Ibanez AW535 Artwood Acoustic Guitar

No longer available at zZounds

On the surface, the Ibanez AW535 looks like a classic dreadnought, but its innovative woodworking and bracing techniques take it to the next level.

Overview

There may not be a better illustration of why Ibanez takes so much pride in its modestly priced Artwood guitars than the Ibanez AW535. The three piece rosewood/flamed maple back is a perfect example of a woodworking appointment you'd expect to find on a guitar costing two or three times as much. The dreadnought body shape of the AW535, along with the solid Sitka Spruce top, delivers player comfort along with enormous frequency range that offers wave after wave of shimmering highs along with tight mids and a full-bodied low end.

A richly textured Abalone rosette handsomely tops off the natural high-gloss finished top. Grover tuners ensure smooth, accurate, stable tuning.

The Artwood series is the embodiment of what might be called the Ibanez "modern approach to tradition." Cutting edge woodworking technology enables the guitar maker's luthiers to reproduce the sophisticated bracing techniques of one-of-a-kind instruments of yesteryear.

While tradition is obviously the hallmark of the Artwood series, the company's decades-long search for the ultimate in acoustic tone has contributed to design alterations that give Artwood a voice all its own.

Features:

- Dreadnought Body with Cutaway
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Satin Mahogany Neck
- Rosewood Fretboard

Specs

- Body Shape: Dreadnought body
- Bracing: X Bracing
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back & Sides: 3pc Rosewood/Flamed Maple/Rosewood back, Rosewood sides
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Body Binding: Maple
- Back Strip Inlay: Wooden Mosaic
- Inlay: Maple dot inlay
- Soundhole Rosette: Abalone
- Tuning Machine: Grover Chrome Die-cast Tuner w/half moon knob
- Nut Material: Bone
- Number of Frets: 20
- Saddle Material: Compensated Bone Saddle
- Bridge Pins: Ibanez Advantage Bridge pin
- Strings: D'Addario EXP11 Coated 80/20 Bronze, Light (.012-.053 Gauge)
- Finish Top: Gloss
- Finish Back and Sides: Gloss
- Finish Neck Back: Satin

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-669-8262
Web: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/support/

Reviews

(1 ratings)

Submitted December 7, 2015 by Jimmy P in Charleston, WV

"AW-535 Ibanez "

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I bought this guitar over 10 months ago and it was great right out of the box. The back of this guitar is beautiful and the solid spruce top makes a world of difference. The string height ( Action) was very good when it arrived. I like the strings as low as possible without getting a buzzing sound. So, I have made very slight adjustments to the neck by tightening the truss rod (Clockwise ) a total of about 135 degrees or about 40% of a full turn. I keep them so close that in the summer I need to adjust counterclockwise about 15% to get the Buzz out as the summer weather makes the steel truss rod expand drawing the strings down closer to the fret board by a very small amount. Yes, even kept inside a temperature controlled house this is true because guitars can detect the temp outside somehow trust me. Of course, medium gauge strings brings action up very little but significantly. Anyway, I loved this guitar new with D'addario EXP light gauge coated strings. I just put a new set of Elixir Phosphor Bronze light gauge on it about two weeks ago and I haven't been able to put it down long enough to play my Martin DRSGT that is only about 3 months old. Don't get me wrong the Martin is a better sounding guitar but for the price the Ibanez Art Wood series is very hard to beat. This Ibanez is a great guitar for the money and I love it. Now that I think about it I got to play my Martin that I got from Zzounds about 3 months ago today! I feel like I'm having withdrawal symptoms. I have… read more 6 acoustic guitars and I have 3 of them in the rotation of playing at least once every 2 weeks and I rarely miss a day of playing. How many guitars does a musician really need? Just one more. Always, just one more.

Sound
Can't be beat in this price range

Features
Beautiful three piece back of Maple and Rosewood

Ease of Use
Ease of playabilty fantastic in this price range

Quality
Very good so far.

Value
Great deal!

Manufacturer Support
Not needed.

The Wow Factor
For the price, Wow!

Musical Background:
Guitar, Mandolin and Harmonica. Played in clubs in the early 1980's.

Musical Style:
Rock, Country and bluegrass.

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