Product Spotlight: Ibanez Electric Guitars

Ibanez started out in 1908 as sheet music and musical products distributor Hoshino-Gakki before taking on the name Ibanez in the 1930's when they started making guitars. The Ibanez name is associated with Spanish guitar maker Salvador Ibanez whose guitars Hoshino-Gakki started importing into Japan during the late 1920's.

Ibanez rose to prominence in the 1960's and 1970's borrowing from the design cues and styles of the two big American companies. Eventually Ibanez faced some legal issues given the headstock shapes they were using before a law suit concerning trademark infringements was settled out of court in 1978. These so-called 'lawsuit' era guitars are highly sought after owing to their build quality, tone, and materials used.

Ibanez were at the forefront of the guitar boom in the 1980's. Introducing the now famous RG models, these 'superstrats' were based on a Fender style guitar sporting some serious modifications. With sharp edges and pointed body horns, locking tremolo systems, 'shark-tooth' fret inlays, high output pickups, and flat, thin 24 fret necks, the RG's are designed for speed.

All throughout that decade and into the 90's, guitar wizards like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai continued to push the limits on what was possible on electric guitar and working closely with Ibanez developed their signature guitars such as the JS140 and Jem series. An innovative company, Ibanez has been a pioneer in the evolution of multi-string guitars. Such development demands the genesis of new products like new pickups and hardware that cater for guitars such as the Iron Labels, the RG7 and the RG8 range.

Many prominent players have selected Ibanez electric guitars as their guitar of choice for rock, shred, punk and metal in all its various forms and genres. These include Munky and Head from Korn, Paul Stanley from Kiss, Mick Thompson from Slipknot, Noodles from The Offspring, and Kiko Loureiro from Megadeth.

Not only have Ibanez excelled in making excellent solid body electrics, jazz masters George Benson, John Schofield and Pat Methany all choose Ibanez as their main guitar of choice showcasing the diversity, build quality, and tone of their Hollow Body, Artstar and Artcore range.

Here at The Music Spot we are proud to be the premium Ibanez dealer on the Brisbane's Southside covering all the bases from the entry level, budget friendly GIO, the excellent Premium series, the Artcore Hollow bodies, and even up to the top line Japanese made Prestige Series guitar range.

Come in and try one out today.