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Related content: Roadstar II series | Models-icon


For a list of Roadstar models, see Portal:Roadstar II series.

The Roadstar II series is a line of electric guitars produced for Hoshino Gakki and sold under the Ibanez brand. The initial Roadstar II models were introduced in 1983.

The Roadstar design is a rough approximation of the Fender Stratocaster and belongs to a genre that came to be known as Superstrats. It is the predecessor of the current RG series.

Since the late 1970s, Ibanez has offered a number of guitar series based on the Fender Strat. The first was the Roadster guitars introduced in 1979, followed by the similar but stripped down and more affordable Blazer in 1981. Both had typical Fender features, such as a bolt-on neck, single coil pickups and the double cut curved body shape.

Roadstar Deluxe and Standard series[]

Roadstar models were divided between a Roadstar Deluxe series and Roadstar Standard series. The Deluxe series featured special finishes and better hardware.

After 1986[]

From 1987 until 1992, the Roadstar name was used in various fashions. The first modern RG models were still issued under the Roadstar flag, but the distinction between the original Roadstar Deluxe and Standard subseries disappeared in or shortly after 1987. The Pro Line series was replaced by the Roadstar Pro series in 1987, featuring various new body shapes, including the future S and R models. These series and lower-end RG models had similar necks used on the previous year's Roadstar line. The Radius and Saber models would ultimately carry on the Roadstar legacy more directly, as the main RG line was based on new 24 fret neck designs.

Ibanez ultimately stopped using the Roadstar name in promotional material after 1991, in favor of the now standard "RG" "R" and "S" monikers.

Hoshino USA 50th Anniversary revival[]

For 2022 Ibanez issued a number of special models created in their Japan and Los Angeles custom shops in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Hoshino USA/ Elger. Among these is the JPCS6 which is the first Roadstar II model created in over 35 years.

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