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NBD: 1985 Ibanez Roadstar II

T

TheAnalogKid

Yer Doin' GREAT!!!!
Dec 7, 2011
792
786
#1
After nearly 4 weeks waiting for police hold release, I finally picked up this 80s gem, an RB760 in Vintage White!! Though I was kinda-sorta looking for a MIJ Geddy Jazz (I thought they had one, I was wrong), this thing smacked me in the face and made me do a double-take reminiscent of the King in the first 'Blackadder' series. I picked it up and spent about a good 20-30 minutes demoing it. Regardless of whoever the previous owner was, this bass is near mint condition: no scratchy pots, no corrosion on the hardware, and very little scratching or buckle rash. The headstock shows no "oopsie" bumps/dents inherent on used basses. Ironically, though I prefer a satiny feel as opposed to heavy gloss on necks, the fact that this neck is painted doesn't bother me a bit. I can say this simultaneously scratches both my itches for a Jazz and a Ric!

Pics, pics, pics.
Picture 0172.JPG


Picture 018-2.JPG


The strings are a bit of a mystery: definitely stainless, and the white/light grey silk are on both ends. I'm thinking Blue Steels; they sound great, but a little dull.

Picture 175.jpg


This is cool: the fine red racing stripes within the black binding, which I hadn't noticed before. I like the strap buttons...may not need strap locks, woo-hoo!
 
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#3
TheAnalogKid said:
After nearly 4 weeks waiting for police hold release, I finally picked up this 80s gem, an RB760 in Vintage White!! Though I was kinda-sorta looking for a MIJ Geddy Jazz (I thought they had one, I was wrong), this thing smacked me in the face and made me do a double-take reminiscent of the King in the first 'Blackadder' series. I picked it up and spent about a good 20-30 minutes demoing it. Regardless of whoever the previous owner was, this bass is near mint condition: no scratchy pots, no corrosion on the hardware, and very little scratching or buckle rash. The headstock shows no "oopsie" bumps/dents inherent on used basses. Ironically, though I prefer a satiny feel as opposed to heavy gloss on necks, the fact that this neck is painted doesn't bother me a bit. I can say this simultaneously scratches both my itches for a Jazz and a Ric!

Pics, pics, pics.
View attachment 416536

View attachment 416543

The strings are a bit of a mystery: definitely stainless, and the white/light grey silk are on both ends. I'm thinking Blue Steels; they sound great, but a little dull.

View attachment 416538

This is cool: the fine red racing stripes within the black binding, which I hadn't noticed before. I like the strap buttons...may not need strap locks, woo-hoo!
Click to expand...
A very cool find indeed. I've always liked those and the body styling IS a bit Ric-iniscent. The strap buttons are great too, I've had a set of those and they work very well and let you switch guitars and straps without the confines of the "other half" of the straploc. Greg Norton played a black one of those but with 2 of the humbuckers, great bass you got there!
 
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#7
wild4oldcars said:
Man, I would love to own that sucker. May I ask the price point?
Click to expand...

$200 before tax; including a rather strange-looking but very good condition hard case. I found it odd that placed side-by-side, the Roadstar is a few inches shorter in overall length than my Precision, despite its 34" scale. I also get the feeling that, with one bass in sonic blue and the other in a yellowish vintage white, I'm turning into a "bass hipster". ;)
 
#14
TheAnalogKid said:
$200 before tax; including a rather strange-looking but very good condition hard case. I found it odd that placed side-by-side, the Roadstar is a few inches shorter in overall length than my Precision, despite its 34" scale. I also get the feeling that, with one bass in sonic blue and the other in a yellowish vintage white, I'm turning into a "bass hipster". ;)
Click to expand...
2x2 peghead...same nut to saddle scale:thumbsup:
 
#15
God's Favorite Bass said:
2x2 peghead...same nut to saddle scale:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Exactly as I found out using the old measuring tape. I'm a large guy and it feels smaller than the other giant planks that I'm used to (read: P-Bass or Jazz Bass). I may end up replacing the knobs. They're fine for now, but I have tossed around the idea of some brushed aluminum or stainless RCA stereo-styled knobs that a local electronics store carries near me. I like knobs and am building up a bit of a collection, since I never throw those things away. Moreover, I really think the last owner was just as OCD as I am with having 2-3 complete string wraps around each post, which is why I may not change the strings for a good long time.

Twiddling around with the knobs, it's a configuration that previously defied my experience with the standard passive VVT. It's more like (I think) Pan (with center detent), Volume, Tone. With the bridge pup soloed, it gets very burpy; sounds like the call of the "Mississippi Mud Duck".
 
#17
Way to go...it always comes as a shock to players....but you cannot buy a better bass. Go ahead, spend 5k on a bass. Put it up against on of these gems in a blind test, and they will be equal. Kind of like the Peavey Foundation. As good as it gets.
 
#18
capnjim said:
Way to go...it always comes as a shock to players....but you cannot buy a better bass. Go ahead, spend 5k on a bass. Put it up against on of these gems in a blind test, and they will be equal. Kind of like the Peavey Foundation. As good as it gets.
Click to expand...


Peavey Foundation? Now you're talkin' my language!!!! I have seen a few in various adverts and passed up another few. Why, I don't know, but there was an itch that I couldn't scratch. OK, there were a few: 1980s vintage...binding on body...looks (kinda) like a RIC. I incidentally came across a fretless Peavey Foundation. When the time comes, I will be on the hunt!
 
#20
TheAnalogKid said:
After nearly 4 weeks waiting for police hold release, I finally picked up this 80s gem, an RB760 in Vintage White!! Though I was kinda-sorta looking for a MIJ Geddy Jazz (I thought they had one, I was wrong), this thing smacked me in the face and made me do a double-take reminiscent of the King in the first 'Blackadder' series. I picked it up and spent about a good 20-30 minutes demoing it. Regardless of whoever the previous owner was, this bass is near mint condition: no scratchy pots, no corrosion on the hardware, and very little scratching or buckle rash. The headstock shows no "oopsie" bumps/dents inherent on used basses. Ironically, though I prefer a satiny feel as opposed to heavy gloss on necks, the fact that this neck is painted doesn't bother me a bit. I can say this simultaneously scratches both my itches for a Jazz and a Ric!

Pics, pics, pics.
View attachment 416536

View attachment 416543

The strings are a bit of a mystery: definitely stainless, and the white/light grey silk are on both ends. I'm thinking Blue Steels; they sound great, but a little dull.

View attachment 416538

This is cool: the fine red racing stripes within the black binding, which I hadn't noticed before. I like the strap buttons...may not need strap locks, woo-hoo!
Click to expand...

That is a great find. Colour me jealous.
 

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