The Ibanez trademark originated from the Fuji plant in Matsumoto, Japan. In 1932, the Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. factory began producing instruments under the Ibanez trademark. The factory and offices were burned down during World War II, and were revived in 1950. By the mid-1960s, Hoshino was producing instruments under various trademarks such as Ibanez, Star, King´s Stone, Jamboree, and Goldentone.
In the mid-1950s, Harry Rosenbloom opened the Medley Music store outside Philadelphia. As the Folk Music boom began in 1959, Rosenbloom decided to begin producing acoustic guitars and formed the Elger company (named after Rosenbloom´s children, Ellen and Gerson). Elger acoustics were produced in Ardmore, Pennsylvania between 1959 and 1965.
In the 1960s, Rosenbloom traveled to Japan and found a number of companies that he contracted to produce the Elger acoustics. Later, he was contacted by Hoshino to form a closer business relationship. The first entry level solid body guitars featuring original designs first surfaced in the mid-1960s, some bearing the Elger trademark, and some bearing the Ibanez logo. One of the major keys to the perceived early Ibanez quality is due to Hoshino shipping the guitars to the Elger factory in Ardmore. The arriving guitars would be re-checked, and set up prior to shipping to the retailer. Many distributors at the time would just simply ship product to the retailer, and let surprises occur at the unboxing. By reviewing the guitars in a separate facility, Hoshino/Ibanez could catch any problems before the retailer - so the number of perceived flawed guitars was reduced at the retail/sales end. In England, Ibanez was imported by the Summerfield Brothers, and sometimes had either the CSL trademark or no trademark at all on the headstock. Other U.K. distributors used the Antoria brand name, and in Australia they were rebranded with a Jason logo.
In the early 1970s, the level of quality rose as well as the level of indebtedness to classic American designs. It has been argued that Ibanez´ reproductions of Stratocasters and Les Pauls may be equal to or better than the quality of Norlin era Gibsons or CBS era Fenders. In any event, the unauthorized reproductions eventually led to Fender´s objections to Tokai´s imports (the infamous headstock sawing rumour), and Norlin/Gibson taking Hoshino/Ibanez/Elger into court for patent infringement.
When Ibanez began having success basically reproducing Gibson guitars and selling them at a lower price on the market, Norlin (Gibson´s owner at the time) sent off a cease-and-desist warning. Norlin´s lawyers decided that the best way to proceed was to defend the decorative (the headstock) versus the functional (body design), and on June 28th, 1977 the case of Gibson vs. Elger Co. opened in Philadelphia Federal District Court. In early 1978, a resolution was agreed upon: Ibanez would stop reproducing Gibsons if Norlin would stop suing Ibanez. The case was officially closed on February 2, 1978.
The infringement lawsuit ironically might have been the kick in the pants that propelled Ibanez and other Japanese builders to get back into original designs. Ibanez stopped building Gibson exact reproductions, and moved on to other designs. By the early 1980s, certain guitar styles began appealing to other areas of the guitar market (notably the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal genre), and Ibanez´s use of famous endorsers probably fueled the appeal. Ibanez's continuing program of original designs and artist involvement continued to work in the mid- to late 1980s, and continues to support their position in the market today (source: Michael Wright, Guitar Stories, Volume One).
In 2011, Ibanez announced that they were bringing all U.S. distribution to the Hoshino Bensalem, PA location.
Instruments currently produced in Japan since the early 1960s, Korea since the 1980s, and China since the early 2000s. Ibanez guitars are distributed in the U.S. by Ibanez USA (Hoshino) in Bensalem, PA. Other distribution offices include Quebec (for Canada), Sydney (for Australia), and Auckland (for New Zealand).

IBANEZ Acoustic Guitars Models

IBANEZ AEB5E Image

IBANEZ AEB5E

- single cutaway full-size AEB-style bass body, spruce top, agathis back and sides, round soundhole with two-ring rosette (5/9 grouping), multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 15/22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, bl...

IBANEZ EW20BG BUBINGA Image

IBANEZ EW20BG BUBINGA

- AEL style body, figured bubinga top/back/sides, abalone rosette, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with 12th fret inlay, matching headstock, rosewood bridge, chrome hardware, Natural High Gloss finish, mfg. 2006 only.

IBANEZ SGT110 Image

IBANEZ SGT110

- grand concert style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with pearloid rosette, black/white binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge...

IBANEZ ACS1150ECE Image

IBANEZ ACS1150ECE

- single sloped cutaway Grand Concert body, solid cedar top, solid rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, maple binding, mahogany F.A.S.T. adjustable neck, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard, black headstock overlay with I...

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC350 Image

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC350

- single cutaway Ibanez original MSC-style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, two oval soundholes both on the bass bout, white (Black finish) or black (Pearl White finish) body binding, mahogany neck 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard...

IBANEZ AMBIANCE A100E Image

IBANEZ AMBIANCE A100E

- single smooth cutaway Ambiance-style body, spruce top, arched mahogany back, mahogany sides, round soundhole with laser-engraved wood rosette, single-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/21-fret rosewood fingerboard with small dot inlays,...

IBANEZ LS 370 Image

IBANEZ LS 370

- dreadnought-style body, spruce top, flame maple back and sides, round soundhole with three-ring rosette, multi-ply body binding, maple neck, 14/20-fret bound maple fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, bound pointed maple headstock, six-on-s...

IBANEZ AEF18E Image

IBANEZ AEF18E

- single smooth cutaway AEF-style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with fire rosette, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, matching finish headstock ov...

IBANEZ AEL10 Image

IBANEZ AEL10

- single cutaway AEL body, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Fishman Sonicore pickup, Ibanez AEQ-SS EQ, chrome hardware, available in Black finish, mfg. 2004-2011.

IBANEZ AVD1 Image

IBANEZ AVD1

- dreadnought style body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with multi ring rosette, x-bracing, single-ply white body binding, wooden mosaic backstrip inlay, mahogany neck with satin finish, 12/18-fret rosewoo...

IBANEZ AEW120BG Image

IBANEZ AEW120BG

- single Florentine cutaway AEW-style body, solid Sitka spruce top with x-bracing, bubinga back and sides, round soundhole with bubinga/acacia/rosewood/abalone rosette, rosewood body binding, wooden top purfling and back strip inlay, satin...

IBANEZ AC10 Image

IBANEZ AC10

- grand concert body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, tortoise pickguard, Natural finish, mfg. 2000-04.

IBANEZ AE10 Image

IBANEZ AE10

- single rounded cutaway dreadnought style, spruce top, bound body, three-stripe rosette, mahogany back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white pins and black dots, wood peghead...

IBANEZ EP5 EUPHORIA STEVIE VAI Image

IBANEZ EP5 EUPHORIA STEVIE VAI

- single sharp cutaway body thin body, solid Englemann spruce top, mahogany back and sides, multi-bound body, oval soundhole with Stevie Vai logo wood rosette, mahogany neck, 14/24-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with 12th fret Steve Vai...

IBANEZ TALMAN TCY10 FIRST VERSION Image

IBANEZ TALMAN TCY10 FIRST VERSION

- double cutaway unique body style, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Ibanez Piezo pickupand two-band EQ, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, available in Black, Metallic Silver Sunburst...

IBANEZ R001 Image

IBANEZ R001

- parlor style, solid spruce top, round soundhole, wooden inlay binding and rosette, rosewood back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge with white black dot pins, gold hardware, three-per-side die-cast tuners, availa...

IBANEZ PC5 Image

IBANEZ PC5

- miniature jumbo style, spruce top, round soundhole, black body binding, five-stripe rosette, nato back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white pins and black dots, three-per-side chrome...

IBANEZ N600 Image

IBANEZ N600

- single cutaway classical style, cedar top, round soundhole, five-stripe bound body, wooden inlay rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, rosewood bridge with white black dot pins, three-per-s...

IBANEZ FX72 Image

IBANEZ FX72

- single cutaway MASA style body, spruce top, mahogany backand sides, oval soundhole, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, rosewood bridge, three-per-side tuners, AP2 Magnetic pickup and Fishman Sonicore pickup, 3M...

IBANEZ GA1 Image

IBANEZ GA1

- 1/2-sized classical style, spruce top, agathis back and sides, round soundhole, wood inlay rosette, mahogany neck, 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard, slotted headstock, three-per-side open-style chrome tuners, rosewood tied bridge, availabl...

IBANEZ CR80 Image

IBANEZ CR80

- auditorium style, spruce top, bound f-holes, three-layer black pickguard, nato back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white black dot pins, blackface peghead with screen...

IBANEZ AC12 Image

IBANEZ AC12

- grand concert body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, three-ring rosette, body binding, maple neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge, tortoise pickguard, chrome hardware...

IBANEZ AEG10 Image

IBANEZ AEG10

- similar to the AE10 except has a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEZ-SS electronics, available in Gloss Black, Metallic Red (2007-08), Trans. Blue Sunburst (2009-2012), Trans. Red Sunburst (disc.), Trans. Purple (disc.), or Vintage Sun...

IBANEZ EP7 EUPHORIA STEVIE VAI Image

IBANEZ EP7 EUPHORIA STEVIE VAI

- single sharp cutaway body, quilted maple top/back/sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with tree-of-life green pearl inlay, body binding, rosewood bridge, oval soundhole with Stevie Vai signature, B-Band UST pickup and A5 EQ, gold h...

IBANEZ TALMAN TCY10E SECOND VERSION Image

IBANEZ TALMAN TCY10E SECOND VERSION

- double cutaway unique body style, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Ibanez under saddle pickup, Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp with tuner, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, available in Black o...

IBANEZ R300 Image

IBANEZ R300

- similar to the R001, except features cedar top, mahogany back/sides/neck, chrome hardware, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1992-94.

IBANEZ PC15 Image

IBANEZ PC15

- Grand Concert body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with a three-ring rosette, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard headstock with gold Ibanez an...

IBANEZ N601 N Image

IBANEZ N601 N

- similar to the N600, except features slotted peghead, gold hardware, three-per-side open classic tuners, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1992-94.

IBANEZ GX90 BK Image

IBANEZ GX90 BK

- dreadnought size body with MASA 90 System (Magnetic Acoustic Solid-top Acoustic). Ibanez AP1 magnetic pickup located at neck/body joint, AEQ3M equalizer and EQ phase switch, solid Sitka Spruce top, mahogany neck, back, and sides, die-cast...

IBANEZ DTMA (10) ACOUSTIC Image

IBANEZ DTMA (10) ACOUSTIC

- spruce top, mahogany back/sides, rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge, chrome die-cast tuners, available in Natural Gloss finish, mfg. 1998-2008.

IBANEZ GA2 Image

IBANEZ GA2

- 3/4-sized classical style, spruce top, agathis back and sides, round soundhole, wood inlay rosette, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret rosewood fingerboard, slotted headstock, three-per-side open-style chrome tuners, rosewood tied bridge, availabl...

IBANEZ AEB10/AEB10E Image

IBANEZ AEB10/AEB10E

- single cutaway AEL body, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Fishman Sonicore pickup, Ibanez AEQ-SS EQ, chrome hardware, available in Black (disc.), Dark Violin Sunburst (2009-present), or Na...

IBANEZ EW20KOE KOA CUTAWAY ELECTRIC Image

IBANEZ EW20KOE KOA CUTAWAY ELECTRIC

- AEL style single cutaway body, figured koa top/back/sides, abalone rosette, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with 12th fret inlay, matching headstock, rosewood bridge, B-Band pickup and Ibanez electronics, chrome hardware, Natural High Glo...

IBANEZ SGT120 Image

IBANEZ SGT120

- dreadnought style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with pearloid rosette, black/white binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge,...

IBANEZ AJS1180ECE Image

IBANEZ AJS1180ECE

- single sloped cutaway semi-jumbo body, solid Englemann spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, maple binding, mahogany F.A.S.T. adjustable neck, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard, flamed maple heads...

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC380FM Image

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC380FM

- single cutaway Ibanez original MSC-style body, flamed maple top, back, and sides, two oval soundholes both on the bass bout, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with double dot inlays at the 12th f...

IBANEZ AVN1 Image

IBANEZ AVN1

- parlor style body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with multi ring rosette, x-bracing, white body binding, wooden mosaic backstrip inlay, mahogany neck with satin finish, 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard wi...

IBANEZ AEW21VK Image

IBANEZ AEW21VK

- single florentine cutaway AEW-style body, spruce top with x-bracing, ovangkol back and sides, round soundhole with ovangkol/spalted maple rosette, maple body binding, wooden top purfling and back strip inlay, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret ros...

IBANEZ AEB30 Image

IBANEZ AEB30

- four-string bass single cutaway AEF body, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Ivorex saddle, Fishman Sonicore pickup and AEQ-SS electronics, Natural finish, disc. 2003.

IBANEZ EW20AS QUILTED ASH Image

IBANEZ EW20AS QUILTED ASH

- AEL style body, quilted ash top/back/sides, abalone rosette, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with 12th fret inlay, matching headstock, rosewood bridge, chrome hardware, Natural High Gloss finish, mfg. 2005-2010.

IBANEZ AWS1000ECE Image

IBANEZ AWS1000ECE

- single sloped cutaway dreadnought body, solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, maple binding, mahogany F.A.S.T. adjustable neck, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard, black headstock overlay w...

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC380QM Image

IBANEZ MONTAGE MSC380QM

- single cutaway Ibanez original MSC-style body, quilted maple top, back, and sides, two oval soundholes both on the bass bout, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with double dot inlays at the 12th...