Area servedWorldwideProducts, & guitars& bassesWebsiteIbanez ( アイバニーズ, Aibanīzu) is a Japanese brand owned. Based in, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass-produce the. Ibanez manufactures effects, accessories, amps, and instruments in Japan, China, Indonesia and in the United States (at a Los Angeles-based custom shop).
As of 2017 they marketed nearly 165 models of bass guitar, 130 acoustic guitars, and more than 300 electric guitars. Ibanez IcemanThe Hoshino Gakki company began in 1908 as the musical instrument sales division of the Hoshino Shoten, a bookstore chain. Hoshino Gakki decided in 1935 to make Spanish-style, at first using the 'Ibanez Salvador' brand name in honor of Spanish, and later simply 'Ibanez'.The modern era of Ibanez guitars began in 1957. The late 1950s and 1960s Ibanez catalogues show guitars with some wild-looking designs, manufactured by Kiso, and their own Tama factory established in 1962.
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After the Tama factory stopped manufacturing guitars in 1966, Hoshino Gakki used the and Gakki guitar factories to make Ibanez guitars, and after the Teisco String Instrument factory closed in 1969/1970, Hoshino Gakki used the FujiGen Gakki guitar factory to make Ibanez guitars. Ibanez UV777In the 1960s, Japanese guitar makers mainly copied American guitar designs, and Ibanez-branded copies of, and models appear. This resulted in the so-called period. During this period, Ibanez produced guitars under the Mann name to avoid authorities in the United States and Canada.
Hoshino Gakki introduced Ibanez models that were definitely not copies of the Gibson or Fender designs, such as the and the Roadstar series. The company has produced its own guitar designs ever since.
The late 1980s and early 1990s were an important period for the Ibanez brand. Hoshino Gakki's relationship with guitarist resulted in the introduction of the and the models; after the earlier successes of the Roadstar and Iceman models in the late 1970s – early 1980s, Hoshino Gakki entered the market with the, a lower-priced version of their JEM series. Ibanez EW20ASE (Exotic Wood)Hoshino Gakki also had semi-acoustic, nylon- and steel-stringed acoustic guitars manufactured under the Ibanez name. Most Ibanez guitars were made by the FujiGen guitar factory in Japan up until the mid- to late 1980s, and from then on Ibanez guitars have also been made in other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia. During the early 1980s, the FujiGen guitar factory also produced most of the, including the -style Roland G-505, the twin-humbucker Roland G-202 (endorsed by, Yannis Spathas, Christoforos Krokidis, and ) and the Ibanez X-ING IMG-2010.and Starfield were guitar and bass brands owned by Hoshino Gakki.
In the 1970s, Hoshino Gakki and Kanda Shokai shared some guitar designs, and so some Ibanez and have the same features. The Greco versions were sold in Japan and the Ibanez versions were sold outside Japan. From 1982, Ibanez guitars have also been sold in Japan as well.Guitar brands such as and Mann shared some Ibanez guitar designs. The Antoria guitar brand was managed by JT Coppock Leeds Ltd England. CSL was a brand name managed by Charles Summerfield Ltd England. Maurice Summerfield of the Charles Summerfield Ltd company contributed some design ideas to Hoshino Gakki and also imported Ibanez and CSL guitars into the from 1964 to 1987. The Maxxas brand name came about because Hoshino Gakki thought that the guitar did not fit in with the Ibanez model range and was therefore named Maxxas by Rich Lasner from Hoshino USA.
The 'lawsuit' guitars. Mid-1970s 'Lawsuit Era' solid body, Set neck, Mann/Ibanez electric guitarHarry Rosenbloom, founder of the (now-closed) Medley Music of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, was manufacturing handmade guitars under the name 'Elger'. By 1965, Rosenbloom had decided to stop manufacturing guitars and chose to become the exclusive North American distributor for Ibanez guitars. In September 1972, Hoshino began a partnership with Elger Guitars to import guitars from. In September 1981, Elger was renamed 'Hoshino U.S.A.' , retaining the company headquarters in as a distribution and quality-control center.On June 28, 1977, in the, a lawsuit was filed by the, the parent company of, against Elger/Hoshino U.S.A.'
S use of the Gibson design and logo. Hoshino settled out of court in early 1978 and the case was officially closed on February 2, 1978.After the lawsuit, Hoshino Gakki abandoned the strategy of copying 'classic' electric guitar designs, having already introduced a plethora of original designs. Hoshino was producing their original Artist models from 1974, introducing a set-neck model in 1975. In 1977, they upgraded and extended their Artist range and introduced a number of other top-quality original designs made to match or surpass famous American brands: the Performer and short-lived Concert ranges, which competed with the Les Paul; through-neck Musicians; Studios in fixed- and through-neck construction; the radically shaped Iceman; and the Roadster which morphed into the Roadstar range, precursor to the popular era in the mid-1980s. The newer Ibanez models began incorporating more modern elements into their design such as radical body shapes, slimmer necks, 2-octave fingerboards, slim pointed headstocks, higher-output electronics, humbucker/single-coil/humbucker (H/S/H) pickup configurations, locking tremolo bridges and different finishes.Guitars Sub-brands Ibanez J. Custom The J.
Custom series are the most exclusive and high-end custom shop guitars Ibanez offers. They are 'Envisioned to be the finest Japanese-made guitar in history'. Built by some of the most skilled luthiers Ibanez has to offer, they 'represent every advance in design and technology Ibanez has developed over the last 20 years'.
They feature aftermarket pickups (Seymour Duncan Jazz & Custom 5 in the 6 string model and DiMarzio PAF-7 pickups in the 7 string model,) 5 piece maple/wenge necks with Titanium reinforcement rods, ebony fingerboard with a tree of life fret board inlay, and Edge Zero tremolo systems. Ibanez Prestige The Prestige guitars are Ibanez's top of the line models that are built in Japan. They feature higher quality materials, high craftsmanship, and higher quality bridges compared to other models. Ibanez Premium The Premium guitars are similar to other models but are built in Ibanez's Indonesian premium factory to premium quality standards. The Ibanez Gio are Ibanez' budget guitars, designed for high playability at low costs.
Many high end Ibanez guitars are recreated in the more affordable Gio form, such as the RGA and ART models. Custom USA custom range. Late 1980s to mid-1990s. Also known as Ibanez LACS ( Custom Shop), services only their endorsed artists today.
Solid body electric guitars. A 2012 Ibanez RG3250MZ The main characteristics that are common among all Ibanez RG guitars (RG stands for Roadstar Guitar ) are that they feature 24 frets and use thin necks, known as 'Wizard', which allows for faster playing.
The RG features a line up of guitars with both floating tremolo systems and fixed bridge systems. Ibanez RGA The Ibanez RGA was introduced at a time when the Ibanez RG series only had tremolo bridges. Since then, the RG series has introduced fixed bridge models, but Ibanez still produces the RGA series with an arched top to differentiate from the RG series. The arched top allows for added comfort while playing the guitar. Ibanez RGD The Ibanez RGD guitar was developed for heavy metal guitar players. The RGD features a 26.5' scale which allows for lower than standard guitar tuning while retaining standard string tension without use of thicker gauge strings. It also features an extra deep scoop cut on the lower horn for easy high fret access.
Ibanez currently makes two Ibanez RGD Prestige models. Custom modified 2005 S470 The Ibanez S (Saber ) guitar has an extremely thin body made out of mahogany, and is available in 6, 7 and 8-string models.
They may come with either 22 or 24 frets, depending on year of manufacture. The standard line currently have Wizard III necks that are slightly wider and thicker than the original Wizard. All S models have bodies that are thicker in the middle where the pickups are, and taper off towards the outer edges. The guitars use ZR (Zero Resistance), Lo-TRS, and variants of the Edge bridge system as well as fixed bridges. Ibanez currently makes 8 Prestige S-Series guitars.
Ibanez DN The Ibanez DN guitar (DN stands for Darkstone ) was developed for heavy metal guitar players. The main features of the DN are that it has a set-in neck for speed and playing comfort, medium frets, and coil tapped pickups. This guitar is currently discontinued. Ibanez X The Ibanez X guitars are Ibanez guitars that feature unconventional and unique body designs. An example would be the Ibanez Xiphos, which is stylized to look like the letter X.
For all X guitars currently available and for more information, check the. (as of 2013, variations may be: and, 100, MTM10) Ibanez Artist (AR) The Ibanez Artist guitars were designed for heavy playing such as for heavy metal or traditional rock. The Artist ARZ is a single cutaway, 24 fret, 25' scale guitar that features a wide variety of bridges and pickups depending on the specific models.
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The Artist ART is a single cutaway, 22 fret, 24.75' scale guitar that features a hard tail bridge. The Ibanez AR is a reissued series originating from the 70s.
The AR series features a set-in neck, double cutaway, with 22 frets on a 24.75' scale. Ibanez FR The Ibanez FR is a simple body type guitar that is designed to be played in many genres. Ibanez Mikro The Ibanez Mikro series are small form factor guitars designed for children, beginners, or guitar players looking for a guitar that is easy to transport. Hollow body electric guitars The first Ibanez Artcore models were released in mid-2002 whose goal was to offer an affordable range of full-hollow and semi-hollow body guitars that appealed to entry level guitarists who were unable or unwilling to pay big money on high-priced guitars. Ibanez Artcore Custom.
Headstock from an ARTCORE series guitar The Artcore Custom is Ibanez's flagship model for the Artcore series. The bodies of the guitars are made of maple, the neck has a set-in construction type, and features wood control knobs and hand rolled frets. Ibanez AK The Ibanez AK is a guitar designed for jazz and blues type playing. It features a slim set-in neck with a body designed to easily access the higher frets.
The AK is easily distinguishable by its sharper lower body horn (Florentine?) that other Artcore guitars do not have. Production signature guitars. JS10th Chrome Boy. – Signature. and – Signature. – Signature.
– Signature. – Signature. – Signature. – Signature. Signature. KIKO - Signature.
STM2 – Signature. ORM – Signature.
MBM – Signature. HRG – Signature. GB – Signature. K7 – Signature.
PM – Signature. PS10 – Signature. JSM – Signature. AT – Signature.
TAM - Signature. RBM - Signature. JBM - Signature.
BBM - Signature. JIVA - Signature. THBB - Signature.
SLM - Signature. MAR - Signature.
EH - SignatureDiscontinued guitars. Ibanez R series, also known as the Radius series, are famous for having lightweight aerofoil-profiled bodies. The main endorser was before he was given his own Signature JS series. The Radius series is now discontinued. RT series – Superstrat design with 24 frets.
Discontinued in 1994. RX series – Superstrat design but with 22 frets instead. Discontinued in 1998, and currently only exists as GRX (budget model of RX series). AX series – Extreme version of the artist model, aimed towards metal players – currently only exist as GAX model and Guitar Center exclusive model. Axstar (a.k.a. Axstar by Ibanez) – discontinued.
– Ergodyne series – discontinued. MC – Musician series – Discontinued – Neck-through construction (except for MC-100, which has a bolt-on neck), with 24 frets (two octaves) – As with the Artist models of the late 1970s, some of these guitars were equipped with trisound switches, and some models (MC 400 and MC 500) were equipped with active electronics. ST – Studio series 1977–82 offset double cutaway ranging from bolt on to fixed and through necks with pairs of V2 distortion humbuckers.
ICJ100WZ – Signature. – Signature. Signature. AH10 – Signature. LR10 – Signature. JP20 – Signature. MFM – Signature.
VM1 – Signature. FGM – Signature. JPM – Signature. RBM2NT – Signature. DMM1 – Signature. MMM – Signature.
RS1010SL – Signature. STM1 – Signature.
and – SignatureBass guitar models SR (Soundgear) Series Middle-class model range in the new millennium, though it included expensive high-end and top-of-the-line Japanese models in the late 1980s and 1990s. Later top offerings were branded as Signature and SR Prestige models for clearer segmentation, and all non-Prestige model production moved outside Japan. Current models from the SR250 and up feature soapbar-style humbuckers with active EQ.SR Prestige High-end versions of the Ibanez Soundgear (SR-5004/5/6 & SR-4004/5/6) Bass Guitars made in Japan using exotic woods and high-quality custom pickups & new 'PWC-III' Power Curve III 3-band EQ with EQ bypass switch to bypass the electronics and take the bass signal directly from the pickups to the output jack. All Japanese-built current production models are in the Prestige series. SR Premium Nordstrand pickups. ARTCORE Series- Archtop Basses. ARTIST (Model 2626B - Carved-top solid-body set-neck bass, twin humbuckers, made late Seventies.).
AFB200 – Hollow-body bass guitar. AGB200 – Semihollow-body bass guitar. ATK Series.
ATK 300 4 string model. ATK 305 5 string model.
ATK 1200, the Prestige version of the standard ATK, has extra neck pickup. ATK 800E, to be released in 2012, a Premium version of the standard ATK. Has extra neck pickup. ATK 805E, to be released in 2012, a Premium version of the standard ATK.
Main article: Serial numbers Serial numbersIbanez Serial Numbers (non Acoustic)Japanese Ibanez Serial Numbers1997 and after (CE logo designation). F =. YYXXXXX format.
YY = year (98=1998). XXXXX = production number1987-1997. F = FujiGen. H = Terada. I = Ida Gakki (Iida).
YXXXXX format. Y = year (2=1992). XXXXX = production number1975-1986.
MYYXXXX format. M = Month (A = January to L = December). YY = year (82=1982). XXXX = production numberMost Ibanez models with this serial number format were made by FujiGen Gakki. Exceptions are the Ibanez Blazer models which were made by Dyna Gakki and the Axstar by Ibanez models AX40, AX45, AX48, AXB50, AXB60, AXB65, AX70, AX75 which were made by Chushin Gakki. LTD., HOSHINO GAKKI CO.
Retrieved 2017-05-17. American Musical Supply.
Retrieved 2017-06-20. ^. HoshinoGakki.co.jp.
^. Retrieved 2012-01-12. FujiGen and Ibanez. Matsumoto GUITARS Guitar manufacturers in Matsumoto City (in Japanese).: Junk Guitar Museum. Archived from on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
Rainer Daeschler. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
(based on ); Originally published as 'Fujigen vom Kuhstall zur Weltspitze'. Fachblatt Musikmagazin. (interview), Nuno – The Ibanez Interviews, IbanezRegister.com (1984-12-04). Archived from on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-01-12. Zachary R.
Fjestad (2008). Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars. Alfred Music Publishing. CS1 maint: extra punctuation. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
Retrieved 17 March 2018. Retrieved 2017-08-07.Models., Japan: Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc., 1950s, archived from on 2011-08-20, retrieved 2015-05-17.Note: the wide variety of musical instruments in this catalog reflect their full-time export business during that era. The and instruments suggest the involvement of in and its brother factory, Kiso Suzuki Violin in. Their third brother in, was a founder of the, and their cultural activities influenced the establishment of in Matsumoto, according to a co-founder of FujiGen, 2013-01-16 at the., p., archived from on 2011-08-20, retrieved 2015-05-17 (Models: EG 80, EG 80-B, EG 80-H, EG 90)., p., archived from on 2011-08-20, retrieved 2015-05-17 (Models: No. 1830 (2pu), No. 1850 (3pu), No. 1860 (2pu with ), No. 1880 (3pu with tremolo), No. 1950 ). Archived from on 2013-08-01. Archived from on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
For the ultimate in playability we took our legendary super-thin, ultra-playable Wizard neck, and upped the ante to Nitro Wizard - as fast and comfortable but with added road-tested durability. Archived from on 2013-06-03.
Add 3-D curves to the concept of the RG and you've got the RGA.those curves enhance playability. Archived from on 2015-04-23. Retrieved 2015-05-16. The RGD is Ibanez's ultimate metal machine.
^. Archived from on 2013-08-12.
Archived from on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2015-05-16. Archived from on 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2015-05-16. The 24 fret, two-octave fretboard of the ARZ surpasses the boundaries of traditional single-cutaway guitars. Scale: 638mm/25.1'.
Archived from on 2013-07-04. Archived from on 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2015-05-16. The AR is a classic among Ibanez guitars.
Ibanez Artist Ar 350 Super Edition Start
It was one of the first original designs produced by Ibanez and continues to be a sought after guitar. The AR series continues that legacy with pride. Set-in neck: AR720FM features smooth heel for superb playability. Scale: 628mm/24.75'. Archived from on 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
FR Standard - With its simple, refined body shape, the FR is a chameleon when it comes to musical genres. The Ibanez CCR pickups bring more punch to the midrange tones while the Tight-End bridge provides maximum sustain and playing comfort. GRG miKro puts out sound way beyond its size. Perfect for young rockers on the way up or seasoned road warriors on the tour bus. Scale: 564mm/22.2'.
Archived from on 2013-01-19. The Artcore Custom is the flagship of the Artcore series, featuring beautiful maple bodies and maple/walnut set-in neck construction, producing a warm yet punchy tone. Wood control knobs and matching pickguard enhance the exquisite appearance of the Artcore Custom. Hand-rolled frets for ultimate playablity.
Archived from on 2012-10-22. Jazz and blues history is filled with the warm tones of full-hollow body guitars. The AK is the answer to those who loves traditional sweet tones and easy accessibility to higher frets. Slim & comfortable 3-pc Artocre set-in neckBibliography. Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Chartwell Books. (catalog archive), Ibanez.co.jp.
Search Catalogs:,. Paul Specht; Michael Wright; Jim Donahue (2005). Ibanez: The Untold Story. Hoshino (U.S.A.) Inc.External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to.