Ibanez RB650 Roadstar II questions

[theos]

I bought one off marketplace. Didn’t really need another PJ. To make a long story short, I got it for $100. He was asking $750 and my initial offer after seeing the bridge, pickups and missing strings, was $300. I told him I’d have to look at it first. After checking it out, I backed out. He isn’t a musician and just wanted to move it.

Here is what I know. Pots are frozen, will not move. Bridge and pickup poles are corroded. Output jack needs to be replaced or the contact bent back into position. Everything else seems solid. Looks like the owner swapped the original pups for Dimarzio’s.

Questions… should I attempt a bridge cleaning? Is it possible to clean the pickups?

I know it’s getting new pots / wiring. Would you just replace the pups and bridge or just clean them?

 

[Gluvhand]

I would keep the original pickups and bridge if they can be cleaned. The pickups may be original. Ibanez was doing the adjustable poles on some basses back then.

 

[ghostdog93]

I kinda dig it, especially with a case for that price.

Personally, I would check to see if the pickups work before swapping them out. Since it seems you have to replace the potentiometers anyway, I'd wire up the new pots to the existing pups temporarily to see if they're functional or not.

If they are dead, you've a bunch of PJ options to choose from (EMG Geezers spring to mind).

As for the bridge, you could probably shine up the baseplate with some 000 steel wool and replace the crusty saddles. Or just spring for a new bridge, there are plenty out there for ~$50.

Nice score.

 

[theos]

I kinda dig it, especially with a case for that price.

Personally, I would check to see if the pickups work before swapping them out. Since it seems you have to replace the potentiometers anyway, I'd wire up the new pots to the existing pups temporarily to see if they're functional or not.

If they are dead, you've a bunch of PJ options to choose from (EMG Geezers spring to mind).

As for the bridge, you could probably shine up the baseplate with some 000 steel wool and replace the crusty saddles. Or just spring for a new bridge, there are plenty out there for ~$50.

Nice score.

That’s sort of what I was thinking. I’m gonna break out the soldering iron I guess. But dang…. Been 15 years since I was soldering every day for a living lol. The EMGs came to mind also since it’s all plug n play with no soldering. But… I can have pots and a jack for probably $30 or less. My buddy that was doing all my setups and mods retired in December. He was great and always did me right with the pricing. I’ve got a few gigs coming up that’s going to take my time working up songs… I’d like to have this one ready to at least take to a gig for a song or 3. Thanks for the tips on cleaning the bridge. Worst case it’ll clean up some and have a relic’d look lol.

 

[theos]

I would keep the original pickups and bridge if they can be cleaned. The pickups may be original. Ibanez was doing the adjustable poles on some basses back then.

Yep, tempted to swap pots and output jack and see what happens. Although whe testing the pups only one side was working on the P. Could be a combo of the pots being jacked and maybe a broken wire if I’m lucky.

 

[shirojiro]

I’d check to see if the knobs are pressed against the pickguard and keeping them from turning.

 

[ravelax]

The pickups are original. Keep them. If the pots can't be freed up with some contact cleaner, replace them. Cleaning up the bridge should be fairly easy with some type of metal polish.

 

[mdogs]

Great find! I have a small collection of the RB6xx basses, 7. Those pickups, unless they have some sort of internal issue, are going to be fine. I would work hard to figure out the issue with the pots, best to keep the original if possible. The pickups, the case and the heart shaped tuners are where the value is at with these things.

 

[Five or Six]

Good find! I love projects like this. New strings, then take a day to clean and adjust and it will play again. Rewire the pups if you think there may be some broken? Never Dull will clean the bridge, no problem. My way of freeing frozen pots will make some people cringe, so I won't mention it. But, it works. Good luck!

 

[ErikP.Bass]

Nice score! That’s a lot of bass (and case candy!) for $100 bucks. I never even noticed the heart tuners on these. Great suggestion in this thread…I’m sure a little care will bring her back to life. Any idea if the guy that sold it was the original owner?

 

[JamesGrant]

Everything will clean up nicely. I’d buy new strings though .
The pickups - take the pole pieces out and soak them in cleaner of choice (along with all the other hardware (WD-40 is good for rust removal when soaking metals (like submerge the parts in a bowl of liquid WD-40)), if comparatively expensive). Test continuity of pickups (should have continuity!) and resistance (should be approx 5K ohm or higher).
Personally, I’d replace the pots - CTS pots are fairly cheap and you’ll not have scratchy gremlins creeping back a few weeks after cleaning old pots.
Excellent find!

 

[DanAdams]

I would hit the pots with Deoxit, let it sink in and see what happens. Maybe you only need strings and a setup!
I've got a lot of basses, and my rb630 is my #1
Dont you dare replace those pups. Ibanez pickups from this era are wonderful.

 

[theos]

I’d check to see if the knobs are pressed against the pickguard and keeping them from turning.

I pulled the knobs… pots are locked down.

 

[theos]

Everything will clean up nicely. I’d buy new strings though .
The pickups - take the pole pieces out and soak them in cleaner of choice (along with all the other hardware (WD-40 is good for rust removal when soaking metals (like submerge the parts in a bowl of liquid WD-40)), if comparatively expensive). Test continuity of pickups (should have continuity!) and resistance (should be approx 5K ohm or higher).
Personally, I’d replace the pots - CTS pots are fairly cheap and you’ll not have scratchy gremlins creeping back a few weeks after cleaning old pots.
Excellent find!

I was wondering if the poles would unscrew without being a headache to reassemble.

 

[lark_z]

I found an old Yamaha RBX leaning against a dumpster. It was in worse shape than this. A bit of work and it's a daily player now.

 

[rojo412]

You scored here! I've been after one of these for years and they are up in price.
I think everyone touched on the bullet points, so I'm just here to say you should make this one play again.

... or sell it to me!

 

[Mastiff_5]

I had one of these back in the mid 90’s… it’s likely just rose colored glasses looking back, (or maybe purple, as the bass was purple) but it’s one of my few regret sales.
Just a trench fighting, dependable bass that I used and abused. It performed like a Timex… kept on ticking!!!

 

[darwin-bass]

How long has it had only two strings? I assume the truss rod wasn't backed down to compensate for the lower string pull. I wonder if the neck has a back bow as a result.

 

[crazycloud]

Restore it or better yet, resto-mod it.

My 620 is getting a makeover with HS tuners and bridge as the tuners were broken and the bridge was damaged in a move (repairable), but I like the more modern HW and got it at good prices and I think it will look better.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

My way of freeing frozen pots will make some people cringe, so I won't mention it. But, it works.

So Anyway, you know the TB rules. Photos, explanation or it didn't happen.
And cringe? Don't worry, we can take it.

OP- $750 to $100. You did well. Nice score.