Ibanez Guitars: 8 Facts & How to Buy from Japan

Introduction to Ibanez Guitars

A premier brand of Japanese guitars, the creator of innumerable intricate designs, a custom guitar specialist, and one of the best-rounded instrument manufacturers around - there are so many nicknames that Ibanez can comfortably wear.

We’re here with a comprehensive list of everything that makes Ibanez guitars as great as it is, so let’s start from the top. Here are 8 interesting facts about the Japanese guitar brand Ibanez. If you are looking to buy an Ibanez guitar, check out ZenMarket where you can buy all the guitar selections directly from Japan online!

Shop Guitars from Japan Now!

8 Interesting Facts About Ibanez Guitars

1. Named after the iconic Salvador Ibáñez

Ibanez is owned by Hoshino Gakki, which launched as the musical marketing section of Hoshino Shoten in 1908. It originally exported instruments before starting its own manufacturing operation in the early 40s, which was named “Salvador Ibáñez” as an homage to the legendary Spanish guitar maker. 

The brand name was later shortened to “Ibanyesu” before taking its last and final form we know today, “Ibanez”, in 1986. 

2. Led a revolution while other Japanese brands copied US guitar makers 

During the pre-internet era, it wasn’t uncommon for guitar makers to copy each other’s designs and even build almost exact replicas of their competitors. This ultimately led to a series of lawsuits, most of which were filed by Gibson, against numerous manufacturers of Japanese guitars. Even Hoshino Gakki, the parent company of Ibanez, wasn’t left unscathed. 

Some brands folded under pressure, but Ibanez pulled through. Their leadership decided to shift the brand’s focus to creating designs that were so quirky and unique that no one could dub them as copies of popular US guitar makers. 

This guitar design revolution in Japan occurred between the 60s and the early 80s. By launching the infamous Iceman in 1975 and several other unique models, the brand cemented its position as the leading Japanese OEM (original equipment manufacturer). 

💡 Also read: Most Popular Guitar Brands in Japan

3. Boasts Over 120+ Unique Models

The reason why many guitarists consider Ibanez among the most versatile manufacturers of Japanese guitars is the fact that the brand has made more than 120+ unique designs to date. 

They’ve experimented with every body shape, neck profile, and hardware configuration possible, which resulted in the classic AZES guitars, modern & sleek guitars from the S, SA, and RGD series, the vintage AR axes, and the portable, lightweight miKro guitars.

There are more than just aesthetic differences between each of these models. Each is a category in and of itself, featuring a different set of tonewoods, body shape, dimensions, scale length, pickup configuration, and more. 

It’s almost impossible for a player not to find a guitar suited to their playing style and sonic preferences in such a diverse catalog. Moreover, Ibanez keeps rolling out brand-new designs quite regularly. 

4. Unparalleled made-to-order guitars

Saying that Ibanez has a superb custom shop would be an understatement. Over the decades, their engineers have refined their skills to perfection and invested attention to even the smallest of details when building a custom design. 

Even though they’ve already made a name for building creative, fresh designs, Ibanez goes a step further with its Custom Shop, meshing vintage elements with modern aesthetics and feel. 

 💡 Also read: Top Vintage Japanese Guitars 

5. Beloved by rock and metal artists

Ibanez is often synonymous with heavier music styles and genres. Their “unconventional” body shapes are practically ideal for idiosyncratic musicians who want to stand out with both the sound and look of their guitars. 

It’s not surprising that the bulk of Ibanez-endorsed artists are some of the biggest internationally recognized rockers like the legendary Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Paul Gilbert. 

Another reason why Ibanez guitars are perfect for metal and rock lies in the tonewoods the brand uses. Taking RGDMS8 as an example of its popular mid-range model, it boasts an ebony fretboard and Nato body. Even the entry-level AZES 31 rocks a Poplar body with a Jatoba fingerboard; these exotic tonewoods have a huge impact on the original Ibanez tone coveted by many musicians. 

6. Offers some of the most popular Super-Strats

Guitars with bodies and tone shaped after the legendary Fender Strat are otherwise known as “Super Strats”. While many manufacturers of Japanese guitars have a few in their catalog, Ibanez famously made two exceptionally authentic “upgrades” of the original Stratocaster.

With an alder body, a maple neck, and a maple fretboard, Ibanez’s PR1550 pays homage to the Fender Stratocaster while bringing an array of improvements to the table. It comes outfitted with proprietary Ibanez pickups, a double-lock tremolo, and extremely responsive tuning pegs. 

Launched in the same year, the Ibanez PR1440 is equally suited to represent Ibanez’s line of Superstrats. In terms of elementary specs, both models have roughly identical features while the latter comes with a beautiful red finish.

 💡 Also read: How to Buy Musical Instruments from Shimamura Music  

7. A guitar for every budget

We already mentioned that Ibanez’s catalog is huge and versatile. What separates it from contemporary alternatives is that its models are spread across a stretched-out price range. The cheapest Ibanez costs under $200 while some of the most expensive ones have a price tag reading over $3,500. 

It’s not too uncommon for boutique brands to make low-cost guitars, but it is rare for big names like Ibanez to cover virtually all price point categories. 

8. Pristine guitar durability and performance

Nearly all Ibanez-made guitar models are roadworthy instruments. Beyond choosing sturdy tonewoods, the brand’s engineers utilize advanced manufacturing techniques combined with cutting-edge technology to ensure the guitars are as robust as can be. 

Even the low-cost GIO series axes are built to last for decades. The GIO GSA-60 in particular is among the handful of maple-okoume budget guitars that won’t get a warped neck or surfer tonal inconsistencies after an accidental drop or bump. 

How to Buy Ibanez Guitars from Japan

Want to get your hands on a Japan-exclusive Ibanez guitar or score a better deal on high-quality models? With ZenMarket, it’s easy to order guitars from Japan and have them shipped worldwide.

Simple steps to buy:

• Sign up for a free account at ZenMarket.jp
• Search for Ibanez guitars on sites like Digimart, Shimamura Music, or Ikebe Gakki
• Paste the product link into ZenMarket’s search bar
• Confirm your order and pay the item cost + service fee
• Choose shipping once the guitar arrives at ZenMarket’s warehouse

ZenMarket handles the purchase, storage, and international shipping—making it one of the safest and most convenient ways to buy Ibanez guitars directly from Japan.

💡 Also read: Where to buy guitars: Best Stores and Useful Tips

Conclusion: Is Ibanez Right for You?

Most musicians know Ibanez for its exemplary craftsmanship and guitars that offer a stable, consistent performance. Beyond that, the brand is huge on custom guitars and is frequently building new unique designs. 

Is it the best Japanese brand out there? By catering to virtually every taste and music style, it definitely earned its place at the top, but the final decision ultimately falls to its customers.

We hope that our guide helped you understand what Ibanez is and has to offer. And remember to check out ZenMarket if you want to get a good deal for Ibanez guitars from Japan.