Ibanez MSC650 Montage Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Feature:
Guitar included a spare bridge and a few shims which I presume will allow you to go with electric strings instead of the acoustic strings it comes with. I switched from the light .012 to .011 strings and the neck adjustment features worked as advertised. Set up was easy. The tuner works fine but you need to have a cord plugged into the output to use it. The switches, knobs and effects are simple and intuitive. It would have been nice to have a level control on the chorus but it's very useful as is. This Ibenez DOES NOT have an XLR output but it does have TWO outputs as shown on the Larry Mitchell video. When the MIXED OUT is used, the EQ, REV and Chorus are applied to both the Saddle and Mag PUs (Cabinet Modeling and OD are applied only to the Mag PU). Makes sense to me. When using the MAGNETIC PU DIRECT OUT, the Mag PU bypasses the EQ, REV, Chorus and Cabinet Modeling but the onboard OD can still be used. The MIXED OUT now becomes your acoustic output with EQ, REV and Chorus available. Again, this makes sense to me.

Quality:
Slight blemish on the back of the neck so the dealer gave me a case to avoid having to send it back. I'm good with that. This is my only guitar and I probably won't buy another for some time. I won't bother with a backup as I've got my keyboard to play. However, lets face it, Ibanez guitars are pretty reliable.

Value:
It does exactly what I want and sounds great (maximum music with minimum gear). I've tried the Crafter Hybrid and it's very good but not as versatile. I've tried the Taylor T5 (WOW) but it's not an all in one and very expensive.

Desirability:
Okay you got me. This guitar is beautiful. Everybody loves it, especially me. I play it everyday and I'm a keyboard player. I've never had such an emotional bond with a musical instrument.

Sound:
First and foremost I'm a keyboard player. I play once a month in a country and/or classic rock band. I wanted a do it all guitar that doesn't need a guitar amp. I run into my keyboard amp. Sounds great. The acoustic tone is typical for a good saddle pick up. The electric is a usable (clean and dirty). Reverb is usable (with only a level control) and chorus is on or off (sounds like intro to "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House" Unplugged the guitar is quiet and balanced. Super for late night practicing.

Ease of Use:
It's totally simple. The manual is lacking but who cares. Just plug it in and play it. Flip the switches and twist the knobs until you find what you like. If you can't figure out how to adjust the action on your own leave it to the pros. Simple electric setup? Plug the MIXED OUT into your clean amp channel and the MAGNETIC PU DIRECT OUT into your effects/electric input and use your channel footswitch to go from acoustic to electric instantly.

Support:
No need for service yet. The web site had very little information about the technical end of the guitar adjustments but I figured it out on my own.

Overall:
This guitar is not for everyone! It fills a specific niche for me. One guitar, delivering good acoustic, good electric and usable overdriven sounds into a keyboard amp is a huge order. This guitar delivers as advertised and no more. If you want a GREAT guitar, buy one. That being said, I would buy another exactly like this if it was lost. It's a high quality instrument with a good sound. The hybrid nature of this guitar also gives it some unique sounds that you won't get out of a regular acoustic or electric. Some players might like it as an addition to their collection and only play it now and then. I play it every day and at every gig. I expect to wear it out and then have it rebuilt. I intend to be buried with this guitar.