Since Hoshino Gakki first started making and distributing guitars under the Ibanez name in the ’30s, the company has produced a dizzying array of acoustic and electric guitars and basses. Ibanez’s most renowned guitars have consistently combined playability, quality, and value, but the company has always placed a priority on innovation and eye-catching looks, too.

All of these qualities are evident in the new nylon-string additions to Ibanez’s Exotic Wood series, which unites nylon-strings with slim necks and adventurous, contemporary styling. We had a chance to test an acoustic-electric, thinline EWN28 to find out how this mid-price fusion of nylon- and steel-string features adds up.

ARRESTING LOOKS

All of Ibanez’s exotic-wood guitars are quite striking upon first glance, but this bubinga specimen was particularly eye-catching. With deep swirling patterns and figuring on the all-bubinga top, back, and sides, deep-hued rosewood fretboard and bridge, and the lighter tones of the mahogany neck and binding, the ax is all variations of brown, offset with gold hardware. The laser-etched rosette features a motif of interlocking rectangles, geometric shapes that are also integrated in the design of the bridge. The mahogany heel cap and neck binding are a nice touch, and the Ibanez’s high-gloss finish was smooth as glass, revealing no surface imperfections, though it was quite thick in places, including at the neck/body joint.

The EWN28 Bubinga combines traits that should keep steel-string and electric players in their comfort zones. The guitar is shallow in depth and features a deep cutaway. And to enhance the guitar’s classical-styling attributes, Ibanez forgoes dots on the fretboard itself, but places fret markers on the side of the neck—which is something even experienced classical players can appreciate.

PLEASING PLUGGED-IN TONE AND PLAYABILITY

Unplugged, the Ibanez is focused and sustains nicely. Right-hand picking elicits a uniform response across all six strings, and though a lack of low end was also immediately apparent, I expected somewhat diminished bass response given the body’s shallow depth. Strumming chords in a jazzy, Willie Nelson style produced a pleasant and harmonically rich tone that suited more complex chords without blurring. Played fingerstyle, however, the guitar’s understated voice underscored that this ax is geared toward players who plug in.

The side-mounted onboard electronics were easy to reach. And I especially liked Ibanez’s rotary controls, which are easy to access and facilitate fine tuning of level settings, which is crucial in any live situation. The onboard tuner worked like a charm, detecting softly played strings with ease. And when you activate the tuner with the push of a button, you also mute the guitar’s output, enabling you to tune without disturbing your audience.

Putting the guitar’s electronics through the paces revealed highly functional bass, mid, and treble controls. There’s also a notch filter and phase button which successfully assisted in feedback and noise abatement. The undersaddle pickup was sensitive and responsive, but exhibited a very slight imbalance, with the sixth string being slightly quieter than the others.

THE WRAP

With a thinline body design, steel-string style neck, and deep cutaway, the Ibanez EWN28 Bubinga should appeal to players who place a high priority on comfort and playability, and who want to transition from their steel-string or electric guitars. The guitar is very well built, and the powerful, well-designed electronics and controls will please gigging players who want maximum control of their sound at their fingertips. Extroverted players will appreciate the Ibanez’s bold styling, though traditionally minded players may opt for the more understating styling of the EWN28’s maple or koa editions.

Because of its small size and sometimes delicate voice, the Ibanez is best suited to players requiring amplification, rather than players needing a booming concert-hall-voiced nylon-string. But for pickers who’d like to make a leap to a nylon-string from a steel-string or an electric, Ibanez has reduced the distance significantly.