Speaking of which, in 1977, Gibsons parent company filed a lawsuit against Ibanez (essentially the Hoshino corporation) for copying their “open-book-style” headstock. Ibanez ramped up the quality of its own designs, including set-in-neck copies of solid body and archtop guitars.

When did Gibson Sue Ibanez?

1977 In 1977, Gibson sued the Elger Company (the distributor of Ibanez instruments in the U.S. at the time) and demanded they stop producing copies of their instruments, specifically their headstocks. Japanese-built guitars that are copies of American designs before the Gibson lawsuit are commonly referred to as “lawsuit

Why is Gibson guitars going out of business?

Gibson found itself drowning in a $500 million debt — a byproduct of attempted expansion into consumer electronics and lifestyle branding. Entering chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company needed a lifeboat, and fast.

Which Ibanez guitars are still made in Japan?

Guitar models manufactured in JapanJPM100.RG2550E.RG550.RG1527.

Is Lotus a good guitar?

Like the Matsumoku guitars of that era, both the early Korean Cort and Japanese Morris-made Lotus guitars are of high quality. These guitars all are solid-bodied and were made in the same factory as Tokai.