Ibanez began its legacy in Japan in 1908 as a music distributor before crafting its own unique guitars in the mid-1960s. After gaining recognition for its high-quality, affordable copies, the company shifted its focus to innovative original designs like the iconic Artist and Iceman models. Today, Ibanez is celebrated as a leader in both rock and jazz, collaborating with legendary artists to create genre-defining guitars and basses that continue to set industry standards.