Head to head
ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS vs Ibanez JGM5
The verdict
The ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS comes out ahead overall — 82 to 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS wins on
- Better build (96 vs 70)
- Better playability (78 vs 64)
- Better value (81 vs 67)
Ibanez JGM5 wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | A-430E NATURAL GLOSS | JGM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 67 |
| Build | 96 | 70 |
| Playability | 78 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 81 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | A-430E NATURAL GLOSS | JGM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Ibanez |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Rosewood | Thermo Aged™ Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman® Rare Earth Mic Blend Active Soundhole, Tap |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | — |
| Bridge | Roasted Jatoba Bridge w/ Graphtech Nubone Saddle | Macassar Ebony top loading bridge |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Case | - | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Natural Gloss | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | — |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Graphtech Nubone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 655mm/25.75" |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Thermo Aged™ Solid Sitka Spruce top |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| A Length | — | 20 3/8" |
| A Width | — | 45mm at NUT |
| Back Sides | — | Pau Ferro back & Pau Ferro sides |
| Battery | — | 9V x1 |
| Body Binding | — | Macassar Ebony body binding with rounded body edge |
| Body shape | — | Asymmetrical Jumbo body |
| Bracing | — | Thermo Aged™ Spruce Modified X-M Bracing |
| B Width | — | 17" |
| C Max Depth | — | 4 7/8" |
| C Thickness | — | 20.5mm at 1F |
| D Thickness | — | 22mm at 7F |
| Factory Tuning | — | 1D,2A,3G,4D,5G,6C |
| Output Jack | — | Dual Outputs (2 endpin jacks - 1 stereo/mono output capability built in (with strap button) - 1 mono flush mount) |
| Preamp | — | Fishman® PowerTap Earth Blend preamp |
| Radius | — | 400mmR |
| Recommended Case | — | FRS900JA |
| Saddle Material | — | Unbleached Oil-impregnated Bone |
| Soundhole Rosette | — | Specially Designed Wooden |
| String Gauge | — | .012/.016/.025/.035/.045/.056 |
| String Space | — | 11.7mm |
| Top Board Purfling | — | Wooden purfling |
| Tuning Machine | — | Chrome Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio) |