The Ibanez PN15BS is a parlor-sized acoustic guitar that combines traditional design elements with modern appointments. As part of Ibanez's Performance series, it aims to offer great tone and playability at an accessible price point.

This compact guitar has a classic hourglass silhouette with a smaller lower bout compared to a standard dreadnought. The all-mahogany body and neck provide a balanced and articulate voice, while the smooth satin finish enhances resonance. Though diminutive in size, the PN15BS produces a focused, rich sound thanks to its solid mahogany top.

Appointments like the rosewood bridge and fretboard, pearl dot inlays, and chrome die-cast tuners give the PN15BS an upscale look and feel. An onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup and tuner extend its versatility for plugged-in playing. Overall, the Ibanez PN15BS packs impressive features into its convenient short-scale frame.

Construction

The Ibanez PN15BS parlor guitar features an all-mahogany body and neck construction.

The top of the body is made from solid Sitka spruce, which is the preferred tonewood for the soundboard on many acoustic guitars. The sides and back of the body are made from laminated mahogany. The mahogany neck also has a dovetail joint into the body, which provides stability and enhanced resonance.

Overall, the materials used in the construction are high-quality tonewoods that should provide excellent resonance and projection. The all-mahogany neck and body results in a warm, balanced tone. The solid spruce top allows the guitar to be responsive to playing dynamics. While not a handmade instrument, the construction and materials are very good for a guitar in this modest price range.

The construction of the Ibanez PN15BS is fairly typical for an acoustic guitar in its price range. Many affordable acoustics use laminated wood for the back and sides to control costs while using a solid wood top. The Monoprice 610887 is another budget-friendly acoustic guitar with a similar construction and price point. The Monoprice has a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, just like the Ibanez model. Both guitars feature an all-mahogany neck and X-bracing inside the body. This type of construction provides good resonance and tone while keeping the cost down compared to all solid wood models. While they may not have the complex voicing and projection of premium guitars, models like the Ibanez PN15BS and Monoprice 610887 offer excellent value for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic.

Body Style

The Ibanez PN15BS has a parlor-sized body, which is slightly smaller and shallower than a traditional dreadnought acousitic guitar. This gives it a focused, articulate tone and makes it very comfortable to hold and play.

Specifically, the body has the following dimensions:

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Total Length: 39 3/8"
• Lower Bout: 14 1/4"
• Upper Bout: 11"
• Body Depth: 3 5/8"

The smaller parlor size reduces resonance compared to a larger body, resulting in a more controlled and balanced acoustic sound. The compact size is great for fingerstyle playing and makes the PN15BS a very portable and travel-friendly option. Overall, the scaled-down body provides an intimate, focused tone while still packing impressive volume and dynamic range.

Neck

The Ibanez PN15BS features a full scale 640mm (25.2") mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. The comfort of the neck makes this guitar easy to play despite the full scale length. The traditional 43mm nut width offers enough space for fingerpicking while still being comfortable for chordal playing. The rosewood fretboard has 18 frets and pearl dot inlays. Overall, the neck is smooth, comfortable and has a familiar feel that most guitarists will appreciate. Though not as slim as some guitars in this price range, it is a well-crafted neck that complements the warm, balanced tone of the PN15BS. The smooth satin finish allows for fast, effortless playing up and down the neck.

The Ibanez PN15BS parlor guitar has a compact, comfortable body size and smooth full-scale neck that make it a great choice for players looking for a portable, travel-friendly acoustic. It produces a balanced, articulate tone that works well for fingerstyle playing. For guitarists wanting a high-quality acoustic with traditional appointments in a smaller format, the PN15BS is an excellent option to consider.

Fender is another top brand known for making great acoustic guitars, including smaller parlor-sized models like the Fender AUS-0961090006-COMBO-PLAY. This mahogany topped parlor guitar has a rich, full sound with great sustain and resonance. The slim neck profile with satin finish makes it very comfortable and fast to play. It has a stylish look with all-mahogany back and sides. The AUS-0961090006-COMBO-PLAY is an excellent choice for players wanting a great sounding, easy playing parlor guitar from a trusted brand like Fender.

Both the Ibanez PN15BS and Fender AUS-0961090006-COMBO-PLAY parlor acoustics offer quality construction, comfortable playability, and balanced tone perfect for fingerstyle playing. The Ibanez has a slightly larger lower bout for more volume and bass response, while the Fender has a very slim neck profile some find more comfortable. The Spruce and Mahogany tonewood combination of the Ibanez produces a bright, focused sound great for picking. The all-Mahogany wood of the Fender has a warmer, rounder tone. Either parlor model would be a great portable acoustic for guitarists valuing quality and playability.

When choosing between parlor sized acoustics like the Ibanez PN15BS and Fender AUS-0961090006-COMBO-PLAY, consider your budget, tonewood preferences, playing style, and desired volume/projection. Try both in person if possible. While small, parlor guitars like these have impressive volume and full tone thanks to quality construction. The focused parlor sound and easy playability make them great travel companions and ideal for fingerstyle, folk, country and more. Both Ibanez and Fender offer quality options worth checking out.

Hardware

The Ibanez PN15BS features high quality hardware that enhances its acoustic tone and playability. The guitar has vintage-style open gear tuners with butterbean knobs that provide precise and reliable tuning stability. The tuners are mounted on a rosewood headplate that matches the rosewood fretboard for a cohesive look.

For the bridge, the PN15BS uses a rosewood pin bridge that allows the top to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent resonance and sustain. The bridge transfers string vibrations to the maple top efficiently while keeping the strings at the proper height for easy playability. Overall, the hardware components on this Ibanez acoustic guitar are thoughtfully designed and well-crafted. The vintage tuners and rosewood bridge complement the all-mahogany body beautifully.

Electronics

The Ibanez PN15BS parlor acoustic guitar features an Ibanez under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp system, providing plug-and-play functionality for amplifying the guitar's natural acoustic tone.

The under-saddle piezo pickup captures the guitar's vibrations and converts them into an electric signal that can be fed into an amplifier or PA system. This type of pickup aims to accurately reproduce the acoustic sound of the guitar when amplified.

The preamp is located just inside the soundhole and contains simpletone and vol controls for shaping and optimizing the amplified tone. The preamp requires a 9V battery to operate. Overall the electronics offer a straightforward plug-and-play system that aims to amplify the PN15BS's acoustic voice cleanly and accurately.

The under-saddle piezo and simple preamp allow players to easily amplify the guitar in live settings while retaining the general character of the all-mahogany acoustic parlor tone. This makes the PN15BS stage-ready right out of the box.

Sound

The Ibanez PN15BS acoustic parlor guitar produces a bright, well-balanced tone that punches above its weight. Despite the compact parlor size, this guitar delivers a rich low end, pleasant mids, and clear, articulate highs.

The all-solid mahogany construction contributes to the full, rounded sound profile. Mahogany is a warm tonewood that provides a smooth midrange, sweet highs, and tight bass. While mahogany guitars can sometimes sound muddy, the PN15BS has enough crispness and note separation to remain lively and resonant.

The parlor body shape also influences the voice of this Ibanez. Parlor guitars often have a focused, intimate sound compared to larger-bodied acoustics. The PN15BS is easily able to fill a room, yet still feels controlled and balanced. It can shine as a fingerstyle or strumming guitar.

Overall, the Ibanez PN15BS parlor offers a vintage acoustic vibe with pleasing modern playability. Its compact mahogany body produces warm, balanced tones perfect for blues, folk, country, and other styles. This is an excellent parlor guitar at an affordable price point.

Playability

The Ibanez PN15 parlour guitar offers exceptional playability for a budget-friendly instrument. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box, making it very accessible for beginners and students. The neck has a slim, fast profile that lends itself well to intricate fingerpicking patterns and lead lines. It's a very playable neck that feels great in the hand.

The body shape is also comfortable, with the small parlour size fitting nicely against the body. The gentle contoured edges make it easy to play for long periods without digging into your ribs or chest. Some parlour guitars can feel cramped, but the PN15 has a spacious upper fret access thanks to the cutaway, allowing you to easily hit those high notes.

Overall, the playability of the PN15 punches above its price point. The low action, fast neck, and comfortable body size come together to make this an exceptionally playable instrument for the money. It's a great choice for new players looking for an accessible guitar that begs to be played.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm and balanced tone perfect for fingerstyle playing
• Solid mahogany back and sides provide rich low end
• Slim neck profile is comfortable and easy to play
• Attractive sunburst finish stands out from typical acoustic guitars
• Lightweight and portable size makes it great for travel or practice

Cons

• Lack of cutaway limits upper fret access
• Electronics can produce feedback at higher volumes
• Short 20.5" scale length may take some adapting for some players
• Laminated spruce top doesn't resonate as well as solid wood
• Only comes in a sunburst finish, no natural wood option

Verdict

The Ibanez PN15BS offers incredible value for money as a budget acoustic guitar. Despite the low price tag, it delivers a rich, full-bodied sound with good sustain and resonance. The all-mahogany body and neck produce a warm, balanced tone that works well for various playing styles and genres.

While the guitar feels a bit lightweight and lacks some projection compared to higher-end models, the PN15BS holds its own as an affordable parlor-sized instrument. The compact body shape makes it very comfortable and playable, especially for smaller players. The satin neck allows for smooth, fast riffs without being sticky.

Overall, the Ibanez PN15BS punches above its weight class in terms of build quality, playability, and acoustic tone. The guitar looks stylish as well with the sunburst finish and classic headstock shape. For beginners or those on a tight budget, it's hard to beat the value this Ibanez parlor guitar provides. Its excellent construction and versatile sound make it a recommended choice.