Help / Info on 1966 Ibanez Bizarre

kitaarpeer

Hi! I got an 1966 Ibanez Bizarre (no serial nr) from my new stepfather (how nice hehe).

I would ideally like to try and restore it to its original condition...is that a feasible option taking into account part prices / availability etc?

As is clear from the pictures: The bridge and bridge pickup has been replaced...all else seems to be original.

I just loove the overdramatic body shape and headstock:

Close up of the body: (note the bridge and bridge pickup)

Bottom of bridge:

Bridge pickup:

So firstly some noob questions:

1) Should I try and source an era accurate / different bridge
2) Is the original bridge pickups still available
3) Strings...which gauge suits vintage guitars? I know its more about personal taste, but which gauge can old necks handle and which will give it the best / appropriate sound?

Any and all comments and advice welcome!!!

flatfourfan

damn that's one funky assed looking guitar............I love it.

You gotta ask yourself, how far do you want to take it back?

Personally I'd leave as much natural patina as possible. Maybe look at sourcing the original or a damn good repro bridge that's as close as possible to the og unit.

kitaarpeer

Oh ja definitely!!! The only problem is that there isn't any reference pictures available...a few pictures from catalogs but I couldn't find my exact guitar yet :/

nicovlogg

I'd say keep the bridge and pickup like it is.. Seems like a properly intonating, more modern design.. Pretty sure the previous owner did all that trouble for a reason ?

AlanRatcliffe

I've seen three and four pickup versions of the same guitar. Had a roller bridge and a sort of Bigsby affair vibrato tailpiece. Neck is a bit narrow, but if it feels OK to you, it's probably worth doing up to get something unique. I wouldn't try to restore it to original - difficult to get the original parts (pickup and bridge/tailpiece) and they weren't that great anyway.

It looks like yours has had the Bigsby replaced by an Ibanez Gibraltar tailpiece from an Ibanez Artist and a TOM copy bridge (the ST Bridge was Aria IIRC). The original had a very wide intonation adjustment, which is why they moved the TOM when they replaced it (but got it wrong anyway - it should be at an angle - the treble side should be about where the original stud was.

So, fit a Bigsby bridge and tailpiece and you're most of the way there. I'd probably replace the pickguard and fit a pair of single-coils, but if the pickups in there now are working, it might be worth trying them before replacing them.

guidothepimmp

speak to a guy called Orwell in the usa. he has a website and specializes in selling NOS ibanez original parts. not sure if he has for the 60s but i have sourced pups and a bridge from the early 70s no problemo. prices were good and delivery prompt.

you can find him in the classifieds section of ibanezcollectors.com. i cant remember the site url offhand.
then go to the 60s sub forum and go through the scans put up by Hasy. or start up a thread and hasy will tell you what all the original bits were and what availability is like.

nice fiddle. reminds me of a burns

kitaarpeer

nicovlogg wrote I'd say keep the bridge and pickup like it is.. Seems like a properly intonating, more modern design.. Pretty sure the previous owner did all that trouble for a reason ?

I was thinking the same thing, but I don't know enough about any of this yet. For example, how reliable / worth wile was the pickups / hardware from that era?

kitaarpeer

Alan Ratcliffe wrote but got it wrong anyway - it should be at an angle - the treble side should be about where the original stud was.

How bad is it that it's set up the way it is? I havn't had the pleasure of hearing it, that'll happen this weekend (thanx Manfred!) when we hopefully sort out the wiring etc...

Would a regular set of 10s be alright on this one? I play with 10-52 on my axe, but dunno it that'll be a good idea for this old gal...

AlanRatcliffe

You'd have to check the intonation to be sure (and it does need setting anyway - that G is definitely out). Usually when I see the first string saddle all the way forward and the sixth all the way back on a straight bridge I know the chances are that it's run out of intonation range.

kitaarpeer

Hehehe I see what you meen! I'll see what goes for what over the weekend...I'll keep you all posted!

slyd

Hey kitaarpeer, your pics are no longer visible through their photobucket link . . . did you move/change names?

kitaarpeer

No dammit?! I'll put the links up now...sorry for that ?

guidothepimmp

i see ou found Bill and Geoff.. :? :?

Those guys know EVERYTHING about old ibby's. Hope you find the info youre looking for.. they seem to have divulged sme info.. even got a model number ?

kitaarpeer

Just a quick update...got the wiring working hahaha (not completely sorted out), but at least I could strum the first chord! She's got a warm, full tone! No sustain at all, but that doesn't matter!

Put 10s on, but had to tune it to D instead of E...will probably get 9s if I want to tune to E. The bridge is a bit dodgy, but at least the intonation is 90% in. It can only get better from here on! Oh, the nut is also extremely damaged due to years of strings rubbing through, and the zero fret has significant grooves, such that if I bend, the string actually sticks and springs out...

All and all not too bad a day ?