Fretless Ibanez Musician

[RS800IV]

Hi there,
I recently bought a fretless Ibanez Musician MC-940. This one is made in 1980. Some work needs to be done but it appears the electronics are working and all is in it's original state, it seems.
However, the fingerboard is finished with lacquer.
Who knows whether this is original or did it come with an unfinished fingerboard?

Thank you for answering.

 

[fretlessman71]

Is the wood ebony? I'm reasonably sure the boards were bare, but not 100%. Is this the same bass Sting was playing when The Police first came to USA?

 

[mikeswals]

Those used an ebony fretboard (I have a fretted version), and no they were not orginally laquered over the board.

 

[fretlessman71]

Thought so. And they're absolutely SMOKIN' basses, too.

 

[RS800IV]

Thank you guys.

Yes, this is one like Sting used to play. I also thought the fingerboard had no finish but I've got nothing to compare with. On pictures I have it's hard to tell. I also bought a fretted one, also from 1980 and it sounds awesome.

 

[fretlessman71]

Have a tech have a look and see if the coating is the same material as the finish on the neck (unless it's pretty obvious to you). It might come off easier than you think!

 

[wiro]

Here's some of the history of the Ibanez Musician:

http://www.ibanezregister.com/Gallery/basses/mc/

A few examples out of the collection:
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Perhaps they got the answer for you:
http://www.ibanezregister.com/

 

[AidenStevenson]

I own the one on the right, the MC940. My dad (who bought it in the late 80's) passed it along to me when he got his custom Rob Allen... Damn thing's nearly impossible to find a solid bank of info on!

 

[Eight_Stringer]

Have the 8 string version of the musician, bought new in 1980. It is a fine instrument also. A fretless just poped up on ebay in Japan a week or so ago.....was tempted..so tempted. Good price it went for. Hope you enjoy the fretless. Regards.

 

[walbase]

I have a 1981 MC940. When I bought it used around 1993 it had a lacquer coating on the board. Since it was my main bass around that time this coating got pretty worn under the strings. I finally let a luthier sand it off.