Ibanez Bass | Musician's Friend

The parent company of Ibanez, Hoshino Gakki ("Gakki" translates to English as "musical instrument"), traces their history back to 1908 when it was founded in Japan by Matsujiro Hoshino. Modern era Ibanez guitars began production in 1957. Production was moved to the FujiGen factory in 1969, and US distribution began in 1971 under the Elgar name, which was later changed to Hoshino USA. Many early Ibanez bass models were copies of successful instruments from other manufacturers -- particularly European and US made brands, but since settling a Norlin Corporation trademark infringement lawsuit out of court in early 1978, all Ibanez instruments have featured their own unique designs.
Developed over 30 years ago, the innovative neck-through-body Ibanez Musician Bass was one of those early breakthrough original bass designs, and it was also one of the first affordable bass models to feature active electronics. Another original design, the Soundgear series, which made its first appearance in the late 1980s, has become one of the world's favorite line of basses. While the Soundgear models generally feature a trim, slim neck design, other Ibanez models, such as the SRX series, have larger, fuller necks to accommodate players with different preferences. Some of the other popular Ibanez bass designs over the years are the Roadstar series, the GSR series (a more affordable series based on the Soundgear line), the Ergodyne series, the Fishman pickup equipped exotic wood EWB series of acoustic-electric models, the short scale (28.60") and smaller bodied GSRM models, the futuristic Iceman Bass, the double humbucker-equipped ATK (which stands for "Attack") series, and the 30" scale length, arch top and hollow body Artcore series bass guitars. Ibanez was even the first company to develop a bass with a hybrid fretted / fretless neck with their Ashula models; these feature four standard tuned strings with frets beneath them, as well as an "extra" D and G string that sit over a fretless part of the fingerboard. For the first time, players have access to both fretted and fretless bass sounds from a single instrument.
Notable musicians who have relied on Ibanez bass players at some point in their careers include Paul Gray (Slipknot), Adam Clayton (U2), jazz veterans Gary Willis and Gerald Veasley, Mark White (Spin Doctors), Peter Iwers (In Flames), Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Greg Christian (Testament), and session and touring veteran Rufus Philpot. Today Ibanez offers a wide assortment of different bass models and designs, with features that appeal to a broad range of musicians in a variety of musical styles. Players can select from models with active and passive pickups, fretted and fretless fingerboards, different EQ configurations, solid and hollow body designs, as well as various body shapes and neck sizes. Basses with four, five and even six strings are also available. It is no wonder that today Ibanez remains one of the most influential and popular manufacturers of bass instruments in the world.