NAMM 2019: Ibanez reveals additions to acoustic and bass lines

In our third and final update on Ibanez’s 2019 line-up, we turn our focus to the brand’s acoustic and bass offerings.

The acoustic category will welcome the brand-new Artwood Unbound series, while the bass line-up sees two new signature models and additions to the SR range.

Acoustics

2019’s acoustic range will receive the new Artwood Unbound instruments, along with notable additions to its AE, AEW, and Artwood Vintage lines.

AC150CE

Headlining the Unbound line is the AC150CE, a grand concert acoustic that’s built with a unique tonewood combination. The guitar features okoume back and sides, a solid Sitka spruce top, a nyatoh neck, and an ovangkol fretboard and bridge.

The AC150CE is loaded with an Ibanez T-bar undersaddle pup, and an Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp that comes with a useful onboard tuner. Completing its sleek look are a laser-engraved rosette and an Open Pore Natural finish.

AE315K and AE315FMH

These two models are the standout entrants to Ibanez’s AE range.

An interesting spec shared by both guitars is the use of wooden binding on the body, neck and headstock. Elsewhere, the two guitars are constructed with Ibanez’s original scalloped-X bracing and tone projection back bracing, a nyatoh neck, and a 15.75-inch-radius cultured maple fretboard.

The AE315K has a solid Sitka spruce top that’s paired with flamed Hawaiian koa back and sides. Its sonic appointments include an Ibanez T-bar undersaddle pickup complemented by an Ibanez custom electronics preamp. Rounding off its aesthetics are an abalone and maple soundhole rosette, an intricate vine inlay, and a Natural High Gloss finish.

The AE315FMH, on the other hand, sports a solid flamed okoume top, back and sides. It shares the AE315K’s aesthetics with the exception of an Open Pore Semi Gloss finish.

AEWC400

This special model has a flamed maple top, back and sides. It boasts a special AEWC-designed comfort body that’s paired with an AEWC Asymmetric comfort neck, and is fitted with a 15.75-inch-radius laurel fretboard. Tone comes by way of Fishman Sonicore pickup and an Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp. Completing the guitar’s look is an arresting Indigo Blue Burst High Gloss finish.

AVD15PFR

This entrant to Ibanez’s Artwood Vintage line is a dreadnought with a few choice tonewood appointments, including a thermo-aged solid Sitka spruce top that’s complemented by pau ferro back and sides. It also comes with a nyatoh neck and a 15.75-inch-radius thermo-aged pau ferro fretboard.

Other highlights include chrome open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs, and an Open Pore Semi Gloss finish.

PN19

One of the more interesting additions to the PF line, this parlour-sized acoustic has only 18 frets. It has a spruce top, okoume back and sides, a nyatoh neck, and a slim 9.45-inch-radius laurel fingerboard. An Open Pore Natural Browned Burst finish completes this alluring instrument.

TCM50

Here’s a new member of Ibanez’s Talman line. It has a figured ash top, and sapele back and sides. Additionally, the instrument has a TCM okoume neck and a smooth 9.84-inch-radius purpleheart fretboard.

For electronics, the TCM50 is equipped with an Ibanez AP2 Magnetic pickup as well as an Ibanez AEQ200M preamp that has a two-band EQ control.

Available in Galaxy Black Open Pore and Vintage Brown Sunburst High Gloss finishes.

AEG8E

Rounding up Ibanez’s 2019 acoustic range is this slim, single-cutaway instrument that’s designed to produce a commanding and balanced acoustic tone. There’s a spruce top, sapele back and sides, an AEG okoume neck, and a 15.75-inch-radius purpleheart fretboard. The guitar also ships with an Ibanez Under Saddle and an Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp.

Aesthetically, the AEG8E boasts a smart black-and-white soundhole rosette that pairs well with any of its four finishes.

Available in Black High Gloss, Natural High Gloss, Transparent Blue Sunburst High Gloss and Transparent Red Sunburst High Gloss finishes.

Basses

The Japanese brand’s 2019 bass offerings include new signature models, updates to its SR and SMRD lines, and additions to its Affirma and Artcore series.

SR500E

The SR500E – offered in four or five-string configurations – features an okoume body and a five-piece jatoba-and-walnut neck. It also comes with a 12-inch-radius jatoba fretboard that’s adorned with neat abalone oval inlays.

Tone comes by way of Bartolini BH2 pickups. Tone can be further sculpted via an Ibanez Custom Electronics three-band EQ and a three-way mid-frequency switch. Completing the four-string’s spec sheet are an Accu-cast B500 bridge and matte black hardware.

Available in Brown Mahogany and Surreal Black Dual Fade finishes.

SR655E

This guitar features an ash body, a five-piece jatoba-and-walnut neck, as well as a 12-inch-radius jatoba fretboard. It boasts unique sonic appointments, such as a Nordstrand CND P neck pup at the neck and a Nordstrand CND J pup at the bridge. Tone is governed by the same EQ system as the model above.

SR2400

This bass is a new entrant to the SR premium range. It features an interesting tonewood combination: an African mahogany body with a figured maple-and-panga panga top.

There’s also a five-piece panga panga-and-purpleheart neck, as well as a bound 12-inch-radius panga panga fretboard.

A pair of Aguilar Super Double pickups are at this bass’ heart. Tone can be sculpted via the same SR equaliser system found in the models above. Elsewhere, this four-string has gold hardware and an MR5S bridge.

Available in Florid Natural Low Gloss.

SRMD200

Another fresh addition, this medium-scaled SR Mezzo bass has a poplar body, a maple neck, and a 12-inch-radius maple fretboard with black dot inlays. A P-J combination from Dynamix offers a versatile palette of tones, which can be further tweaked via an Ibanez Custom Electronics two-band EQ. Rounding off the bass’s features are a B10 bridge and chrome hardware.

Available in Candy Apple Matte and Sea Foam Pearl Green finishes.

Gary Willis GWB20TH

2019’s bass line-up will include a 20th anniversary Gary Willis signature bass model. The GWB20TH has a basswood body paired with an ash top, a three-piece maple neck, and a 12-inch-radius ebony fretboard. Tone is derived from a single Aguilar DCB bridge pup, and can be adjusted via an Aguilar OBP-2 two-band EQ.

The bass is also fitted with black hardware and an Ibanez standard bridge. It comes in an eye-catching Tequila Sunrise Flat finish.

Adam Nitti ANB205

Adam Nitti will also receive a signature bass model in 2019. The ANB205 is a five-string axe with a swamp ash body, a three-piece maple neck, and a 15.75-inch-radius maple fretboard. And you won’t be able to take your eyes off that Transparent Wine Red Burst finish.

The bass comes with a Bartolini 59CBJD-S3 neck pickup and a Bartolini 59CBJD-L3 bridge pickup, wired to a Bartolini NTMB+F ANB Custom three-band EQ.

AFR4FMP

This entrant to the Affirma line features a maple body, a flamed maple top, and a three-piece maple ‘half-through-neck’. The bass also comes with a 12-inch-radius ebony fretboard that sports an abalone offset dot inlay on 12th fret. Tone comes by way of an AeroSilk MR5 bridge pickup and a Bartolini X44JX middle pickup.

Available in a Natural Flat finish.

BTB20TH5

This five-string bass features an ash-and-okoume wing body with a flamed maple top and a five-piece maple-and-walnut neck.

The bass is rigged out with two Nordstrand Big Single pickups and an Ibanez Custom Electronics three-band EQ. Other highlights include an MR5S bridge and a sharp Blue Reef Gradation Low Gloss finish.

Artcore AGB200

This four-string combines a solid body feel with the acoustic tone of a hollowbody guitar. It features a maple body and an AGB Artcore neck that’s made from a three-piece nyatoh-and-maple combination. The bass is also fitted with a bound 15.75-inch-radius laurel fretboard.

Talman TMB30

This four-string has a poplar body, a maple neck, a slim 9.45-inch-radius jatoba fretboard, and, like the SRMD200, a Dynamix P-J combination, A B10 bridge and chrome hardware wrap up the specs of the TMB30.

Available in Black, Ivory, and Mint Green finishes.

More information at ibanez.com.