Hoshino U.S.A. is celebrating 50 years of business in the American music market, and we’re pulling out all the stops with something truly special to mark the occasion. For the first time in the history of Hoshino and Ibanez, we’re throwing open the doors to two of our most acclaimed and exclusive guitar building facilities, the Ibanez L.A. and Japan Custom Shops. Between these two facilities, we’ve arranged for the construction of various uniquely-spec’d, custom instruments to celebrate every year Hoshino U.S.A. has been in business. Just as no two years are ever exactly the same, each one of these guitars and basses are totally unique from one another. They are instilled with their own distinctive style and feature set, principally inspired by the master luthiers who built them. This remarkable collection is the single largest run of custom guitars we’ve ever produced, and unlike prior pieces to come from these facilities, they will ultimately make their way to our dealers and be available to the public for purchase.
This guitar was built by world-renouned master luthier Tak Hosono. Master Luthier Tak Hosono has been building instruments and managing the day to day operations at the Ibanez Los Angeles Custom Shop for the past 25 years. His interest in the world of electric guitar was sparked by his uncle, who was a player himself and spent time in England, playing and touring with a progressive rock group from that time. Upon his Uncle’s return to Japan, Tak learned about his experience as a working musician, and it was these stories that inspired Tak to pursue a career rooted in music and the electric guitar.
Though he’s been officially working for Hoshino for 25 years, Tak has actually been involved with the company for over 30. He first started building Ibanez instruments in the late 80’s at his own shop in Glendale, CA. At the time, Hoshino decided to offer American-made Ibanez guitars, many of which were manufactured at Tak’s shop. This initial collaboration and the ultra-high-quality of the guitars produced, are what ultimately led Tak to Hoshino and the LA Custom Shop. From there, Tak would go on to produce stunning creations for an expansive list of Ibanez Artists; a multitude of iconic designs that would go on to be played, seen, and heard all over the world.
"Tak is a master luthier with heart and soul. He always takes the time to understand what each artist needs from their instruments on the deepest level, and he gets those elements to be part of the instrument's core design" -Joe Satriani
After first beginning production in 2005, the RGA has appeared in various series and in every year since its debut. As such, it only seemed appropriate that the RGA have a place in this special collection. Given that only a few RGA’s were produced in this run, the LA Custom Shop felt it was right to stay true to the conventional RGA design, while highlighting its best attributes with some strategically applied custom flair, particularly the Flamed Maple top and the fiery color chosen to pair with it. The Flamed Maple top displays a highly figured, tight grain pattern that nearly jumps off the guitar when combined with the Fireburst Matte finish. This RGA model also features neck-thru construction as well as black pearloid block inlays that offer an unconventional but modern aesthetic. Finally, the back of the instrument injects a notable visual contrast to the front with a subtle but intricate Black and Red Ceruse Finish.
This RGA features neck-thru construction, utilizing a Maple / Purpleheart neck and center block. This feature delivers absolutely seamless upper fret access and an impressive level of sustain. The back of the neck also features a satin finish, and, when combined with the thin/fast RGA neck profile and 16” radius, there isn’t a fret or solo this guitar can’t attack.
The top and finish of this guitar are brilliantly matched, perfectly complementing one another. The grain pattern of the Flamed Maple top is very fine with tight figuring. The Fireburst Matte finish is, as the name suggests, a hot cascade of color, which takes hold of the top wood and blasts it forward with a blazing eruption of orange. It’s also where the instrument draws its nickname, “Cheeto.”
Intended to both complement and counter the brightness and intensity of the front of the guitar, the back of the body features a complex but understated Black and Red Ceruse Matte finish. The red here runs though the negative space in the grain, while the black jumps out as the dominant shade in this dynamic dance of color and contrast.
Specs:
- Neck: 3pc Maple/Purpleheart
- Neck Width: 43mm @ Nut, 58mm @ 24th Fret
- Neck Thickness: 19mm @ 1st Fret, 21mm @ 12th Fret
- Grip Shape: Half Round
- Fretboard Radius: 16"
- Inlay: Black Pearloid
- Side Dots: Luminlay
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Neck Joint: Neck-Thru
- Body: Swamp Ash
- Top: Flame Maple
- Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Norton
- Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton
- Tuners: Gotoh MB-500
- Bridge: Lo Pro Edge
- Finish: Fire Burst Matte
- Case: Hardshell Case Included
- Includes Certificate of Authenticity
