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IBANEZ History and Dating your guitar
Ibanez
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This article is about the guitar manufacturer. For people named Ibáñez, see Ibáñez.
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Ibanez Ibanez logo.svg
Type Private
Founded Nagoya, Japan 1957
Headquarters Japan
Industry Musical instruments
Products Ibanez Guitars and Basses, Amplifiers, Effects
Website www.ibanez.com
Ibanez (pronounced /ˈaɪbænɛz/ or /aɪˈbænɛz/) is a guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki and based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in the United States and Europe.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 History
o 1.1 Lawsuit
* 2 Guitars
* 3 Ibanez Endorsers: Past and Present
* 4 Effect Pedals
o 4.1 Tube Screamer
* 5 Serial Numbers
o 5.1 Pickup Serial Numbers
* 6 References
* 7 External links
[edit] History
The Hoshino Gakki company began in 1908 as the musical instrument sales division of the Hoshino Shoten, a bookstore company. The Ibanez brand name dates back to 1929 when Hoshino Gakki began importing Salvador Ibáñez guitars from Spain. When the "Salvador Ibáñez" workshop was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, the "Ibanez Salvador" guitars were no longer available, so Hoshino Gakki bought the "Ibanez Salvador" brand name rights and started making Spanish acoustic guitars in 1935, at first using the "Ibanez Salvador" brand name, and then later using the "Ibanez" brand name [1].
The modern era of Ibanez guitars began in 1957 [2] and the late 1950s and 1960s Ibanez catalogues [1] show guitars with some wild looking designs [2]. Japanese guitar makers in the 1960s were mostly copying European guitar designs and some of the late 1960s Ibanez designs were similar to Hagström and EKO guitar designs. Hoshino Gakki used the Teisco and FujiGen Gakki guitar factories to manufacture Ibanez guitars after they stopped manufacturing their own guitars in 1966 and after the Teisco guitar factory closed down in 1969/1970 Hoshino Gakki used the FujiGen Gakki guitar factory to make most Ibanez guitars.
In the 1960s Japanese guitar makers started to mainly invent American guitar designs and Ibanez branded copies of Gibson, Fender and Rickenbacker models started to appear. This resulted in the so called Ibanez lawsuit period. After the lawsuit period Hoshino Gakki introduced Ibanez models that were not copies of the Gibson or Fender designs such as the Iceman and Ibanez Roadstar. 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 Frank Zappa's former guitarist Steve Vai resulted in the introduction of the Ibanez JEM and the Ibanez Universe models and after the earlier successes of the Roadstar and Iceman models in the late 1970s/early 1980s, Hoshino Gakki entered the superstrat market with the RG series which were a lower priced version of the Ibanez JEM model.
Hoshino Gakki also had semi acoustic, nylon and steel stringed acoustic guitars manufactured under the Ibanez name. Most Ibanez guitars were made for Hoshino Gakki 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 Roland guitar synthesizers, including the Stratocaster-style Roland G-505, the twin-humbucker Roland G-202 (endorsed by Eric Clapton, Dean Brown, Jeff Baxter, Yannis Spathas, Mike Rutherford, Andy Summers and Steve Hackett) and the Ibanez X-ING IMG-2010.
Sometimes stencil (template) guitar designs were shared by Japanese guitar companies and distributors so an early Hoshino Ibanez branded guitar might look the same as another brand name guitar produced by a different Japanese distributor but only Ibanez, Cimar by Ibanez and Maxxas branded guitars were made for Hoshino Gakki and are the only guitar brand names that have appeared in Hoshino Gakki catalogues. Cimar guitars were not produced by Hoshino Gakki but "Cimar by Ibanez" guitars were produced for Hoshino Gakki by Cimar [3].
The Starfield guitar brand was also owned by Hoshino Gakki. In the 1970s, Hoshino Gakki and Kanda Shokai shared some guitar designs and so some Ibanez and Greco guitars have the same features. The Kanda Shokai Greco guitars were sold in Japan and the Hoshino Gakki Ibanez guitars were sold outside of Japan. From 1982, Ibanez guitars have also been sold in Japan as well as being sold outside of Japan [4].
Many other guitar brands such as Antoria 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 UK with Hoshino Gakki cooperation from 1964-1987. 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 [3].
[4]
[edit] Lawsuit
Harry Rosenbloom, of Medley Music, based in Ardmore, 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 of 1972 Hoshino began a partnership with Elger Guitars to import guitars from Japan. In September of 1981, Elger was renamed "Hoshino U.S.A.", retaining the company headquarters in Bensalem, Pennsylvania as a distribution and quality-control center.
The lawsuit was brought by the "Norlin Corporation", the parent company of Gibson guitars against Elger/Hoshino U.S.A. in 1977, and was based on an Ibanez headstock design that had been discontinued by 1976. Hoshino settled out of court, and by 1978 had begun making Ibanez guitars from their own designs [5].
After the so-called lawsuit Hoshino Gakki abandoned the strategy of copying "classic" USA electric guitar designs and moved to the popular superstrat 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 pickups, locking tremolo bridges and more colourful finishes.
[edit] Guitars
[show]Electric Guitar Models
Custom painted and modified 97 RG570
* Ibanez GIO series are budget priced Ibanez guitars.
* Ibanez R series, also known as the Radius series, are famous for having lightweight aerofoil-profiled basswood bodies. The main endorser was the world famous Joe Satriani before he was given his own Signature JS series. The Radius series is now discontinued.
* Ibanez RG series (previously named Roadstar Guitar, hence the name RG), are the Ibanez superstrat guitars, all featuring 24-fret slim neck.
Custom modified 05 S470
* Ibanez S series, also known as the Saber series, are famous for having ergonomic, super thin, and lightweight mahogany bodies.
* 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 (aka Axstar by Ibanez) - discontinued
* EDR/EXR - Ergodyne series - discontinued
Ibanez Artist AS200 semi hollowbody from the1980s
* Artist Series - In the mid-70's Ibanez started producing a line of double cutaway solid body guitars [6]. Some of these featured tri-sound switches which enabled the player to alter the humbucking pickups to single coil or out of phase modes. There were various models, the best known of which, produced in the 1980s, are the AR100, AR105, AR150 (all without the tri-sound) and AR300, AR305, AR350 (all featuring the tri-sound). The artist series established the company as manufacturers of high quality original instruments. Early endorsers included Bob Weir and Steve Miller. The AR300 has since been reissued as a cheaper, downgraded model.
* 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 (on-board EQ/preamplifiers)
* ARC-100/300 (Retro Series)
* ARX-100/300 (Retro Series)
* AR-100/200 (black vintage top)
* V Series - Flying V's - discontinued
* Artcore Series - Ibanez's full and semi-hollow guitar line.
* Ibanez Jet King 2 and Jet King 1 - A modern remake of the Ibanez Rhythm maker, vintage looking and sounding guitars.
* Radius series - discontinued, a modified version is now taken over by the Joe Satriani signature series which features a multi-radius neck.
* RS Roadstar Series - Consists of the Talman, Radius and Saber series
* EX Series - Manufactured in Korea.
* X Series - Various X-shaped and star-shaped instruments geared towards metal players.
* PL - Pro Line series
* RR - Rocket Roll
* DT - Destroyer
* IC - Iceman
* CN Concert Series - This was a short lived series produced in 1978 then discontinued soon afterwards. It features an [Asymmetric|asymmetric] double cutaway body with two humbuckers, a hard tail bridge and a bolt on neck. The top end model (the CN250) was one of the earliest guitars to feature "half vine" fingerboard inlays.
* Ibanez j.custom - Previously an exclusive custom range available in Japan only. Now available worldwide
* U.S.A. custom - USA custom range
* AFD - Artfield
* (M)GR - Ghostrider
* Cimar by Ibanez
[show]Production Signature Models
* JS - Joe Satriani Signature
* Universe and JEM - Steve Vai Designed Guitar
* PGM - Paul Gilbert Signature
* MTM - Mick Thomson Signature
* NDM2 - Noodles Signature
* APEX - Munky Signature
* E-Gen - Herman Li Signature
* STM - Sam Totman Signature
* ORM - Omar Rodriguez Signature
* MBM - Matt Bachand Signature
* HRG - H. R. Giger Signature
* GB - George Benson Signature
* PM - Pat Metheny Signature
* JSM - John Scofield Signature
* AT - Andy Timmons Signature
* SDB - Sharlee D'angelo Signature bass
* K5 - Fieldy Signature bass
* PRB - Paul Romanko Signature bass
* PGB - Paul Gray Signature bass
* GWB - Gary Willis Signature bass
* MDB - Mike D'Antonio Signature bass
* DTB - Dionald Tubang Signature bass
Ibanez JEM 555BK
[show]Discontinued Signature Models
* ICJ100WZ - Jay Yuenger Signature
* K7 - Korn Signature
* Stanley Jordan Signature
* AH10 - Alan Holdsworth Signature
* PS10 - Paul Stanley Signature
* LR10 - Lee Ritenour Signature
* JP20 - Joe Pass Signature
* MFM - Marty Friedman Signature
* VM1 - Vinnie Moore Signature
* FGM - Frank Gambale Signature
* JPM - John Petrucci Signature
* RBM2NT - Reb Beach Signature
* DMM1 - Daron Malakian Signature
* AT - Andy Timmons Signature
* MMM - Mike Mushok Signature
* MTM1 - Mick Thomson Signature
* PGM301 - Paul Gilbert Signature
* RS1010SL - Steve Lukather Signature
* NDM1 - Noodles Signature
[show]New Guitar & Bass Models for 2008
* Xiphos 7-String - XPT707 (X-Series)
* S-Series Prestige - 24-fret
* SV-Series Prestige - 24-fret, vintage tremolo
* Iceman - ICT700 (return to the Ibanez catalogue - IC-Series)
* E-Gen - Herman Li Signature - EGEN18 (derivate of the S-Series)
* STM - Sam Totman Signature - STM1 (derivate of the IC-Series)
* NDM - Noodles Signature - NDM2 (return to the Ibanez catalogue - derivate of the Talman Series)
* ORM - Omar Rodriguez Signature - ORM1 (derivate of the JTK-Series)
* SZR - 22-fret, new version of the SZ series, SZR520 and SZR720 (with vine inlay & gold hardware)
* Montage Hybrid Guitar
* ICB 305 - 5 String Iceman Bass
[show]Bass Guitar Models
* ARTCORE Series- Archtop Basses
o AFB200 - Hollow-body bass guitar
o AGB200 - Semihollow-body bass guitar
* ATK 300 and 305, 4 and 5 string models, upon which Paul Gray's signature PGB bass is modeled.
* Blazer
* BTB Series
o BTB Prestige - High-end range which are made in Japan.
* DWB (Doug Wimbish) Series
* EDA (Ergodyne) Series
* EDB (Ergodyne) Series
* EDC (Ergodyne) Series
* EWB Series
* GAXB Series(discontinued)
* GSR Series- A lower-cost version of the Soundgear Series
o GSR 205 - Nominated for Ibanez's "Best of Model" award
* GWB Series
* ICB (Iceman) Series
* JTK (Jet King) Series
* JUMPSTART Series- Similar to the GSR Series, named for the Jumpstart Pack which comes with amp and other accessories.
* K5 Fieldy- A custom 5-string Soundgear w/ "K5" Inlay centered on 12th fret
* Musician Series
* ROADGEAR Series
* SR (Soundgear) Series
o SR Prestige - High-end versions of the Ibanez Soundgear (SR-5004/5/6 & SR-4004/5) Bass Guitars made in Japan using exotic woods and high-quality custom Bartolini 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.
Headstock from an ARTCORE series guitar
* SRX (Soundgear) Series
* SDGR Series
* ATK Series
* EX series
* Roadstar Series
* S series
* TR Series
[show]Acoustic Guitar Models
* AE Series
o AE5LG
* AES Series
* AW Series
* DT Series
* EP9 Series
* EW Series
* GA Series
* JAMPACK Series
* MANDOLIN Series
* MANN Series (Canadian distribution only)
* MASA Series
* PF Series
* PC series
* TALMAN Series
* V Series
* Concord
* SAGE Series
[edit] Ibanez Endorsers: Past and Present
Main article: List of Ibanez players
[edit] Effect Pedals
Ibanez DE7 Delay/Echo Pedal
In the 1970s, the Nisshin Onpa company, who owned the Maxon brand name, developed and began selling a series of effect pedals in Japan. Hoshino Gakki licensed these for sale using the name Ibanez outside of Japan. These two companies eventually began doing less and less business together until Nisshin Onpa ceased manufacting the TS-9 reissue for Hoshino Gakki in 2002.
[edit] Tube Screamer
Main article: Ibanez Tube Screamer
[edit] Serial Numbers
Approximate Ibanez Serial Numbers (non Acoustic)
Japanese Ibanez Serial Numbers
1997 and after (CE logo designation)
* F = FujiGen
* YYXXXXX format
* YY = year (98=1998)
* XXXXX = production number
1987-1997
* F = FujiGen
* H = Terada
* I = Ida Gakki (Iida)
* YXXXXX format
* Y = year (2=1992)
* XXXXX = production number
1975-1986
* MYYXXXX format
* M = Month (A = Jan to L = Dec)
* YY = year (82=1982)
* XXXX = production number
Most 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. The Ibanez Axstar AXB1000 model was made by FujiGen Gakki.
Korean Ibanez Serial Numbers
C = Cor-Tek (Cort), S = Samick(1990-1995), S/SQ = Saehan(Sunghan), P = Peerless (Iida), Y = Yoojin, A = Sae-In.
* YYMMXXXX format
* YY = year (03=2003)
* MM = month (01=Jan..12=Dec)
* XXXX = production number
E = Sung-Eum
* YMMXXXX format
* Y = year (9=1999)
* MM = month (01=Jan..12=Dec)
* XXXX = production number
W = World
* MYXXXX format
* M=month (1=Jan .. 9=Sep, X=Oct..Z=Dec)
* Y=year (3=2003)
* XXXX = production number
Indonesian Ibanez Serial Numbers
I = Cor-Tek (Cort) Indonesia, K = KWO
* YYMMXXXXX format
* YY = year (03=2003)
* MM = month (01=Jan..12=Dec)
* XXXXX = production number
Chinese Ibanez Serial Numbers
Z = Yeou Chern, J=Sejung
* YYMMXXXXX format
* YY = year (03=2003)
* MM = month (01=Jan..12=Dec)
* XXXXX = production number
Odd Ibanez Serial Numbers
* 2940000 Acoustic
* 2 = Cor-Tek (Cort) Taejan
* YYXXXX format
* YY = year (94=1994)
* XXXX = production number
* Ibanez Ghostrider model numbers GR=Cor-Tek (Cort), MGR=Samick
Older Acoustic
* YYMM (Kato)
* YY = year (82=1982)
* MM = month (01=Jan..12=Dec)
Silver Cadet model
* Z = Woo-sin
[edit] Pickup Serial Numbers
Ibanez and Greco Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup serial number format consisting of 5 numbers up to and including 1977. Ibanez Super 70 pickups have the same serial number format.
* First number = Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup code (1, 2, etc)
* Second number = Year (7=1977)
* Third number = Month (0=Jan ... 9=Oct then .=Nov, X=Dec)
* Fourth and Fifth number = Day of Month (01-31)
Ibanez and Greco Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup serial number format consisting of 6 numbers from 1977 to 1982.
* First number = Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup code (1, 2, etc)
* Second number = Year (9=1979)
* Third and Fourth number = Month (01=Jan ... 12=Dec)
* Fifth and sixth number = Day of Month (01-31)
Ibanez "Super 70" pickups made by Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) had a alnico 8 magnet. Ibanez "Super 58" pickups made by Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) had a alnico 3 magnet. Ibanez "Super 80" pickups made by Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) had a ceramic magnet. All of the above pickups DC resistance is approximately 7.5-8.0 kilohms.
[edit] References
1. ^ Hoshino Gakki History
2. ^ Ibanez, The Untold Story by Paul Specht (Michael Wright, Jim Donahue) ISBN 0-9764277-0-2
3. ^ Rich Lasner interview
4. ^ Ibanez: The Untold Story, 2005 Hoshino, USA
[edit] External links
*
Guitar portal
* Official Ibanez Website
* Ibanez Register - Information and pictures of all the Ibanez guitars
* History of Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.
* Ibanez History
* Ibanez Museum - Ibanez instruments database, resources, user reviews, and pictures.
* Origins of Ibanez and the Lawsuit Models
* Ibanez Serial Number Decoder
* Complete Ibanez Catalogs Online
* IbanezRules - Buy/Sell used Ibanez guitars, technical setup guides, catalog scans, manuals, wiring diagrams, etc.
* Guitar Resource Center Ibanez Guitar Reviews
* The Ibanez JS Site
* Jemsite - Dedicated to Ibanez JEM guitars and other Ibanez guitars.
* Rich Lasner from Hoshino USA interview
* The Mr-Ibanez Collection - Collection of rare vintage ibanez guitars
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