC15VS Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar is built with all solid wood construction consisting of solid Sitka spruce for the top, walnut for the back and sides, and mahogany for the neck. This combination of tonewoods produces a warm, balanced sound with good projection and sustain.

The build quality on the PC15VS is excellent, with careful attention paid to detail. The dovetail neck joint is tight and seamless, providing stability and resonance. The top is hand-scalloped X bracing which allows the top to vibrate freely. The finish is flawless with no blemishes. The fretwork is precise with smoothly finished frets. Overall the guitar is very well constructed using quality tonewoods and expert craftsmanship.

The all-solid wood construction allows the PC15VS to produce full, rich tones across the tonal spectrum. The solid spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate mids, while the solid walnut back and sides add warmth and resonance to the low end. Together, these tonewoods create a balanced and nuanced acoustic voice. The solid mahogany neck also contributes to the warm, rounded tone.

In comparison, the Cordoba C5 CD also utilizes all-solid wood construction with a solid Canadian cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck. This combination produces a slightly brighter, more articulate tone than the warmer Ibanez. However, both guitars benefit from the resonance and sustain that comes from solid wood construction.

All-solid wood guitars require more care and maintenance than laminate models. The solid wood is more vulnerable to cracking or warping due to changes in temperature and humidity. Keeping the guitar stored in a stable environment is important. The finish should also be kept clean and free of grime to prevent the wood from drying out. Periodic inspections of the neck joint and bridge plate are also advised.

Proper humidity levels between 45-55% are ideal for keeping solid wood guitars in top shape. Use of a humidifier during dry seasons can help prevent cracks and seams from opening up. Avoid exposing the instrument to direct sunlight or other heat sources which may cause it to dry out prematurely. Make sure to loosen the strings when storing for prolonged periods.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction of the Ibanez PC15VS Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar results in excellent resonance, articulation, and balanced warm tones. When cared for properly, the solid tonewoods will mature nicely over years of playing. The quality workmanship and materials make this an acoustic that will last for many years when maintained diligently.

Sound

The Ibanez Performance Concert Acoustic Guitar PC15VS produces a warm, balanced tone that projects well and has good sustain. The solid spruce top contributes to the brightness and resonance of the sound, while the mahogany back and sides provide depth and richness.

The combination of spruce and mahogany tonewoods gives this guitar a very balanced and well-rounded tone profile that works nicely for various styles of playing. The mahogany neck also enhances and reinforces the low end, giving a pleasing warmth to chords and single notes.

The body shape and bracing pattern help project the sound outward with volume and clarity. Notes ring out with sustain thanks to the rosewood bridge and quality build construction. The finish and woods allow vibration to resonate freely, increasing the projection and sustain overall.

This is an acoustic guitar well-suited for playing live, with its ability to fill a room with balanced, quality sound. It has enough crisp highs to cut through a mix, along with strong low-mids to provide rhythmic foundation. The sustain allows notes to ring out fully even when strumming quickly.

The tonewood combination and construction of the Ibanez Performance guitar allows it to produce a balanced, warm and projecting acoustic tone. Many players appreciate the versatility of this guitar's sound profile, as it works for both accompaniment and as a solo/melodic instrument.

Another acoustic guitar with a nice balanced tone is the Ortega Guitars RST5-1/2. This guitar features a select spruce top with mahogany back and sides, similar to the Ibanez model. The tone is described as well-balanced between warm lows and bright articulate highs.

The Ortega RST5-1/2 uses a "hand-rubbed" satin finish, which allows the wood to vibrate freely for excellent resonance and sustain. It produces a full and rich acoustic voice, with enough projection to play live performance settings. The bracing and construction give this guitar a lively tonality.

Both the Ibanez Performance guitar and the Ortega RST5-1/2 demonstrate how thoughtfully chosen tonewoods, along with quality construction techniques, can produce an acoustic guitar with versatile balanced tone. Players look for warmth, clarity and sustain from their acoustic guitars, which allow for both rhythm playing and melodic single-note runs.

When researching and testing out acoustic guitars, pay close attention to how balanced and responsive the tone is. Make sure it has enough high-end brilliance to cut through a mix, while still providing a solid low-end for rhythmic support. The resonance and sustain should ring out clearly on individual notes. An evenly voiced acoustic guitar is a versatile musical tool for guitarists.

Playability

The Ibanez PC15VS features a comfortable and fast thin neck profile that allows for easy playability. The slim nut width of 1 11/16 inches facilitates intricate chording and fretting, while the flat fretboard radius of 12 inches enables smooth transitioning between chords and single-note runs up and down the neck.

The shorter 25.6 inch scale length reduces string tension, making bends and vibrato easier to execute. The smooth maple neck and rosewood fretboard feel great against the hand during long practice or playing sessions. With 20 frets and pearl dot inlays, the PC15VS offers players flexibility in soloing and hitting higher notes on the fretboard.

The set-up and string action on the PC15VS is optimized right out of the box for easy playability without buzzing. The strings sit close to the rosewood fingerboard, allowing for comfortable fretting and chording without undue hand fatigue. Overall, the Ibanez PC15VS provides a fast, smooth playing experience ideal for various acoustic guitar techniques and styles.

Hardware

The Ibanez PC15VS features quality hardware to provide great functionality. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast tuners that keep the strings in tune nicely. They have a smooth turning action that makes tuning easy and precise.

The nut and saddle are made from urea, which is a synthetic material known for resonance and sustain. Urea nuts and saddles transfer vibrations efficiently for better tone and resonance. This guitar's urea nut and saddle are well-cut and finished, contributing to the instrument's impressive sound.

The bridge utilized on the Ibanez PC15VS is a rosewood bridge. Rosewood is a hardwood that is dense and rigid, allowing it to vibrate well and transmit string energy into the top of the guitar. This helps project volume and enhance the overall acoustic tone. The bridge has a compensated design that improves intonation across the strings. Overall, the hardware complements the guitar nicely.

Electronics

The Ibanez PC15VS is equipped with Fishman Presys electronics that utilize Ibanez's own brand of FST pickup design - specifically the Acoustic Tone Onboard FST preamp system.

The PC15VS includes an under-saddle piezo pickup paired with an Ibanez Preamp with 3-band EQ and built-in tuner. This offers great flexibility for shaping and amplifying your acoustic tone.

The onboard preamp gives you tone control with bass, midrange, and treble knobs allowing you to easily dial in your sound. It also includes controls for volume and gain. There is a built-in tuner which can be engaged with the push of a button, letting you quickly tune on the fly.

The preamp runs on a single 9V battery for power and has an integrated endpin jack for plugging into an external amp or PA system for live performance or recording scenarios. The controls are discretely mounted inside the soundhole for a clean look.

Overall, the Fishman Presys electronics provide excellent plugged-in tone and versatility for amplifying and sculpting your acoustic sound with the Ibanez PC15VS guitar. The onboard preamp gives you tone shaping and built-in tuner for great live performance capability.

Comfort & Ergonomics

The PC15VS has a comfortable and ergonomic design that helps make playing enjoyable for long periods of time. The body shape is slightly smaller than most dreadnoughts, with a slimmer shoulder width that won't dig into your body when playing seated. It has a nice overall weight at just over 4 pounds, avoiding the heaviness of some acoustics while still feeling sturdy and well-built.

The body shape and weight combine to create a very balanced guitar when playing or standing. The compact design places the weight directly in your lap rather than pulling down on your shoulder or neck. This helps reduce fatigue from extended practice or performance sessions. The smooth finished also avoids any sharp edges digging into your arms or body while playing.

Overall, the ergonomics and comfort-focused design of the PC15VS help make it a pleasure to play for hours on end. The lightweight balanced body, slim profile, and smooth edges come together to reduce strain and let you focus on the music.

Sound Options

The PC15VS gives players a lot of tonal versatility thanks to its built-in AEQ-2T preamp and tuner. When playing acoustically, this guitar produces warm, balanced tones with good bass response thanks to its mahogany back and sides. The spruce top brings out plenty of sweet, singing overtones. The combination of woods creates a dynamic range that works well for various playing styles.

Plugged in, the PC15VS maintains its acoustic character while adding shape and contour. The guitar's undersaddle piezo pickup accurately captures the nuances of the top and body. The AEQ-2T preamp adds some sparkle in the highs and beef in the lows. With cutaway EQ controls, players can easily dial in tones - from bright and crisp to warm and round. The onboard tuner also makes it easy to keep the PC15VS in tune whether practicing at home or playing live.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm and balanced acoustic tone from the mahogany top
• Slim neck profile is comfortable and easy to play
• Onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup and tuner provide plugged-in versatility
• Attractive sunburst finish with binding for a classic look

Cons

• Lack of cutaway limits upper fret access
• Electronics can feedback at higher volumes
• Midrange focus means less sparkling highs or booming lows
• Higher action from bridge saddle may make barre chords challenging

The Ibanez Performance Series PC15VS offers a well-rounded acoustic-electric for the money. The mahogany top produces a balanced, vintage-inspired voice. The slim neck and body help make the guitar comfortable and playable. The onboard pickup and tuner allow plugging into an amp or PA. Drawbacks are limited upper fret access without a cutaway and potential for feedback. Overall, a nice choice for a versatile beginner to intermediate level acoustic guitar.

Conclusion

The Ibanez PC15VS is an affordable quality acoustic-electric concert guitar suitable for fingerstyle and light strumming. It produces a bright, articulate tone thanks to its solid Engelmann spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The slim neck and comfortable body size make this a very playable instrument.

While it lacks some projected volume and bass response compared to larger-bodied guitars, the Ibanez PC15VS offers great value in this price range. The built-in Ibanez under-saddle pickup and tuner provide amplification and convenient tuning functionality.

Those looking for a slightly bigger low-end tone may prefer the Yamaha APX600, while fingerstyle players who want more dynamic range could consider the higher-end Taylor 114ce. However, the Ibanez PC15VS is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediates seeking an accessible concert-style electro-acoustic with crisp acoustic tone and stage-ready features.

This versatile, well-constructed guitar achieves impressive sound and playability at a budget-friendly price point. For players wanting a comfortable, compact concert acoustic-electric, the Ibanez PC15VS delivers quality and reliability that's hard to beat.