The Ibanez Altstar ALT50FA is an acoustic guitar with serious electric DNA, blending Ibanez’s high-performance heritage with traditional unplugged tone in a way that feels instantly familiar to electric players.
The custom Altstar Compact Dreadnought body keeps things comfortable, with a thinner profile and a sharp Florentine Cutaway that makes upper-fret access effortless. A Flame Maple Art Grain–capped Basswood Top, paired with Sapele Back And Sides, delivers a balanced, genre-flexible tone that works just as well for percussive rhythm playing as it does for articulate single-note lines. Visually, the asymmetrical tri-oval soundhole and aggressive contours underline the guitar’s modern attitude.
The neck is where electric players will really feel at home. The Maple Neck features Ibanez’s Comfort Grip profile, complete with rounded edges that encourage fast, smooth movement. Topped with a Purpleheart Fretboard, shark tooth inlays, and the signature pointed Ibanez headstock, it feels more like an RG than a traditional acoustic – in the best way possible.
Plugged in, the ALT50FA holds its own thanks to Ibanez Custom Electronics. The AEQ-2T Preamp and Ibanez T-bar II Under-Saddle Pickup deliver clear, natural piezo tone with enough punch for live performance. It also excels at capturing percussive techniques, making it a solid option for modern acoustic styles. The onboard tuner is a welcome bonus for quick touch-ups between songs.
Get the Ibanez Altstar ALT50FA in Blue Doom Burst, Red Doom Burst, or Violet Sunburst here for $379.99 and keep up with all our Ibanez coverage right here.
