 |
2025 Ibanez PS1-NT Parlor 6-String Acoustic
The Ibanez PS1 Parlor (in natural finish and classical mosaic rosette) is an interesting throwback to an earlier parlor design that predates the ones that you see in many vintage American pictures. That narrow profile is like very early European guitars with gut strings which had a sound that was somewhat related to the lute, an earlier stringed instrument, with a sharper, less resonant tone. As a result it was often used to play faster music which fit a lot of the Baroque type pieces and such back then.
For that reason, modern guitar players, even if they're looking for a parlor guitar, should probably play this model first if they can or buy it from a place where they can return it because it will sound a little different than modern parlors.
There are some demos of this guitar on YouTube but those are relatively rare and so if you listen to the music from more modern parlor guitars, the tone's going to be a lot different. That's not necessarily a negative; that very clear tone, which does have some sustain due to its modern X bracing, is very suitable for finger style playing. Any guitar that's clear and articulate can be used in a lot of different contexts, so there's no reason to rule the guitar out just because it comes from an earlier design.
People will generally find the ergonomics of this guitar to be very good, unless you have large hands and it's an easy to play guitar with a very nice neck. It is a bit neck heavy, which is understandable given that the neck is the thickest part of this particular guitar but it's not to the point where it's annoying. You just have to be aware of it and position the guitar accordingly.
The guitar isn't a design that would be ideal as a rhythm guitar in a live setting; most parlor guitars weren't. Because of the distinctive and I have to say, very pleasant tone that comes out if it's picked right, the types of music that it would excel in is certainly fingerstyle, certain types of flat picked numbers, and if used to play chords and rhythm, subtle arrangements that are more intimate for a small room.
It's an ideal guitar for people with smaller hands and as such, beginning players, and if you play finger style, the PN1 can be a quite pleasant second guitar or even a first. It would certainly be a good travel or campfire guitar.
The Ibanez PN1 is a nice and unique entry to The Parlor guitar category, which is growing more and more and it's low cost makes it a must to at least test out and try.
Al Handa
July 14, 2026
Specs:
Spruce-topped nyatoh
Parlor 2 body
Spruce top with nyatoh back and sides
Nandu fingerboard
Classical mosaic rosette
 |
 |
 |
 |
