Ibanez has a fascinating history spanning over a century. The brand’s success is due to its commitment to quality.
We did a little research into the Ibanez factories and their contribution to the guitar industry.
Table of Contents
The Early Days: Hoshino Gakki
Founded in 1908 by Matsujiro Hoshino in the city of Nagoya, Japan, the company’s initial foray wasn’t in musical instruments but in the sale of books. It was originally named “Hoshino Shoten” which roughly translates to “Hoshino Bookshop”.
Hoshino’s shift towards music insruments began when they started importing and selling Spanish guitars.
By the 1930s, the Hoshino company had ventured into manufacturing its own instruments. The guitars they produced were labeled “Ibanez Salvador”, a name that would later be shortened to just “Ibanez”. The origins of the name “Ibanez” trace back to Salvador Ibáñez, a Spanish luthier whose guitars Hoshino initially imported and sold. As a tribute, and perhaps for its exotic appeal, the brand name was adopted for Hoshino’s own line of guitars.
The post-WWII era saw a surge in the popularity of Western music in Japan, particularly rock ‘n’ roll. Hoshino Gakki increased production and introduced innovative developments. It was during this period that they began collaborating with factories such as Fujigen. This laid the foundation for what would later become iconic Ibanez guitar models.
From the late 1970s onward, Hoshino Gakki expanded Ibanez’s presence globally. Collaborations with guitar virtuosos like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani resulted in signature models that pushed the boundaries of guitar design. Hoshino Gakki’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation ensured Ibanez’s position at the forefront of the guitar industry.
Fujigen Factory
The relationship between Ibanez and the Fujigen Gakki factory stands as one of the most influential partnerships in the history of electric guitar manufacturing. Together, they’ve crafted instruments that have redefined the boundaries of guitar craftsmanship.
Established in 1960 in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, the Fujigen Gakki factory originally focused on classical guitar production. It wasn’t until the late 1960s and early 1970s that Fujigen began its long-standing collaboration with Hoshino Gakki.
At the dawn of their collaboration, Ibanez was primarily producing replicas of popular American guitars. Fujigen-produced instruments were comparable in quality to American originals, and sometimes even superior.
This period is often referred to as the “lawsuit era” for Ibanez and Hoshino Gakki. The production of copies of popular American guitars led to lawsuits from companies like Gibson.
However, these issues spurred the company into a new era of originality. Hoshino Gakki invested in new developments, leading to the creation of now-iconic Ibanez models.
Post the “lawsuit era”, Ibanez and Fujigen transitioned from replicating existing designs to pioneering their own. This phase saw the emergence of legendary guitar models like the Ibanez RG, S series, and the Artist.
Fujigen’s ability to bring complex design solutions to life while delivering consistently high quality has been crucial to the success of these models.
The 1980s and 1990s are often seen as the golden era of the Ibanez-Fujigen partnership. Together, they introduced innovative features like the Super Wizard necks, Edge tremolo systems, and unique pickup configurations. During the same period, the legendary JEM and Universe models were developed in collaboration with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai.
If you’re looking to buy a guitar from the ’80s or ’90s, one of the first steps in assessing its authenticity is to use the Ibanez serial number lookup tool.
Fujigen is not just about large-scale production; it’s also about master craftsmanship. The Ibanez J Custom series, which represents the pinnacle of Ibanez’s craftsmanship, saw its birth in the Fujigen factory.
Beyond its association with Ibanez, Fujigen has a notable reputation in its own right. The factory crafts its own line of guitars and has provided OEM services for many other renowned brands in the guitar industry.
Korean Factories: The 1980s and Beyond
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ibanez started to shift some of its production to Korean factories. This move was driven by the economic rise of Japan, which made manufacturing more expensive in the country.
The most notable of these factories was Samick, which produced a substantial number of Ibanez guitars during this period.
Another significant contributor was Cort.
The Korean-made Ibanez guitars were typically more affordable models. While they didn’t always carry the prestige of the Japanese-made counterparts, they were well-regarded for their price-to-quality ratio.
Indonesian Factories: A Key Player from the 1990s Onwards
As the costs in Korea began to rise, Ibanez started looking to other countries to continue its strategy of producing quality guitars at a more affordable price point. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Indonesia had become a central hub for Ibanez guitar production.
PT Cort, an Indonesian branch of the Cort company, and PT Samick, an extension of the Korean Samick brand, became primary producers for Ibanez in Indonesia. Additionally, PT Saehan, which later transformed into PT Sinarindo, also contributed to the production.
Over time, the quality of Indonesian-made Ibanez guitars improved significantly. Today, Indonesia produces a wide range of Ibanez guitars, from budget-friendly options to more premium models.
Chinese Factories
By the 2000s, China had become an undeniable force in global manufacturing. Ibanez began to produce a portion of its guitars in Chinese factories.
One of the significant factories in China producing for Ibanez is the Zhangzhou Stronghold – a large manufacturer known for producing a variety of stringed instruments.
Chinese factories primarily produce entry-level and budget-friendly guitars for Ibanez. These instruments cater to beginners and intermediate players looking for a quality instrument without breaking the bank.