MUDVAYNE's GREG TRIBBETT Signs With IBANEZ GUITARS

MUDVAYNE guitarist Greg Tribbett has announced his decision to give world-renowned Ibanez electric guitars his exclusive endorsement.

"Actually, I played Ibanez guitars from the very beginning," stated the guitarist. "My first teacher played Ibanez. They're slick, dead-on guitars and they play faster. You can set them up for really low string action, which is important to me. And the sound is perfect." At this time, Tribbett switches among a radically shaped Ibanez Iceman, the classic Ibanez Artist model, and an Ibanez SZ, one of the newest Ibanez guitar designs. There has been discussion of an online promotion by Ibanez and MUDVAYNE management where the band's fans will be given a chance to decide which guitar Tribbett ends up using, either on tour or in the next video.

Rob Nishida, manager of Ibanez artist relations in North Hollywood, California, is equally enthusiastic with Greg's decision. "We are very excited to have Greg Tribbett playing Ibanez. I've been impressed with Greg from the very first time I saw him play with MUDVAYNE at the San Bernardino stop on the 'Tattoo the Earth' tour in 2000. MUDVAYNE was one of the best live performing bands I had ever seen. The group is one of the most important heavy bands today and Greg's creative guitar playing is an integral part of the band's sound." Tribbett himself is also considering exploring somewhat different sounds than those usually associated MUDVAYNE, another reason for his decision to go with Ibanez: "In the future I want to explore jazz guitar and Ibanez has the Artcores and other serious jazz guitars," he said.

MUDVAYNE entered The Plant studio in Sausalito, California in early June to record the follow-up to 2002's gold-certified "The End of All Things to Come" (2002),tentatively due in the fall. Production duties on the new CD are being handled by former UGLY KID JOE guitarist Dave Fortman, who has previously worked with SUPERJOINT RITUAL and EVANESCENCE, among others.