Hypothetical question

Mister CCJ · #1 03-11-2008, 08:45 PM

If someone was playing shows in different countries other than Japan using a J.custom guitar, would this become a problem with an endorsement with Ibanez being that the guitars are not supposed to be sold outside of Japan?

ryanb · #2 03-11-2008, 09:16 PM

Maybe said guitar WAS purchased in Japan. How would Ibanez know?

Ibanez knows that a lot of the J custom guitars end up outside of Japan. I seriously doubt they would mind at all to have an endorsee showing off one of their top-of-the-line models. But then, you could always check with Ibanez. Or send a message to Tak.

gu1tar · #3 03-12-2008, 02:43 AM

It's not that they are not supposed to be sold outside of Japan, it's just that Ibanez doesn't send them to other markets. A couple of the authorized Japanese Ibanez dealers sell to people in the U.S.; all you have to do is call them and make the arrangements. Rich at Ibanezrules also sells them here. (although he's not an authorized dealer) Some fleabay sellers sell them here as well.

:: 2 cents warning ::

I would figure that if you are an Ibanez endorsee, the endorsement deal just wants to insure that you play a guitar that is made by Ibanez.

:: 2 cents warning off ::

screamndemon69 · #4 03-12-2008, 02:50 AM

I would figure they wouldn't want you playing a guitar that can't be bought wherever you are playing it.

How many endorsees play JC's in a US tour?

~Bones

losgatosrg350dx · #5 03-12-2008, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gu1tar

It's not that they are not supposed to be sold outside of Japan, it's just that Ibanez doesn't send them to other markets. A couple of the authorized Japanese Ibanez dealers sell to people in the U.S.; all you have to do is call them and make the arrangements. Rich at Ibanezrules also sells them here. (although he's not an authorized dealer) Some fleabay sellers sell them here as well.

:: 2 cents warning ::

I would figure that if you are an Ibanez endorsee, the endorsement deal just wants to insure that you play a guitar that is made by Ibanez.

:: 2 cents warning off ::

i agree, i think its mostly a market....to bring it inot the us, theyd probably have to drop millions on just exposure of the new market.....i dunno if i went to jap and got one, then became a famous rocker, and played it on stage, nah, nobody would get between me and my axe

GAZ · #6 03-12-2008, 06:00 AM

The UK and Europe (sic) have officially sold JC 's in the past (up to 2005/6) so it's not true to say they are not supposed to be sold outside of Japan.

DEADTUNES666 · #7 03-12-2008, 08:27 AM

I don't think that would be a problem for anyone.

Lots of guys play guitars (custom made-custom painted) that you can't get, but would still make someone want to buy from the company.

Steve Cropper had his signature guitar with Peavey a few years ago, but the ones he played had an arched top. Peavey wouldn't make one for anyone else. I tried to get the reps to help me out to no avail.

Schecter-Jackson-ESP all make custom pieces for anyone as well as their endorsees.

So long as the headstock said Ibanez, I don't think they would have a problem, as they would still be endorsing their product...

screamndemon69 · #8 03-12-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEADTUNES666

Schecter-Jackson-ESP all make custom pieces for anyone as well as their endorsees.

So long as the headstock said Ibanez, I don't think they would have a problem, as they would still be endorsing their product...

Schecter, Jackson and ESP also have custom shops open to the public while Ibanez does not.

Back to sales and marketing, that's why people are endorsed, to bring in revenue and sell guitars/gear. If people can't buy what they see their favorite artist playing then what good is it for the company? I'm sure it does bring interest to the brand which is still positive for the company.

The one hole I do see in my thought is with the LACS shop since that isn't open to the public and most of us have seen the amazing stuff coming out of there that we rarely get a chance to buy them if you're not endorsed (only on the used market otherwise). There are a few endorsees playing LACS that are members on this forum that proudly show their LACS guitars and start MAJOR GAS attacks worldwide (Yes Buzz YOU!!

and soon to be Rikk). They do give us ideas on making custom/modified versions thru outside sources, we just can't get them thru Ibanez.

This is an interesting thread.

~Bones

HeavyMetal4Ever · #9 03-13-2008, 06:04 AM

I can't see any reason at all that Ibanez would be put out if an endorsee was using a J-Custom outside of Japan. I'm sure they know that people export them out of Japan, and that people import them into other countries.

Would they care if an endorsee purchased a European model while on tour and played it in the US, or vice versa? I doubt it.

Do we have any endorsed members living outside of Japan who play J-Customs?

Theres one way to fix this confusion, and thats for Ibanez to start making J-Customs available outside of Japan. Maybe one day it will happen...

Rock on!

DEADTUNES666 · #10 03-13-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

Schecter, Jackson and ESP also have custom shops open to the public while Ibanez does not.

At this point I can't see them ever offering it, the demand would be ridiculous. I would be one of the first in line for it, however...I can always hope

screamndemon69 · #11 03-13-2008, 11:43 AM

I can only speculate that JC's can't be produced in high enough numbers to have them readily available for sale in all markets without sacrificing the end quality and they definitely wouldn't be putting out smaller runs of special JC's.

~Bones

ryanb · #12 03-13-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

I can only speculate that JC's can't be produced in high enough numbers to have them readily available for sale in all markets without sacrificing the end quality and they definitely wouldn't be putting out smaller runs of special JC's.

~Bones

The trick is not to have them readily available, per se, but to let the dealers order them on demand. The total number of worldwide sales probably wouldn't really increase that much. It would just give customers an easier route than ordering from Japan.

xklusivly4u · #13 03-14-2008, 09:11 AM

My friend’s friend who is the Ibanez endorsee and play J-custom on stage but he was told that once he got his signature Ibanez, he can’t play J-custom on stage.

Ibateur · #14 03-14-2008, 10:10 AM

but that makes sense because Hoshino would want to recoup what they spent putting together his signature model! If he continues playing a JC, that basically means that "I like JC more than my sig, custom made by Ibanez"

HeavyMetal4Ever · #15 03-14-2008, 12:28 PM

Yeah, there's definately a difference between being an endorsee and having your own signature model.

IMHO there's also a difference between a signature model and a custom model. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani have signature models. If you have the dollars you can walk into a guitar store and buy one.

Chris Broderick has a custom model, and if you want it you will have to convince him to sell it to you. His guitar is a one off custom, not a signature model.

Just my 2 cents.

Rock on!