Ibanez AF55L-TF

Ibanez AF55L-TF review

Left-handed players looking for an affordable jazz-style hollowbody have fewer options than right-handed players. The Ibanez AF55L-TF addresses that gap with a straightforward design, a set-in nyatoh neck, and two humbucking pickups. Listed at 391, it offers the core features of an archtop without a complicated control layout or a premium price tag.

Player reports describe a guitar that arrives well set up and feels comfortable straight out of the box. The neck is often singled out for its smooth finish and easy feel. Its AF Artcore profile, 43 mm nut width, and 628 mm scale make up a familiar, manageable layout. The guitar has 20 medium frets and a walnut fingerboard, finished with pearl dot inlays and binding. One owner found that the fret ends could use a little smoothing and polishing, but otherwise reported no significant build issues.

Construction and setup

The AF55L-TF has a linden body and top, a set-in nyatoh neck, and a walnut fingerboard. Its Tobacco Flat finish gives it a restrained look, with white body binding and chrome hardware. One reviewer noted small inconsistencies in the binding, while still judging the overall finish and construction favorably for the price. The tuners also earned praise for feeling better than expected and holding their tuning well.

Several owners reported good factory setup, including comfortable action and accurate intonation. The Gibraltar Performer bridge is adjustable, but its position matters when restringing. One player marked the bridge location before removing it, then used that mark to restore the intonation. Another found foam packing beneath the bridge and removed it before playing. These are useful checks during unboxing, especially for a guitar with a floating bridge.

Pickups and controls

Two Ibanez Infinity R humbuckers provide the amplified sound. The controls are simple: one volume knob, one tone knob, and a three-way pickup selector. Players describe the pickups as clear, responsive, and powerful, with enough output for blues and rock as well as jazz. Clean tones can sound full and balanced, with a noticeable low end. Rolling back the treble helps produce darker jazz sounds, while the pickup selector and tone control offer straightforward ways to shape the sound.

Owners have also used the guitar for rockabilly, clean live playing, and overdriven parts. One reviewer found that the pickups had enough sensitivity to require some tone adjustment on the guitar before plugging into an amplifier. Another reported a volume-pot issue caused by a stray wire strand. After fixing the contact, the control worked, though its direction felt reversed from the player's expectation. This is an isolated report, not evidence of a general defect, but checking the controls during setup is sensible.

How it sounds in use

The hollowbody construction is a defining part of the AF55L-TF's character. It produces audible sound even without an amplifier, which can be useful for quiet practice. Players describe the unplugged tone as full, although one found it somewhat hollow and lacking substance compared with its amplified sound. Through an amplifier, reports are more consistently enthusiastic: the guitar delivers a resonant voice that suits jazz, blues, and roots-oriented styles.

As with other hollowbody guitars, high volume and heavy overdrive can bring on feedback depending on the room and playing setup. The AF55L-TF may not be the best fit for every song or high-gain situation. Its resonance and response are part of the appeal, but players who need a more controlled sound at loud stage volumes may prefer a solid-body guitar. For clean and moderately driven tones, reviewers have used it successfully at open-mic events and through a full gig season.

Value and verdict

At its listed price of 391, the Ibanez AF55L-TF stands out as an accessible left-handed hollowbody with a comfortable neck, useful factory setup, and versatile humbuckers. Its uncomplicated controls make it easy to get started, and the bridge can be adjusted to suit different string preferences. Players have experimented with heavier sets after replacing the factory strings, so a setup check may be worthwhile if you change gauges.

The main compromises are minor finish and fretwork observations, plus the feedback potential inherent to a hollowbody design. The package does not include a case or gig bag. Those limits are worth weighing, but owner reports repeatedly praise its playability, tuning stability, and amplified tone for the money. For a left-handed player seeking a jazz-oriented guitar that can also cover blues and rockabilly, the AF55L-TF is a strong value and a practical alternative to a much more expensive instrument.