Ibanez PF2MHOPN Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

Ibanez is a Japanese guitar manufacturer known for making high-quality instruments across a wide range of styles and price points. The PF Series acoustic guitars are part of Ibanez's affordable starter range.

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a parlor-sized acoustic aimed at beginner and entry-level players. Parlor guitars are compact with a small body shape, which makes them comfortable for smaller players or useful as a travel instrument. With a street price of around $100, the PF2MHOPN delivers solid bang-for-buck as an inexpensive acoustic.

This review will examine the PF2MHOPN's construction quality, sound and tone, playability, hardware, and overall performance. It aims to help you determine if the Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a good match for your needs as a beginning or budget-conscious acoustic guitar player.

Appearance and Build Quality

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a parlor-sized acoustic guitar with a stylish and appealing design. It has a mahogany body with an open pore natural finish that accentuates the wood grain, giving it an organic look and feel.

The guitar has a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard containing 20 frets. The neck has a comfortable and slim profile that makes it easy to play. The fretboard edges are smoothly rolled for added comfort.

The hardware includes chrome enclosed tuning machines, a plastic tortoiseshell pickguard, and a rosewood bridge. The chrome tuners keep the guitar in tune well. The tortoiseshell pickguard provides some protection for the top while looking classy.

Overall, the guitar features a high-quality all-wood construction that looks great while also promising durability and reliable performance. The open pore finish helps bring out the visual character of the tonewoods.

When comparing the Ibanez PF2MHOPN to other acoustic guitars in its class such as the Cordoba C12 SP 06541, you can see some similarities and differences. Both guitars utilize all-solid wood construction with mahogany back and sides paired with a solid spruce top. This combination produces a balanced, warm, and nuanced acoustic tone. The Cordoba has a slightly wider nut width of 2 inches compared to the Ibanez at 1.68 inches. This gives it a roomier feel on the fretboard. The Ibanez has a slimmer neck profile that some may find more comfortable and accessible. The Cordoba comes equipped with an LR Baggs VTC pickup system which isn't included on the Ibanez model. This allows for amplified performances. Both models are very visually appealing with intricate inlay work and high-gloss finishes. The Ibanez shows off an attractive open pore look while the Cordoba has a smooth glossy varnish. Overall both of these parlor-style guitars offer excellent craftsmanship and acoustic sound at reasonable prices. Choosing between them comes down to individual playing style and aesthetic preferences.

Sound and Tone

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN acoustic guitar produces a balanced, warm tone that works well for various musical styles. The mahogany back and sides give it a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent low-end presence and resonance. The solid spruce top contributes brightness, clarity and sweet highs.

Overall, the guitar has a very responsive and resonant tone. The notes are lively and ring out with good sustain. Both the bass and treble ranges sound accurate without too much boominess or brittleness. The midrange is pronounced and clear, allowing melodies to project nicely. Chords have a pleasing warmth and fullness to them.

Whether strumming rhythm or picking lead, the Ibanez offers a versatile tonal palette. From soft and mellow, to bright and crisp, this guitar can handle it all. The tone is well-suited to fingerstyle playing as well as flatpicking. The slotted headstock design helps produce a balanced voice across all six strings.

When comparing the Ibanez PF2MHOPN to other acoustic guitars like the Martin GPC-X2E 11GPCX2E-01, you'll notice some key differences. The Martin produces a slightly brighter, more articulate tone thanks to its solid Sitka spruce top. It has impressive volume and projection suited for stage use. The rosewood back and sides give it a crisp treble response and complex overtones. While the Ibanez has a warmer, more midrange-focused sound, the Martin excels with shimmery highs and tight lows. The Martin's neck is also slightly wider, making it better for fingerstyle playing. However, the Ibanez offers great bang for your buck if you want an affordable, well-made acoustic with a balanced tone.

Playability and Feel

The Ibanez PF2MH's playability and feel are designed for comfort and ease of playing. The neck has a slim tapered profile that is thin and fast. This allows easy access to the higher frets while remaining comfortable to hold.

The laurel fingerboard has a radius of 400mm, providing a slightly curved and rounded feel. This helps with smoother string bends and reduced fretting hand fatigue over long practice or gigging sessions. The neck width at the nut is 43mm, giving ample room for fingering chords and single note runs cleanly.

The action on the Ibanez PF2MH is set low and comfortable right out of the box. String height over the 12th fret measures about 2.5mm, making it very playable without buzzing. The guitar feels great for strumming chords as well as single note lead playing. Overall the PF2MH has a very playable neck and setup ideal for new players transitioning from steel-string acoustics.

Hardware and Electronics

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN features quality hardware and electronics that make it easy to keep in tune and project the sound.

• The guitar uses Ibanez AdvantageTM chrome die-cast tuning machines. They operate smoothly and hold tune reliably.

• The nut and saddle are made from quality synthetic bone material that transfers tones well.

• There is no pickup or preamp system. The guitar is designed for unplugged acoustic projection and resonance. This makes it a versatile and affordable option suitable for various playing situations.

• The lack of electronics helps keep the cost down while still providing excellent acoustic tone and volume. The top, sides, and back are crafted to resonate and project the sound from the strings outward.

Overall, the hardware supports the all-acoustic intention of this model. The Ibanez PF2MHOPN produces a vibrant unplugged acoustic sound perfect for practice, jam sessions, open mics, and other unamplified scenarios. The smooth tuners and quality nut/saddle also make staying in tune effortless.

Pros

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN acoustic guitar has several excellent features that make it a great choice for many players.

• Lightweight and comfortable body - This guitar uses mahogany for the back and sides. Mahogany is a relatively lightweight tonewood that makes the PF2MHOPN easy to hold and play for extended periods without fatigue. The curves and contours of the body are designed for playing comfort as well.

• Balanced tone and volume - The combination of a spruce top with mahogany back and sides produces a balanced tone that is equally strong across the frequency range. It's loud enough for playing with others but not overpowering. The tone stays balanced when played both softly and aggressively.

• Durable build quality - Ibanez guitars are known for their durability and quality hardware. The PF2MHOPN features a sturdy mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, and fixed bridge. The tuning machines keep the guitar in tune extremely well. The gloss finish protects against scratches and wear. Overall the guitar is built to last.

Cons

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN is not without some downsides. While it offers generally good hardware and electronics for its class, there is some room for improvement in this area. Specifically, the pickup and preamp system could be a bit more robust to provide a louder acoustic tone when plugged in.

Though acceptable, the guitar's output volume and dynamics are not quite on par with similar guitars from other major brands like Taylor or Martin. Players who are used to those brands may find the Ibanez's unplugged volume to be slightly quieter. This can limit its potential in louder group jam sessions or performances without amplification.

While adequate for most purposes, more demanding players may desire an acoustic-electric in this price range with higher quality electronics and pickups to deliver a bigger sound when plugged in. So if maximum acoustic projection is a priority, it may be worth looking into some alternatives with more premium electronics.

Ideal For

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN Acoustic Guitar is ideal for:

• Fingerstyle playing: The smaller body size and shorter 24.75" scale length make this guitar comfortable for fingerstyle techniques. The mahogany back and sides produce a focused, articulate tone that brings out the nuances in fingerstyle playing.

• Beginner to intermediate players: While still high quality, the PF2MHOPN sits at a very accessible price point for beginners or intermediates looking to invest in their first serious acoustic guitar. The smooth neck and slim fretboard profile facilitate beginning players graduating from their first beater guitar. The onboard electronics provide resources to grow into performing scenarios.

• Smaller-sized players: With a concert body and compact scale length, this Ibanez packs big sound into a smaller form factor well-suited for smaller statured musicians or anyone looking for enhanced comfort and playability. The light overall weight also prevents fatigue during long practice or play sessions. The PF2MHOPN proves you don't need a massive dreadnought to produce satisfying acoustic tones.

Price and Value

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN is fairly priced given its solid wood body and quality electronics. Though not the cheapest acoustic guitar around, it delivers excellent value at its price point.

The all-mahogany body and neck account for much of the cost. Mahogany produces a warm, balanced tone and the solid wood construction makes the PF2MHOPN more durable and better sounding than laminate alternatives. The Fishman electronics also contribute to the higher price tag, but provide flexibility to plug in and amplify your sound.

While you can find cheaper acoustic guitars, most cut costs by using laminate woods and inferior hardware. The PF2MHOPN doesn't take shortcuts - it's all solid tonewoods and quality components. For an all-wood guitar with electronics under $200, the PF2MHOPN is hard to beat on price and value.

The superior materials and Fishman pickup warrant spending a little more. The PF2MHOPN delivers pro-level tone and versatility at a price accessible to aspiring musicians. If your budget accommodates, it's worth investing extra for the quality you get.

Alternatives to Consider

While the Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a great beginner acoustic guitar for the price, here are some comparable models from other top brands that are worth considering:

Fender CD-60S

• The Fender CD-60S is another popular entry-level dreadnought acoustic. It features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides.
• Like the Ibanez, it has a slim neck profile and comfortable body size for beginners. The tone is balanced and clear.
• The CD-60S sells for around the same price point as the PF2MHOPN, so it's a comparable alternative.

Yamaha FG800

• Yamaha's FG800 is frequently recommended as one of the best beginner acoustics.
• It has a solid sitka spruce top and the build quality is very good for the affordable price point.
• The tone of the FG800 is well-rounded and rich. The playability is also smooth and comfortable.

Taylor Big Baby Taylor

• The Big Baby Taylor is a high quality beginner model from Taylor's acclaimed line of acoustics.
• It has Taylor's signature bright, crisp tone with a solid sitka spruce top.
• The smaller body size and smooth neck make it very playable for new guitarists.

Epiphone DR-100

• Epiphone's DR-100 has an all-laminate construction but delivers surprisingly good sound quality for the ultra-affordable price.
• It's lighter in weight than the Ibanez and very comfortable for beginners to handle.
• Overall an excellent starter acoustic for those on a tight budget.