If you are looking for a decent acoustic guitar, the Ibanez AW54OPN is a great option.
It features a non-cutaway body with satin polyurethane finish, a top made of solid okoume, back and sides made of okoume, and a 25.5″ scale length.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
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In this review post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Ibanez AW54OPN acoustic guitar and examine its features, sound, and playability.
Some guitar features are more important than others when it comes to the overall sound and playability of the instrument; we’ll help you understand which ones those are.
Table of Contents
Summary
Below is a brief, simplified summary of our observations on the Ibanez AW54OPN.
These ratings and scores for each point come from our own personal opinion, so they are subjective.
Hardware
The guitar’s hardware refers to all of the metal and plastic components that make up the instrument.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Any of the physical pieces that make up an acoustic guitar are referred to as “hardware.”
When selecting a guitar based on its hardware, ensure that it is of excellent quality and will be able to endure regular usage.
Having plastic saddles on the bridge is a sign of a lower-quality guitar, which can lead to a worse tone and intonation, and make tuning more difficult.
You should also make sure that the metal pieces don’t rust or tarnish, and that they appear to be solid and durable without being easily damaged.
A decent-sounding and playable guitar requires excellent hardware, and there are a few things that a manufacturer can do to make it perfect for us guitarists.
Let’s have a look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Ibanez AW54OPN, the tuning machines are die cast, made of chrome, and have a classic solid surface design.
- Material: Chrome
- Design: Classic solid surface
The tuning machines (or “tuners”) are one of the most important parts of the hardware on any guitar.
They’re responsible for keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the right pitch.
Poor-quality tuning machines can cause your guitar to quickly fall out of tune and be tough to stay in tune.
They can also make changing the strings more difficult, as well as making the guitar more difficult to play in general.
Must Remember:
Good tuning machines are composed of strong, long-lasting materials and operate with precision and smoothness.
You must look for materials that are less likely to rust, like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.
These materials are also less likely to tarnish, which will extend the life of your instrument.
– Pickguard
The Ibanez AW54OPN has a red pickguard with a tortoise shell design.
- Color: Red
- Design: Tortoise shell
The pickguard is a little piece of plastic or metal that is positioned near the strings on the body of the guitar.
Its purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.
Pickguards are often composed of plastic or metal, in some cases, carbon fiber, and come in a variety of styles.
When it comes to protection, a good pickguard needs to be made of a durable material that can withstand regular use.
Additionally, the pickguard should be in a position where it is likely to actually provide protection.
As for looks, a pickguard should also complement the overall aesthetic of the guitar.
It shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it seems to be out of place either.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Ibanez AW54OPN are constructed of chrome and appear to be fairly strong.
- Material: Chrome
- Position: Bottom and side of heel
- Design: Classic
Strap buttons is what we call the little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.
Two strap buttons, one on each side of the body, are very standard on most guitars.
Metal strap buttons should be durable and sturdy so that they do not come loose over time.
Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The neck, bridge, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
This is where you’ll also find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can reverberate from within the instrument.
Most guitars have a wooden body, although there are some with carbon fiber, metal, and plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
If you’re seeking for a specific tone, the type of wood chosen for the body can alter the sound of the guitar.
When it comes to the Ibanez AW54OPN, it has a solid okoume top with a okoume back and okoume sides.
– Finish
The final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body is the body finish.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a satin polyurethane finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
You’ll encounter a variety of finishes, including the following:
- Polyurethane
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Polyester
Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.
It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.
Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.
Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:
- Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.
- Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.
- Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.
– Colors Available
When it comes to the body of a guitar, the color is usually not a big factor in the overall sound.
It can, however, influence the instrument’s aesthetic appeal.
Some individuals like a specific color guitar because it complements their personal style.
Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:
- Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
- Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
- Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.
– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins
The Ibanez AW54OPN has a standard pin bridge with black-colored plastic pins and a saddle made of plastic.
Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.
For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring the vibrations of the strings to the body of the guitar.
The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.
On the other hand, the pins, are what keep the strings in place.
There are several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
There are three primary types of bridges used on acoustic guitars:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and the simplest to rebuild and replace.
They are, however, more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the proper place.
Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which can be difficult to track and are very easy to lose.
Finally, classical guitar bridges are only found on classical guitars.
They are very similar in design to most other bridges, but the main distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.
This hole is used to tie the string down, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.
Now, the type of saddle you use is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and quickest to find, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.
Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also way more durable.
As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:
- Plastic bridge pins
- Steel bridge pins
- Brass bridge pins
Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they’re also the least durable.
Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.
Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.
Neck
When it comes to the Ibanez AW54OPN, its neck is made of mahogany and has a AW shape with an adjustable truss rod.
The guitar’s neck is the long, thin piece that runs from the body to the headstock.
The type of wood that’s used for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound since different woods have different properties and impact the way that the vibrations produced by the strings behave.
The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or fastened onto the body of the guitar.
Another popular style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.
Guitar necks have a few important parts, which include: the fretboard, the frets, the nut, and the truss rod.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers press down on the strings.
It’s usually made of wood, but it can also be made of other materials like plastic or even metal.
The Ibanez AW54OPN has a fretboard made of ovangkol with pearloid dots inlays:
Despite the fact that this has traditionally been a point of controversy, it is widely accepted that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a small impact on the sound of the guitar.
For example, maple is a popular wood for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and vibrant tone.
Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full bodied tone.
Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars designed to have a very clean, clear tone.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.
The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you want in a guitar; the tone will not be dramatically different, but the feel will be.
Brand Info
Ibanez is another top guitar brand that has its roots in Japan.
The company started out as a steel-string acoustic guitar manufacturer, but it quickly became known for its innovative electric guitars.
Ibanez is particularly well-known for its 7- and 8-string models, which are perfect for metal and hard rock players.
They also have a wide range of different models to suit every budget and every playing style.
Among some of them are their many acoustic guitars, which are well-crafted and provide great value for money.
Videos
For those of you who want to get a more in-depth look at this guitar, we’ve included some videos below.
The first video is a demo showing off how it sounds and looks.
While the second video is a review that goes over some of its features and specs.
Demo
Review
Specifications
A guitar’s specifications can tell you a lot about the instrument, and they can be helpful when you’re trying to decide between different models.
Below, we’ve included the specifications for the Ibanez AW54OPN:
– General
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Model | AW54OPN |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Size | Full Size |
| Colors | Open pore natural |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Chrome |
| Tuning Machines | Die Cast |
| Electro-acoustic | No |
| Built-in Tuner | Not applicable |
– Body
| Body Style | Dreadnought |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Okoume |
| Back Material | Okoume |
| Sides Material | Okoume |
| Finish Type | Satin Polyurethane |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Pickguard Design | Tortoise shell |
| Strap Buttons | Yes |
| Strap Buttons Position | Bottom and side of heel |
| Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | AW |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Truss Rod | Adjustable |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Ovangkol |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid dots |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Design | Standard pin bridge |
| Pin Color | Black |
| Pin Material | Plastic |
| Bridge Material | Ovangkol |
| Saddle Material | Plastic |
| Nut Material | Plastic |
| Nut Width | 1.69″ |
Please note that some brands might change the type of materials that they use on their guitars.
This can be because of new regulations and laws that come and go throughout the years.
If you see a mistake in any of these specifications, please let us know and we’ll correct it.
You can reach out to us via our email: [email protected]
I also encourage you to check out our other guitar reviews if you’re looking for something specific that you might have not found here with this guitar.
There are a lot of great guitars out there, and it can be tough to choose the right one sometimes.
We have reviews on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, effects pedals, and more.
No matter what your budget is, or what type of guitar you’re looking for, we should be able to help you find the perfect one for you.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
