Ibanez AE160-VMS Vintage Mahogany Sunburst High Gloss

AE160: The Contemporary Model of the "AE" Series

At the heart of Ibanez's acoustic-electric range, the AE160 embodies the modern approach to "AE" luthiery: playing comfort, controlled projection, and stage-ready electronics. Its solid top is paired with an ovangkol back and sides and the A.I.R.port to offer an instrument designed as much for inspiration as for performance.

For Whom and Which Styles?

With its 25.0" / 634 mm scale length, Comfort Grip neck, and smooth playability, the AE160 suits intermediate to advanced players as well as demanding beginners. It excels in fingerstyle, folk, pop, and percussive accompaniment, while supporting energetic strumming without collapsing.

The Sound

The solid Sitka spruce top delivers a clear attack and wide dynamic range, while the ovangkol (back/sides) provides structured lows, present mids, and bright highs, similar to modern rosewood. The X-M bracing optimizes top stiffness for better projection and precise low register. The Thermo Aged Sculpted Ovangkol Bridge enhances vibration transfer and sustain. The "AE" body shape ensures natural balance, enhanced by the A.I.R.port which directs sound waves toward the player's ear for increased sonic control. When plugged in, the T-bar Undersaddle + AEQ-TP2 combo delivers a clear attack, readable mids, and clean lows, with a 2-band EQ to adapt to the venue.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

- Phosphor bronze string set 12-53 (original equivalent) to maintain tonal balance and intended tension.
- 9V battery replacement for the AEQ-TP2 preamp.
- Standard strap for classic strap button attachments.

Technical specifications

Format	Auditorium	Fingerboard	Ovangkol
Left handed	No	Nbrs of frets	20
Cutaway	Yes	Neck Type	Glued
Strings	Steel	Electroacoustic	Yes
Nbr of strings	6	Color	Gradient
Top	Spruce	Finishing	Glossy
Back&Sides	Ovangkol	Hardware	Chromed

Shape	"AE"	Radius	15.75" / 400 mm
Back & sides	ovangkol	Number of frets	20
Bracing	X-M Bracing	Bridge	Thermo Aged sculpted ovangkol
Port	side A.I.R.port	Bridge pins	Ibanez Advantage
Rosette	abalone	Tuners	die-cast chrome (18:1 ratio)
Inlays	abalone	String spacing at bridge	0.43" / 11 mm
Wood	nyatoh, Comfort Grip profile	Pickup	Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle
Scale length	25.0" / 634 mm	Preamp	Ibanez AEQ-TP2 with tuner and 2-band EQ
Nut width	1.69" / 43 mm	Output jacks	balanced XLR and 6.35 mm (1/4") jack
Width at 14th fret	2.14" / 54.33 mm	Power supply	1 x 9V battery
Thickness at 1st fret	0.79" / 20 mm	Original strings	D'Addario XTAPB1253 (gauges .012/.016/.024/.032/.042/.053)
Thickness at 7th fret	0.83" / 21 mm	Factory tuning	E-B-G-D-A-E (Mi-Si-Sol-Ré-La-Mi)