Ibanez AR History

Ibanez AR History

History of the Ibanez AR (The ARTIST SERIES)

We've previously featured articles on Aria Pro II and Yamaha original models, but there are still many essential brands and models we haven't covered.

Among them, this time we'll focus on Ibanez's original model, the "AR"! Today, Ibanez is known as a brand offering a wide lineup, including popular multi-string guitars for hard rock and metal, full acoustic guitars for jazz, and diverse Effector models.

From this Ibanez legacy comes the legendary original model that debuted in the 1970s, gained fervent international support, and then made a triumphant "reverse import" return to Japan: The Artist Series "AR"!

Let's dive deep into the history leading up to the AR's birth and explore its specifications!

Ibanez, with over 100 years of history

Ibanez is one of the brands owned by Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.
The history of Hoshino Gakki = Ibanez dates back to the 1920s.
The musical instrument division of Hoshino Shoten was founded in 1908, and Hoshino Gakki was established in 1929.

Then, in 1929, he began importing and selling products from the Spanish brand Salvador Ibanez, which handled classical guitars and ukuleles.

In 1935, he began manufacturing nylon-string guitars, initially launching them under the brand name "Ibanez Salvador." This name was later changed to simply "Ibanez."


Later, the company's buildings and factories were completely destroyed in the Nagoya air raids during World War II. However, guitar production resumed around 1947.

The company began focusing seriously on overseas exports after receiving orders from international customers for tortoiseshell picks produced at this time.

Entering the 1950s, the company began developing electric guitars, which were gaining popularity overseas, and started exporting Guyatone electric guitars under the Ibanez brand.

In 1962, the Tama Factory was established, initiating the development and export of original electric guitar models and amplifiers.

Incidentally, this Tama Factory is the origin of the TAMA brand, now famous for drums.

Encounter with Fuji Strings and the Debut of the Original Model "The ARTIST SERIES"

In 1970, a global electric guitar boom erupted. Hoshino Gakki, which operated the Ibanez brand, found itself unable to keep up with demand using only its own Tama Factory.

  Therefore, they formed a partnership with Fuji Stringed Instrument Manufacturing (now Fujigen) and began joint development of electric guitars.

This collaboration spurred the production of numerous copy models and original designs.

Also in 1970, Fuji Stringed Instrument Manufacturing withdrew from direct trade, shifting to a system where domestic sales were handled by Kanda Shokai and overseas exports were entrusted to Hoshino Gakki. This clarified distribution channels and enabled more stable supply.

Furthermore, at Fuji Stringed Instrument Manufacturing, the change in president in 1969 marked a strengthening of efforts toward quality improvement. Leveraging the existing technological foundation, production precision was significantly enhanced.

From this period onward, the quality of Japanese-made electric guitars underwent a dramatic evolution, leading to the subsequent "Golden Age of Japanese Guitar Brands."

From this point onward, the Tama Factory focused its efforts on manufacturing the "TAMA Drum."

By the mid-1970s, it also began developing original models, releasing the 2611/2612/2613/2614/2615/2616 as "The ARTIST SERIES" in collaboration with artists in 1973.

Except for the 2615/2616, these were bolt-on models featuring a double-cutaway body shape similar to the ES-339, serving as the prototype for subsequent AR series models.

In 1975, the 2405 was released, featuring an LP-style body shape with luxurious specifications including mother-of-pearl inlays behind the tailpiece. The 2617 was also released, featuring a double cutaway, thinner body with a German curve-like recess.

The following year, 1976, saw the release of limited edition models under the "Professional Series" name, faithfully reproducing the specifications of the individual instruments used by the artists.

The Professional Series included the 2681 Bob Weir model for the Grateful Dead and the 2671 Randy Slacks model.

  These two models feature the Tree of Life inlay, also used on current high-end Ibanez models.

Combined with the Avalon body binding, they achieve a very luxurious appearance.

The Artist Series seemed to be sailing smoothly, but in 1977, Norlin Corporation, the parent company of Gibson, sued Hoshino Gakki's overseas importer for using Gibson's headstock and logo.

Although a settlement was reached in 1978, Hoshino Gakki subsequently ceased production of copy models and focused its efforts even more intensely on developing original models.

The late 70s marked the peak of copy model popularity in Japan. By discontinuing copy models and focusing solely on originals during this period, Ibanez may have paved the way for developing models with its own distinct identity.

Domestic Sales Commencement and the AR's Debut

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The Artist Series gradually gained popularity domestically in the late 70s through the expansion of overseas artist-spec models and the domestic electric guitar market, as well as Ibanez catalogs appearing in stores.

Finally, in 1979, The Artist Series began domestic sales in Japan via reverse import. At that time, the model names were changed from four-digit numbers to AR.

Thus, the Ibanez AR was born.

After 1979, minor specification changes and various new models appeared, establishing its status as a domestic original model.

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From here, we'll look at the evolution of AR specifications while viewing past The Artist Series arrivals at TCGAKKI!!

Ibanez AR Model Introduction
2405

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A model released in 1975 featuring a mandolin-like headstock shape and a single-cutaway body shape.

The headstock features a vase-shaped inlay, while the fingerboard boasts an inlay pattern similar to those used on Ibanez mandolins of the era.

The rear tailpiece features dazzling mother-of-pearl inlay, creating a model with the luxurious feel of antique furniture.

2617

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The first model in the Artist Series, launched in 1975, to feature a set neck.
The 2617 was also the first to use ebony for the fingerboard and Avalon block inlays for the position markers. Its double-cutaway body shape, featuring a German curve-like contour, resembles the AR and can be considered the prototype for the AR.

The Artist Series saw specification changes in the 70s, including headstock shape.
This particular instrument was made in 1978, representing a transitional specification. The headstock shape changed from a Gibson-like shape to a tapered shape.

2681

The 2681 is the Bob Weir model for the Grateful Dead, but other models were also released, such as the 2680 Randy Scruggs model, a single-cut version of the 2681.

The headstock shape features a distinctive design resembling two horns, also known as the "Buffalo" headstock.

The binding extends not only around the perimeter but also over the inward-curved section above the Ibanez logo, showcasing Fuji String's high level of technical expertise.

The fingerboard features an inlay motif inspired by the Tree of Life from the Old Testament.

This inlay is still used on some Ibanez models today and has become one of Ibanez's iconic inlays.

The body resembles the 2617 with its German curve-like dip, but the cutaway horns are slightly shorter, giving it a somewhat smaller impression.

Pickups vary by production period, but models prior to the 1977 specification change featured Super 70 pickups.

The unit above is a 1976 model with an Ibanez engraving on the top of the pickup.

After 1977, it was equipped with the Super 80.

These lack holes for pole pieces and feature the original "Flying Finger" mark engraved on the top of the pickup cover.

2680

A model sharing the same specifications as the 2681 but featuring simplified decoration and a lower price point.

The basic specifications—ash body, ebony fingerboard, set-in neck, pickups—are identical to the 2681. However, the Tree of Life inlay on the fingerboard has been replaced with dot position markers, and the body binding has changed from abalone to cream-colored cell binding.

AR Series
AR100

The model launched with the most affordable pricing as a domestic sales model.
Positioned as an entry-level grade, it still incorporates AR's signature features like the distinctive headstock inlay and Gibraltar bridge.

In 1983, the pickups were changed to Super 58s, and from then on, the tone knob adopted a push structure and the Duo Sound feature was added.

AR105

Model featuring burl mahogany on the body top

While the parts like the controls and pickups are the same as the AR100, this model features a body made of burl mahogany + maple + nato—a wood combination rarely seen even today.

AR112

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A model based on the AR100, now with a 12-string specification.

Other than the 12-string specification, it shares the same specs as the AR100.

AR300

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Models represented by the Ibanez AR

This model features the Tri-Sound System, originally used as the front pickup on the AR200, now installed on both the front and rear positions. It also incorporates Avalon block inlays on the fingerboard and Avalon binding around the body perimeter. It is the most popular and widely distributed model within the AR series.

In addition to AR-inspired colors like Cherry Sunburst and Antique Violin, it offers various color variations including Gold and White.

A metal block, such as a sustain block, is placed under the bridge to enhance sustain.

The Tri-Sound System can output three pickup configurations: Series, Parallel, and Single Coil.

AR305

A model based on the AR100 but with a 12-string configuration.

Other than the 12-string configuration, it shares the same specifications as the AR100.

A model based on the AR300, featuring a burl mahogany body.

The basic specifications are the same as the AR300, but the body uses burl mahogany.

It was added to the lineup in 1981 alongside the AR105.

Unlike the AR300, it was only available in Antique Violin color.

In 1984, the escutcheon changed to gold, and in 1985, the 21-fret fingerboard received [SUPER EDITION] inlays.

AR550

A minor change model of the AR500 released as a Japan-exclusive model.

While the AR500, like the AR300, features the Tri-Sound System and an active 3-band equalizer, the AR550 was developed based on advice from Yasuhiro Suzuki of Off Course, a devoted user of the AR500.  

It prioritized practicality on stage, achieving a more battle-ready specification. This included eliminating the heavy sustain block for weight reduction and changing the Tri-Sound System to a Duo-Sound System.

The mini switch now serves as both the front/rear Duo Sound System switch and the equalizer ON/OFF switch, simplifying the layout compared to the AR500.

The LED next to the switch illuminates when the equalizer is ON.

AR112

Model sold as a Limited Edition in 2000
The AR2000 had been sold overseas since 1998, but in 2000, a limited edition was sold domestically as a Prestige model.

The body thickness is slightly reduced for weight reduction, but the top uses 16mm thick maple. The thinner body gives it a more solid and faster attack sound tendency than the conventional AR, while also improving playability.  

The pickup escutcheon is crafted from rosewood, giving the overall appearance a premium look befitting a Limited model.

The controls are simple, featuring only a toggle switch with 2 volume and 2 tone controls, without any tri-sound systems or active EQ.

This particular unit is in Vintage Violin color, but a Cherry Red Sunburst color also exists. Both colors were produced in extremely limited quantities of only 50 units each.

Afterword

Unlike other domestic brands, Ibanez focused its target market overseas. By unraveling how this approach shaped its development and its relationships with companies like Fuji Gen and Kanda Shokai, I gained some insight into why Ibanez remains popular worldwide today.

Furthermore, the unique character and approach of the AR series successfully balances its appeal as both an instrument and a tool. I feel it is my mission to spread this appeal to more people.