Detail 01
Figured ash top, back and sides
Ash is stiff and bright with a scooped midrange. Suits 12-strings, where mids muddy fast, and shows dramatic grain.
Product detailSKU #1274115042838
IbanezExotic Wood Series EW2012ASENT 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar Gloss Natural
dynamicfolksinger songwriter
1/8
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Figured ash 12-string acoustic-electric with cutaway, XLR and 1/4" outputs. For a player who wants chime and a direct line to the board.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Rhythm players adding shimmer behind a lead vocal
- Worship and folk stages that run guitars straight to the console
- Fingerstyle arrangements where the octave strings do the work
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Fast lead playing or bending — doubled strings fight you
- Beginners; 12 strings are harder to fret and harder to tune
- Anyone who won't restring and retune often
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs
XLR runs straight into a mixer on a mic cable — no DI box, no hum over long stage runs.
Detail 03
B-Band UST pickup with AEQ-SP2 preamp
Undersaddle strip plus onboard tuner and EQ. Handles the extra string energy without the feedback a soundhole mic gets.
Detail 04
X bracing
Standard steel-string pattern that spreads the pull of twelve strings across the top instead of one seam.
Detail 05
Ivorex II nut and saddle
Synthetic bone substitute. Harder and more consistent than plastic, so string transfer is cleaner and slots hold up.
Detail 06
Light .010-.047 12-string set
Light gauge keeps tension manageable across twelve strings. Heavier sets add volume but strain the neck and top.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Case is not included — a 12-string needs one for humidity and neck safety
- 02Restringing takes roughly twice as long; keep spare octave strings
- 03Preamp needs a battery, and XLR out is not phantom-powered
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I tune it to standard pitch?
Yes, with the light .010-.047 set it ships with. Many players drop a half or whole step to reduce neck tension and ease fretting.
02Do I need a DI box to play live?
No. The balanced XLR output goes straight to the mixer with a standard mic cable, which is the main reason to pick this model.
03Is a 12-string harder to play?
Yes. You're pressing two strings per finger and the neck is wider. Barre chords take more hand strength than on a six-string.
04How does ash compare to a spruce top?
Ash is brighter with less midrange and a harder attack. On a 12-string that keeps the doubled strings distinct rather than blurred together.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsPickups & controls
- Electronics
- Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp with onboard tuner
- Pickup
- B-Band UST Pickup
- Neck
- Mahogany
- Bridge
- Rosewood
3 detailsPlayability
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Strings
- D'Addario EXP36 Coated 80/20 Bronze, 12-String, Light, (.010-.047 Gauge)
- Number of Strings
- D'Addario EXP36 Coated 80/20 Bronze, 12-String, Light, (.010-.047 Gauge)
7 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Natural
- Fingerboard Material
- Rosewood
- Bridge Pins
- Ibanez Advantage Bridge Pins
- Back and Sides
- Figured Ash
- Top
- Figured Ash
- Body Finish
- Gloss
- Finish
- Gloss
2 detailsConnections & power
- Outputs
- Balanced 1/4 inch and XLR Outputs
- Output Jack
- Balanced XLR & 1/4 inch outputs
6 detailsOther
- Bracing
- X bracing
- Rosette
- Abalone
- Saddle
- Ivorex II Nut and Saddle
- Tuners
- Ibanez Chrome Die-Cast
- Model
- EW2012ASENT
- Style
- 12-String EW Body with Cutaway
