Need Help With A 1979 Ibanez Musician Bass

[bullets19]

Hi, I have a 1979 Ibanez Musician Bass that I got from a freind, unfortunetly back in the early 80's he striped off the paint to customize it but never got around to it. I have all the original parts and the original case and original electronics and pickups and they all still work. However the original paint has been striped off the body but other then that everything is in almost perfect condition. I was wondering if anybody had any idea about how much it would cost to get the bass put back together, or would it be more profitable to just sell all the parts. Or does anyone know how much a 1979 Ibanez Musician is worth? Any help would be apreciated, thanks.

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by bullets19

Hi, I have a 1979 Ibanez Musician Bass that I got from a freind, unfortunetly back in the early 80's he striped off the paint to customize it but never got around to it. I have all the original parts and the original case and original electronics and pickups and they all still work. However the original paint has been striped off the body but other then that everything is in almost perfect condition. I was wondering if anybody had any idea about how much it would cost to get the bass put back together, or would it be more profitable to just sell all the parts. Or does anyone know how much a 1979 Ibanez Musician is worth? Any help would be apreciated, thanks.

If you choose to sell it, I'm first in line. Just send me a PM. LOVED those basses.

Other than that, I'm not much help. Shouldn't be too hard to put the bass back together the way it was; the hardest part would probably be the soldering (i.e., knowing just how to do it for that bass). I bought a bass in pieces once and had a repairman put it together for under $50.

[Caca de Kick]

I've got a '79 Musician too.

It's up to you, if you want to put it back together. I'm not sure what your question is; are you going to paint it and assemble it yourself, or are you sending it to a repairman to paint it and assemble it for you?

The cost of sending it to a repairman is going depend on how many hours he has involved re-doing the thing. A stripped musician is probably around the 400-450 range. I've seen complete originals with their original finish, go anywhere from 650-1000.

With that said, Musicians are a great sounding bass. I would refinish it myself, assemble it and keep it, but I don't know what your ability is to do that. Most had just a clear finish anyway, so that should be easy. What color was your bass originally?

[Thunderthumbs73]

Keep the bass. Fix it. Finish it. Restore it. You don't know what you have. Parting out a (now) vintage bass that is all acounted for is a bad, bad idea. I own an '81, and trust me, once it's back together, and you play it, you'll wonder how you could do without it. You'll stop asking how much it's worth, and start asking yourself when you can play it next.

Good luck with it.

[bullets19]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I've got a '79 Musician too.

It's up to you, if you want to put it back together. I'm not sure what your question is; are you going to paint it and assemble it yourself, or are you sending it to a repairman to paint it and assemble it for you?

The cost of sending it to a repairman is going depend on how many hours he has involved re-doing the thing. A stripped musician is probably around the 400-450 range. I've seen complete originals with their original finish, go anywhere from 650-1000.

With that said, Musicians are a great sounding bass. I would refinish it myself, assemble it and keep it, but I don't know what your ability is to do that. Most had just a clear finish anyway, so that should be easy. What color was your bass originally?

I couldnt say what the original color was becuse I got it when it was already stripped and the guy I got it from doesnt remember what color it was. But from the pictures I have seen of them I assume it had a brown wood type finish. But I know the cost of getting it repainted would probably be to expensive so I think I will just try and find someone who will put the electronics back together. And thanks for the help I didnt know it was worth so much stripped. By the way my freind also told me that the pickups of the musician sometimes would pick up radio waves? If anyone has any other information on the bass I would greatly apreaciate it!

[fretlessman71]

If they're single coil (and I bet they are) you might get some interference.

I'd find a way to stain that wood and protect it if I were you. But finding the RIGHT "someone" to put it back together will help in that regard as well.

Yes, I think all Ibanez Musicians from that era had a dark "root beer" translucent finish.

And the worth of the bass in monetary terms is FAR less than the worth you will attach to it when you plug it in for the first time. These basses are absolutely wonderful, and they don't sound or play like anything else.

And if you're still thinking about selling it later on, welllll....

[bullets19]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

If they're single coil (and I bet they are) you might get some interference.

I'd find a way to stain that wood and protect it if I were you. But finding the RIGHT "someone" to put it back together will help in that regard as well.

Yes, I think all Ibanez Musicians from that era had a dark "root beer" translucent finish.

And the worth of the bass in monetary terms is FAR less than the worth you will attach to it when you plug it in for the first time. These basses are absolutely wonderful, and they don't sound or play like anything else.

And if you're still thinking about selling it later on, welllll....

I might decide to sell it but as of now I would like to see what I can do with it first becuse untill now it has just been taking up space in my closet but I would much rather get it fixed and add it to my show basses.

[62bass]

That's a player's bass. Not a show instrument. Put it back together and play it. A simple Minwax tung oil finish can be applied successfully by the village idiot. Get some help with re-assembly and wiring.

If you lived close by me I'd do it for you.

[fretlessman71]

+ 100. That bass, put together well, will last you the rest of your career.

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by 62bass

A simple Minwax tung oil finish can be applied successfully by the village idiot.

Sorry, I'm really busy these days.

[Thunderthumbs73]

If you want to see pictures of my '81 as a reference, for whatever it's worth, please let me know.