| Ibanez is a guitar manufacturer started by | | | | work a lot easier. Also watch out for |
| Hoshino Gakki in Japan. Back in 1900 when the | | | | different models with different finishes and |
| company first began they were called the | | | | electronics. |
| Hoshino Gakki Company and they only started | | | | |
| making string instruments in 1935. | | | | An example of some of the guitars you can |
| | | | find include the Prestige Series guitars, the |
| These early stringed instruments were not | | | | Vai Signatures, Pat Metheny Signatures, Korn |
| known in the West until the 1960s when Gakki | | | | Signatures, Joe Satriani Signatures, and the |
| paired up with Harry Rosenbloom, a | | | | Andy Timmons Signature guitar. These |
| Pennsylvania music shop owner. Together, they | | | | signature guitars were designed with or by |
| decided to give the guitars the name of | | | | the artists themselves. Other models include |
| Ibanez to make it more marketable to a | | | | the S-Series guitars, special models for left |
| western audience. | | | | handed players, and the Artcore guitars. |
| | | | |
| By the time the 70s hit, Ibanez began making | | | | There are also certain artists who use and |
| guitars modeled after popular styles that | | | | endorse the brand. These include Joe Satriani |
| companies like Gibson and Fender were putting | | | | and Steve Vai, two highly regarded |
| out. Though they were almost exact replicas, | | | | instrumental rock guitarists who often tour |
| they were made with cheaper materials and | | | | together. Andy Timmons, Korn, Pat Metheny, |
| were therefore inexpensive. | | | | George Benson, Terry Balsamo of Evanescence, |
| | | | Fran Cosmo of Boston, Marty Friedman, John |
| However, Ibanez has changed. They no longer | | | | Scofield, and Matt Roberts of 3 Doors Down. |
| model their guitars after other styles put | | | | |
| out by different companies. They have their | | | | Here is what some people have to say about |
| own makes and models that are endorsed by | | | | Ibanez guitars (source Harmony Central): |
| some pretty high level players. | | | | |
| | | | I have been playing for about 3 years now and |
| The newer Ibanez guitars are more modern in | | | | this is my consideration of my first real |
| design and style. You can find some with | | | | guitar. I have always played Ibanez, I just |
| interesting shapes and designs. Also, artists | | | | like the look, feel and sound of them. If |
| such as Steve Vai work closely with the | | | | this were stolen I would definitely get |
| company to manufacture special models with | | | | another one of these and I plan to replace my |
| their own artistic flare. (For example, Vais | | | | GRX170 with another one, yes I want another |
| tree of life pattern on the fretboard). | | | | one call me crazy but I wanna have another |
| | | | guitar with a normal string arrangement on |
| Another modern style element includes the | | | | it. I love everything about this guitar, the |
| fact that they have slimmer necks and flatter | | | | look, the feel, the sound, it definitely has |
| fingerboards than the classic style guitars. | | | | a character of its own. |
| This makes doing intricate and accurate speed | | | | |