Ibanez First Signature Basses DebutAll new models co-designed by Verdine While of Earth Wind and Fire, Gary Willis
of Tribal Tech and Doug Wimbish of Jungle Funk January 28, 1999Although Ibanez has long been considered one of the leading names in both artist/endorser
signature guitars and professional basses, there has never been an Ibanez signature
bass. And according to Ibanez, their retail bass dealers have long been asking
for basses that would create the same excitement for basses as Ibanez artist
models have for guitars.
At the Winter NAMM show in Los Angeles, that wish was more than fulfilled as
Ibanez unveils not just one, but three artist signature electric basses.
Why did it take so long for Ibanez to combine their two strengths in signature
instruments and pro basses?
"The same reason it takes us so long to create artist signature guitars, It
takes a lot time to do it right." says Rob Nishida who oversees Artist Relations
at Ibanez' Research and Design Studio in N. Hollywood. "The days of just putting
an instrument in an artist hands and snapping a photo for an ad are thankfully
pretty much history in our industry. And they never were a part of what Ibanez
did in our influential artist signature models. You have to have the right artists,
not just players who are famous, but players who contribute new ideas to the
instrument. Then you have to be able to implement their ideas to create an instrument
that they will not only be willing to play, but be completely proud of. We believe
that the new White, Willis and Wimbish models completely fill that bill." For more information, visit Ibanez at http://www.ibanez.com/ | 
