I’m not sure if I’ll be able to video on it soon because I have lots of other content stuff in the works BUT I can answer in this comment. So intonation issues come with the territory of nylon/classical guitars. Not much can be done once the instrument has been made and I knew that going in. Luckily I work as a guitar teacher at a music shop and the luthier there offered to adjust the bridge saddle for free. From what I understand he made a new saddle for me so the intonation could be improved. He did a really good job but the b string is still slightly off but it’s in a much better place than it was. So to fix the intonation or get it vastly improved you’ll have to hire a luthier to create a custom saddle. The saddles themselves are cheap so you’d be hiring the person to carve out the proper height for each string. It would probably cost around $75 if I had to guess. Just be aware it probably won’t totally fix the intonation because it just comes with the territory of nylon/classical guitars. It’s part of the charm.
@@RobertRosenbrook thanks. So a muggle like me could just google Luthier in my city and be like: “I need a new bridge saddle to improve the intonation on this” and they’d be able to take those instructions and run with it?
Just change the strings, I did it an hour ago and it’s perfectly intonated. :) Also did some fret polishing because the factory left them in a terrible condition.
I really appreciate your honest review. I started getting really concerned about the bridge and now it seems a lot of people are also having intonation issues. As much as I love the look I think I’m gonna have to get a cordoba.
I actually have the Cordoba and the intonation is off as well, I think thats just an overall problem with these types of nylon guitars. I would definitely get the TOD10N over the Cordoba if I could choose again because the Cordoba cuts off the top frets making it harder to play up there.
@@Maki_le Yeah, Its probs has to do with string tension so maybe if you have higher tension nylon strings, it will be more in tune. I haven’t tried it yet but I suspect that might fix some things.
Really nice review! I think it's good to add that when you mic it up traditionally the sound port is actually on the top facing the player vs in the middle facing the mic so that could have some impact
Thank you so much for this review, I've been looking for reviews that included the acoustic sound from the guitar and so far yours is the only one I've seen that has it, nothing unexpected as far as having a less resonant sound when considering the body size but I really wanted to have a listen. I have mine preordered and I should be getting it around august, can't wait.
Not surprised that the intonation is off on an Ibanez acoustic. Their 12 strings are the same way. Cordoba is where it’s at for a studio ready nylon in the $700+ range price point.
This guitar is almost impossible to find but I took myself off the waiting list and picked up a Cordoba Stage. If you like this guitar you’ll love the Stage at basically the same price point. It has a piezo pickup and also captures the tone of the body in the Fishman pickup system with an option to blend the tones to taste. It’s a much fuller sound than the Ibanez. Seriously, if you’re waiting for this guitar check out the Cordoba…
@@dannyhood4007 Technically it’s an under-saddle transducer coupled with a body microphone. I don’t sound anything like Andres Segovia, acoustically I don’t play it like a traditional classical guitar. I have it going into a Bogner Harlow, into an audio interface. I also use some Eventide plugins for reverb and delay so it’s a very ambient sound I’m using it for. As as classical guitar I don’t know how it compares. I’m Ed school, if it sounds good it is good and I’m not going for traditional classical guitar tones. I’m going for my own sound…
I’ve been sitting on picking up one of these, because something has always been off on all the reviews I’ve seen. I finally figured it out after watching my your review…I’ve been waiting to see a review from a classically trained nylon player and not just a shredder. Still on the fence but you got me leaning!
My factory strings were definitely crap. Like yours, my intonation on the high strings are noticeably off at the high frets. Other than that, it's a cool niche toy to have
Haven't received mine yet but I've been waiting for a no bs review. The tone tests were a huge eye opener! Did you see the post where one guy had the bridge of his tear off completely?
Thanks for the review, I ordered mine a few weeks ago and it should be here October. Do you know if anyone else is having intonation issues? Also, I think one other reason it sound ok unplugged, is probably cause the soundhole is at the top rather than on the front where the mic was, so I would assume its better for the player, but maybe not as much meant for an audience when unplugged. Whats your thoughts?
A few people here in the comments have reported intonation issues. Some others I've seen on reddit have had the bridges not put on properly so they're arriving broken. Definitely agree with the notion about the soundhole towards the player.
@@RobertRosenbrook Thank god I got the two year warranty on her, so if she arrives broken I can get another one fixed, it would probably just make me wait longer lol
I'm a luthier from Montreal, and unfortunately this isn't really fixable and is kinda a quality to classical guitars Unlike electric guitar where each string/saddle can be adjusted, acoustics have a fixed bridge and is an approximation. Sometimes you can get custom acoustic bridges but would be expensive, and the bridge would have to be removed, which can be difficult... Also trust rods can help lower the action, which may improve intonation a tiny bit because the strings aren't being pressed that much, so it won't go out of tune, but most likely won't fix it Overall, just play it and try not to think to much about it! Can't wait for mine to come in!
The intonation can be fixed by simply adjusting the truss rod and shaving the bridge down a bit. I did that to my Acoustasonic that was unplayable out of the box.
You definitely don’t want to adjust your truss rod to address intonation issues. I’m not saying it won’t work, but your truss rod adjusts the bend in your neck/fretboard. If this fixed your intonation, you got real lucky.
Nice review. I have an Ibanez GA35TCEDVS which is the older more traditional version w slightly deeper body and sound hole. Ibanez have been playing with nylon electric fusion for some time now. The thing that really kicks this off is a Bose T4S with sound correction (or other DSP). It'll take that slightly nasal pietzo pick-up and shape it into anything you want. Some of the presets are very good, but you could make your own if you want a unique sound ... This is a really good instrument to drive a downstream pedal or digital signal processor. 😁
I just bought that guitar. It’s different compared to my other classical guitars and that’s a good thing. I tend to use the TOD10N in a wide range of music genres. I’m very happy with it and if you are after a classical nylon string guitar from Ibanez, I’ll give this guitar a 9/10.
I didn‘t get any of the TODs, or the THBB because of the cable output placement. The two electric guitars are unplayable in classical position, they are only designed for the right leg. The nylon is more ergonomic, but i can see the cable pointing in your right leg, which is a deal breaker to me, because it brings the guitar out of balance (and at some point you will feel the stitching pain, maybe after many hours cause its a light guitar i guess, but still)
I want to see this compared with the Cordoba Stage. I have the Stage and it also has intonation issues. I figure the QC on mass produced guitars from Asia (like the Cordoba and the Ibanez) is going to be inferior to the QC of Alhambra guitars produced in Spain. But I have small hands and the radiused fretboards and smaller nut width are big advantages for these nylon electrics for me
In ordered in November .Maybe it will show up soon .I am looking at replacement strings since yours arrived with crappy strings . Savarez 500PR Corum Cristal Classical Guitar Strings, Standard Tension, Blue Card ?? I see these and i think this is what you are referring to???
Typically I’d take care of them myself and I run with Floyd’s. That said, I don’t know shit about acoustic guitars and I hate my fender acoustic or any acoustic for that matter, I can’t stand how no matter the position I play in, it feels like it was meant for a human lol. That and I love the electric guitar feel, thin body, thin necks and a lovely headstock. That said, I needed something with acoustic so I can just play for fun and practice, but one that was also capable for recordings as I want to get into acoustic. But I don’t wanna mic up for acoustic. So this for me is why I’m about to buy one. It’ll look good next to my jem and my custom schecter :D but the tree of life and the tree of death inlays are definitely my favorite aesthetic about the guitars
Does yours also have a sticker that says made in Indonesia? I didn’t realize this was a thing. Ibanez USA has confirmed in an email that these are ONLY made in China. I have an intonation problem with my G string and pretty bad action so I’m returning it.
@@RobertRosenbrook the marketing around these is really shady. They're marketed as if they came from indonesia when they're actually chinese. Dunno whether I'm allowed to post links in these comments or not, but I'd gladly share a few relevant reddit posts about this topic
I never heard or saw anything in the real world saying anything about made in China. They are made in Indonesia and that only makes sense because they have Nyatoh necks and that is a material that is pretty much exclusive to Indonesia. I heard lots of rumors and things online that were never actually confirmed where people assumed China and ran with it, but every guitar says made in Indonesia, the material is from that country and it makes no sense to have it made in China.
@@ProudFilthyCasual when I followed up with an attached image of the “made in Indonesia” and the question “so are these just lies” the ibanez rep responded this morning and said they’re actually made in Indonesia. Very fishy.
Just got mine yesterday but for the life of me can't get the pickups to work out of the box. I have tried replacing the battery and using other instruments confirmed its not the cable or speaker. Any ideas?
@@RobertRosenbrook Yeah I just checked the volume nob so I guess it is wiring, i just tried to pull it apart to have a look but I am well over my head hahaha. Thanks for the reply
Just got mine in May and it came with brand new strings and the intonation issue you mentioned doesn't seem to be happening with mine. Might be an Ibanez quality control issue, unfortunately :(
HEY MAN cool review. I have been thiniking about getitng this guitar, I would agree that it sucks it didn't come setup decenlty, but thq QC of his signatures have been pretty off. I have some shitty 200 $ esteban nylon that I have been playing on for a couple of years now, praciting the piano mostly these days, if you were to get a nylon in that range 500-600 what would it be? that you can direct in. I also find the DSP takes it to another level , but the shure 58 woulld not be the mic to use in a recording anything like that anyways IMO.
The Alhambra blows it away in terms of tone and overall sound quality. It sounds beautiful vs. thin and tinny. You could see the difference in your expression when you played the Alhambra. I think the Tim Henson model is a bit of a waste of money if you a comfortable on a real classical (which you are).
i hate how this guitar sounds, it doesnt sound particularly good for a nylon string, it doesnt have the sustain and resonance of a good accoustic, as an electric its muddy. it sounds like a typical composite body accoustic in my opinion, like an ovation round back
to be fair...I see this more as a "personal" guitar. the sound hole is pointed towards your face, not the audience. that's why I think recording with the mic the way you did is not that great sounding. its like recording a guitar through an amp but placing the mic ontop of the amp instead of in front of the actual speaker. appreciate a truly honest review though! I will likely still get it. I play electric guitar primarily for 17 years or so..I've also carried the cheapest acoustic with me through my life that I hate playing on because its terribly uncomfortable. confirmed to be a horrible guitar by everyone that touched it. I just want something for myself, nice looking and not TOO terrible.
I love mine, it’s funny because that was one of the reasons I bought the guitar (how the nylon buzz sounds with the low notes) 😂 diff in taste I guess.
I’m tempted by one of the less flashy FRH10n models. Not really a soloist / classical guitarist though. Do you think it’s fine as an occasional strummer, something to absent mindedly noodle on whilst watching TV?
@@daniele.730 Like playing a traditional classical guiar gig. Wedding, Winery, Cocktail party, etc. The TOD10N sounds really good plugged in but in those settings it makes more sense to use a traditional classical guitar. It's to get an even sound from the instrument to the audience. Part of the intimacy of the classical guitar, especially for weddings, is the sound of the instrument itself. Hope this helps!
I have this guitar and it sounds way better when I play it... Idk what you did to make it sound like that. As far as the intonation goes, nylon strings require a higher skill level to accurately press down the string and judging by your mediocre attempt at 'Playing God' you should not be taken seriously. It sounds like you have the preamp volume too high or just terrible technique. Hard to know. But yeah, this is an amazing guitar and maybe you got a bad one or the setup was incorrect. Also, idk why you are comparing it to a classical guitar. It is meant to play plugged in with effects, compression, etc. for $700, this guitar is badass. You can get basically the same guitar by Ibanez for $500 without the Tree of Death inlay and it comes in different colors. So essentially it is a $500 guitar with a fancy inlay and binding job. Also the fishman mic. But yeah, idk what your point was by judging the guitar at your playing level. You can barely press the strings down and your finger style is stiff and amateur. Not hating, just saying...
I’d spend like $200 for a starter guitar. As for learning, try to find a teacher in your area that you vibe with, if you can afford it. Have a goal song in mind when you sit down with them and let them know this is what you want to work towards. If you can’t afford a teacher at the moment there are ton of free resources on RU-vid but a good teacher will prevent you from making bad habits early on. Hope this helps!
@RobertRosenbrook I'm gonna learn it once I figure out if I actually do want to buy Tim's guitar or Ibanez FRH10NBSF which is cheaper but I'm not sure why
@@rookkolm4246 it’s a great song for getting into finger style guitar. Also check out the Córdoba stage if you’re in the market for this kind of nylon string.
The cons for the intonation sounds more like a con against sweetwater and not the guitar itself. It shouldn't be penalized for that. Now, if the guitar came built in a weird way that it wouldn't become intonated no matter what you do, that would be a con. A pretty big one too. On a last note, I suggest everyone should learn how to intimate and adjust string actions on their own times. It'll save you money in the long run cause ain't no way I'm spending 75 dollars for a guy to do like an hours worth of work Max.
@@RobertRosenbrook Turns out the neck was pretty out of whack most likely due to temp and humidity changes, rod adjustment took care of the issue and it feels so much better now; i would still probably like to lower the action a bit in the future, will see how it feels in a month or so and decide if it needs a luthier’s attention
The prototypes looked sweet, but the fact that Tim is trying to imitate the nylon acoustic sound with his Fishman pickups in his electric guitar makes me wary of this one. I’d be willing to wager once he gets the sound dialed in, we won’t see this guitar live in their shows. Maybe I’m cynical but there’s a reason the first one was a flop.
@@rufiopan1 No doubt. And I'm sure that when I go see them in October, he'll be using it then as well. However, I don't anticipate it being a staple piece. Again, possibly a cynical take, but only time will tell.
I guess it has its place....for me, that place would be somewhere far away from me lol Seriously though if "awful" is the sound your going for.....then by all means, spend $700 to try to copy tim henson. Im not bashing henson's abilities, {leave me alone fanbois} the kid has some of the most technical chops out there, skills out of this world. But they don't do him {or anyone else} much good. In the end, the final product is awful overproduced background noise. "tappy tappy, ping ping, sweepick, harmonic, tappy tappy" .......ok cool.......now write a song. These guitars will soon fill the walls of local pawn shops and guitar center for less than $600. if you really want one, just wait a year or two and get one CHEAP.
What a boring world you must live in where music has to be a certain way for it to be defined as music, also why then did you even click on this video about a review of a guitarist’s signature model of which you hold so low an opinion of? Was it so you could leave a comment and flex on how superior your taste in music is like a total douche bag? If so, party on Wayne! 😂😂
@@roryoconnor861 if it doesnt sound good to you then thats your opinion and the intonation thing is bad for sure but the main reason these guitars get shipped in such bad condition is because lots of them were preordered and now they have alot of pressure making and shipping these instruments to people so they dont have ro wait too long i am sure if you buy one in like 1 or 2 yrs the issue wont be there anymore on most instruments
