Gibson vs Ibanez:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ibanez had more branded searches than Gibson among mandolin brands in New Zealand. Ibanez had about 1,340 branded searches, while Gibson had 1,050. Ibanez made up 18.9% of all mandolin brand searches we track, and Gibson accounted for 14.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mandolin brands, Gibson appeared in three of the five answers and Ibanez in two. Gibson and Ibanez were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Ibanez, about 28% more searches than Gibson
Who does AI mention more?
Gibson, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Ibanez in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top mandolin brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gibson was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Ibanez was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Gibson and Ibanez were each listed first in two of the four 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.
Eastman4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Kentucky4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
The Loar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Gibson3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Collings3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Ibanez2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Washburn2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Northfield2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Epiphone1 of 5Named in 0 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
See every answer about mandolin brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which mandolin brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best mandolin brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best mandolin brand in New Zealand for bluegrass playing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mandolin brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluegrass mandolin brand”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Gibson or Ibanez more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Gibson and Ibanez by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten mandolin brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ibanez, Gibson. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fender | Ibanez | Epiphone | Gibson | Washburn | Collings | Eastman | Kentucky | Northfield | The Loar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 19.5% | 19.7% | 15.5% | 3% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.3% | 18.2% | 19.6% | 16.2% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.7% | 18.1% | 21.3% | 14% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.27% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.1% | 22.4% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.9% | 17.5% | 21.6% | 16.6% | 3.6% | 1.2% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 17.8% | 16.7% | 17.8% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.2% | 20.3% | 17.4% | 15.2% | 3.2% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| May 2026 | 45.9% | 17.1% | 17.2% | 15.2% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.3% | 18.8% | 18.1% | 15.7% | 2.5% | 0.93% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 44.3% | 17.7% | 18% | 15.9% | 2.8% | 0.69% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 19% | 18% | 16.3% | 3.1% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.3% | 18.9% | 18.5% | 14.8% | 2.4% | 0.56% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
How has the Gibson and Ibanez comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ibanez was ahead of Gibson in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gibson’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 15.5% to 14.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ibanez’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 19.5% to 18.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand mandolin brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Gibson lost share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand, from 16.3% to 14.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
9 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gibson’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.
Other head-to-heads among mandolin brands
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