User Reviews at zZounds

"The Ibanez AEF1812 12 string guitar. Exotic quality, at a reasonable price." submitted January 30, 2011

By a customer from msn.com

Overall

Sound

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: 45 years amiture hobbiest

Music Style: Jazz, classical

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Sound: Played a AEF1812 in a pawn shop and fell in love with it. I obviously was not looking for this model but I have been looking for a good 12 string. I initially did not care for the shallow body as compared to other hollow bodys. The sound was not as rich as a deep body guitar which is important on a 12 string. The small trebble strings need a deeper guitar body to mellow out the overabundance of treble inherant with 12s. This is not that big of an issue for me though because it is also an electric. Any tone you like can be achieved with the amp. The ease of playing this guitar quickly overshaddowed any hangup I had with the body depth. Ease of Use: This is the easiest 12 string I have ever played. I can play it finger style almost as easy as I can play my classical guitar. I am used to a wider neck and this one has a very ergonomic fretboard. It is not as wide as a classical fretboard, but wider than a standard steel six string. I fell in love with the action of this guitar. Quality: The fit and finish is second to none. This is important to me. I never play a guitar while wearing buttons or zippers so as not to scrath it. I pay close attention to fit and finish detail and I had no disappointments here. Beautiful workmenship. Value: It appears to be more guitar for the price than anything that I have looked at. By far and away more. It plays as well as guitars costing two, three and even four times the cost of this one. Don't get me wrong, a Taylor is worth every penny that you pay for it, but this guitar gives you the feel and sound of a Taylor without paying over $2000. Not everyone is a professional musicion and for a hobbie guitar Taylor is out of the question , at least for me. Manufacturer Support: No The Wow Factor: It is a very handsom guitar. I prefer dark trim around the body of the guitar and this one is ivory, but it is still a very nise insterment to look at. Overall: I own every guitar that I have ever purchased. Even some guitars that I havn't played in decades because I found ones that play and sound better. I just can't bring myself to sell one. Of course after you get used to one guitar for a while and then find a new honey, it is not hard to upgrade, just dont sell the old one!

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"Taylor sound for an Ibanez price!" submitted October 5, 2003

By a customer from fuse.net

Overall

Sound

Features

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Music Style: folk, acoustic

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Sound: extremely easy to play. I've owned an ovation 12 string for over 20 years, and the Ibanez is so much easier to play. I've played some of the newer Ovations, and while they too are easier to play than my old one, they cost more than twice as much as the Ibanez, and don't sound any better, nor do they paly any easier. Feature: nice size, great feel. Ibanez, for whatever reason only puts 1 strap peg on their guitars, so I've had to add the other on both of my guitars. It's too early to rate their long term durability, but they look great, and play great. The choice of Elixir strings, at least in my opinion is great. No squeak at all, and a crisp new sound all the time. Quality: Cosmetically, they're beautiful, fit and finish are great. Long term, I can't say since I've only recently purchased mine. Value: try them head to head with guitars with similar features, at twice the price, and judge for yourself. I'm fortunate to have two very large music stores to be able to compare several brands head to head, before I made my decision. The Wow Factor: There's not a lot to choose from in the acoustic/electric 12 string market, but I've played Taylors, and Ovations, and honestly, they don't sound any better, and they play about the same. I can't justify the $1500 dollar and up price for one of theirs, when Ibanez offers the same quality for under $500. Overall: I can't say anything negative. I wasn't looking to buy Ibanez when I started looking, but after playing them, and comparing prices, they round pretty good against the higher priced brands. I hope they're as durable as they are beautiful.

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"Great sound, looks great, easy playing, good value"

By a customer from munroassoc.com

Overall

Sound

Features

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Music Style: Rock and Country Top 40, golden era

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Sound: Great in acoustic or amplified use. Feature: Single cut away allows simulating mandolin - like at the ending of Maggie Mae. Powered pre-amp & 3 channel equalizer allows volume control and some shaping of the sound. Quality: Absolutely no complaints. Value: I worked in a music store in the 60's - today's prices are amazing by comparison considering inflation. Manufacturer Support: No contact The Wow Factor: Beautiful curved back - mahogony grain. Unusual inlay around sound hole. Overall: I do not expect to ever have to replace it. The more I play it, the better it gets.

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Ibanez AEF1812 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar with Cutaway (Natural)

User Ratings

"The Ibanez AEF1812 12 string guitar. Exotic quality, at a reasonable price." submitted January 30, 2011

"Taylor sound for an Ibanez price!" submitted October 5, 2003

"Great sound, looks great, easy playing, good value"