- For a list of FR models, see Portal:FR series.
The FR series is a line of solid body electric guitar models produced by Hoshino Gakki and sold under the Ibanez brand. The FR line was introduced in 2008. It is believed that FR is acronym for Freestyle Rock Gear although that moniker is rarely used by Ibanez.[1]
The FR has a completely new body shape, which is reminiscent of the Fender Telecaster. It is also similar to the Ibanez Ballback/Turbot and the 'Starfield Cabriolet' models which were all inspired to some degree by the Tele shape.
All FR models feature either an ash or mahogany body, a bolt-on 24 fret Wizard neck and the Calm Crusher pickups specially designed for the series, although the FR6UC Uppercut is equipped with Bare Knuckle Aftermath pickups. The Tight-End bridge premiered on the FR but was also used later on hard-tail JEM and RG models. This bridge would be featured on all FR models, except for the FR365, which featured a traditional fixed bridge.
As of 2018, thirteen FR models have been offered. The FR2620 and FR1620 Prestige models were the introductory models in 2008. These were followed by the FR8620 introduced in 2010, which was part of the exclusive J Custom line. The FR320 and FR420 were introduced in 2012 as the first FR models made outside of Japan. Several other FR models have followed these.
Except for the FR365 which has a humbucker/single-coil pickup arrangement, all models in the series to date have dual humbuckers.
The FR series was discontinued after 2020 in favor of the new AZS series which mates a body shape nearly identical to that of the FR to an AZ series neck.
The series returned in late 2022 in an an acoustic format with the TOD10N signature acoustic model for Tim Henson of Polyphia.
Sources[]
- ↑ 2008 USA catalog, pages 38–39
