The curious case of Ibanez Japan!!

[Rakib]

Hey guys a couple of month ago I posted a thread about my Ibanez RG870 in this very section of the forum. Here is the original thread:

http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/127877-It-s-time-I-share-a-long-sad-story-and-lots-of-pictures-_

Now what bothers me is on the back of the headstock it's clearly written "Made in Japan" in bold but from what I found out the RG 870 was made in some Indonesian Factory. Here is an image of the back of the headstock, it's not the clearest of pictures but I guess it will do-


By poisongreen at 2012-03-30

I'm sure when I bought it the still too new for the Chinese to fake copies. It looks quite real and another weird thing is I have found out quite a few Ibanez in my country (RG 320 and other models) also have Made in Japan written at the back. I'm sure these Ibanez models aren't worth the fake and sell and if the Chinese would try to fake it it would be much better if they made their own guitar brand since the finishing and everything is top class. Everything looks real about these Ibanez except the MIJ writing. Does anyone have any clue what can be the case?

[Nightbat]

What's the Ser#?

any decent online Ibz fanforum should be able to clear it up for you

[dvscool]

try this - http://www.guitardaterproject.org/ibanez.aspx

I have several Ibby's and this has been right about every one of them

EDIT: ALthough, yours is very new so it may not show up in the DB.

I was just looking at your older post. Honestly dude, I don't think you have
anything to worry about but as mentioned, theres serveral ibby forms that
can confirm I'm sure....

[Rakib]

The serial number is 07161B and that is what the RG premium serial format is I guess. Here is a picture I found on the internet, that's not my guitar

http://wfahm.com/moulder/guitars/RG7Premium09.jpg

I'm more curious than worried in this entire issue. I am a member of 2 Ibanez forums- the infamous jemsite and the ibanez forum. Jemsite was too pro for me they just don't let any outsider fan boy to barge in and get away with queries. You need to have a certain amount of posts or something before you can post a link(that sucks). The other forum said it "looks" like the real deal but can't figure out why made in japan was printed at the back. Also as I mentioned before some very insignificant Ibanez models such as the rgs and s series of the 300-400 series also has made in Japan written at the back. The two big music shops in this country has dealership of Ibanez so I wonder if it's any of their doing. I will try to dig out more info and thanks for the feed back.

[MetalHeadMat]

I'd ask Ibanez themselves about it to be honest. Who knows, maybe it's a prototype for the Premium series and nobody knew?

[diablomozart]

it would have to be a prototype of some sort as the premium series is made in indonesia...

PREMIUM

Now this ain't a story about a man named Jed.

"Made by Ibanez Premium Factory - Operated by Prestige team of Fujigen and Hoshino. Located in Jawa Timur, Indonesia."

This was taken directly from the promo sheets. On the back of the headstock -

"Proudly manufactured by Ibanez Premier Factory, Jawa Timur, Indonesia."

...d.m.

[Rakib]

No as I have mentioned it's not just the premiums but some other models as well where made in Japan was printed incorrectly on the back of the headstock. Anyways I'll try to get in touch with an Ibanez official.

[tomanyjacksons]

Is it a possiblity that they were started in Japan and then once everything was worked out for production in Indonesia all the parts they had got sent there, even the parts marked made in Japan? It's not the first time I've heard of this with Ibanez.