Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Many early Ibanez guitars were made in Japan, and FujiGen became one of the brand’s main manufacturers.
Later, Ibanez also moved part of its production to South Korea, Indonesia, and China.
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Hoshino Gakki and Early Ibanez Production
Hoshino Gakki was founded in 1908 by Matsujiro Hoshino in Nagoya, Japan. The company originally sold books and was called Hoshino Shoten, or Hoshino Bookshop.
Hoshino later began importing and selling musical instruments, including Spanish guitars.
By the 1930s, the company was making its own instruments. Its guitars were sold under the name Ibanez Salvador, which was later shortened to Ibanez.
The name came from Salvador Ibanez, a Spanish guitar maker whose instruments Hoshino had previously imported.
After World War II, Western music became much more popular in Japan, especially rock ‘n’ roll. Hoshino increased guitar production and began working with Japanese manufacturers such as FujiGen.
FujiGen Factory
FujiGen Gakki was founded in 1960 in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. The factory originally made classical guitars.
FujiGen began working with Hoshino Gakki in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It soon became one of the main factories producing Ibanez guitars.
At the time, Ibanez and other Japanese companies were making close copies of American guitars. FujiGen produced high-quality versions of these guitars, and some were considered comparable to the American originals.
This led to legal disputes with companies such as Gibson. This period later became known as the “lawsuit era”.
After that, Ibanez moved away from copies and began developing more of its own designs. The Artist, RG, and S series became an important part of the Ibanez line.
FujiGen made many of these guitars. During the 1980s and 1990s, the factory also produced Ibanez guitars with features such as Super Wizard necks, Edge tremolo systems, and different pickup configurations.
The JEM and Universe, developed with Steve Vai, were also produced during this period.
Many Ibanez guitars from the 1980s and 1990s can be identified by their serial numbers. The number can help determine the production year and factory.
The high-end J Custom series also began at FujiGen and is still associated with Japanese production.
FujiGen does not make guitars only for Ibanez. The company has its own guitar lines and has also produced instruments for other brands under OEM agreements.
Ibanez Factories in South Korea
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, guitar production in Japan had become more expensive. Ibanez began moving part of its production to South Korea.
Samick made a large number of Ibanez guitars during this period.
Cort also produced guitars for the brand.
Korean-made Ibanez guitars were generally more affordable than the Japanese models. They did not have the same reputation as Japanese-made guitars, but many became known for offering good quality for the price.
Ibanez Factories in Indonesia
As production costs in South Korea increased, Ibanez began making more guitars in Indonesia. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Indonesia had become an important part of Ibanez production.
Several manufacturers have made Ibanez guitars there.
PT Cort, the Indonesian operation of Cort, became one of the main producers. PT Samick, connected with the Korean company Samick, also made Ibanez guitars.
Another manufacturer was PT Saehan, which later became PT Sinarindo.
The quality of Indonesian-made Ibanez guitars improved over time. Today, Indonesia produces a wide range of Ibanez guitars, from affordable models to more expensive instruments.
Ibanez Factories in China
Ibanez began producing some of its guitars in China in the 2000s.
One of the Chinese factories that has produced guitars for Ibanez is Zhangzhou Stronghold. It is a large manufacturer that makes different types of stringed instruments.
Chinese factories mainly produce entry-level and lower-priced Ibanez guitars. Many of these models are aimed at beginners and intermediate players who want an affordable Ibanez.