Ibanez GA35TCE-DVS Thinline Classic Guitar - Violin Sunburst High Gloss
Design
The GA35TCE is a thinline cutaway classical style body with nylon strings. The top is solid spruce and the back and sides are made of laminate mahogany. The scale length is 650mm (27.6”).
The mahogany neck joins to the body at the 14th fret with a dovetail neck joint, which is atypical of a classical style guitar they usually join at the 12th fret. The divergence from tradition continues as there are 21 frets, abalone offset inlays, a truss rod, and the nut width is 46mm (1.8”). The neck radius is flat so that is where it goes back to being like a typical classical. The fingerboard and bridge are made of rosewood. The slotted headstock has gold classical tuners with black buttons.
The body is bordered on the front and back with black binding. The rosette is a classical mosaic. The nut and compensated saddle are made of Ivorex II.
Features
The GA35TCE comes loaded with onboard electronics. It has Ibanez’s AEQ210T preamp with a Fishman Sonicore pickup located under the saddle. The preamp has a 2-band EQ, volume, a phase switch, and a built-in tuner. It has two outputs with a balanced XLR and 1/4” jack outs. The battery box is located next to the outputs on the lower bout. It takes a 9-volt battery to power it.
It only comes in Dark Violin Sunburst High Gloss finish only. There are two strap buttons already installed on the guitar. The truss rod can be accessed through the soundhole.
The dimensions of the guitar are: body length of 489mm (19.25”), maximum body width of 356mm (14”), and a narrow body depth of 70mm (2.75”).
No case is included with the price of the guitar so one will need to be purchased separately. Ibanez recommends their AEG10C case, which is a hardshell case with plush lining. The non-traditional sizing will make finding a case or gig bag a little tricky.
Performance
Understated abalone dot markers keep the fingerboard looking very clean while still giving you a good guidance across it. It gives the illusion of there being no fret markers, which I believe is a nod to the traditional style not to have fret markers. The “sunburst” is understated as well. Under certain lighting it just looks like a darkly finished guitar without a burst.
The tuners look real nice and are very stable keeping the tuning on pitch. The built in tuner works real well for when you do need to tune. The guitar does have some major neck dive though.
The neck and body are glossy, but it does not feel thick or sticky. The rosette is kind of cheesy, I’d prefer something a bit more understated to go with the rest of the look of the guitar.
It has a shallow sound that projects well despite the thin body. The balance between the registers is good. The dynamics are a bit hindered by the thin body and the cutaway. It is not a bad sound, just very rounded. The electronics do a good job with enough ability to sculpt out a sound that fits the room.
This is the perfect classical guitar for the electric player that wants to dabble in the sound and style of a classical.
