Ibanez AUC14-OVL Violin Sunburst

The AU Series: An Unconventional Luthiery Approach

Within the Ibanez range, the AU series stands out for its original manufacturing method: the body starts from a solid block of wood, hollowed out (chambered body), then complemented by a glued top. The result: a solid feel, excellent playability, and an immediate sonic identity, enhanced by ergonomic details rarely seen at this level (stereo sound port, comfort bevels, open-pore finishes).

Who Is It For, and What Styles?

With its concert size and very accessible neck, the AUC14-OVL is perfectly suited for serious beginners as well as intermediate players seeking an expressive and comfortable ukulele. It excels in pop/folk accompaniment, dynamic strumming, and also in fingerstyle thanks to good note-to-note definition and ergonomics designed for fluidity (body-neck joint at the 14th fret).

Sound Characteristics

The spruce top provides clarity, attack, and beautiful precision, particularly appreciated when alternating between rhythms and melodies. The solid paulownia back and sides, combined with the chambered body, promote a quick response, a "light" feel under the fingers, and very direct projection. The stereo sound port enhances the player's monitoring: you hear yourself better, with a wider image, which helps nuance the playing without strain.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original feel, a set of Aquila Nylblack strings for concert ukulele (G C E A tuning) is an excellent replacement choice. A clip-on chromatic tuner is also perfectly suitable for maintaining stable tuning on a daily basis.

Technical specifications

Format	AU concert	Neck thickness (1st fret)	17.5 mm / 0.69"
Construction	chambered (acoustic) body, one-piece back and sides	Neck thickness (7th fret)	20.7 mm / 0.81"
Top	spruce	Scale length	15" / 382 mm
Back	solid paulownia	Nut width	1.5" / 37 mm
Sides	solid paulownia	Width at 14th fret	47 mm / 1.85"
Finish	open-pore polyurethane	Number of frets	19
Body dimensions	depth 2.54" / 64.6 mm	Fingerboard	Purpleheart
Depth at joint	2.36" / 60 mm	Radius	15.75" / 400 mm
Depth at end	2.54" / 64.6 mm	Inlays	white dots
Total length	24.02" / 610 mm	Bridge	double-hole Purpleheart
Body thickness	2.54" / 64.6 mm	Nut	plastic
Body length	11.02" / 280 mm	String spacing	15 mm / 0.59"
Body width	8.07" / 205 mm	Tuners	black molded
Special features	stereo sound port, raised comfort armrest, beveled cutaway, comfortable edge-free heel	String gauge	.026 / .032 / .038 / .028
Neck type	AUC	Strings	Aquila Nylblack
Body/neck joint	pegged	Tuning (from top to bottom)	1A, 2E, 3C, 4G
Neck position relative to body	14th fret	Included	gig bag
Neck wood	okoumé	Other supplied items	manual, ukulele starter guide, Aquila label
Neck finish	open-pore polyurethane