Carefully inspected and meticulously set up by our luthier workshop, this guitar is a brand-new model.

Please note: a small superficial factory scratch on the upper horn (see last photo on our website).

Original cardbox and accessories included.

IBANEZ FRH20QMN-CTL Cosmic Blue Starburst Low Gloss

• Thinline Nylon FRH electro-acoustic guitar
• Serial: PW251000242
• Weight: 2.100 kg
• Construction: set-in neck
• Top: Quilted Maple
• Back & sides: Sapele
• Bracing: FRH-specific Fan Bracing
• Neck: Nyatoh, C profile
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Inlays: Acrylic and abalone blocks
• Frets: 22
• Nut: Bone
• Saddle: Bone
• Scale length: 648 mm / 25.5"
• Nut width: 46 mm
• Width at 14th fret: 58 mm
• Neck thickness: 21 mm at 1st fret / 22 mm at 7th fret
• Radius: 400 mm
• String spacing: 11.6 mm
• Strings: D’Addario XTC45
• Pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle
• Preamp: Ibanez AEQ210T with built-in tuner
• Controls: Volume, Bass, Treble, Tuner and Phase
• Tuners: Classic-style Gold
• Body Dimensions:
• Body length: 17 5/16" / approx. 440 mm
• Body width: 14 3/16" / approx. 360 mm
• Maximum body depth: 1 15/16" / approx. 49 mm

Ibanez is one of those brands that has always managed to evolve traditional instruments without ever losing sight of the needs of modern guitarists. For several decades, the Japanese manufacturer has developed instruments that are particularly innovative in terms of ergonomics, comfort and playability, both in the world of electric guitars and in the acoustic field. The FRH series perfectly illustrates this philosophy, offering a radically modern approach to the nylon-string guitar.

The FRH20QMN is a guitar that truly stands apart from anything else in the Ibanez acoustic range. Its very slim FRH body shape, absence of a traditional soundhole and stunning Quilted Maple top immediately give it a very strong personality. In this Cosmic Blue Starburst Low Gloss finish, the spectacular figuring of the maple appears beneath a beautiful blue burst, while the satin finish further enhances the instrument’s natural yet contemporary appearance.

Behind this particularly successful aesthetic lies an extremely clever design. The Modified FR Hollow Body is deliberately compact and very thin, with a maximum depth of approximately 49 mm. This construction makes the guitar remarkably lightweight and comfortable, while the cutaway provides excellent access to the upper frets. It feels a world away from the sometimes imposing dimensions of a traditional classical guitar: in the hands, the FRH feels much more like a modern instrument designed to be played comfortably in any position.

The Nyatoh neck with its C profile, combined with a 648 mm scale length, 46 mm nut width and, above all, a 400 mm radius, contributes greatly to this modern playing experience. The much flatter fingerboard compared with a traditional classical guitar makes movement and contemporary playing techniques easier, while retaining the string spacing required for nylon-string playing. With its 22 frets, the FRH20QMN also offers particularly useful access to the higher registers.

Ibanez has also developed a specific acoustic architecture around this body shape. The Fan Bracing, directly inspired by the fan bracing traditionally used on classical guitars, allows this very thin body to retain a genuine nylon-string response, with a warm and natural voice. The absence of a soundhole in the top also helps reduce feedback issues when the instrument is amplified, which is a particularly valuable advantage on stage.

The Side Sound Port on the upper bout is another excellent idea. Rather than simply projecting the sound outward, this opening allows the guitarist to hear a portion of the instrument’s acoustic voice directly while playing. It is both enjoyable and particularly relevant on a guitar of this type, as the player retains a close connection with the natural sound of the body despite its very compact format.

The combination of Quilted Maple and Sapele is also interesting from a tonal perspective. The Quilted Maple top provides a precise response and excellent definition, while the Sapele back and sides contribute warmth and a balanced midrange presence. The result is a clear and articulate voice, equally well suited to fingerpicking, chords, modern accompaniment styles and melodic playing.

And like any good FRH, the FRH20QMN was naturally designed with amplification in mind. The Ibanez Undersaddle pickup combined with the AEQ210T preamp provides a simple and effective solution for live performance, studio work or direct connection to a PA system or audio interface. The preamp also features a built-in tuner, while the volume, bass and treble controls make it easy to adapt the sound to different environments. The phase control is an additional practical feature for helping manage potential feedback issues at higher volume levels.

Visually, this CTL Cosmic Blue Starburst Low Gloss version is particularly spectacular. The contrast between the deep blue burst and the beautiful figuring of the Quilted Maple gives the FRH a decidedly high-end appearance, while the Low Gloss finish keeps the overall look refined and understated. The classic-style gold tuners and acrylic-and-abalone block inlays complete the package beautifully.

The FRH20QMN is therefore a nylon-string guitar aimed equally at classical guitarists looking for a more modern playing experience and at electric or acoustic guitarists who want to discover the world of nylon strings without having to adapt to a traditional classical guitar. Its comfortable neck, 400 mm radius, ultra-thin body, excellent upper-fret access and amplification-oriented design make it an exceptionally versatile instrument.

A resolutely modern and original Ibanez, spectacular in appearance yet particularly convincing in its design and functionality. An excellent way to approach the nylon-string guitar from a much more contemporary perspective, without sacrificing the acoustic character and warmth that make this family of instruments so appealing.