AEL20E

For the predecessor model with a similar name, see AEL20.

AEL20E Transparent Red Sunburst (more images)

The AEL20E is an AEL series acoustic-electric guitar model introduced by Ibanez for 2005. It was produced in China. It replaced the similar AEL20.

Two distinct versions of the AEL20E were produced and sold in different global markets. These versions are quite similar, but they vary a bit in particular specs, in particular the electronics and the wood species used in the top. These differences are highlighted in italics below. After 2012 the differences between the models disappeared.

US market version[]

The AEL20E sold in the US features a jumbo-sized body with a Venetian cutaway constructed of a laminated flamed maple top on laminated maple sides and back mated to a mahogany neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot position markers. The soundhole is round with an abalone rosette. Common components include a compensated Ivorex II saddle in a rosewood bridge with Ibanez Advantage pins, an Ivorex II nut, and gold Ibanez Smooth Tuner AS tuning machines.

Electronics consist of a Fishman Sonicore under saddle pickup mated to an Ibanez AEQ-SST Shape Shifter with shape control and on-board tuner powered by a 9V cell and feeding balanced XLR and ¼" outputs.

For 2012 the Ivorex II nut and saddle were replaced with white plastic. For 2013 the tuners were changed to Ibanez die-cast units.

Non-US market version[]

The AEL20E sold outside the US features a jumbo-sized body with a Venetian cutaway constructed of a laminated flamed sycamore top on laminated maple sides and back mated to a mahogany neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot position markers. The soundhole is round with an abalone rosette. Common components include a compensated Ivorex II saddle in a rosewood bridge with Ibanez Advantage pins, an Ivorex II nut, and gold Ibanez Smooth Tuner AS tuning machines.

Electronics consist of a B-Band SquealRepeal under saddle pickup mated to an Ibanez SRT preamp with shape control and on-board tuner powered by a 9V cell and feeding balanced XLR and ¼" outputs.

In mid-2006 the pickup was changed to the B-Band UST and the preamp was changed to the Ibanez SRTn preamp with notch filter. For 2011 the preamp was again changed, this time to the SRTc with chorus. For 2012 the pickup was changed to a Fishman Sonicore and yet another preamp change was made to an Ibanez AEQ-SST Shape Shifter and the Ivorex II nut and saddle were replaced with white plastic. For 2013 the tuners were changed to Ibanez die-cast units.

Related models[]

The AEL2012E and AEL207E are 12 string and 7 string versions, respectively.

The AEL20E was discontinued after 2014.

Specifications[]

Related content: AEL series | AE series |

Specifications for AEL20E

Name: AEL20E

Year(s) offered: 2005–2014

Made in: China

Price: MSRP: US$499.99 (2010)^[1] / US$524.99 (2011)^[2] / US$599.99 (2012^[3]–2013^[4]) / JP¥55,000 (2012)^[5]
• SMAP: €359 TCS, TKS, VV finishes - €369 ACV finish (2010)^[6] / €399.00 (2011)^[7] / US$399.99 (2013)^[4]

Finishes: Antique Cherry Violin High Gloss (ACV) 2006–2009 / Deep Purple Sunburst High Gloss (DPS) 2007–2008 / Natural High Gloss (NT) 2011–2012 / Transparent Black Cherry Sunburst High Gloss (TCS) 2006–2012 / Transparent Black Sunburst High Gloss (TKS) 2008–2014 / Transparent Blue Sunburst High Gloss (TBS) 2005–2012, 2014 / Transparent Ocean Blue Sunburst High Gloss (TOS) 2011–2012 / Transparent Red Sunburst High Gloss (TRS) / Vintage Violin High Gloss (VV) 2005–2012

Body

Body type:
Acoustic

Body shape:
AEL body w/ Venetian cutaway

Dimensions:
  Body length: 508mm/ 20"^[8]
  Width: 406mm/ 16"^[8]
  Depth: 127mm/ 5"^[8]

Top:
  Material:
    2005–2009 (US version): Flamed maple (laminated)
    2005–2009 (non-US): Flamed sycamore (laminated)
    2010–2014 (all): Flamed maple (laminated)
  Finish: High gloss
  Binding: White

Back/sides:
Material: Maple (laminated)
Finish: High gloss

Soundhole shape:
Round

Soundhole rosette:
Abalone

Neck

Neck profile:
AEL

Neck material:
1-piece mahogany

Scale length:
650mm/ 25.6"

Fingerboard:
Rosewood w/ white binding

Inlays:
Pearloid/ abalone split block

Frets:
20 / medium nickel silver

Nut:
2009–2011: Ivorex II (43mm)
2012–2014: White plastic (42mm)

Machine heads:
2009–2012: Ibanez Smooth Tuner AS
2013–2014: Ibanez die-cast

Electronics/ Components

Pickup:
2005–2011 (US version): Fishman Sonicore
2005–2006 (non-US version): B-Band SquealRepeal under-saddle
2006–2011 (non-US version): B-Band UST under-saddle
2012–2014 (all): Fishman Sonicore

Preamp:
2005–2011 (US version): Ibanez AEQ-SST Shape Shifter preamp w/ onboard tuner
2005–2006 (non-US version): Ibanez SRT preamp w/ shape control & onboard tuner
2006–2010 (non-US version): Ibanez SRTn preamp w/ notch filter & onboard tuner
2011 (non-US version): Ibanez SRTc preamp w/ chorus & onboard tuner
2012–2014 (all): Ibanez AEQ-SST Shape Shifter preamp w/ onboard tuner

EQ/controls:
2005–2011 (US version): Volume / 3-band EQ (individual treble, midrange, & bass boost/cut) / Shape control / Phase toggle
2005–2006 (non-US version): Volume / 3-band EQ (individual treble, midrange, & bass boost/cut) / Shape control
2006–2010 (non-US version): Volume / 3-band EQ (individual treble, midrange, & bass boost/cut) / Notch frequency control
2011 (non-US version): Volume / 3-band EQ (individual treble, midrange, & bass boost/cut) / Anti-feedback control / Chorus toggle / phase toggle
2012–2014 (all): Volume / 3-band EQ (individual treble, midrange, & bass boost/cut) / Shape control / Phase toggle

Output jack(s):
XLR & ¼" stereo (balanced)

Battery:
9V

Bridge:
Rosewood

Bridge pins:
Ibanez Advantage bridge pins (white w/ black dot)

Saddle:
2009–2011: Ivorex II compensated
2012–2014: White plastic compensated

Hardware color:
Gold

Strings (factory):
.012/.016/.024/.032/.042/.053 (D'Addario EXP11) coated 80/20 bronze

Factory tuning:
1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E (E Std.)