godofthunder59
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- Feb 19, 2006
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Any experts in 197? model Ibanez copy bases out there?
- Thread starter MOEBASSPLAYER
- Start date
I'm not an expert, but from what little I've gathered researching MIJ "lawsuit" models, at this time (70s) the instruments branded "Ibanez" were cmonig out of the Hoshini factory. There were two other Japanese factories around the same which produced Fender and Gibson clones: Matsumoku and Fujigen-Gakki.
All three factories made essentially the same instruments which were then "branded" under multiple names, including Ibanez, Cimar, Aria, Mann, Memphis, Greco, Tokai, Cortez among others.
It's commonly thought that many of the Fender clones coming out of these Japanese factories in the 70s are superior in build and components than the actual MIA Fenders being built in the mid-to-late 70s. Partially this is because they supposedly spec'd their instruments to earlier Fender specs, down to the pickup materials and winding.
Matsumoku was one of the first factories anywhere to utilize CNC technology, though apparently their guitars and basses were still 60% finished by hand.
From what I've seen go through my hands or playing in different music stores, pawn shops, etc., many of the MIJ clones of the era are incredibly good instruments and very detailed copies. However, it seems that even from these same factories there were instruments produced at different tiers of quality.
For instance, I've seen Les Paul copies under the Mann name which were bolt-necked plywood with fake humbuckers (actually cheap single coils with humbucker covers) and I've seen Mann Les Pauls that were set neck, very well-made copies that would hold their own against a Gibson.
Once these factories stopped producing the near-clones at the end of the 70s, some of the brand names were sold off to other manufacturers. Ibanez seems to have become its own company with their own designs though I'm not sure where they set up production (possibly in multiple plants.)
The Memphis "brand" for example was sold and guitars and basses with that name started being produced in Korea and China. The Memphis instruments made in the 80s are among the cheapest, most poorly-constructed pieces of crud ever produced, but the earlier MIJ ones can be fantastic.
I have seen and played Ibanez-branded guitars and basses from the 70s that were extremely well made, and put together with excellent specs and high quality hardware and electronics. I have also seen Ibanez stuff from the same years that was obviously made as budget/beginner gear.
All three factories made essentially the same instruments which were then "branded" under multiple names, including Ibanez, Cimar, Aria, Mann, Memphis, Greco, Tokai, Cortez among others.
It's commonly thought that many of the Fender clones coming out of these Japanese factories in the 70s are superior in build and components than the actual MIA Fenders being built in the mid-to-late 70s. Partially this is because they supposedly spec'd their instruments to earlier Fender specs, down to the pickup materials and winding.
Matsumoku was one of the first factories anywhere to utilize CNC technology, though apparently their guitars and basses were still 60% finished by hand.
From what I've seen go through my hands or playing in different music stores, pawn shops, etc., many of the MIJ clones of the era are incredibly good instruments and very detailed copies. However, it seems that even from these same factories there were instruments produced at different tiers of quality.
For instance, I've seen Les Paul copies under the Mann name which were bolt-necked plywood with fake humbuckers (actually cheap single coils with humbucker covers) and I've seen Mann Les Pauls that were set neck, very well-made copies that would hold their own against a Gibson.
Once these factories stopped producing the near-clones at the end of the 70s, some of the brand names were sold off to other manufacturers. Ibanez seems to have become its own company with their own designs though I'm not sure where they set up production (possibly in multiple plants.)
The Memphis "brand" for example was sold and guitars and basses with that name started being produced in Korea and China. The Memphis instruments made in the 80s are among the cheapest, most poorly-constructed pieces of crud ever produced, but the earlier MIJ ones can be fantastic.
I have seen and played Ibanez-branded guitars and basses from the 70s that were extremely well made, and put together with excellent specs and high quality hardware and electronics. I have also seen Ibanez stuff from the same years that was obviously made as budget/beginner gear.
IS there a really detailed website or book that explains the specs of the mid 1970;s Ibanez copies of basses? I am trying to find details on the widths of the necks (at the nut) on Jazz and Precision copies. Do both models use the same neck sizes, with the difference being the block inlays vs. the dot inlays?
I don't believe you will find the level of information you are seeking.
Here is a link to a lot of Ibanez catalogs:
Ibanez Catalogs
IT's official, yet I have seen catalogs online that appear not to be here, so it's not complete, and it doesn't have the level of detail you requested.
I assume you also have trawled through the links at the bottom of the Wikipedia article. If not it might be worth looking.
I have an old Ibanez jazz from 72 or 73....happy to provide any info about that you might find useful. It was originally similar to the one Garmenteros posted pictures of, except natural wood with white pickguard, and I converted it to fretless in 1980, as well as changing bridge and tuners over time. But the basic dimensions are what they always were.
The bridge on my bass was an off the shelf fender bridge that slotted straight in, suggesting it's similar size to the fenders of the period. So you may be able to draw some inference from Fender dimensions. To be honest it would surprise me if they would put a jazz neck on a precision body...they were in the business of making perfect clones at that stage, not trying to be original.
Edit, this is my bass (just to experiment with adding a picture):
As an aside, I also own a Tama acoustic guitar that was made by Ibanez, and it is a phenomenal instrument....deep tone and massive projection. Seriously underrated....if you ever see one of them going cheap, they are well worth grabbing.
Here is a link to a lot of Ibanez catalogs:
Ibanez Catalogs
IT's official, yet I have seen catalogs online that appear not to be here, so it's not complete, and it doesn't have the level of detail you requested.
I assume you also have trawled through the links at the bottom of the Wikipedia article. If not it might be worth looking.
I have an old Ibanez jazz from 72 or 73....happy to provide any info about that you might find useful. It was originally similar to the one Garmenteros posted pictures of, except natural wood with white pickguard, and I converted it to fretless in 1980, as well as changing bridge and tuners over time. But the basic dimensions are what they always were.
The bridge on my bass was an off the shelf fender bridge that slotted straight in, suggesting it's similar size to the fenders of the period. So you may be able to draw some inference from Fender dimensions. To be honest it would surprise me if they would put a jazz neck on a precision body...they were in the business of making perfect clones at that stage, not trying to be original.
Edit, this is my bass (just to experiment with adding a picture):
As an aside, I also own a Tama acoustic guitar that was made by Ibanez, and it is a phenomenal instrument....deep tone and massive projection. Seriously underrated....if you ever see one of them going cheap, they are well worth grabbing.
Thanks for the info. My 76 Jazz copy looks like yours (same finish - teak or walnut), except it has a maple fretboard (and fretted).
Original fretboard on this one was rosewood with pearl inlay, white binding and frets.
I'm just newie here....I'm looking for some information about a Ibanez jazz bass copy. It seems the 2365N.... Read somewhere those lawsuit or pre 1980 can be a hole in the pocket, just trying to make them sound great: tunners, nut, brigde, pickups, wires/potis,...and only if you fi d the 'rigth one'!
For what I digged the last week, the nut on that 2366 precision you posted seems not on the 'rigth place', and a bit diferent from the original white ones:
1974 Ibanez Guitar Catalog
But I'm not an expert anyway....just find 'rare' that nut on the headstock.
Hope that will help you
