Ibanez Tele from the 70s?

As long as the truss rod and everything works, it should be a good ‘un. The pickup has been changed but the one in there should be at least as good as the original.

 

I believe "Duncan Designed" means a licensed, authorized copy. Not a big deal, but the real ones do sound better in my experience. I wouldn't change it out if you like it, though.

That is a really cool bass! Good for you for resurrecting it, Ibby's deserve better than to be wall-hangers.

 

That’s my understanding as well, “Duncan Design” means “offshore” manufacture of one of Seymour’s designs. I’ve had decent luck with them. The original would have had three screws in the empty holes on the plate and probably a chrome cover.

 

Looks like a geetar blade pickup installed upside down.

 

Duncan Designed are indeed, designed by us, but manufactured outside of the US. They are not the same as USA-made SDs.

 

Well I don't care where they are made, I LOVE me some SD's! Lifelong user! I've dabbled with others...much to my shame...

 

You brought it back from the dead, and you like it. That's all that matters. Continue in happiness.

 

certainly not junk. if you disagree, I will give you an address you can send it to.

play it in good health.

 

Very cool. But that does look like a guitar pickup.

 

I've got a bass with a guitar pickup like that - double rail pickup - it sounds terrific on bass but is barely wide enough to catch all four strings. I only tried the guitar blade pickup to see if it would work and planned to replace it with a Jazz Bass pickup - but it sounds so good I decided to keep it.

 

That said, they can still sound really good, like the "Duncan Designed" PU in my Strat.

OP- Nice score, nice save. Play it, see if you like it, then modify as needed.

 

I agree with those who pegged the pickup as a Telecaster guitar lead pickup mounted upside down. If the signal is loud enough on the outside strings (E and G) compared to the others, you're good. If the neck is straight and playable, you're good. If you didn't take out a second mortgage to buy it, you're good. It definitely looks cool and unless your plan is to flip it and reap a large return (which will not happen), you should keep it and enjoy it.

 

It’s junk; sell it to me cheap.

 

Cool bass. It has character.

 

I had an Ibanez Jazz bass copy from the same era. It was a very nice bass to play and, considering how average my amp was in those days, it sounded pretty good too. Personally I'd be tempted to put something like a proper Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Tele pickup in there, but if you're happy with the sound you're getting now and the neck is straight enough, you're golden. Enjoy it!

 

I bought a "Razor" brand scpb from Ebay for $45 or so. Works well.

 

I would replace the bridge and pickup. You have an awesome bass with tons of potential. I would go with a Hipshot Kickass bridge, it has great adjustment for string spacing. A nice SCPB replacement will really improve the tone too.