Ibanez Introduces New H.R. Giger Signature Series Electric Guitar

Jan 29, 2008

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One of the most interesting pairings of the worlds of the visual and musical arts continues as H.R. Giger, best known for the creature of Alien fame, has once again joined forces with Ibanez, the fretted-instrument maker. The latest design combines an Ibanez RG electric guitar, one of the best-known heavy metal guitars in the world, with H.G. Giger's haunting Biomechanical Matrix, which is laser-engraved on the RG's basswood body. Other dark artistic touches include skull-shaped volume and tone controls, Gold Mirror neck inlays, a textured headstock and Ibanez Infinity pickups with the H.G. Giger logo design. The RGHRG1 has a list price of $1733.32.

H.R. Giger's collaboration with Ibanez is a natural pairing when delving into the world of string instruments, remarked H.R. Giger's agent Les Barany. Mr. Giger is an acknowledged fan of diverse musical styles and an accomplished jazz pianist and saxophone player in his own right. Giger's musical enthusiasm and his avant-garde approach to industrial and 'practical' design is right at home in the Ibanez camp. Bill Reim, president of Hoshino U.S.A., which distributes Ibanez in the United States, and who has contributed to many Ibanez designs himself, explained one of the reasons that the partnership came to be: I was always a big fan of H.R. Giger's work, and I was influenced during my years in art school by his designs for album covers for Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Deborah Harry and others. I had always wanted to use H.R. Giger's designs for some of our displays, so when the chance came to actually utilize his graphic designs for our guitars, we were more than ready to do so.

The H.R. Giger/Ibanez partnership had its debut at the 2005 Anaheim Winter NAMM Show. The RGHRG1 is the sixth Giger/Ibanez design (five guitars and one bass).

Model: RGHRG1
List: $1733.32

Available Finish: BKF Black Flat
Body Material: Basswood
Neck Material: 3pc Maple
Neck Scale/Type: 25.5/Wizard II
No. Frets/Type: 24/Jumbo
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlay: Gold Mirror
Bridge: Edge III
H/W Color: Black
Neck Pickup: IBZ Infinity IF3 Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: IBZ Infinity IF4 Humbucker
Controls: 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Other Special Features: Body laser engraved with H.R. Giger's Biomechanical Matrix graphic
Case: Deluxe Hardshell
Case List: Included

For more information, visit their web site at www.ibanez.com.