Ibanez

History

Ibanez guitars started its long and salubrious history back in 1908 when its Japanese founder Hoshino Gakki was importing Spanish guitars branded as Salvador Ibanez. Some years later in 1935 Gakki purchased the brand name which was later changed to Ibanez and produced Spanish guitars under the Ibanez brand.

The modern part of the Ibanez history commenced in 1957 when Japanese Guitar makers started to model their guitars on European designs such as Hagstrom and EKO. However, by the 1970s most Japanese manufactured guitars were copies of American guitar models which unfortunately culminated in a lawsuit against Ibanez for breach of copyright.

After the lawsuit Ibanez started to create original design guitars - the first early models being the Ibanez Iceman and Roadstar. By the late 80s and early 1990s Gakki had forged a relationship with the then Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai. This mutually beneficial arrangement resulted in the introduction of the Ibanez Jem and the Ibanez Universe electric guitar models. Today Ibanez are one of the most popular choices of electric guitar with an extensive range of models. Equally popular are their acoustic, electro-acoustic and bass guitar ranges and alongside these are effects pedals, amplifiers and various accessories.

Differentiators

Ibanez guitars are extensively used in the rock and heavy metal genre and have iconic rock guitar endorsees such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani - two of the most celebrated guitarists in the world. The collaboration with Steve Vai has created the Ibanez Jem range, whilst Joe Satriani's signature guitars are the JS models. Ibanez also have a series of electro-acoustic guitars that use exotic and unusual woods and are known as the "Exotic Wood" range.

Notably Ibanez guitar necks are flat without any curvature on the fret board. Unlike many of the Fender models, their pointed headstock design has also become an iconic symbol and makes Ibanez instruments instantly recognisable. Ibanez have their own custom shop in Japan where they produce models in collaboration with famous music artists or musicians and although predominantly used as rock music instruments, they also make jazz models such as the Ibanez Pat Metheny custom shop designed Jazz guitar.

Ibanez Today

Today Ibanez guitars are massively popular. Having seen their idols use Ibanez instruments many young musicians follow in their footsteps by choosing Ibanez as their instrument of choice. It would be fair to say that Ibanez guitars are in the main purchased by a younger generation of musicians.

Ibanez continue to innovate and expand the boundaries of guitar technology by the
use of modern manufacturing techniques, rare and unusual wood types
and cutting edge guitar design. They also have an extensive range of
affordable guitar and bass effects pedals and are remembered for
the iconic "Tube Screamer" model that was released in the early
1980s and has become a classic amongst generations of
guitar players.