To mark the arrival of our new Ibanez guitar range at Music Mart we have put together this special spotlight session about a brief history of Ibanez Guitars, which ones we have available (across both our Electric and Acoustic range) and a detailed profile complete with the technical spec details for each of our recommendations.
A Brief History
It all began in 1908, Ibanez which was originally known as Hoshino Gakki, began a sheet music and music-products distributor in Nagoya, Japan. By the 1920s this humble Japanese company began importing and selling guitars made by Spanish guitar-producer Salvador Ibáñez, of which the company gets its name. Over the next several decades, Ibanez began producing its own instruments. Gradual but significant improvements were made in the build quality of Ibanez guitars and this just so happened to coincide with a decline in the quality of U.S guitar models, thus the company rapidly ascended into one of the most popular and in demand brands by the 60s and 70s. Moving on and into the 80’s, the music industry witnessed a huge transition towards fast, intense guitar driven music and Ibanez’s sleek designs which sported high-output pickups, thin necks and deep cutaways filled a gap in the market. This approach towards innovative design, high quality builds, and impressive technology (that remains easy-to-use) has carried the company forward into the modern era and has made them one of the most reputable and prominent guitar manufacturers across the globe.
Acoustic Guitar Range
Ibanez PC12MH OPN Acoustic Guitar
Features & Specs
Price: $
Body: Grand Concert Body, Mahogany Back & Sides
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood Fingerboard
Frets: 20
Strings: Ibanez IACS6C Coated (Steel Strings)
Pickup: None
Review
The PC12MH is a classy guitar built with a mahogany back, sides, top and neck in a velvety open pore natural finish. The mahogany neck is covered with a rosewood 20 fret fingerboard that feels natural from the first strum. It is capable of producing woody, warm tones when played softly but can also provide a strong punch in the mid-high range and delivers superb treble. The only knock on this model is that a bigger bodied guitar would be better able to deliver deeper bass, that being said this modest guitar is great at an entry level price for beginners and casual players. It’s one of those guitars that just immediately feels great to pick up and play.
Check out the Ibanez PC12MH here!
Ibanez PF10CE OPN AC. Acoustic Guitar with Pickup
Features & Specs
Price: $
Body: Cutaway Dreadnought Body, Okoume Back & Sides
Neck: Nyatoh Neck
Fretboard: Merbau Fretboard
Frets: 20
Strings: Ibanez IACS6C Coated (Steel Strings)
Pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle Pickup
Review
The PF10CE is a high-performance electro-acoustic guitar built with Okoume wood and has a cutaway dreadnought styled body which makes it comfortable to play through the low to mid end of the guitar. The nyatoh neck is topped with a merbau 20-fret fretboard and produces great quality sound. The Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp (w/Onboard tuner) allows for seamless modulation of the bass and treble, and the built-in-tuner allows you to make other adjustments whilst unplugged. This guitar is accessible for all playing levels, but perhaps better suited to beginners and intermediate players. All Ibanez guitars are designed to produce high-quality sound that are comfortable and easy to play.
Check out the Ibanez PF10CE here!
Ibanez AW54CE OPN Artwood Acoustic Guitar
Features & Specs
Price: $$
Body: Cutaway Dreadnought Body, Mahogany Back & Sides
Neck: Mahogany Neck
Fretboard: Rosewood Fretboard
Frets: 20
Strings: D'Addario XTAPB1253 (Steel Strings)
Pickup: Fishman Sonicore Pickup
Review
The Ibanez AW54CE is a vintage electro-acoustic, mahogany-built dreadnought with a cutaway enabling easy access to the entire rosewood fingerboard. Coming in a gorgeous dark brown open pore finish gives it that elegant yet authentic country-style aesthetic. Ultimately, it’s that classic beautiful acoustic guitar you can’t wait to string around a campfire. The Fishman under-saddle pickup and an Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp, gives you that organic-sounding amplification that’s as simple as plug-n-play. Combined with the onboard tuner, you can control the guitar's playing range. This impressive instrument is packed with user-friendly electronics that make it accessible for beginners and advanced players alike.
Check out the Ibanez AW54CE here!
Electric Guitar Range
Ibanez RG140 Electric Guitar (White)
Features & Specs
Price: $
Body: Super strat, Poplar Body (White Finish) or Okoume Body (Sunburst Finish)
Neck: GRG Profile & Maple Neck
Fretboard: Treated New Zealand Pine (White Dot Inlay)
Bridge: Ibanez T102 Tremolo Bridge
Frets: 24 (Jumbo Frets)
Neck pickup: Infinity RS (S) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Middle pickup: Infinity RS (S) Middle pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Bridge pickup: Infinity R (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Review
The RG is the most recognisable and distinctive guitar in the Ibanez line and the RG140 is a straightforward super strat style guitar, with a poplar body (or Okoume for the Sunburst finish). The maple neck is topped with a 24 fret Treated New Zealand pine fretboard. A T102 tremolo bridge keeps the guitar in tune and allows for easy pitch bending. This budget, entry-level electric guitar is sparse on detail but is comfortable for playing and is built over decades of metal forged heritage. Despite the price-level, it sounds better than what you would expect at its price-tag and for that reason this is a great choice for beginners or casual players looking for their first electric guitar.
Check out the Ibanez RG140 here!
Ibanez RGA120QA Electric Guitar
Features & Specs
Price: $$
Body: Super strat, Quilted Maple Art Grain (Top & Back), Poplar Body (Black Sunburst Finish)
Neck: GRG Profile & Maple Neck
Fretboard: Bound Purpleheart (White Dot Inlay)
Bridge: Ibanez T102 Tremolo Bridge
Frets: 24 (Jumbo Frets)
Neck pickup: Infinity R (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Bridge pickup: Infinity R (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Review
The GRG120QA is made using a quilted maple art grain topped poplar body with a stunning arched top and body binding. This truly awesome super strat comes with a maple neck and bound purpleheart fretboard and 24 jumbo frets that encourages intense power chording yet ultra-smooth, quick playing that isn’t physically demanding. The inbuilt electronics include two Infinity R pickups with a 3-way selector switch for a multitude of tonal varieties that are easily interchangeable. This low-mid level guitar is a great first option for guitar players who are just starting out and want to get a guitar that looks great, plays superbly and is built to last.
Available in both Black Sunburst finish and Blue Burst finish
Ibanez SA460MBW Sub Electric Guitar
Features & Specs
Price: $$$
Body: Super strat, Maple Burl (Top) Okoume Body (Sunset Blue Burst Finish)
Neck: SA Profile & Maple Neck
Fretboard: Bound Ebony (Abalone Dot Inlay)
Bridge: Ibanez T102 Tremolo Bridge
Frets: 22 (Medium Frets)
Strings: D'Addario EXL120 (Steel Strings)
Neck pickup: Resolution Single (S) pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Middle pickup: Resolution Single (S) pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Bridge pickup: Quantum (H) pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
Review
The SA460MBW is made with a Maple Burl top, a Bound Ebony fretboard (using Abalone dot inlays) and finished in a striking Sunset Blue Burst finish. This guitar is light for comfortable playability yet, dense enough to provide the tone and intensity that you can expect from a SA-Series model. Ibanez has mastered the art of the thin, fast neck, and the SA is no different, and this translates into responsiveness and speed. A pair of single coil Resolution pickups provide power and sharpness, whilst the Quantum humbucker gives you the grit. This model comes with a superior hardware kit that makes it a great choice at all skill levels but would perhaps be more appreciated by intermediate and experienced guitar players. This divine instrument comes highly recommended by Music Mart!
Check out the Ibanez SA460MBW here!
Ibanez Capo Accessories
We have several lightweight Ibanez Capo accessories that are designed to fit various instruments: electric, acoustic and classical guitars and ukuleles, providing massive tuning stability. These come in several different colours including black, metallic and wooden finishes.
For more information regarding these awesome Ibanez electric and acoustic guitars, or any of our other instruments feel free to reach out to us at (08) 9250 2015, and one of our friendly staff-members can assist you with your query!