Ibanez's significant role in shaping the metal music industry: How the brand became a leading force in metal guitar manufacturing, appreciated by musicians and professionals worldwide.
In the realm of metal music, Ibanez stands as a prominent brand, renowned for its diverse catalog of guitars that cater to the genre's ever-evolving needs. The company's commitment to fostering creativity and pushing boundaries is evident in its extensive range of instruments.
Ibanez has been a favourite among many prolific musicians in the metal scene, with Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai, pioneers in shred and metal guitar playing, being notable examples. Both musicians have significantly contributed to the genre using Ibanez instruments, showcasing their virtuosity and development of technical metal guitar styles.
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Nita Strauss, Lari Basilio, and Josh Smith are among the many musicians who have championed Ibanez guitars. The brand's influence in metal music extends beyond its heritage, with fusion ace Lari Basilio and blues heavyweight Josh Smith having signature guitars.
The RG, RGA, RGD, and IronLabel are four key ranges in Ibanez's metal guitar collection. The RG, first prominent in the '80s heavy and hair metal scene, has evolved over the years to cater to modern metal players, offering neck-through body constructions, exotic tonewoods, complex necks, and optimized neck profiles.
The RGA and RGD are evolutions of the RG, designed for down-tuning and a different aesthetic and feel, respectively. The Iron Label axes, produced solely for metal music, feature aggressive shapes, extended scale lengths, black-out finishes, high output pickups, and other features tailored to metal players.
Ibanez's guitars are revered for their top-tier craftsmanship, exceptional playability, and versatile tone capabilities. Each guitar is carefully designed and only signed off when it achieves a specific design objective. If a guitar requires top-of-the-range active pickups, Ibanez will include them.
The brand's commitment to sustainability is also noteworthy. Ibanez prioritizes using ethically sourced, sustainable woods and materials in its guitar production. This commitment is evident in the brand new RGA Premium range, which shows Ibanez's constant effort to refine and improve its existing models to meet player needs.
As metal music continues to evolve in new and exciting ways, Ibanez is looking to move forward and challenge tradition with its innovative models. There are no definitive right or wrong answers when it comes to the guitar in metal music, and Ibanez emphasizes this by offering a diverse catalog that can handle whatever trend is thrown at it in the metal guitar world.
In conclusion, Ibanez's commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, coupled with its long-standing history in the metal music scene, makes it a go-to brand for many musicians. Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, Ibanez's diverse catalog of guitars offers something for everyone.
