Ibanez GA5TCE Classical Guitar: Full Review

Overview of the Ibanez GA5TCE Classical Guitar

The Ibanez GA5TCE is an accessible nylon-string classical guitar with a stylish flair, designed to deliver rich tone and comfortable playability. As part of Ibanez's G Series, it combines classic nylon string construction with modern appointments for the contemporary player.

This model features a Grand Concert body shape with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides, resulting in a balanced and nuanced acoustic voice. The neck is crafted from nato wood with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability across the entire register.

Overall, the Ibanez GA5TCE offers an excellent value for intermediate players looking to upgrade their classical guitar without breaking the bank. Its tonal quality and ease of use make it a great choice for developing classical technique and exploring the nylon-string sound.

Construction

The Ibanez GA5TCE features a solid cedar top, providing excellent resonance and balanced tone. Cedar is a popular choice for classical guitars due to its warm, clear sound. The back and sides are laminated mahogany, which is durable and offers a balanced midrange.

The neck is made from nato wood, which is strong and stable. Overall, the combination of tonewoods produces a detailed sound across the tonal spectrum, from bright trebles to rounded basses. The all-wood construction gives this guitar an organic, natural tone.

While not a solid wood guitar, the GA5TCE uses quality tonewoods that punch above its price class. The laminated back and sides are cost effective yet still provide good tonal characteristics. For an affordable classical model, the Ibanez delivers reliable construction and great materials.

When looking at classical guitars, construction and materials are key factors to consider. The wood combination impacts the sound profile and playability. Solid wood tops like cedar generally provide better tone than laminate tops, though laminate back and sides can offer good sound at a lower price point. Neck wood is important for stability and rigidity when playing.

While the Ibanez GA5TCE uses a mix of solid and laminated woods, the choice of cedar, mahogany, and nato is excellent for an affordable classical guitar. The all-wood body provides organic resonance superior to alternative materials. The nato neck gives stability for intricate playing. Overall, the Ibanez construction punches above its weight.

Another classical guitar option is the Fender 0378002505. This model also features solid cedar tops with laminated back and sides. The neck is nato, same as the Ibanez. The Fender uses scalloped X-type bracing for projection and dynamics. The body binding and rosette provide an ornate look.

Both the Ibanez and Fender use all-wood construction with solid cedar tops. This combination provides excellent tone for the price. The choice of laminated back and sides reduces cost without sacrificing too much sound quality. Neck woods are similar as well. The aesthetics differ, with the Fender having more decorative appointments. However, the Ibanez likely sounds comparable for less money.

When evaluating affordable classical guitars, the use of solid wood tops with laminated back and sides is common. This provides great bang for the buck. Both the Ibanez GA5TCE and Fender 0378002505 follow this design philosophy. While the Fender has more decorative elements, the Ibanez offers comparable materials for potentially less cost. Construction and materials are vital factors for classical guitar shoppers to weigh.

Body Style

The Ibanez GA5TCE features a classic concert body shape with a single cutaway, providing comfortable playability and accessibility to higher frets. The body has a compact but not too diminutive size, measuring about 15-3/4" wide across the lower bout.

The GA5TCE has a traditional but elegant look, with a high gloss finish that really allows the wood grain of the mahogany back and sides to shine through beautifully. The top is made of solid cedar, which gives it a nice lightweight feel. The binding along the body edges and soundhole give it some decorative flair.

Overall the body style and design of the GA5TCE is geared towards providing comfort, style, and tonal resonance - important factors for any classical guitar. The compact concert shape fits many playing styles and body types. While visually attractive, the materials and finish ultimately contribute to the rich sound.

Another excellent classical guitar option from Ibanez is the Ibanez AW54CEOPN. This model features a Grand Concert body shape, which is slightly wider and deeper than a standard concert body. The AW54CEOPN has a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, resulting in a robust, balanced tone. The Grand Concert body promotes volume and projection while still being comfortable to hold. With a smooth ebony fretboard and abalone rosette, the AW54CEOPN has elegant cosmetic appointments. An onboard preamp provides amplification and EQ control options. Overall, the Ibanez AW54CEOPN is another fine example of Ibanez's expertise in classical guitar design and construction. Whether you prefer the traditional concert shape of the GA5TCE or the slightly larger grand concert of the AW54CEOPN, Ibanez has an excellent classical model to suit your needs.

When shopping for a new classical guitar, considering the body style is an important factor. The size, shape, materials, and construction all impact the playability, visual appeal, and acoustic properties of the instrument. Ibanez offers concert, grand concert, and other body configurations to suit different playing requirements. Models like the GA5TCE and AW54CEOPN exemplify Ibanez's commitment to providing classical guitars that sound amazing, look beautiful, and feel comfortable to play. With robust tonewoods, elegant appointments, and smooth playability, Ibanez classical guitars are built to inspire musicians. Evaluating body styles like the GA5TCE's concert shape or the AW54CEOPN's grander proportions can help match you with your ideal instrument.

Neck

The Ibanez GA5TCE features a classical guitar neck design with a 52mm nut width. This provides a comfortable feel that works well for most playing styles.

The fretboard is made from rosewood, which is a traditional and high quality material often used on classical guitars. Rosewood fretboards are known for providing warmth and clarity to the tone. The wood grain in the rosewood gives it a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing look.

The neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which is a typical design element on nylon string classical guitars. This allows for comfortable access to higher notes on the fretboard.

Overall, the neck design on the Ibanez GA5TCE is optimized for classical guitar playing, with a nut width and fretboard material that players expect and appreciate in this style of guitar. The comfortable 52mm width and rosewood fretboard offer a familiar feel for classical guitarists.

Hardware

The Ibanez GA5TCE features quality hardware that enables smooth, precise tuning and contributes to the guitar's full, resonant sound.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has open-gear chrome tuners with black plastic buttons. The tuners provide 19:1 gear ratio for accurate and stable tuning. Users report the tuners hold the strings in tune exceptionally well even during long practice or gigging sessions. The tuners turn smoothly without any sticking or slipping.

Bridge

It has a rosewood bridge with a compensated saddle. The compensated saddle is shaped to give the correct string length for accurate intonation up and down the fretboard. This results in chords sounding in tune even when played high up on the neck. The bridge transfers vibrations efficiently for good volume and sustain. Its formal design matches the elegant aesthetics of the guitar body and headstock.

Electronics

The GA5TCE features an Ibanez Under Saddle piezo pickup with a passive preamp. This helps deliver a balanced and rich tone from the guitar.

The pickup sits unobtrusively under the bridge saddle, capturing the guitar's natural acoustic sound. Many classical guitarists prefer under saddle pickups as they don't require altering the guitar's top like soundhole pickups. The pickup is paired with Ibanez's AEQ-SP2 preamp which provides tone shaping while retaining the guitar's inherent acoustic resonance.

The preamp includes basic controls for volume and 3-band equalization, allowing you to adjust bass, midrange and treble frequencies. There is also a tuner out jack that mutes the output for silent tuning. The controls are located just inside the soundhole for quick adjustments while playing. Overall the electronics setup on the GA5TCE enhances the guitar's tone while keeping a minimalist and non-invasive design.

Sound

The GA5TCE produces a rich, warm classical guitar tone thanks to its solid cedar top. Cedar is a popular tonewood for classical guitars as it emphasizes the bass and mid frequencies, giving a very balanced and rounded sound.

The mahogany back and sides also contribute to the warm tone, adding some sweetness in the mids and low end. Mahogany is known for its excellent resonance and sustain.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction allows the GA5TCE to project very nicely for a nylon-string guitar. It has impressive volume and sustain thanks to the resonant woods. The tone remains balanced across the frequency range, with pronounced but not overpowering bass, blooming mids, and singing trebles.

Fingerstyle playing is rewarded on the GA5TCE, with complex voicings and arpeggios ringing out with clarity. The warmth does not result in a muddy tone. Rather, each individual note can be discerned even during busy passages.

The end result is an acoustic classical guitar that produces rich tones and has enough projection for performing. The GA5TCE is capable of filling a room with its bold and balanced voice.

Playability

The GA5TCE is wonderfully playable. The action is low and comfortable with a smooth neck that promotes fast playing. The ebony fingerboard has a flatter radius than most classical guitars for even more comfort.

Despite the cedar top, the body still has nice balanced weight thanks to the mahogany back and sides. The cutaway provides easy access to the upper frets as well. Between the neck shape, fingerboard, body balance, and cutaway access, the GA5TCE excels for playability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid top construction provides excellent tone and projection
• Thin neck profile is comfortable and playable
• Fishman Presys preamp delivers balanced amplified tone
• Attractive matte finish complements the traditional body shape
• Great value for the price compared to similar models

Cons

• Lack of cutaway can limit upper fret access
• Not as ornate as more expensive classical guitars
• The satin finish may wear over time with heavy use
• Electronics can feedback at higher volumes
• May not satisfy guitarists looking for premium classical tone

The Ibanez GA5TCE offers excellent materials and quality at a very appealing price point. The crisp trebles and rich bass of the solid cedar top give this classical guitar full-bodied acoustic resonance. While not as fancy as premium classicals, the GA5TCE provides fantastic playability and balanced amplified tones ideal for practice, performance, and recording. A few minor shortcomings like limited upper fret access don't detract much from the outstanding value this guitar provides. Overall, the Ibanez GA5TCE is a great choice for entry-level and intermediate players looking for an affordable way to enjoy the rich sounds of nylon strings.

Verdict

The Ibanez GA5TCE classical guitar offers a lot for its affordable price point. With its easy playability, rich tone, and stage-ready electronics, it's a great choice for beginners and gigging guitarists alike.

The spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, nuanced acoustic tone. The slim neck and shorter scale length enhance playability. While the onboard preamp and tuner make the GA5TCE stage-ready right out of the box.

Some compromises were made to hit the lower price, like the laminate back and sides. And the tone, while nice, lacks the complex overtones of premium classical guitars. But these are understandable tradeoffs.

Overall, the Ibanez GA5TCE punches above its weight. It's an impressive classical guitar for the money and gets a strong recommendation for anyone looking for an affordable, quality nylon-string with stage-friendly features.