JS3 Models
The Ibanez JS3 was introduced in 1990 as a custom-order model in the Joe Satriani signature range, with individual artwork painted by Donnie Hunt. It was based on the JS1 which was also introduced in 1990. Hunt hand-painted each model at his home in the US, often working on many at the same time, before they were delivered to Ibanez for clear-coating and assembly. The model appeared in the catalog near the top of the range at $2,299.
Of the information surrounding the history of the JS3, very little has come directly from Hoshino (Ibanez’s parent company), so it has fallen to owners and enthusiasts to piece together the JS3 story. One of the key unknowns is just how many were built. At some stage a figure of 300 was discussed and this became accepted as fact, even though those people who have dealt with the JS3 in the following years suggest that there is no evidence that there were ever more than 70 models at most.
The model was withdrawn from the product line in 1993, and the untimely death of Donnie Hunt in 1996 meant that there would be no anniversary models.
Donnies have always been one of the most collectible of Ibanez guitars. Their premium price at retail and limited availability ensured that they always held a position of status within the range, but this has continued to grow as time has passed. They change hands fairly rarely and often hold a prize position within a collection.
Each one had a unique Ibanez serial number, and Hunt often included his own number which he incremented as he painted each new one. We know very few of either numbers of the models below, so the numbers on the left are purely for the purposes of reference for this website.
The images below have been collated from various sources, often in fairly low resolution, but have been normalised into the same format to allow easier comparison between Donnie Hunt’s artworks. Click an image for an expanded view.
To date, we have managed to accumulate 34 different model images. In cases where the owner is public knowledge we have stated it. If you are lucky enough to own a Donnie, please consider allowing us to add it to this historical record, even if it’s on the basis of strict anonymity. Contact information is at the foot of the page.
| Ref | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D1 |  | The Prototype Owner: Unknown Location: Unknown The first model in the list is not an official JS3. This is the prototype that Donnie Hunt created based on stock Ibanez parts. Close examination of the body shows different designs layered on top of each other. |
| D2 |  | Donnie F Owner: Joe Satriani Location: Unknown This model is the one that is most often associated with Joe Satriani. It was stolen in 2000 and has remained missing ever since. |
| D3 |  | Owner: Joe Satriani Location: USA |
| D4 |  | Pink Donnie Owner: Joe Satriani Location: USA |
| D5 |  | Owner: Joe Satriani Location: USA |
| D6 |  | Blue Donnie Owner: Joe Satriani Location: USA |
| D7 |  | #6 Owner: Brett Coleman Location: USA |
| D8 |  | #26 Owner: Unknown Location: Unknown This model was sold by Ibanez Rules. It's one of the models that was professionally copied by Ed Roman guitars. |
| D9 |  | #24 Owner: Andrew Longhorn Location: Australia |
| D10 |  | #25 Owner: Private Location: USA This model was bought in Dallas in the early 90's and its owner has been using it ever since. |
| D11 |  | #12 Owner: Jeff Shirkey Location: USA |
| D12 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA This is the first in the list that is owned by Rich, who also owns and operates Ibanez Rules, the US Ibanez dealership. Rich is the Donnie expert, and also their most prolific collector. |
| D13 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D14 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D15 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D16 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D17 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D18 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D19 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D20 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D21 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D22 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA |
| D23 |  | Owner: Rich Harris Location: USA This model is one of the most recent to trade publicly, having been advertised on Reverb in France. |
| D24 |  | Owner: Ryan Hill Location: CA |
| D25 |  | Owner: Unknown Location: Unknown |
| D26 |  | #34 Owner: Andrew Longhorn Location: Australia This is another that has been traded publicly in the last decade, having briefly appeared on Gumtree. |
| D27 |  | #62 Owner: Andrew Longhorn Location: Australia #62 is the highest found so far and the only evidence that the total number is >60. |
| D28 |  | Owner: Christopher Guest Location: CA The first of two owned by members of the band Spinal Tap. |
| D29 |  | Owner: Michael McKean Location: USA The second from Spinal Tap. |
| D30 |  | Owner: Unknown Location: Unknown |
| D31 |  | Owner: Hoshino Location: Hoshino Board Room Supposedly, this is #1 and hangs in the Hoshino board room. |
| D32 |  | Owner: Private Location: USA |
| D33 |  | Owner: Private Location: USA |
| D34 |  | Owner: Private Location: USA |
Contact: Phil John