Operation Ibanez Quaran-Bean Restoration

[lug]

Made a quick vid on my restoration process. Enjoy!

I found your choice of background music inspiring!

 

[MonetBass]

Nice work! I love seeing bass restorations.

 

[LoTone]

I am a bit at a loss why Ibanez is not bringing a bean bass reissue? These basses were way cool. There are even a few high profile players that put them to good use.

 

[LowEndLobster]

I am a bit at a loss why Ibanez is not bringing a bean bass reissue? These basses were way cool. There are even a few high profile players that put them to good use.
View attachment 3797735

I agree. They did the Affirma reissue, and it's really nice. I think that a Roadstar / II series reissue and/or specifically a Beanie reissue would be very popular.

 

[tpaul]

Nice work! At least you've got all the original parts. When I did a restoration on an RB-888, it took me six months to find a pair of those OEM delta-shaped/"bat wing" strap buttons, and they weren't cheap either.

There's a pair on Reverb right now for $25 if anyone is looking for some.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey all!

You may remember my Ibanez RB-999 Bean bass that I recently scored. It'd been sitting on my rack since I got it. I took it out and realized that though the body was in great shape, the hardware could use some TLC. I decided to tear her down and restore the hardware .

The bass (on the left):
View attachment 3797229

The icky bridge:
View attachment 3797230

The torn down bean:
View attachment 3797231

Cleaned up the end of one of the tuners:
View attachment 3797232

One tuner fully done!
View attachment 3797233

The finished bridge:
View attachment 3797234

Bridge back on the bass:
View attachment 3797235

Going to do the rest of the tuners tomorrow, then maybe check out the electronics to see how they are. This is fun!

How much you want for the ATK?

 

[LowEndLobster]

How much you want for the ATK?

She's not going anywhere. Just purchased 'er as New Old Stock . There's a 5'er still available from the same seller on Reverb. I picked the 4.

Ibanez Premium ATK815ENTF, 5-String, Gig Bag, New Old Stock | The Music Loft | Reverb

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

She's not going anywhere. Just purchased 'er as New Old Stock . There's a 5'er still available from the same seller on Reverb. I picked the 4.

Ibanez Premium ATK815ENTF, 5-String, Gig Bag, New Old Stock | The Music Loft | Reverb

Dang. You got the good one

 

[TerribleTim68]

Nice work! At least you've got all the original parts. When I did a restoration on an RB-888, it took me six months to find a pair of those OEM delta-shaped/"bat wing" strap buttons, and they weren't cheap either.

There's a pair on Reverb right now for $25 if anyone is looking for some.

As someone who has those strap buttons on my 80s Destroyer I'm honestly not sure why anyone would want them. The only plus is, I'm pretty sure your strap will never fall off. The flip side, takes half an hour to get the strap on! Honestly, more trouble than they are worth.

 

[garp]

As someone who has those strap buttons on my 80s Destroyer I'm honestly not sure why anyone would want them. The only plus is, I'm pretty sure your strap will never fall off. The flip side, takes half an hour to get the strap on! Honestly, more trouble than they are worth.

They are essentially a "poor man's strap lock." I just wanted to do an accurate restoration. And yes, I do curse a little under my breath every time I take my Roadstar IIs out of their cases and put them away, but that's all part of the "charm."

 

[hypercarrots]

ibanez called that hardware finish white gold. it was probably some kind of plating or paint. you've removed that and polished whatever material was underneath. without that original finish, the material may tarnish or oxidize. i'm interested to see how it will look over time.

 

[lug]

They are essentially a "poor man's strap lock." I just wanted to do an accurate restoration. And yes, I do curse a little under my breath every time I take my Roadstar IIs out of their cases and put them away, but that's all part of the "charm."

Secret fix: Buy the bass it's own strap and never remove!

 

[garp]

Secret fix: Buy the bass it's own strap and never remove!

Great idea...except I gig my Roadstars, and they travel in their own form-fitting hardshell cases. Trying to cram the strap in there while still attached to the instrument is more trouble than attaching and removing the strap.

 

[LowEndLobster]

ibanez called that hardware finish white gold. it was probably some kind of plating or paint. you've removed that and polished whatever material was underneath. without that original finish, the material may tarnish or oxidize. i'm interested to see how it will look over time.

Me too. There was a good amount of tarnish on top of the finish degradation. We'll see . Definitely going to hold onto this.

 

[lug]

Great idea...except I gig my Roadstars, and they travel in their own form-fitting hardshell cases. Trying to cram the strap in there while still attached to the instrument is more trouble than attaching and removing the strap.

Easily fixed with a dremel tool, small hacksaw, arc welder, and a consentrated acid!

 

[hypercarrots]

Me too. There was a good amount of tarnish on top of the finish degradation. We'll see . Definitely going to hold onto this.

forgot to say, your restoration looks quite good and i like the way the polish came out so i hope it stays that way. didn't mean my post to come across as critical of what you did.

 

[LowEndLobster]

forgot to say, your restoration looks quite good and i like the way the polish came out so i hope it stays that way. didn't mean my post to come across as critical of what you did.

You have nothing to worry about, and thank you .

 

[Bass4Brkfast]

Made a quick vid on my restoration process. Enjoy!

Great looking video man!! Subscribed on the YT.
Looking forward to checking out more of your content in the coming days.
Cheers!

 

[Skillet]

I'm thinking a light coating of oil or polyurethane to protect the bare metal. It is going to go downhill fast without the plating I'm afeard.

 

[LowEndLobster]

There is actually an electroplating company less than a mile from my house... Maybe I'll give them a jingle once businesses safely open up (emphasize on the safely).