LOVE THAT FLAMED SYCAMORE : THE NEW I...

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Author Message Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 5:54 am:    Hey gang, what's your thoughts on the new Ibanez AEL acoustic range ? The Captain's latest toy, the Ibanez AEL2012 TKS (transparent black ) 12 string, has this wonderful new tonenal wood ...on the top of the guitar, called Flamed Sycamore. The rest of the body is Maple, with a Mahogany neck, gold hardware, abalone rosette inlay around the soundhole, Fishman Sonicore pickup...etc,etc. To be honest I have in my posession a 12 string that is equivalent to the Concord series 12 string Hummingbird copy as far as playability and tone qualities are right here, even though I can plug this one in, but acoustically it's brilliant right now. I didn't have to wait 20 years to walk into a hock shop to find a 12 string with this much tone , straight from the factory. I have A-B'd this guitar against Takamine's 12 string and it don't stand a chance. What I'm looking for in this thread is, I'm asking you all to cast aside the sentimental vote here for the Concord series aside and go out and compare new for old....look forward to your test results ! Captain Ibanez Fg100 Username: Fg100 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 8:45 pm:    Hey Capitain, have you played the AEL 4012-RLV? What do you think about it? Thanks. Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:01 am:    No such luck yet, these haven't arrived in to stock yet, but when they do I'll let you know my thoughts. Captain Ibanez Fg100 Username: Fg100 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 5:24 am:    Thanks Capitain. Fg100 Username: Fg100 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 7:40 pm:    Have anybody done the comparison (proposed by Cap. Ibanez above)? Or at least tried an AEL 40SE? Or AEL 4012-RLV? I tried an AEL 40SE today but I don't have a lot of experience with this type of guitar. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks a lot in advance. Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:50 pm:    Fg, I have an AEL50, which is the model available here in the states. I thinks its identical to the AEL40 available in Australia and Europe. I own more than my share of acoustic guitars to compare it to including other Ibanez models EP7, EW20ASNT, AEF30, AEF37, an older US-made Ovation Legend and a Taylor 614ce. Although it does not come close to the Taylor in tone or construction quality (nor should it considering its price range), the AEL50 compares favorably to anything else I own, or anything else I've played in its price range, including various Takamine and Tacoma guitars. The satin finished Flamed Sycamore back and sides are absolutely gorgeous. The wood vine inlay on the fretboard is very well done. Tone is certainly subjective, but with a Spruce top (which I personally prefer) it has a much fuller sound than the smaller Maple AEF body style guitars or the EP7 which are both much brighter. The guitar projects well acoustically and the B-Band electronics produce a nice acoustic representation when plugged in. I always find the action on Ibanez acoustics to be very high out of Hoshino. With a bit of saddle tweaking and the addition of Elixir Nanoweb custom lights(12), I got the action to a height that I feel comfortable with. One thing that I like about the newer Ibanez acoustics is the two-piece compensated bridge saddle. It makes it a lot easier to adjust the action. One thing I really hate is the lack of a top strap button. I know its not much to add one, but its just that kind of lack of attention to detail that leaves me a bit disappointed. All in all, I would give it a favorable grade, especially considering its in an extremely affordable price range. Honestly, I find myself playing the AEL as much as anything else I own. In fact, I would love to get my hands on an AEL4012, but they're not available here in the states. Maybe someone in Europe will hook me up ... js Fg100 Username: Fg100 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 7:31 am:    Thank you very much Jeff! Your impressions were really helpful. I saw the AEL 4012 on this Onlineshop Fg100 Username: Fg100 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 8:15 am:    Hey Jeff, I just checked that site for the AEL50 and it says nylon strings. The AEL40 has steel strings. On the Ibanez USA site, though, it looks just like the AEL40 I tried. Is this a variation for Europe? O just misinformation? Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 1:23 pm:    The AEL50 here in the state is definately a steel string acoustic. js

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