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Possible NBD- Thoughts?

Rip Topaz

Rip Topaz

Aug 12, 2005
8,664
918
Willow Street, PA
#1
There has been a bass sitting in my guitarist's basement for several years. I'm a sucker for old Ibanez stuff, but I don't really know much about this one, so I figured I would defer to the experts here.

I told my guitar player a few years back that if the owner ever decided to sell, to let me know first.

Sure enough, a few days ago I got the call.

It's an '86 RB690 in Antique White. From what I've seen online it seems this is the rarer of that series, and this one in damn near mint condition except for a few minor chips and of course the finish has yellowed.

Would you?

E990B041-A2DF-4BD9-BE80-011A0D77DD9D.jpg
 
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#11
And I said:
at that price, if this is a bass that you see yourself playing and getting good use out of, it seems like a good deal.
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It's kinda funny, cuz I'm normally a P-bass kinda guy, but I keep being seduced by Jazz basses. Hell, even if I only play it at home, it's just a cool bass. And the current owner has owned it since 1986 when he bought it new, and took REALLY good care of it. The only reason he's selling is because he has health issues that prevent him from playing it anymore and he wants to see it get some use. I'm happy to oblige. Bringing it home when I get back from vacation. For now, it's back to the beach!!
 
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#12
I would love to have my black Roadstar II RB850 back! it's got a quarter-sized chip on in the inside body concave for anyone that may have it!

I think I only paid $200 cash for it and case used back in the 80s. so yeah, $350 with case for something similar sounds like more than a fair deal.

post pics once you bring 'er home!
 
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#13
roller said:
I would love to have my black Roadstar II RB850 back! it's got a quarter-sized chip on in the inside body concave for anyone that may have it!

I think I only paid $200 cash for it and case used back in the 80s. so yeah, $350 with case for something similar sounds like more than a fair deal.

post pics once you bring 'er home!
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I've got a 1987 Roadstar that sounds similar to your old one. This one is unique in that it is an active version of the RB850, which I believe was called an RB851. All archived catalogs the from Ibanez site only show the 850 available as a 3 knob passive version. The active electronics were standard on the RB800 4 string and RB885 5string , so this bass might have been a special build. It's a very nice instrument- easy to play. Roadstars seem to have a lot of fans here and I can see why.
 

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#14
TL23NC said:
I've got a 1987 Roadstar that sounds similar to your old one. This one is unique in that it is an active version of the RB850, which I believe was called an RB851. All archived catalogs the from Ibanez site only show the 850 available as a 3 knob passive version. The active electronics were standard on the RB800 4 string and RB885 5string , so this bass might have been a special build. It's a very nice instrument- easy to play. Roadstars seem to have a lot of fans here and I can see why.
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Very nice! While similar, it's unfortunately not my old one as the pickups on mine sported exposed polepieces. However, it did indeed have a push/push button to switch between active and passive, although the active mode wasn't functioning during the years I had it.

I remember the case had some sort of brown tolex on the outside... probably not the original that it was shipped with.

I also sanded the gloss off the back of the neck... not down to the raw wood... just so the gloss black turned a dull gray.
 
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#15
roller said:
Very nice! While similar, it's unfortunately not my old one as the pickups on mine sported exposed polepieces. However, it did indeed have a push/push button to switch between active and passive, although the active mode wasn't functioning during the years I had it.

I remember the case had some sort of brown tolex on the outside... probably not the original that it was shipped with.

I also sanded the gloss off the back of the neck... not down to the raw wood... just so the gloss black turned a dull gray.
Click to expand...
Seems like they made a few variations of these basses. I got mine earlier this year off Fleabay for a great price (definitely an unplanned purchase). It didn't come with an original case, though.

I think the OP would enjoy having one of these! I'm not certain but $350 might be on the higher end of the scale. He did say it looks nice.
 
#19
In my experience Ibanez craftsmanship was very solid in that era. The price does seem a little high considering your buying privately. The original case is a plus. The older Japanese instruments are coming into their own on the collectors market, could go up in value as the years pass.
 

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