In January 2026, amid the buzz of NAMM Show launches, Ibanez unveiled its Alpha series- a bold new line of progressive 7- and 8-string electrics engineered “from the ground up” for modern metal and djent players.
Priced at street levels around $1,899 (7-string) and $1,999 (8-string), the guitars feature a basswood body with ergonomic forearm contours, a multi-scale “Parallel Wizard AS” neck, Fishman Fluence Modern pickups with voicing switches, and futuristic finishes like Iron Pewter.
Ibanez positioned them as a direct answer to high-end options from Ernie Ball Music Man and Abasi Concepts, blending influences from Strandberg, Kiesel, and Ibanez’s own Quest line.
The backlash was immediate and fierce. Social media erupted with Photoshop comparisons showing the Alpha’s lower horn and cutaway silhouette mirroring Tosin Abasi’s (Animals as Leaders) Larada designs, while the upper bout echoed elements of the Ernie Ball Kaizen (co-developed with Abasi). Fans and critics dubbed it a “complete ripoff,” sparking the viral tagline “most controversial guitar of 2026.”
Abasi’s bandmate Javier Reyes amplified the outrage on Instagram, replying to Ibanez’s launch post with a thumbs-down emoji and the pointed question: “What’s Japanese for shameless?”
When challenged, he doubled down: “I’m just another Yelp reviewer like you… If you can’t discern that [the designs are very similar]… You should be smarter.”
Tosin Abasi himself stayed silent publicly, though the timing- launching on his birthday- added fuel. Ibanez has not commented, and no legal action from Abasi Concepts or Ernie Ball has emerged.
Guitar World noted that while body shapes like the Strat are often considered generic, this hybrid outline treads closer to protected territory.
Impact on Music Creation and the Industry: Prog and metal guitarists rely on innovative, ergonomic instruments for extended-range techniques and complex compositions.
Critics argue corporate “borrowing” discourages true R&D investment by smaller innovators like Abasi Concepts, potentially homogenizing tone palettes and playability options. Supporters counter that evolution builds on shared DNA (as with countless Strat copies).
At ~$2,000, the Alpha undercuts premium rivals but raises questions about value when originality is in doubt—potentially eroding trust in brands and pushing players toward used or boutique markets.
