A Classical Guitar You Can Actually Take to a Gig
Not everyone wants to haul a full-depth classical guitar to an open mic or rehearsal. If you love nylon strings but need something you can plug in and play without fighting a big, unwieldy body, the Ibanez GA5TCE is worth a serious look. It takes the warm, mellow character of a classical guitar and packages it in a slimmed-down thinline cutaway body that's genuinely comfortable to hold — whether you're sitting at home or standing on a stage.
The thinline body isn't just about looks. It makes the GA5TCE noticeably more approachable than a traditional full-depth classical, especially if you're coming from a steel-string background. The single cutaway opens up the upper frets for anyone who wants to venture past the 12th. And with the onboard Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp and undersaddle pickup, you're ready to plug in whenever the room calls for it.
This particular unit is B-Stock direct from Ibanez — new, never owned, and comes with a white mark on the top plus some fine finish scratches in the poly (see pictures). Our licensed tech will go over and set it up before it ships.
Spruce Top, Sapele Back and Sides
The GA5TCE features a spruce top — the most widely used acoustic guitar top wood for a reason. It responds cleanly across a wide dynamic range, giving nylon strings a balanced, clear voice with good projection for a thinline body. Paired with sapele back and sides, you get a warm, full midrange with a touch of brightness on top that helps the nylon strings cut through a mix without sounding thin.
The purpleheart fretboard and bridge add a distinctive look and contribute a firm, articulate feel underhand. Gold classical tuners at the slotted headstock round out the traditional aesthetic while keeping the instrument visually cohesive with its classical roots.
A Neck That Plays Like a Crossover
Traditional classical guitars have wide, flat necks — great for fingerstyle technique, but a real adjustment for players used to steel-string acoustics or electric guitars. The GA5TCE uses a narrower 46mm nut width (versus the typical 52mm on a classical) and a flat fretboard radius, which bridges the gap nicely. You still get the classical-style playing feel, but the neck sits in your hand more like a guitar you already know.
The okoume neck joins the body at the 14th fret, which, combined with the cutaway, makes upper-register playing actually accessible — something traditional classicals rarely offer. The 25.6" (650mm) scale length is standard full-scale, so string tension and spacing feel familiar.
Ready to Plug In: Ibanez AEQ-2T Preamp
The onboard Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp keeps things simple: bass and treble controls, a volume knob, and a built-in chromatic tuner you can use even without plugging in. The undersaddle pickup captures the tone of the nylon strings faithfully through a 1/4" output, making the GA5TCE a practical choice for players who need to perform live or practice through a monitor without a lot of fuss.
The preamp runs on a standard 9V battery. No fancy setup required — plug in, dial in your tone, and play.
Product Features:
-
Body Shape: Full-size Thinline Cutaway Classical body with single cutaway
-
Top: Spruce top with classical mosaic design rosette
-
Back & Sides: Sapele back and sides
-
Neck: GA Okoume neck, 14th fret neck/body joint
-
Fretboard & Bridge: Purpleheart fretboard and bridge, flat radius, 21 frets
-
Scale Length: 650mm / 25.6"
-
Nut Width: 46mm — narrower than traditional classical for easier playability
-
Tuners: Gold classical tuning machines, slotted headstock
-
Electronics: Ibanez undersaddle pickup + AEQ-2T preamp with bass/treble EQ and onboard tuner
-
Output: 1/4" jack, 9V battery
-
Finish: Amber High Gloss
This item is a "B-Stock Classical-Electric Guitar" directly from the manufacturer. It is NEW Stock that has never been owned. Pictures are of the actual guitar you will receive.
Brand: Ibanez
Model: GA5TCE
SKU: GA5TCE-2ND|2Y10GS250511782
Condition: B-Stock
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
