Your history at Hoshino

[Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfr]

 Jim I think it would be interesting to know how you got involved with hoshino? Like what was your position when you started there and how you proggessed through the years. Was it a cool Job? And did you learn a lot while you were there?

[Johns (Johns)]

Ibanezfreak1960:

Jim answered some of these questions in an article. Go to: http://www.stribble.com/showarticle.asp?ID=49

Good stuff.

[Johns (Johns)]

 Jim:

I'd like to know if there is a particular model guitar that you personally designed or were instrumental in bringing to the market?

[Jim_Donahue (Jim_Donahue)]

 The Scott Trible Interview is mostly everything about my long history with the company. I worked on something on every model that sold except the Blazer  1025. The one that I designed that got the most attention was the Y2K Models, Mostly the Y2KDNA. Every detail one that one I did by myself from conception to flying to Japan with Steve Vai's blood stashed in an Iodine bottle in my shaving kit.

These guitars sold out before they were even introduced officially, They were $5000.00 each.

Models that I hand built the prototypes for are
EX models
Blazer reissue
Artist (When we brought back the 70's version) Now they say that they brought it back but actually I worked on this before I left and it is the Thicker 80's version that they brought back.
All the ergodyan basses except the EDA, I worked with them but did not come up with that sample.  

The BTB bass
SA series Guitars
GSA series Guitars
GAX (Low price) guitars
So many RG's and SR's
The SA tremolo sytem
So many Jem's and JS's
GB Models (GB2k)
I worked on the samples for the Pat Metheny's
USRG
USATK
Regular ATK (Japan actually changed my body shape)
The AF207
AJ307 seven string acoustic
SRX
Some Talman models
Really every model released between 1991 and 2002, I had something to do with, many times I did not like the models that Japan released like the new Talman and the Masa, But I just went along with it.  
Actually, no one would probably admit this but the Artcore line that they are selling now was my idea; I told it to Joe Hoshino in the Lunch room in Japan on a Cigarette Break. My idea was a little different, but he did use it. I wanted to make Solid Top Jazz guitars in China.

There are so many things, The book will come out soon that I worked on while I was there, I started that book in 1997, Wow it’s 2004 and finally almost finished, That book really is good.

[Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfr]

 Hey your right that was an awesome interveiw! Ok well that answered my question.

[Captainibanez (Captainiba]

JD, good to see you out there again....I see that you have managed to un-chain yourself from the CNC Machine in the basement. When are you going to email me the pics of those NoahJames guitars you promised to send me?. Still at Australis Music...making a guest appearance back in the Service Dept. for a month or so. Pre Release parts are now a full time reality..yippee!

Hope you and the family are all well.

My new email at home is  camb62@bigpond.net.au

Look forward to yakking again..like the good ol' days

Cameron Berthold: Australis Music ( aka Captain Ibanez )
Sydney, Australia.

[Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfr]

 Jim I was told by a friend at Hoshino that the book is in the publishing stage at this time. I hope that means we will all get to read it real soon!

[Sixvsix (Sixvsix)]

 JIM,

Real interesting stuff in your interview Jim. Like you, I met Robert Plant one time. This was back in 1983 at Rockfield Studios in Monmothshire Wales. He was a part owner there at the time.

He came strolling in the studio with a case of 24 (beers) for us (the band). Just his way of saying HI!

He gave us more encouragement in 10 minutes than our wanker management did in 2 years. And then he was gone. What a guy!

Ahh....memories.


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