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Description
Specs
Reviews
Q&A
Ibanez
Description
The ALT30 Altstar is the perfect option for the aspiring electric guitarist with a drive to explore the world of acoustics. Its compact dreadnought body, 15.7” fingerboard radius, tighter string spacing, and 25.5” scale were all chosen to offer electric guitarists a seamless transition to acoustic playing. It includes a spruce top, sapele back and sides, a maple neck and laurel fingerboard.

ALT30 Altstar also offers one more surprise; the neck joins the body at the 16th fret rather than the 12th. This small but important design feature, along with a single-cut body, affords unparalled upper-fretet access offering unrestricted playing in any register.
 
The Ibanez AEQ2U onboard electronics afford added flexibility for gigging out, as well as jamming at home. So, whether you’re just looking to delve into the world of acoustics, or an established player seeking a quieter option for practice while maintaining an electric guitar feel, this is your axe.
Ibanez ALT30 Altstar Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Blue Sunburst
Ibanez ALT30 Altstar Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Blue Sunburst
Ibanez ALT30 Altstar Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Blue Sunburst
Specs
  • Altstar body
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back and sides
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel bridge and fretboard 
  • Altstar specially designed inlay
  • 25.5” scale
  • Plastic saddle and nut
  • 43 mm nut width
  • Chrome die-cast tuners
  • Ibanez Undersaddle Pickup
  • AEQ2UT preamp with 2-band EQ and onboard tuner
Reviews

4.23

13 Reviews

77%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Love this guitar

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Excellent Guitar for the student or novice player.

Bought this guitar to have an acoustic for practicing. Having once owned a Fender Malibu dreadnaught I was worried that this guitar might be not as rich sounding. Well, this Ibanez sounds awesome, has great projection and the narrower neck profile means less finger stretching to reach some chords. I like the built in tuner and the easy to use sound controls. Really decent when running through the amplifier, not much clipping from the piezo pickups. The finish is nice, and having the blue sunburst, sets it apart from the competition. I highly recommend this as a decent entry/mid level acoustic guitar for the student and amateur player.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Good, Not Excellent

I enjoy the Alt30 because of its size and playability, especially transitioning between electric and acoustic fret boards. It's been a very good, portable solution to collaborate with others for learning and practice. While I don't know if the following is endemic across this brand/model, I will say the guitar does not sound great unless amplified. Its resonance is shallow and the instrument does not project well. The next issue I have with the Alt30 is that mine is out of intonation. My Alt30 intones sharp across the entire fret board. I will be trying to resolve some of this by replacing the strings (I still have the original factory strings), but I'm not optimistic. In comparison with the Alt30, my 40-year-old Fender F65 remains almost perfectly dialed in. As with all acoustic guitars with fixed bridges, professional intonation is quite pricey. Therefore, not only for the Alt30 but all acoustics, buying online is a leap of faith. I'll keep and enjoy my Alt30 the best I can, but would have returned it if I had been keen on its intonation problem. For best results, one really needs to sit down with the instrument in a *quiet space* to make sure it is intonated correctly out of the box. Not a bad guitar, but others are better within the price range ... Check options from Alvarez and Yamaha.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing11
  2. Jamming10
  3. Small Venues3
  4. Recording2
  5. School Bands2
Cons
  1. Not Consistent2
  2. Flat Sound1
  3. Poor Quality1
  4. Requires Constant Tuning1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced7
  2. Novice6
Pros
  1. Good Feel11
  2. Fun To Play10
  3. Stays In Tune7
  4. Consistent4
  5. Good Audio4

Reviewed by 13 customers

  • Do not buy this one.

    1

    submitted4 years ago

    byPatrick

    fromLadysmith Wisconsin

    Having been put together green the fret board warps rapidly and renders it unplayable. Maple will continue to warp until it is dry. Having worked with different woods my experience tells me properly dried maple doesn't warp, however if still green the natural grain will have it's way.

  • Yes I would buy this again.

    4

    Verified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byLewis

    fromBuckhannon, WV

    I am using it with and without an amplifier. I think it sounds better with an amplifier but places that I go to play do not want any electric instruments so I use it both ways.

  • Those with any (even minor) joint issues this isn't the one

    2

    submitted4 years ago

    byCandie

    fromAllentown, PA

    Pros: the digital tuner works well. The sound in an unplugged acoustic style has a fine sound. Cons: the rest of all the features. Trying to use this with an interface to record it with an amp has been nothing short of unsuccessful and frustrating. The neck is so darn heavy

  • I would buy this guitar again, Ibanez has great products.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted5 years ago

    bynkeyofd

    fromGrants pass Oregon

    I actually bought this to practice modes/solos, since it has more of an electric guitar feel, something I could grab quick. I normally play on a Jackson king V and charvel, they have wider necks, but after a truss rod adjustment and lowering the bridge, the guitar played great. Sounds pretty good too, not quite as loud as my Washburn acoustic, but I bought for a dif reason other then, to be loud.

  • Excellent Guitar for the student or novice player.

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byWard Totten

    fromCottage Grove, Minnesota

    Bought this guitar to have an acoustic for practicing. Having once owned a Fender Malibu dreadnaught I was worried that this guitar might be not as rich sounding. Well, this Ibanez sounds awesome, has great projection and the narrower neck profile means less finger stretching to reach some chords. I like the built in tuner and the easy to use sound controls. Really decent when running through the amplifier, not much clipping from the piezo pickups. The finish is nice, and having the blue sunburst, sets it apart from the competition. I highly recommend this as a decent entry/mid level acoustic guitar for the student and amateur player.

  • Love this guitar

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted5 years ago

    byCLFNole

    fromBoca Raton, FL

    Wanted to add an acoustic to my collection and this was an easy transition from an electric as the neck is very similar. Very easy to play and would definitely recommend it for electric players that want an acoustic with an electric feel.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byKaren

    fromLake Geneva l, Wi

    Is this a left handed I need left handed

    Open Reply - Ronald
    This is not. But you can give us a call at 866-498-7882 and we can look into special ordering one for you.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byAndrew

    fromWaterloo

    what size strings run on these guitars typically?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar comes with D'addario 10-46 acoustic guitar strings.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byChris

    fromAugusta, Georgia

    Is this in stock at Augusta, Georgia location

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact your local store for specific inquiries regarding their inventory

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked bySteph

    fromFlorida

    How long on back order?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    We aren't able to discuss the availability of items via this means of communication. Give us a call at 866-498-7882 and we can get you an accurate idea of when this will be back in stock.
    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product availability 877-687-5403

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byMarcia

    fromLouisville, Ky.

    Can I get this in Left handed?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for Special Order placement

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byPatrick

    fromMT

    Does the fingerboard play close to the strings as far as how close the strings are to the frets? I don't know the technical term for this, but want a guitar where the strings are easy to push down. I know the bridge can make a difference, but since I'm not going to mess with that much of the construction of the guitar, I just want to buy one that is relatively what i want to begin with.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    the action of the guitar is what I believe you're referring to. Typically Ibanez is pretty good at keeping it as low as possible, but with this guitar they took it a step further since it's got an electric guitar neck. It makes it even easier on the fingers to press the strings.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byBrad

    fromAR

    I've never heard of a yanny fingerboard. is it nice?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    I'm not seeing where you see the yanny fingerboard, this one has a laurel fingerboard. Its the same type they use the same fingerboards on a lot of their electrics. Really a nice feel to it.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byRick

    fromPhoenix Az

    Does this come in a left-handed model ?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for Special Order placement

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byMARK

    fromTX

    Does the Ibanez Altstar come with a case?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar does not come with a case included.