Ibanez AVN3, anybody play one?

[Marty1]

Has anyone played one of these? I've been GAS'ing hard but I can't find a video of it being played on youtube. Looks like an interesting guitar. Are there other companies that make a parlor of this size/shape?

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_a...d=8&color=CL01

Some pretty close up pictures here...
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AVN3NT

[guit3090]

Here is a video of the Ibanez parlor for you.
http://youtu.be/EsYgfYDQ5Ys

[Marty1]

Originally Posted by guit3090

Here is a video of the Ibanez parlor for you.
http://youtu.be/EsYgfYDQ5Ys

yeah but from what I understand that is their regular parlor shape, but the one I'm asking about is the "parlor 2" shape, which is smaller. Also has the sloted headstock.

[bentay]

I'm surprised that there's no one talking about it.

So I called the local GC - that's how interested I am in it - and he said they're so new, they don't even have any in their warehouse. They'll be getting a few next month.

Hopefully, they play as good as they look.

Picture might be in order:



"While the AVN1 and 2 models feature full-sized parlor bodies, AVN3 digs even deeper into the past and takes the 19th century parlor guitar form (Ibanez refers to it as Parlor 2). It is smaller, has shorter scale and is not as loud as the other two Artwood Vintage parlors. Along with the 19th century body, AVN3 also rocks the 19th century styling. Mahogany back and sides and solid Sitka spruce sound board comprise the body of this minute parlor six-string. Both the top and back are bound in white, while the top also features the vintage-styled sound hole rosette. Beneath the top, AVN3 is equipped with X bracing. There are no electronics on any of three AVN models (this one included), as they`re all made for the pure acoustic play. Bridge section on the top is equipped with a vintage-styled rosewood bridge with compensated bone saddle. Mahogany neck rocks the V profile in the back and an 18-fret rosewood fingerboard on the top. It is attached to the body through the classic 12th fret dovetail joint. Fingerboard features vintage-sized frets, dot inlays and the bone nut. Set of open-geared tuners concludes the list of features."

[ajay]

I say buy one. I just bought my first Alvarez, a Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary OM. The tone just blows me away, and my full time guitar is a Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I bought it expecting 50th artwork to hang on the wall, and the tone is so awesome I can't put the thing down. Trust me, Alvarez knows how to make a great sounding guitar at an awesome price.

I don't see how You could go wrong buying one sight unseen and tone unheard. More than likely it's a winner.

[Captaincranky]

To the best of my knowledge, (and I own two of them), Ibanez isn't really a powerhouse name in acoustic guitars. There are a lot of laminated tops going on above the nominal price range, and a lot of guitars built for looks.

I obviously can't speak to this guitar. But I certainly wouldn't buy one sight unheard, and without comparing it to similar guitars in other brands.

I have a lowly Fender "Sonoran", and it blows the two Ibbys away. (as of course always with anything musical, IMHO). All three guitars are at the same approximate price point.

[rogthefrog]

Those are adorable.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by ajay

I say buy one. I just bought my first Alvarez, a Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary OM. The tone just blows me away, and my full time guitar is a Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I bought it expecting 50th artwork to hang on the wall, and the tone is so awesome I can't put the thing down. Trust me, Alvarez knows how to make a great sounding guitar at an awesome price.

I don't see how You could go wrong buying one sight unseen and tone unheard. More than likely it's a winner.

Hunh?

These are IBANEZ not ALVAREZ.

That said, the newer Ibanez offerings i have played have been very good - surprisingly so. I think they have stepped up their game in the past 3 or 4 years.

[bentay]

I can't commit to buying without playing. I've seen some guitars that look great on paper but are real dogs when I hear them.

As far as I know, no one outside of the boutique brands is making anything like this.

1. Short scale
2. 0- size
3. No fret binding (personal pref)
4. Less than $1000
5. All solid wood
6. 12-fret
7. Slot head
8. Tasteful binding/rosette (Ibanez on back of head - yay)
9. X bracing

The only thing I'm wondering about is the nut width - too skinny, maybe.

[stoom77]

Originally Posted by bentay

5. All solid wood

From the specs, it looks like solid spruce top, laminated sides and back.

[bentay]

It doesn't say laminate, but it's not an issue for me if the back and sides are or not.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_a...d=8&color=CL01

Spec
body shape: Parlor 2 body
bracing :X Bracing
top Solid: Sitka Spruce top
back & sides: Mahogany back & sides
neck: Mahogany neck (satin finish)
fretboard: Rosewood
bridge: Rosewood
body binding: White
top board purfling: Wooden Marquetry
back strip inlay: Wooden Mosaic backstrip inlay
soundhole rosette: Classical Mosaic Design rosette
tuning machine: Chrome tuners w/Ivory knobs
nut material :Bone
number of frets: 18
saddle material: Compensated Bone saddle
bridge pins: Ibanez Advantage™ Bridge pin
strings: D'Addario® EXP™16 Coated Phosphor Bronze, Light (.012-.053 Gauge)
finish top: Gloss
finish back and sides: Gloss
finish neck back: Satin

Neck Dimensions
Scale 618mm
a : Width at Nut 43mm
b : Width at 14th Fret 55mm
c : Thickness at 1st 21mm
d : Thickness at 7th 22mm
Radius 400mmR

Body Dimensions
a : Length 18 1/4"
b : Width 12"
c : Max Depth 3 1/2"

OTHERS
Slotted Headstock
12th fret joint

[SFCRetired]

If it had solid sides and back it would say it. Anytime they simply say Spruce, Rosewood etc, it's a laminate.

But that shouldn't have much if anything to do with how good the guitar sounds and plays.

[Captaincranky]

Originally Posted by bentay

Neck Dimensions
Scale 618mm
a : Width at Nut 43mm
b : Width at 14th Fret 55mm
c : Thickness at 1st 21mm
d : Thickness at 7th 22mm
Radius 400mmR

Body Dimensions
a : Length 18 1/4"
b : Width 12"
c : Max Depth 3 1/2"

OTHERS
Slotted Headstock
12th fret joint

For those with any concerns about nut width, I've thoughtfully converted these measurements both to inches:

Scale length: 24 1/3"
Nut Width: just about 1 11/16". (probably just a trace shy).

And let me take this opportunity to say how much I loath manufacturers, who simultaneously give measurements in metric and US standards.

[paulp1960]

Funny how in the UK the Artwood range are normally solid wood whereas I haven't seen an Artwood Ibanez for sale in the US with all solid wood.

[Captaincranky]

Originally Posted by paulp1960

Funny how in the UK the Artwood range are normally solid wood whereas I haven't seen an Artwood Ibanez for sale in the US with all solid wood.

In like how they publish the specs. It would seem they believe the people in the US are only concerned with body size, so they give that in inches. I expect they believe the rest of the world is only concerned with neck specs, so they give that in metric units.