The History of Ibanez AR (The ARTIST SERIES)

I’ve previously written articles featuring Aria Pro II and Yamaha’s original models, but there are still many other brands and models that simply cannot be overlooked.

Among them, the focus of this article is Ibanez’s original model, the “AR”! Today, Ibanez is known as a brand with a wide-ranging lineup, including multi-string guitars popular in hard rock and metal, full-acoustic guitars for jazz, and a diverse array of Effector.

From this brand came the legendary original model that debuted in the 1970s: the Artist Series “AR.” After gaining a fervent following overseas, it made a triumphant return to Japan as a “re-import”!

From here, we’ll take a deep dive into the history behind the AR’s creation and its specifications!

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.

In 1929, the company began importing and selling products from the Spanish brand Salvador Ibanez, which specialized in classical guitars and ukuleles.

In 1935, the company began manufacturing classical guitars, initially releasing them under the brand name “Ibanez Salvador,” which was later changed to simply “Ibanez.”

From then on, the Tama Factory began to focus on the manufacture of “TAMA Drums.”

In the mid-1970s, the company began developing original models, and in 1973, it released the 2611, 2612, 2613, 2614, 2615, and 2616 as “The ARTIST SERIES” in collaboration with various artists.

With the exception of the 2615 and 2616, these were bolt-on models featuring a body shape similar to the double-cutaway ES-339, and they served as the prototype for the subsequent AR series.

In 1975, the company released the 2405, featuring an LP-style body shape and luxurious specifications including mother-of-pearl inlays behind the tailpiece, as well as the 2617, which featured a double-cutaway, thinner body with a German-curve-style cutaway.

The following year, in 1976, limited-edition models were released as part of the “Professional Series,” which faithfully reproduced the specifications of the instruments used by the artists.

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

With the expansion of the market for models tailored to overseas artists and domestic electric guitars, as well as Ibanez catalogs appearing on store shelves, the Artist Series gradually gained popularity in Japan during the late 1970s.

Finally, in 1979, the Artist Series began selling domestically as a re-import. At that time, the model names were changed from four-digit numbers to "AR."

Thus, the Ibanez AR was born.

From 1979 onward, minor specification changes and various new models were introduced, establishing its status as a domestic original model.

From here, we’ll take a look at the evolution of the AR’s specifications while reviewing past Artist Series models that have arrived at TCGAKKI!!

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

The headstock features a vase-shaped inlay, while the fingerboard is adorned with inlays resembling the patterns found on Ibanez mandolins of that era, such as the Recruit.

This was 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 blocks for the position marks. The body shape, featuring a double cutaway with a German-curve-style cut, resembles the AR and can be considered the prototype for the AR.

The Artist Series underwent specification changes in the 1970s, including changes to the headstock shape.
Since this particular instrument was made in 1978, it features transitional specifications, with the headstock shape having changed from a Gibson-like design to a tapered shape.

A model manufactured for only three years, from 1976 to 1979. It is part of the “Professional Series,” which were commercially released with the same specifications as the models Ibanez produced for overseas artists.

A model with specifications similar to the 2681, but with simplified decoration and a lower price point.

The basic specifications—such as the ash body, ebony fingerboard, set-in neck, and pickups—are the same as the 2681, but the Tree of Life inlays on the fingerboard have been replaced with dot position marks, and the body binding has been changed from Avalon to cream-colored celluloid binding.

This model launched as the most affordable option in the domestic lineup.
Although positioned as an entry-level model, it retains the distinctive features of the AR series, such as the characteristic headstock inlays and the Gibraltar bridge.

In 1983, the pickup was changed to a Super 58, and since then, the tone knob has featured a push-button design and the Duo Sound function has been included.

A model featuring a burl mahogany top

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

A 12-string version based on the AR100.

Other than the 12-string configuration, the specs are identical to the AR100.

A model representative of the Ibanez AR series

This model features the Tri-Sound System—previously found only in the front pickup of the AR200—now installed in both the front and rear pickups. It also features an Avalon block inlay on the fingerboard and Avalon binding around the body. It is the most popular model in the AR series and is widely available.

In addition to classic AR colors like Cherry Sunburst and Antique Violin, it comes in a variety of color variations, including gold and white.

A 12-string model based on the AR100.

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

This model was released as a domestic-market-only version, serving as a minor update to the AR500.

Like the AR300, the AR500 was equipped with the Tri-Sound System and a 3-band active equalizer, but the AR550 was developed based on advice from Yasuhiro Suzuki of Off Course, who was a fan of the AR500.  

It has been refined into a more practical specification that prioritizes stage usability, such as eliminating the heavy sustain block to reduce weight and changing the Tri-Sound System to a Duo-Sound System.

A model released as a Limited edition in 2000
The AR2000 had been sold overseas since 1998, but in 2000, it was released domestically as a limited edition "Prestige" model.

The body is slightly thinner to reduce weight, but the top is made of 16mm-thick maple. The thinner body results in a sound that is more solid and has a faster attack than previous AR models, and it also offers improved playability.  

Rosewood is used for the pickup escutcheons, giving the guitar an overall luxurious appearance befitting a Limited model.

The controls do not include a Tri-Sound system or active EQ; instead, they are kept simple with a toggle switch and two volume and two tone controls.

This particular model is in the "Vintage Violin" color, but a "Cherry Red Sunburst" version also exists; production was extremely limited, with only 50 units made of each color.

By examining how the brand developed—specifically by focusing its target market overseas, unlike other Japanese brands—and by exploring its relationships with Fuji Strings and Kanda Shokai, I gained at least some insight into why Ibanez remains popular worldwide today.

Furthermore, I felt that AR’s unique character and approach—which successfully balance the instrument’s artistic appeal with its practical utility—make it my mission to share this appeal with as many people as possible.

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