• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez basses, 1979-1987

#81
Here's a rare pair of 83' Roadstar RB600 medium scale one is in like new condition that I love..I located another one thats well worn..one has rounds one has flats the super P pickups are amazing..
upload_2023-12-27_20-16-42.jpeg
upload_2023-12-27_20-18-47.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: zbigniew, ErikP.Bass, Danny O Danny and 3 others
#83
Standalone said:
Just seeing this. The 1981 RS924 I bought in London while studying there in college (and still have) became the core of my still growing Ibanez collection.

As another TB’er said, it’s very much a hot DiMarzio P pickup sound. I’d guess hotter — this bass has the best sounding hottest P pickup I’ve ever played.

The bass is wired with a three way switch instead of a blend. You may wish to change that for more versatility. I don’t find the soloed J tone to be useful for more than copping a Stevie Wonder Clav tone and jamming on “I Wish.”

My preamp worked until the early 2000’s. Can’t report on it much. Usual bass and treble boost, sounded fine. I prefer passive anyway and these hot pickups don’t need anything added. Active/passive switch so it’s no big deal.

This is a big bass. The P proportions of the neck — expanded to 24 frets — and the glorious paddle headstock — coupled to an ash body — makes for just a big old bass all around. This is not a bad thing. It balances well and is comfortable to play.



Here I am playing it outdoors on a cold Halloween! This was my first time out with my bandleader as just a duo, so please forgive any uncertainty in my playing!

But you don’t really need to be Superman to wield it. Its meant to be played like a Precision — it’s no svelte SR — but ot has never felt clunky or wrong in my hands.

The only player I’d recommend not getting this bass is maybe someone who lives only on the first few frets — as the length of the neck and its mounting to the body does put that position at a slightly longer reach than a normal P bass, and that extra reach might be uncomfortable if that’s the only place you hang out. As a novice, I noticed this more back in 1998 when I was still learning but the bass is entirely comfortable for me now. I am 6’3” for reference.
Click to expand...

An excellent description, thanks.

I particularly enjoyed "glorious paddle headstock". My thoughts exactly, in fact the aesthetics of this bass are superb all-round IMO.

I do love the P pickup sound on these as well. To my ear they sound like the best possible iteration of a '70's maple-necked Fender P, a little better perhaps.

Full disclosure - this enquiry is largely driven by sentiment. I have fewer bass-playing days ahead of me than I do behind and my second ever bass (bought in 1985) was an Ibanez MC824 Musician of identical proportions. What a great bass that was. Sadly, they're as scarce as hen's teeth and this seemed like the next best thing, made even more so by the PJ set up, which IMO sounds a tad better than the two single coils on the MC824.

Height reference also appreciated (I'm 6"5)

Thanks again, and a very happy new year to you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shojii and Standalone
#84
ToddB1963 said:
An excellent description, thanks.

I particularly enjoyed "glorious paddle headstock". My thoughts exactly, in fact the aesthetics of this bass are superb all-round IMO.

I do love the P pickup sound on these as well. To my ear they sound like the best possible iteration of a '70's maple-necked Fender P, a little better perhaps.

Full disclosure - this enquiry is largely driven by sentiment. I have fewer bass-playing days ahead of me than I do behind and my second ever bass (bought in 1985) was an Ibanez MC824 Musician of identical proportions. What a great bass that was. Sadly, they're as scarce as hen's teeth and this seemed like the next best thing, made even more so by the PJ set up, which IMO sounds a tad better than the two single coils on the MC824.

Height reference also appreciated (I'm 6"5)

Thanks again, and a very happy new year to you.
Click to expand...
I’ve got an ‘81 MC824. I think I prefer the P pickup in the RS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Snert
#89
red_rhino said:
Anyone have an idea what these are worth? The valuations I've seen on Reverb etc are all over the place.
Click to expand...
That's a cool, unique one! Unique seemingly has it's wide range of value. I would bet that if it were fully fretted or fretless, it would be worth more. If you want to sell it, just put it up and see what offers come in. The used market is pretty soft right now, so keep the expectations low and the patience high.
 
  • Like
Reactions: red_rhino and JEDI BASS
#96
When I saw this fretless in a music shop in the 80s, I had to buy it, loving those Karn/Palladino basslines.
It was my first bass.
It's a Roadstar II series from 1984. I think it's an RB630BK.
Definitely fretless from the factory.
Cannot find anything on the web about them.
Anyone else have one of these?

I've recently put Rotosound RS77LD Monel Standard Gauge Flatwound strings on it. Very nice and not dull like a lot of flats can be (at least the ones I've tried). Wouldn't use anything else now.
Pictured with a Sterling.

IbanezFretless.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abner, Riff Ranger, zbigniew and 1 other person
#97
This thread!! Self resurrecting marvel that it is, with relevance that does not fade!!
I have a handful of the legendary RB850's, '84-'5 &'6 in all 4 OG colors, as well as the rarely seen Black Pearl. Also have an RB885 with a factory set-up of EMG in a P-J config: Only one I have ever seen like that. Then there is the 18v. early Iceman burst with a Kahler trem. There are a few SDGR that round out the stable of Ibbys in the Harem, but the rest are other makers. The love for these old Fujigen Gakki creations just grows and grows, as the Basses get better and better with time!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigtone23
#98
Attilla D said:
This thread!! Self resurrecting marvel that it is, with relevance that does not fade!!
I have a handful of the legendary RB850's, '84-'5 &'6 in all 4 OG colors, as well as the rarely seen Black Pearl. Also have an RB885 with a factory set-up of EMG in a P-J config: Only one I have ever seen like that. Then there is the 18v. early Iceman burst with a Kahler trem. There are a few SDGR that round out the stable of Ibbys in the Harem, but the rest are other makers. The love for these old Fujigen Gakki creations just grows and grows, as the Basses get better and better with time!
Click to expand...
It's so true. I was just thinking today how great my 84-86 Ibanez instruments are, and how well they hold up.
 
#100
I am kind of an old Ibanez nut had a bunch of roadies. I used a white model with a bucker and a smaller pickup I think rd760 or something it was rickenbacker shaped. This was my #1 for years it was a fine little japanese bass.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back