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 travelled 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. While the Blue Book of Electric Guitars would rather stay neutral on this debate (we just list them, not rate them), it has been suggested by outside sources that next time close your eyes and let your hands and ears be the judge. 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 they were closing their western distribution offices in Idaho Falls, ID and moving all operations to their Bensalem, PA office.
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. Previously distributed in Idaho Falls, ID. Other distribution offices include Quebec (for Canada), Sydney (for Australia), and Auckland (for New Zealand).

IBANEZ Electric Guitars Models

IBANEZ GSR200L Left-Handed Image

IBANEZ GSR200L Left-Handed

- similar to the GSR200, except in left-handed configuration, available in Black (2011-present) or Candy Apple finish (2004-09), mfg. 2004-09, reintroduced summer 2010-present.

IBANEZ TRB80/TR80 Image

IBANEZ TRB80/TR80

- similar to TRB50/TR50/GTR50, except features one J-style and one P-style pickups and a tortoise pickguard, available in Black or Ivory finish, mfg. 1995-96.

IBANEZ RG655 Image

IBANEZ RG655

- offset double cutaway basswood body, five-piece maple/walnut neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, matching headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Edge tremolo bridge, three DiMarzio pickups (HSH), two knobs (v, t), fiv...

IBANEZ JS24P PREMIUM Image

IBANEZ JS24P PREMIUM

- offset double cutaway contoured basswood body, bolt-on JS Prestige three-piece maple/bubinga neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with abalone dot inlays, matching headstock overlay with Ibanez and JS Series logos, six-on-one-side tuners, E...

IBANEZ AT300 ANDY TIMMONS SIGNATURE Image

IBANEZ AT300 ANDY TIMMONS SIGNATURE

- offset double cutaway mahogany body with an arched top, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with custom inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, Wilkinson/Gotoh tremolo bridge, SSH DiMarzio pickups, three knobs, five-way switch, chrome hardwa...

IBANEZ PGMFRM1 PAUL GILBERT FIREMAN Image

IBANEZ PGMFRM1 PAUL GILBERT FIREMAN

- reverse Iceman-style korina body, set three-piece korina/bubinga neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, Iceman-style headstock with black overlay and vertical Ibanez logo, Gibraltar II bridge, Quick Change 2 tailpiece,...

IBANEZ RG270DX Image

IBANEZ RG270DX

- similar to the RG270 except has a bound rosewood fingerboard with sharktooth inlays, and black hardware, available in Black, Emerald Green, Jewel Blue, Metallic Green, or Raspberry Red finish, mfg. 1994-2001.

IBANEZ AF85TDG Image

IBANEZ AF85TDG

- single smooth cutaway jumbo hollow archtop ES-5-style body, flame maple top, back, and sides, two bound f-holes, multi-ply body binding, set three-piece mahogany/maple DX set neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay...

IBANEZ SRX550 Image

IBANEZ SRX550

- offset double cutaway SR style basswood body, three-piece maple neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlays, matching headstock finish overlay, two-per-side tuners, Accu-Cast B200 bridge, two PFR exposed pickups,...

IBANEZ PGB1 PAUL GRAY SIGNATURE MODEL Image

IBANEZ PGB1 PAUL GRAY SIGNATURE MODEL

- offset double cutaway ATK-style light ash body, bolt-on five-piece maple/walnut neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with 1-3rd fret Slipknot and 11-13th fret Paul Gray signature inlays, black headstock with two-per-side tuners, custom ATK...

IBANEZ SA420X Image

IBANEZ SA420X

- offset double cutaway mahogany body with arched top, three-piece maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, double SAT tremolo bridge with piezo pickups, two humbucker pickups, three knobs, five-way s...

IBANEZ 2345 SG CUSTOM Image

IBANEZ 2345 SG CUSTOM

- symmetrical sharp double cutaway SG-style mahogany body with a birch top, beveled edges, set mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with block inlay, bound headstock with three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic-style bridge, SG-style vib...

IBANEZ DTX 120 Image

IBANEZ DTX 120

- Explorer-style basswood body with extended treble horn, white body binding, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, black headstock overlay, six-on-one-side tuners, full tune II bridge, stop tailpiece, two...

IBANEZ RGA72TQM Tremolo Image

IBANEZ RGA72TQM Tremolo

- similar to the RGA72QM, except has a double locking Edge III tremolo bridge, available in Blackberry Sunburst or Trans. Gray Burst finish, mfg. 2010 only.

IBANEZ RGD7UC PRESTIGE UPPERCUT Image

IBANEZ RGD7UC PRESTIGE UPPERCUT

- offset double cutaway RG-style basswood body, bolt-on five-piece Wizard-7 maple/wenge neck, 24-fret bound ebony fingerboard, black headstock overlay with Ibanez and Prestige logos, seven-on-one-side tuners, Tight-End R-7 bridge, two Bare...

IBANEZ RGIX20FEQM Image

IBANEZ RGIX20FEQM

- offset double cutaway basswood body, quilted maple top with abalone binding, three-piece maple/bubinga neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, matching headstock with six-on-a-side tuners, Gibraltar Standard II bridge, tw...

IBANEZ XPIR20E IRON LABEL Image

IBANEZ XPIR20E IRON LABEL

- X-shaped mahogany body with longer bottom bass and top treble bouts, bolt-on three-piece maple/bubinga Wizard neck, 24-fret bound ebony fingerboard with no inlays, reverse bound headstock with matching finish and Ibanez logo, six-on-the-o...

IBANEZ DT200 Image

IBANEZ DT200

- single cutaway Explorer style mahogany body, three-piece maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, standard bridge, two humbucker pickups, three knobs, three-way switch, chrome hardware, available in...

IBANEZ RGA72QME Image

IBANEZ RGA72QME

- offset double cutaway RG-style mahogany body with an arched quilted maple top, set three-piece Wizard III maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with 12th fret offset dot inlays, standard headstock with matching finish quilted maple ove...

IBANEZ RGIX27FEQM Image

IBANEZ RGIX27FEQM

- offset double cutaway basswood body, quilted maple top with abalone binding, three-piece maple/bubinga neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, matching headstock with seven-on-a-side tuners, Gibraltar Standard II-7 bridge...

IBANEZ SR300 SECOND VERSION Image

IBANEZ SR300 SECOND VERSION

- offset double cutaway agathis or mahogany body, bolt-on five-piece maple/rosewood neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl or white dot inlays, matching finish headstock overlay, two-per-side tuners, B100 or B120 bridge, two Ibanez E...

IBANEZ TRB100 Image

IBANEZ TRB100

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J-style and one P-style pickups, three knobs (v, tone, mix), black hardware, available in...

IBANEZ RG655M Image

IBANEZ RG655M

- offset double cutaway basswood body, five-piece maple/walnut neck, 24-fret Maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, matching headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Edge tremolo bridge, three DiMarzio pickups (HSH), two knobs (v, t), five-w...

IBANEZ AF86 Image

IBANEZ AF86

- single cutaway jumbo hollow body archtop ES-5 style, flame maple top/back/sides, two bound f-holes, B/N/H binding, three-piece DX set neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with block inlay, three-per-side tuners, adjustable rosewood-mounted...

IBANEZ AR720FM Image

IBANEZ AR720FM

- dual cutaway mahogany body, bound flamed maple top, set-in three-piece maple neck with smooth heel, 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard with acrylic and abalone block inlay, three-per-side tuners, gold hardware, Gibraltar bridge with sustain...

IBANEZ AM50 Image

IBANEZ AM50

- small symmetrical double cutaway thinline body, bound laminated maple, body, two f-holes, set neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, symmetrical headstock with three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic style bridge, stop styl...

IBANEZ AX7521 SEVEN-STRING Image

IBANEZ AX7521 SEVEN-STRING

- seven-string configuration, double offset mahogany body, AX maple neck with bubinga reinforcement, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, fixed Full Tune bridge, two humbucker pickups (V7-711, V8-71), fo...

IBANEZ EX365 Image

IBANEZ EX365

- similar to EX350, except has a reverse headstock, no pickguard, one single coil and one humbucker Ibanez pickups, and non-numbered knobs, available in Black, Blue Night, Burgundy Red, Laser Blue, Purple Pearl, or Ultra Violet finish, mfg....

IBANEZ LGB30 Image

IBANEZ LGB30

- single sharp cutaway hollow body, arched spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, two bound f-holes, multi-ply body binding, set three-piece maple/mahogany neck, 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard with acrylic/abalone split block inlay, mult...

IBANEZ GRGM51HP MIKRO Image

IBANEZ GRGM51HP MIKRO

- mini offset double cutaway mahogany body, mahogany neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with sharktooth inlays, black headstock overlay, six-on-one-side tuners, hardtail bridge with adj. saddles, black pickguard, one exposed humbucker picku...

IBANEZ IC400 FIRST/SECOND VERSION Image

IBANEZ IC400 FIRST/SECOND VERSION

- Iceman-style mahogany body, maple top, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with parallelogram or block inlays, offset pointy headstock with three-per-side tuners, Gibraltar bridge, two humbucker pickups, three knobs, three-way switch, gold...

IBANEZ JEM77B (BAD HORSIE) Image

IBANEZ JEM77B (BAD HORSIE)

- JEM-style basswood body, five-piece Prestige maple/walnut neck, 24 6105 fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Edge Pro tremolo bridge and locking nut, chrome metal pickguard, two exposed hu...

IBANEZ TC830 FLAME MAPLE Image

IBANEZ TC830 FLAME MAPLE

- similar to the TC630, except has an alder body with a flame maple top, available in Black, Gravure Alder Amber (1995 only), Ivory (w/red tortoise pickguard), or Orange Sunburst (1996 only) finish, mfg. 1995-97.

IBANEZ ATK805E FIVE-STRING PREMIUM Image

IBANEZ ATK805E FIVE-STRING PREMIUM

- offset double cutaway light ash body, bolt-on three-piece maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, matching finish headstock with two/three-per-side tuners, ATK5 bridge, CAP Sonic Arch/Cap Double Humbucker pickups, fiv...

IBANEZ BTB455QM FIVE-STRING Image

IBANEZ BTB455QM FIVE-STRING

- similar to the BTB450QM, except in five-string configuration and 2/3-per-side tuners, available in Dark Autumn Amber (2007-present) or Trans. Black finish, mfg. 2006-07.

IBANEZ GSR200FM Flame Maple Image

IBANEZ GSR200FM Flame Maple

- similar to the GSR200, except has a flame maple top, available in Amber Burst (2009-2014), Trans. Blue Burst (2009-2011), Trans. Brown Sunburst (2005-08), Trans. Fireburst Blue (2005-08), or Trans. Red Burst (2009-2014) finish, mfg. 2005-...

IBANEZ SR1400E PREMIUM Image

IBANEZ SR1400E PREMIUM

- offset double cutaway SR-style mahogany body with a figured maple top, five-piece wenge/bubinga SR4 neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with abalone oval inlays, mahogany headstock overlay with "SDGR" logo, two-per-side tuners, M...

IBANEZ SRX590 Image

IBANEZ SRX590

- offset double cutaway SR style basswood body, flamed maple top, black pearl body binding, three-piece maple neck, 24-fret black pearl bound rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlays, matching headstock with two-per-side tuners, Ac...

IBANEZ SA1260 Image

IBANEZ SA1260

- offset double cutaway mahogany body with arched top, three-piece Prestige maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, SAT Pro tremolo bridge, one humbucker and two single...

IBANEZ 2347 SG JUNIOR Image

IBANEZ 2347 SG JUNIOR

- symmetrical sharp double cutaway SG-style mahogany body, beveled edges, set mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, bound headstock with three-per-side tuners, wraparound bridge/tailpiece, black pickguard, one Funky Ko...

IBANEZ JS100 Image

IBANEZ JS100

- offset double cutaway contoured basswood body, bolt-on one-piece maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay/Joe Satriani block inlay at 21st fret, Lo TRS II double locking tremolo, six-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardwar...

IBANEZ BBM1 BEN BRUCE SIGNATURE Image

IBANEZ BBM1 BEN BRUCE SIGNATURE

- single cutaway FR-style mahogany body, three-piece maple/neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black headstock, six-on-a-side tuners, tight end bridge, two INF pickups, one knob (v), five-way switch, kill switch, cosmo black...

IBANEZ RG320 Image

IBANEZ RG320

- offset double cutaway basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, double Lo TRS II tremolo, six-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, two humbucker pickups, two knobs (v, tone), three-way, switch,...

IBANEZ 470S/S470 Image

IBANEZ 470S/S470

- sculpted thin offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, various double locking vibrato units, six-on-one-side tuners, two humbucker and one single coil pickups HSH, two kno...