is this a good trade?

[PhatRon]

'83 (??) Ibanez Roadstar (RB650). offered for my Little Mark III
on my local CL. I've had the amp listed for a while now with no takers. I am clueless to the value of this bass. going to check it out tomorrow night.
any pearls of knowledge to offer up anyone?

cheers

[RoeyHaviv]

This smells like regret.
I wouldn't do it.

[joebar]

that is about a $300 bass IIRC...

[MEKer]

Overall---the amp is worth more than the bass by maybe $100-200 if the amp is new and in great shape. What shape is the bass in? And does the $100 or so bucks mean that much to you? If the bass is in truly primo shape I'd have to really think about that. Cool bass for sure, but my experience on one is too far back to make a judgement for you. What do you need the most? Man, I am leaning towards the bass IF PRIMO and the amp is not a big deal for you. But if not absolute primo--------I'd not trade.

I dunno---see if he'll trade AND give you a $150--that would actually be the only way for it to make sense...if the bass is PRIMO and with a case if possible. It is a cool bass.

[Bochafish]

Never played a Roadstar. But LMIII's are awesome. I see LMIII's sell for $350 shipped all the time. (Probably easier to sell a LMIII than a used Ibanez) I may be wrong.

[mjac28]

They are great classic basses and that one looks to be in decent shape if the person could throw in a small amount of cash I would go for it I think after you play it you might really love it.

[tastybasslines]

Originally Posted by Bochafish

Never played a Roadstar. But LMIII's are awesome. I see LMIII's sell for $350 shipped all the time. (Probably easier to sell a LMIII than a used Ibanez) I may be wrong.

Nope, this sounds right on.

[PhatRon]

thanks for the input all. If I like the feel of the neck and sound of the pups It might be hard to pass up. I am not using the amp. I prefer my Genz shuttlemax and the UPS man is bringing me a walkabout/scout. But then again this wouldn't be my main bass either. My initial thought of the value is about where you all have said, +/- $300. I've had the amp listed for a few months now for $400 or trade. This is the first offer.

[NYCbassist]

I can get a very nice example of that bass for under $200. Don't know the value of the Amp. I would get the trader to kick in $150 or so.

[Bitterdale]

Originally Posted by PhatRon

'83 (??) Ibanez Roadstar (RB650). offered for my Little Mark III
on my local CL. I've had the amp listed for a while now with no takers. I am clueless to the value of this bass. going to check it out tomorrow night.
any pearls of knowledge to offer up anyone?

cheers

Ibanez Roadstars are highly regarded as undervalued. Japanese made, good quality wood, hardware and pickups. I see the one pictured has a badass II bridge on it. That's worth about $75 by itself.
It looks to be in good condition, check it out and see what you think.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by joebar

that is about a $300 bass IIRC...

Yup. Great Japanese made basses, but only worth $300-ish.

[PhatRon]

thanks Bitterdale. forgot to mention the bridge, I did know about it. also after market knobs but pups original.

[Jeff K]

I've only played one, but it blew me away. Killer tone. It was in GC, and I thought seriously about buying it. But I simply had too many basses to justify it. If you're looking for a bass, it's worth checking out. That one looks very nice; and if it blows you away, I'd make the deal. If you don't like it, don't make the deal. And like somebody suggested above, you can always ask him to throw in a little cash. You never know...

[Spinal Tapper]

I don't think its worth it. Isn't the LMIII worth around $400 or so?

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by PhatRon

'83 (??) Ibanez Roadstar (RB650). offered for my Little Mark III
on my local CL. I've had the amp listed for a while now with no takers. I am clueless to the value of this bass. going to check it out tomorrow night.
any pearls of knowledge to offer up anyone?

cheers

but I'm an Ibanez appreciater, whereas I don't really dig Mark Bass, so it just could be me after all

Cheers,
Wallace

[PhatRon]

Thanks to e1 who gave input. Greatly appreciated. After test driving and much thought I went for the trade. It has a very nice feel and lighter than my jazz and P.
As was pointed out I agree it's an undervalued classic. Dollar for dollar maybe wasn't a good deal but I can find lil marks all day long for 3-4 bones. Not so with a roadstar in that nice of shape. Cheers

[purfektstranger]

Personally I would have asked the guy to kick in a few bucks but that's me. Roadstars are vastly underrated and are incredible value for money. You traded an amp that was collecting dust for a bass that you dig and are going to use.