FEAR FACTORY's DINO CAZARES Leaves IBANEZ, Signs With ORMSBY GUITARS

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares has left Ibanez and signed a deal with Ormsby Guitars.

Dino said: "There comes a time in life where you have to make a tough decision, and this is one of those times. After 22 years with Ibanez guitars, I'm sadly saying goodbye, but the time has come to move on to a new home at Ormsby Guitars.

"Let's start from the beginning. During the 'Demanufacture' world tour in 1996, Ibanez approached me about using their seven-string Universe guitar. Instantly I was hooked on the new creative cutting-edge genre-defining design of the seven-string guitar. It worked perfectly for me because I was tuning my six-string ESP guitar down to B standard and lower. The string tension was so much better on the seven-string and it all just made sense to me.

"In 1996-97, I forced EMG to make the first seven-string active pickup. Using an active bass pickup case for a seven-string guitar pickup worked perfectly, which was named the Soapbar mount. It became the industry standard 707. Then a little while later the DC81-7.

"Ten years after that, I helped Seymour Duncan design their first active Blackout pickup, and then later we designed my signature pickup, the Retribution.

"In 2014, after being with Ibanez for 17+ years, I finally got my first signature guitar, the DCM100. Most people felt I deserved a signature guitar many years before that, but I was just happy I finally got one. Unfortunately, in late 2017, my guitar was discontinued for legal reasons beyond all of our control. Twenty-two years is a long time to be with one brand, but Ibanez has stood beside me through all my ups and downs.

"I want to thank Ibanez and its parent company Hoshino for all the amazing custom guitars that you've made me over the years. Everyone in the L.A. custom shop has been so nice and super supportive on all my endeavors. I want everyone at Ibanez to know that I appreciate all the years together. The fun, the music and the memories: Mike Orrigo, Tak Hosono, Alex Kerk, Rocky Oda, Happy Yoshida and Mike Taft, thank you.

"Moving on to Ormsby Guitars.

"I became friends with Perry Ormsby a couple of years ago at NAMM and I asked him for a guitar. He sent it over right away and instantly I fell in love with it. The way I felt when I picked up that first Ibanez seven-string is the same way I felt when I picked up my first very well-crafted multiscale guitar from Ormsby. I was really blown away how easy it was to play. I'm always looking to improve and innovate, and Perry is absolutely on the same page.

"I look forward to collaborating with Ormsby on creating amazing signature guitars. At this year's 2019 NAMM convention, we will be displaying two different models at the Ormsby booth #2841 in Hall D. Come by, say hi and pick them up and try them out for yourself."

Vocalist Burton C. Bell recently revealed that FEAR FACTORY has completed work on its long-awaited new album for a tentative 2019 release.

The effort, which will once again be made available via Nuclear Blast, will mark the Californian band's first collection of new music since 2015's "Genexus" LP.