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1983 Ibanez Musician Single pick up

vernhillbass

vernhillbass

May 11, 2012
257
10
Missouri
#1
I just received a 1983 Ibanez Musician with single pick up from a friend to check out. It has been sitting under s bed for the last 30 years. It's neck through and crafted in Japan. It has 1 switch and 2 knobs. Just trying to find out more about this bass. I have not had a chance to play it yet. ImageUploadedByTalkBass1364056791.018913.jpgImageUploadedByTalkBass1364056831.474969.jpg
 
#2
It's an MC824. Similar in construction to the very excellent MC924, but with a single pickup and passive electronics. The quality of construction of that bass is superb. IMO, the best of it's day. A very high quality instrument.
 
#7
It has a tuner that was replaced and a couple of scratches on the back. How is the market for these and can you guess a ballpark value? My friend is looking to sell this (if I don't buy it) and get a 5er. Really excited to hear the 30 year old strings. Love the sound of old strings!
 
#9
vernhillbass said:
It has a tuner that was replaced and a couple of scratches on the back. How is the market for these and can you guess a ballpark value? My friend is looking to sell this (if I don't buy it) and get a 5er. Really excited to hear the 30 year old strings. Love the sound of old strings!
Click to expand...

That bass is from the 2nd generation of the Musician series. These basses are less valuable than the early models. The MC924's commonly sell in the $500-$600 range. The MC824's sell for considerably less. I'd estimate that a fair price for that bass - considering it has a changed tuner - would be $300.

Mind you, that's the market. As far as value goes, you couldn't hope to buy a new bass of that quality for that kind of money today.
 
#10
smcd said:
The MC824 may have varied at times between 1 and 2 pickups, but to the best of my knowledge they weere never bolt on. Your bass may be a Roadster model. Can you post a photo?
Click to expand...
I'll try later this afternoon- it says *Studio* on the truss rod cover. Googling images shows lots of variation.
On topic- value-wise, I've seen them in the $500-$800 range... Stole mine for $200(w/slightly wonky electronics- scratchy pots, intermittent PU toggle).
 
#12
bassteban said:
I'll try later this afternoon- it says *Studio* on the truss rod cover. Googling images shows lots of variation.
On topic- value-wise, I've seen them in the $500-$800 range... Stole mine for $200(w/slightly wonky electronics- scratchy pots, intermittent PU toggle).
Click to expand...

Ah. Your bass is a Studio. An ST824. It looks very much like a Musician, but is a bolt on model with different pickups and electronics. Also a nice bass.
 
#17
smcd is right. It is a MC 824 of 1983.

It is the second generation of Ibanez Musicians, that aren't collectors items as the first generation. I wonder why.
But they're not worse sounding and are of the same qualitiy.

You can see this bass here:
http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1983-84b/04.jpg

And here you can see the specs of that bass:
http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1983-84b/05.jpg

Nice bass, I like the simple way of it.

When Ibanez started the series "Musician" there was a single pu bass model, too.
It was the MC800, as you can see here:
http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1979/11.jpg

The Musician GUITAR series had a cheaper model called MC 100, with a bolt on neck, seen here:
http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1978/11.jpg

After approx. 1 year of production, they switched to a neck through system even for the cheapest model, then called MC150.

As far as I know, there were no bolt on Musician basses.
 
#19
vernhillbass said:
I just received a 1983 Ibanez Musician with single pick up from a friend to check out. It has been sitting under s bed for the last 30 years. It's neck through and crafted in Japan. It has 1 switch and 2 knobs. Just trying to find out more about this bass. I have not had a chance to play it yet. View attachment 326554View attachment 326555
Click to expand...

Great looking bass. What is the neck shape on that? Is it thin or chunky?
 
#20
Played it yesterday, sounds burpy, like a P bass. Seems like a one trick pony sonically. The issue came when I pulled off the strings. The E tuner had collapsed and half of the A tuner was broken off. Truss rod worked. Needs a through cleaning and fret level. It also needs the E and A nut slots deepened. Electronics worked. It really is a well made bass. The D tuner that was replaced was a 4 screw vs. the original 2 screw tuner (bummer). This is a players bass. I have to say I am impressed with build quality. After just buying a Lakland 55-02, I see the difference attention to detail really makes. Made an offer to the owner and if he does not accept it you will see it posted here for sale.
 

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