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NBD: Never gassed for an Ibanez until...

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Camarillo, Jan 20, 2021.


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  1. Jan 20, 2021 #1
    Camarillo

    Camarillo

    Jan 2, 2016
    Milano (Italy)
    66E8777C-DD35-4961-A237-E7A3DA6D58D3.jpeg ...until I saw this guy I never guessed for an Ibanez. I am more in the Fender and fenderish realm. But searching for vintage Japanese copies with non so specific keywords this ‘81 Ibanez Roadster RS942 came out. I found myself a few days later thinking about it and searching for informations and demos. And so it was my birthday, and so was Xmas and it was there, apparently waiting for me. The guys who sold it to me is a very nice guy, I had it for a fair price, and long story short, here it is in my hands. Very quick review after the first few notes played on it:
    - astonishing beautiful and well constructed
    - heavy as hell, 5,44 Kg, but very well balanced
    - lovely chunky neck
    - 24 frets
    - huge, huge, huge sound especially from the P pickup
    - hot, super high output even in passive mode
    - tone knob (in passive) that really does something
    - in active mode bass boost could tear down a wall, high boost not too harsh, output, hotter than hell.
    I’m happy.
     

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    KaraQ, ajkula66, Turtle71 and 43 others like this.
  5. Jan 20, 2021 #2
    Riff Ranger

    Riff Ranger Supporting Member

    Mar 22, 2018
    Bigfoot Country
    I know the joy of a burly Ibanez instrument. Congratulations, and enjoy :bassist:
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  9. Jan 20, 2021 #3
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    Nice! I really wish they’d bring some of these classics back...
     
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  13. Jan 20, 2021 #4
    Bitterdale

    Bitterdale Natural Born Lurker Supporting Member

    Dec 4, 2010
    Ocala, FL
    Gorgeous bass!
     
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  18. Jan 20, 2021 #5
    B-Mac

    B-Mac Just like Aretha Sang... R-E-S-P-E-C-T Supporting Member

    Jan 7, 2017
    Lower Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania
    Great find!:thumbsup:
    Looks like it came out of a time capsule.
    Enjoy your vintage Ibanez.;)
     
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  22. Jan 20, 2021 #6
    Camarillo

    Camarillo

    Jan 2, 2016
    Milano (Italy)
    Yes, it’s really in mint conditions. Only the knobs looks a bit aged, and in 40 years probably the cream pups cover and switch darken a bit, which is a good thing.
     
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  26. Jan 20, 2021 #7
    stuntbass77

    stuntbass77

    Nov 6, 2007
    Wow, nice score !!!! I’m jealous !!! Congrats on the bass !!!
     
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  30. Feb 10, 2021 #8
    Camarillo

    Camarillo

    Jan 2, 2016
    Milano (Italy)
    I'm falling in love with that sound, and that neck!
     
    stingray69, ErikP.Bass, Lesfunk and 2 others like this.
  34. Feb 10, 2021 #9
    Relayer71

    Relayer71 Supporting Member

    Jun 25, 2009
    NYC
    That's a beauty!

    Love the Roadster and Musician basses. I wish they would revive these with slightly smaller/thinner/lighter bodies. Damn, 5.44 kg (12 lbs) is scary :nailbiting:
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  38. Feb 10, 2021 #10
    blacktocomm

    blacktocomm Supporting Member

    Feb 19, 2013
    West By God
    Those old Ibby’s are super cool. Congrats on the new bass OP!
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  42. Feb 10, 2021 #11
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    way cool! the look of your ax, the sound of it, your playing = it's all good! congratulations on your new instrument! :thumbsup:
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  47. Feb 10, 2021 #12
    bassist4dalord

    bassist4dalord Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 2007
    SW Missouri
    Congratulations! I just got a vintage Ibanez as well; a 86 or 87 Roadstar II RB630. Essentially a P-Bass copy. Strung with TI Jazz Flats it sounds and feels incredible!
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  51. Feb 11, 2021 #13
    Abner

    Abner

    Jan 2, 2011
    Mississauga
    The Roadster line ended all too soon, an RS-940 quickly became my number one after refinishing the fingerboard. Even my Musicians sit gathering dust. Heaviest bass I own, as well, but haven't actually weighed it yet.
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  55. Feb 11, 2021 #14
    Bass V

    Bass V

    Dec 11, 2008
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    luvit!
     
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  59. Feb 11, 2021 #15
    JW56789

    JW56789 Guest

    Feb 18, 2017
    Still a great axe, these were Big Medicine in their day, when these sorts of Ibanez basses were a new choice, and Sting and the late Phil Lynott were notable for using them and their brothers. They are indeed massively built. An early player in that 70's/80's time frame where the Japanese makers turned the Bass World inside out with new ideas, shapes, and attitudes, that will never come again.
     
  63. Feb 11, 2021 #16
    A9X

    A9X Inactive

    Dec 27, 2003
    Congrats. I had one in plain brown (not a burst fan) and my bass teacher would always take it off me and demonstrate with it rather than using his custom bass. "Lovely, lovely neck" was what he'd say. I'd grab another if it fell into my hands at the right time/price. Maybe not as I only really play 5s and 6s now.
     
    Camarillo likes this.
  67. Feb 11, 2021 #17
    Camarillo

    Camarillo

    Jan 2, 2016
    Milano (Italy)
    Yes, it's really heavy but really well balanced, and with a large strap it's not so scary. It's manageable.
     
  71. Feb 11, 2021 #18
    songwriter21

    songwriter21 I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind. Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2005
    This is to Ibanez like the T40 is to Peavey.
     
    Camarillo and Abner like this.
  76. Feb 11, 2021 #19
    hypercarrots

    hypercarrots

    Jan 28, 2009
    california
    roadsters, musicians, studios and roadstars. ibanez legends.
     
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  80. Primary

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