In 1970 they focus more on producing cheaper but comparable models of the great USA brands like Gibson, Fender and Rickenbacker.ĭespite their cheaper production, the replicas of Ibanez have a high quality and are therefore a strong competitor for the USA brands. In the late 1960s, the guitars were provided with in spaghetti-style metal logo on the head stock. In 1967 the first Ibanez guitars were imported by Elger Company, USA. This was adopted by other manufacturers, as Fujigen Gakki or Teisco. The company was named Tama Seisakusho as a tribute to the wife of Yoshitaro Hoshino.įrom 1966 however, it was decided no more build guitars for other companies. Just in 1962 was Jumpei Hoshino decided to build his own guitars again.Ī new factory was built where now also amplifiers and electric guitars were made. The company exported many guitars to other Asian countries and in 1937 it had an output of more than 1000 guitars a month.Īfter the World War II, during which the factory was completely destroyed, the import of musical instruments was resumed slowly around 1950. Meanwhile, his four sons were also part of the venture and the company Hoshino Gakki was founded.Ī factory was built near their headquarters for production of their own guitar line that could accommodate around 30 employees. More and more instruments were imported such as mandolins from Italy and drum kits from Ludwig from Germany.īecause the request of guitars could no longer be met, Yoshitaro decided to build guitars themselve. In 1908 Matsujiro Hoshino started a bookstore that sold books and sheet music as well musical instruments.įrom 1921, instruments from Europe and the USA were also imported, including classical guitars from the Spanish luthier Salvador Ibanez.

On Ibanez guitars built from the 70s you will find the serial number stamped or a sticker on the headstock, or on the cover plate of the neck mounting or when acoustic on the neck block or label. Ibanez officially uses serial numbers on their guitars from September 1975 onwards.īut some guitars from 1974 also have a number, which can not be traced back to a production period.

Ibanez electric guitar serial numbers