Epiphone vs Ibanez:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Epiphone and Ibanez were level in searches among banjo brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 1.3K branded searches each, at 19% and 19.4% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about banjo brands, Epiphone appeared in two of the five answers and Ibanez in none.
Who do people search for more?
Ibanez and Epiphone are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Epiphone, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Ibanez in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Epiphone, the only one of the two named
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Top banjo brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Epiphone was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Ibanez did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Deering4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Gold Tone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Recording King3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Epiphone2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Gibson2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fender0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ibanez0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about banjo brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which banjo brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best banjo brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best banjo brand in New Zealand for beginner players?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“banjo for beginners”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluegrass banjo”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Epiphone or Ibanez more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Epiphone and Ibanez by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven banjo brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ibanez, Epiphone. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fender | Ibanez | Epiphone | Gibson | Deering | Recording King | Gold Tone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.6% | 20.3% | 20.5% | 16.1% | 0.14% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.1% | 19% | 20.4% | 16.9% | 0.15% | 0.29% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 43% | 19.1% | 22.5% | 14.8% | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.8% | 23.3% | 20.3% | 14.5% | 0.56% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.8% | 18.3% | 22.6% | 17.4% | 0.47% | 0.31% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.4% | 18.6% | 17.5% | 18.6% | 0.42% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Apr 2026 | 44% | 21.2% | 18.2% | 15.8% | 0.41% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| May 2026 | 47.8% | 17.8% | 17.9% | 15.9% | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0.13% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.9% | 19.5% | 18.8% | 16.3% | 0.14% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.8% | 18.3% | 18.6% | 16.5% | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
| Aug 2026 | 44% | 19.9% | 18.7% | 17% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.5% | 19.4% | 19% | 15.2% | 0.43% | 0.29% | 0.14% |
How has the Epiphone and Ibanez comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 7 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Ibanez took it in January 2026, Epiphone took it in February 2026, Ibanez took it in March 2026, Epiphone took it in May 2026, Ibanez took it in June 2026, Epiphone took it in July 2026, Ibanez took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Epiphone’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand moved from 20.5% to 19%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ibanez’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand moved from 20.3% to 19.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand banjo brands in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Epiphone nor Ibanez moved beyond provider rounding among banjo brands in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
14 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Epiphone’s and Ibanez’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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