Kikuo was made president of the brother company Kiso suzuki est1951 ( although i have found evidence of pre 1950 made Kiso Suzuki guitars ) and another son. Nagoya Suzuki have 6 digit serial numbers ( the first 2 being the build year the then model build #001 etc ) stamped on the inside neck heel block, from early. Nov 11, 2002. I have a AB335R Kiso Suzuki. Posted by Julie Forbes on Thu, - 13:50. I purchased a AB335R guitar. Has the in pretty decent shape. Looks as though the serial number leans to a 1972. Is there any sites that help break down the model letters and numbers. My guitar has the v inlay in the.

Kiso Suzuki is the name of a now-defunct guitar company from the Kisofukushima region of Japan. This region is well known for it's mountains and trees, and the lure of the region with it's valuable lumber brought craftsman to the area - one such interest was, of course, guitar-making.Kiso Suzuki and Nagoya Suzuki were one company before the war - a 3-factory company started by Masakichi Suzuki that produced the well-known 'Suzuki Violin' violins. But after the war the company was split up into the Suzuki Violin Company (now Kiso Suzuki Violin Company) and Suzuki Violin Manufacturing Company (now Nagoya Suzuki Violin Company). And there the relationship ended.).

Re: the serial number: on many of the models the first one or two numbers in the serial number stands for the year in which it was manufactured; from the 60’s to the 80’s. I have never seen a definite 1950's guitar yet, mainly because I don't know enough about them yet.The other prefixes/suffixes.W, C, S, VS, D, G, A, T, R, O, J.may follow other common meanings. W = Western model F= Folk Model C= Cutaway E=Electronics K=?

S=Spruce (top) VS= Violin Sunburst color D=Dreadnaught shape G=Grand Concert shape for classicals; some 'G' acoustics however had a Gallagher type headstock A=? Takeharu sometimes R=? J=Jumbo shape (if you can help with understanding their system, please DO write me at suzukiguitars@gmail.com.Thanks!). 'I have a Suzuki, but it doesn't sound as good as I had hoped for.' If you have a Suzuki that doesn't sound so great. Not every Suzuki guitar is equal to an 'inheritance' guitar. But, some are.

Some may just require a setup to sound better; others may be too heavily built or have intonation problems (personal experience with some steel strings built by Kiso). BUT, it's possible to fix some of these problems and have your guitar sound a lot better.

Also, different years, different labels (jobbers?), and whether the guitar was intended for export or for Japan - seems to have made a difference. Some woods used were Linden, Rosewood, Maple, Ovangkol, and Nato. Spruce and Cedar were used for the tops – usually laminated for the overseas market, as laminates don’t readily crack, but some models are solid tops. There is a popular theory about solid tops sounding better, but there is disagreement on this matter by some well-respected people. See the website. Suzuki laminates were generally very good quality, and many people feel their guitars, even though laminated, sound better than many solid tops.

Suzuki craftsmanship surely played a role in the sound too. The numbering system is usually tied in with the price. An F100 would have been 10,000 yen, an F130 would have been 13,000 yen, an W250 would have been 25,000 yen and so on.

But some models are lower numbers yet very ornamented, so it doesn’t seem like this always holds true. (see the F35 scrollwork on the fretboard). One interesting thing that stands out is the change in labels. If you’ll notice, there were a few different labels. Were there different divisions or contract manufacturers? I don’t know at this time. There are thousands of players worldwide who would like to know more about their Kiso Suzuki guitar.

It's a common story that when someone has G.A.S (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) and needs to let a guitar or two go, the Suzuki is the one that stays behind and can't be replaced. If you own a Kiso Suzuki guitar - congratulations on what you probably already know - that you own a well-crafted and good sounding instrument. One that is still undervalued in the opinion of many players. Maybe you'll hang on to it and see that there is something special about many of their instruments. In any case, as Tetsu said.' Have a nice life with Suzuki guitar.”.

Area served Worldwide Products,, & guitars & basses Website Ibanez ( アイバニーズ, Aibanīzu) is a Japanese brand owned. Based in,, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass-produce the and. Ibanez manufactures effects, accessories, amps, and instruments in Japan, China, Indonesia and in the United States (at a Los Angeles-based custom shop). Currently, there are nearly 165 models of bass guitar, 130 acoustic guitars, and more than 300 electric guitars. In the 1960s, Japanese guitar makers started to mainly copy American guitar designs, and Ibanez-branded copies of, and models started to appear. This resulted in the so-called period.

During this period, Ibanez produced guitars under the Mann name to avoid authorities in the United States and Canada. [ ] Hoshino Gakki introduced Ibanez models that were definitely not copies of the Gibson or Fender designs, such as the and the Roadstar series. The company has produced its own guitar designs ever since. The late 1980s and early 1990s were an important period for the Ibanez brand. Hoshino Gakki's relationship with guitarist resulted in the introduction of the and the models; after the earlier successes of the Roadstar and Iceman models in the late 1970s/early 1980s, Hoshino Gakki entered the market with the, a lower-priced version of their JEM series. Hoshino Gakki also had semi-acoustic, nylon- and steel-stringed acoustic guitars manufactured under the Ibanez name.

Most Ibanez guitars were made by the FujiGen guitar factory in Japan up until the mid- to late 1980s, and from then on Ibanez guitars have also been made in other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia. During the early 1980s, the FujiGen guitar factory also produced most of the, including the -style Roland G-505, the twin-humbucker Roland G-202 (endorsed by,,,, Yannis Spathas, Christoforos Krokidis,,,, and ) and the Ibanez X-ING IMG-2010. And Starfield were guitar and bass brands owned by Hoshino Gakki.

In the 1970s, Hoshino Gakki and Kanda Shokai shared some guitar designs, and so some Ibanez and have the same features. The Greco versions were sold in Japan and the Ibanez versions were sold outside Japan. From 1982, Ibanez guitars have also been sold in Japan as well. Guitar brands such as and Mann shared some Ibanez guitar designs. The Antoria guitar brand was managed by JT Coppock Leeds Ltd England. CSL was a brand name managed by Charles Summerfield Ltd England. Maurice Summerfield of the Charles Summerfield Ltd company contributed some design ideas to Hoshino Gakki and also imported Ibanez and CSL guitars into the from 1964 to 1987.

The Maxxas brand name came about because Hoshino Gakki thought that the guitar did not fit in with the Ibanez model range and was therefore named Maxxas by Rich Lasner from Hoshino USA. The 'lawsuit' guitars [ ]. Mid-1970's 'Lawsuit Era' solid body, Set neck, Mann/Ibanez electric guitar Harry Rosenbloom, founder of the (now-closed) Medley Music of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, was manufacturing handmade guitars under the name 'Elger.' By 1965, Rosenbloom had decided to stop manufacturing guitars and chose to become the exclusive North American distributor for Ibanez guitars. In September 1972, Hoshino began a partnership with Elger Guitars to import guitars from. In September 1981, Elger was renamed 'Hoshino U.S.A.'

, retaining the company headquarters in as a distribution and quality-control center. On June 28, 1977, in the, a lawsuit was filed by the, the parent company of, against Elger/Hoshino U.S.A.'

S use of the Gibson design and logo. Hoshino settled out of court in early 1978 and the case was officially closed on February 2, 1978. After the lawsuit, Hoshino Gakki abandoned the strategy of copying 'classic' electric guitar designs, having already introduced a plethora of original designs. Hoshino was producing their original Artist models from 1974, introducing a set-neck model in 1975. In 1977, they upgraded and extended their Artist range and introduced a number of other top-quality original designs made to match or surpass famous American brands: the Performer and short-lived Concert ranges which competed with the Les Paul; through-neck Musicians; Studios in fixed- and through-neck construction; the radically shaped Iceman; and the Roadster which morphed into the Roadstar range, precursor to the popular era in the mid-1980s.

The newer Ibanez models began incorporating more modern elements into their design such as radical body shapes, slimmer necks, 2-octave fingerboards, slim pointed headstocks, higher-output electronics, humbucker/single-coil/humbucker (H/S/H) pickup configurations, locking tremolo bridges and different finishes. Guitars [ ] Sub-brands [ ] Ibanez J. Custom The J. Custom series are the most exclusive and high-end custom shop guitars Ibanez offers. They are 'Envisioned to be the finest Japanese-made guitar in history'. Built by some of the most skilled luthiers Ibanez has to offer, they 'represent every advance in design and technology Ibanez has developed over the last 20 years'. Driver De Sonido Para Windows Xp Service Pack 3 2002. They feature aftermarket pickups (Seymour Duncan Jazz & Custom 5 in the 6 string model and DiMarzio PAF-7 pickups in the 7 string model,) 5 piece maple/wenge necks with Titanium reinforcement rods, a rosewood fingerboard with a tree of life fret board inlay, and Edge Zero tremolo systems.

Ibanez Prestige The Prestige guitars are Ibanez's top of the line models that are built in Japan. They feature higher quality materials, high craftsmanship, and higher quality bridges compared to other models. Ibanez Premium The Premium guitars are similar to other models but are built in Ibanez's Indonesian premium factory to premium quality standards.

The Ibanez Gio are Ibanez' budget guitars, designed for high playability at low costs. Many high end Ibanez guitars are recreated in the more affordable Gio form, such as the RGA and ART models. Custom USA custom range. Late 1980s to mid-1990s. Also known as Ibanez LACS ( Custom Shop), services only their endorsed artists today. Solid body electric guitars [ ]. A 2012 Ibanez RG3250MZ The main characteristics that are common among all Ibanez RG guitars (RG stands for Roadstar Guitar [ ]) are that they feature 24 frets and use thin necks, known as 'Wizard', which allows for faster playing.

The RG features a line up of guitars with both floating tremolo systems and fixed bridge systems. Ibanez RGA The Ibanez RGA was introduced at a time when the Ibanez RG series only had tremolo bridges. Since then, the RG series has introduced fixed bridge models, but Ibanez still produces the RGA series with an arched top to differentiate from the RG series. The arched top allows for added comfort while playing the guitar. Ibanez RGD The Ibanez RGD guitar was developed for heavy metal guitar players.

The RGD features a 26.5' scale which allows for lower than standard guitar tuning while retaining standard string tension without use of thicker gauge strings. It also features an extra deep scoop cut on the lower horn for easy high fret access. Ibanez currently makes two Ibanez RGD Prestige models. Custom modified 2005 S470 The Ibanez S (Saber [ ]) guitar has an extremely thin body made out of mahogany, and is available in 6, 7 and 8-string models. They may come with either 22 or 24 frets, depending on year of manufacture. The standard line currently have Wizard III necks that are slightly wider and thicker than the original Wizard.

All S models have bodies that are thicker in the middle where the pickups are, and taper off towards the outer edges. The guitars use ZR (Zero Resistance), Lo-TRS, and variants of the Edge bridge system as well as fixed bridges. Ibanez currently makes 8 Prestige S-Series guitars. Ibanez DN The Ibanez DN guitar (DN stands for Darkstone [ ]) was developed for heavy metal guitar players. The main features of the DN are that it has a set-in neck for speed and playing comfort, medium frets, and coil tapped pickups.

This guitar is currently discontinued. Ibanez X The Ibanez X guitars are Ibanez guitars that feature unconventional and unique body designs. An example would be the Ibanez Xiphos, which is stylized to look like the letter X. For all X guitars currently available and for more information, check the. (as of 2013, variations may be: and, 100, MTM10) [ ] Ibanez Artist (AR) The Ibanez Artist guitars were designed for heavy playing such as for heavy metal or traditional rock.

The Artist ARZ is a single cutaway, 24 fret, 25' scale guitar that features a wide variety of bridges and pickups depending on the specific models. The Artist ART is a single cutaway, 22 fret, 24.75' scale guitar that features a hard tail bridge. [ ] The Ibanez AR is a reissued series originating from the 70s. The AR series features a set-in neck, double cutaway, with 22 frets on a 24.75' scale. Ibanez FR The Ibanez FR is a simple body type guitar that is designed to be played in many genres.

Ibanez Mikro The Ibanez Mikro series are small form factor [ ] guitars designed for children, beginners, or guitar players looking for a guitar that is easy to transport. Hollow body electric guitars [ ] The first Ibanez Artcore models were released in mid-2002 whose goal was to offer an affordable range of full-hollow and semi-hollow body guitars that appealed to entry level guitarists who were unable or unwilling to pay big money on high-priced guitars. Ibanez Artcore Custom. Headstock from an ARTCORE series guitar The Artcore Custom is Ibanez's flagship model for the Artcore series. The bodies of the guitars are made of maple, the neck has a set-in construction type, and features wood control knobs and hand rolled frets. Ibanez AK The Ibanez AK is a guitar designed for jazz and blues type playing. It features a slim set-in neck with a body designed to easily access the higher frets.

The AK is easily distinguishable by its sharper lower body horn (Florentine?) that other Artcore guitars do not have. [ ] Production signature guitars [ ]. • Ibanez R series, also known as the Radius series, are famous for having lightweight aerofoil-profiled bodies.

The main endorser was before he was given his own Signature JS series. The Radius series is now discontinued. • RT series – Superstrat design with 24 frets. Discontinued in 1994. • RX series – Superstrat design but with 22 frets instead. Discontinued in 1998, and currently only exists as GRX (budget model of RX series).

• AX series – Extreme version of the artist model, aimed towards metal players – currently only exist as GAX model and Guitar Center exclusive model. • Axstar (a.k.a. Axstar by Ibanez) – discontinued • – Ergodyne series – discontinued • MC – Musician series – Discontinued – Neck-through construction (except for MC-100, which has a bolt-on neck), with 24 frets (two octaves) – As with the Artist models of the late 1970s, some of these guitars were equipped with trisound switches, and some models (MC 400 and MC 500) were equipped with active electronics. • ST – Studio series 1977–82 offset double cutaway ranging from bolt on to fixed and through necks with pairs of V2 distortion humbuckers. 24 frets and 25.5' scale.

• CN – Concert range 1977–79 like a bolt on neck Artist with slightly offset cutaways. • IC – Iceman a radical shape endorsed and used by Paul Stanley, Various pickup combinations. • BL – Blazer series 1980–82 – fixed bridge strat-like with maple necks and mahogany or ash bodies sporting 3 single coil pickups (Super 6 or BL) or 2 Super 70 humbuckers. • ARC-100/300 (Retro Series) • ARX-100/300 (Retro Series) • AR-100/200 (black vintage top) • V Series – Flying V's – discontinued • – Ibanez's full and semi-hollow guitar line, with some models discontinued since their debut in 2002.

• and – A modern remake of the Ibanez Rhythm maker, vintage looking and sounding guitars. • Radius series – discontinued, a modified version is now taken over by the signature series which features a multi-radius neck. • EX Series – Manufactured in Korea. • PL – • RR – Rocket Roll • DT – • IC – • Series – discontinued • CN Concert Series – This was a short lived series produced in 1978 then discontinued soon afterwards. It features an double cutaway body with two humbuckers, a hard tail bridge and a bolt on neck.

The top end model (the CN250) was one of the earliest guitars to feature 'half vine' fingerboard inlays. • Power II series (540PII) - extended length lower cutaway, wide (1 3/4')nut,available in H-H or H-S with edge trem. Often erroneously assumed to be an Alex Skolnick signature model due to his picture in the 88-89 catalogue with a 540PII.

Primarily released for the Japanese market, although it has the Bensalem Penn. • AFD – Artfield • GR –, arched-top double cutaway design. 24​ 3⁄ 4' scale length. Most notably played. • ICJ100WZ – Signature • – Signature • Signature • AH10 – Signature • LR10 – Signature • JP20 – Signature • MFM – Signature • VM1 – Signature • FGM – Signature • JPM – Signature • RBM2NT – Signature • DMM1 – Signature • MMM – Signature • RS1010SL – Signature • STM1 – Signature • and – Signature Bass guitar models [ ] SR (Soundgear) Series Middle-class model range in the new millennium, though it included expensive high-end and top-of-the-line Japanese models in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Later top offerings were branded as Signature and SR Prestige models for clearer segmentation, and all non-Prestige model production moved outside Japan. Current models from the SR250 and up feature soapbar-style humbuckers with active EQ.

SR Prestige High-end versions of the Ibanez Soundgear (SR-5004/5/6 & SR-4004/5/6) Bass Guitars made in Japan using exotic woods and high-quality custom pickups & new 'PWC-III' Power Curve III 3-band EQ with EQ bypass switch to bypass the electronics and take the bass signal directly from the pickups to the output jack. All Japanese-built current production models are in the Prestige series.

SR Premium Nordstrand pickups. • ARTCORE Series- Archtop Basses • AFB200 – Hollow-body bass guitar • AGB200 – Semihollow-body bass guitar • ATK Series • ATK 300 4 string model • ATK 305 5 string model • ATK 1200, the Prestige version of the standard ATK, has extra neck pickup • ATK 800E, to be released in 2012, a Premium version of the standard ATK. Has extra neck pickup • ATK 805E, to be released in 2012, a Premium version of the standard ATK. Has extra neck pickup, 5-string model • Blazer • BTB (Boutique Bass) Series • BTB 400QM (discontinued) • BTB 406QM (Special Edition 6 String Model) • BTB Prestige – High-end range which are made in. • Series - Bodies made from polymer.

• EDA Series • EDB Series • EDC Series • EWB Series • GARTB 20 • GATK 20 – More affordable version of the ATK. • GAXB Series (discontinued) • GSR Series- A lower-cost version of the Soundgear Series • GSR 100 – The original GSR bass guitar (Discontinued) • GSR 100 EX • GSR 105 EX • GSR 180 • GSRM 20 • GSR 250 M • GSR 200 • GSR 200 FM – The GSR but with different color designs such as sunburst.

• GSR 205 – Nominated for Ibanez's 'Best of Model' award • GSR 205 FM • ICB (Iceman) Series • JTK (Jet King) Series • JUMPSTART Series- Similar to the GSR Series, named for the Jumpstart Pack which comes with amp and other accessories. • Musician Series • ROADGEAR Series • SRX (Soundgear) Series • EX series • Roadstar Series • S series • TR Series Signature basses [ ] A custom 5-string Soundgear design w/ 'K5' Inlay centered on 12th fret. It was based around a late-1990s then-top-of-the-line Soundgear SR885 owned by the artist, retaining the shape and electronics, but with different colour options and a change of woods to suit his preferences. Early models were Japanese-built, but production later moved to other Asian countries, around the same time Japanese models were rebranded with the Prestige moniker and positioned as the absolute top of the line. Main article: Serial numbers [ ] Serial numbersoz100500461 oz100500461 Ibanez Serial Numbers (non Acoustic) Japanese Ibanez Serial Numbers 1997 and after (CE logo designation) • F = • YYXXXXX format • YY = year (98=1998) • XXXXX = production number 1987-1997 • F = FujiGen • H = Terada • I = Ida Gakki (Iida) • YXXXXX format • Y = year (2=1992) • XXXXX = production number 1975-1986 • MYYXXXX format • M = Month (A = January to L = December) • YY = year (82=1982) • XXXX = production number Most Ibanez models with this serial number format were made by FujiGen Gakki. Exceptions are the Ibanez Blazer models which were made by Dyna Gakki and the Axstar by Ibanez models AX40, AX45, AX48, AXB50, AXB60, AXB65, AX70, AX75 which were made by Chushin Gakki.

The Ibanez Axstar AXB1000 model was made by FujiGen Gakki. Korean Ibanez Serial Numbers C =, S = (1990–1995), S/SQ =, P = Peerless (Iida), Y = Yoojin, A = Sae-In. • LTD., HOSHINO GAKKI CO.. Retrieved 2017-05-17. American Musical Supply.

Retrieved 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2012-01-12. • [FujiGen and Ibanez]. Matsumoto GUITARS [ Guitar manufacturers in Matsumoto City] (in Japanese).: Junk Guitar Museum.

• Rainer Daeschler.. Retrieved 2012-01-12. (based on ); Originally published as 'Fujigen vom Kuhstall zur Weltspitze'. Fachblatt Musikmagazin. (interview), Nuno - The Ibanez Interviews, IbanezRegister.com (1984-12-04). Archived from on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-01-12.

Fjestad (2008). Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars.

Alfred Music Publishing. Retrieved 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2017-08-07. •,, Japan: Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc., 1950s.

Note: the wide variety sorts of musical instruments seen on this catalog reflect their full-time exporter business at that era. Especially, the and instruments suggest the involvements of in and its brother factory, Kiso Suzuki Violin in. Additionally, their third brother in, is known as a founder of the, and their cultural activities significantly influenced on the establishment of in Matsumoto, according to a co-founder of FujiGen,. (Models: EG 80, EG 80-B, EG 80-H, EG 90) •, p., (Models: No.1830 (2pu), No.1850 (3pu), No.1860 (2pu with ), No.1880 (3pu with tremolo), No.1950 ()) •. Svetlograd 1.01 Serial. , Ibanez.co.jp. Archived from on 2013-08-01.

External link in work= () •. For the ultimate in playability we took our legendary super-thin, ultra-playable Wizard neck, and upped the ante to Nitro Wizard - as fast and comfortable but with added road-tested durability. •., Ibanez.co.jp. Archived from on 2013-06-03. Add 3-D curves to the concept of the RG and you've got the RGA.those curves enhance playability.

External link in work= () •., Ibanez.co.jp. The RGD is Ibanez's ultimate metal machine. External link in work= () • ^. Archived from on 2013-08-12. •., Ibanez.co.jp. The 24 fret, two-octave fretboard of the ARZ surpasses the boundaries of traditional single-cutaway guitars. Scale: 638mm/25.1' horizontal tab character in quote= at position 151 (); External link in work= () •.

Archived from on 2013-07-04. •., Ibanez.co.jp. The AR is a classic among Ibanez guitars. It was one of the first original designs produced by Ibanez and continues to be a sought after guitar. The AR series continues that legacy with pride.

Set-in neck: AR720FM features smooth heel for superb playability. Scale: 628mm/24.75' horizontal tab character in quote= at position 305 (); External link in work= () •. FR Standard - With its simple, refined body shape, the FR is a chameleon when it comes to musical genres.

The Ibanez CCR pickups bring more punch to the midrange tones while the Tight-End bridge provides maximum sustain and playing comfort. •., Ibanez.co.jp. GRG miKro puts out sound way beyond its size.

Perfect for young rockers on the way up or seasoned road warriors on the tour bus. Scale: 564mm/22.2' External link in work= () •. Archived from on 2013-01-19.

The Artcore Custom is the flagship of the Artcore series, featuring beautiful maple bodies and maple/walnut set-in neck construction, producing a warm yet punchy tone. Wood control knobs and matching pickguard enhance the exquisite appearance of the Artcore Custom. Hand-rolled frets for ultimate playablity •. Archived from on 2012-10-22.

Jazz and blues history is filled with the warm tones of full-hollow body guitars. The AK is the answer to those who loves traditional sweet tones and easy accessibility to higher frets. Slim & comfortable 3-pc Artocre set-in neck Bibliography •. (catalog archive), Ibanez.co.jp. Search Catalogs:,,,,,, • Paul Specht; Michael Wright; Jim Donahue (2005). Ibanez: The Untold Story.

Hoshino (U.S.A.) Inc.. External links [ ] Wikimedia Commons has media related to.