Could anyone tell me more about this guitar? (Vintage Ibanez)

UncleGoatLips

I'm seriously considering buying this guitar off the gumtree but I can't find any info on it.

According to the guy it's a 1968 and it's pretty rare, there are no ibanez catalogs for 68 and thereabouts that I could find, similar guitars existed within Greco guitars (They were basically the same company) and a few others. As you can see it's the pre lawsuit headstock, fretboard etc. so the vintage is more or less accurate.

http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc/120220/462r1/5112f2b_20.jpeg

If I could get an estimate on it's worth and just some more info I would know if the price is right. I'd like to know the model numbers or anything else.

Here's the ad:

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-1968-Ibanez-Hollowbody-Stereo-Guitar-Case-and-Fender-Amp-W0QQAdIdZ356555745

Any

DDR4LYF

Whoo, first reply!!!

Anyway, I say take it! It looks like such a sweet guitar! Unfortunately, I can't give much info, but perhaps the vast musical library that we call Mr. Ratcliffe's mind will shed some light. I would be seriously contending you for that guitar if I wasn't a poor student!!! Best of luck. I hope it works out at a fair price.

MikeM

I'm gonna be the voice of reason and say nay.

If it were that awesome, why don't we see current guitars like that? ?

makepeace

AFAIK, aja has one of those - for which he traded a PSP and some games. Given, it wasn't set up, but I think the condition was otherwise alright?

Kalcium

If you look at this thread halfway down on this page: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/post-you-vintage-old-guitars-and-gear/30/
Theres a pic of the same guitar (obvious not the exact same instrument...)

And then on the next page: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/post-you-vintage-old-guitars-and-gear/30/
Another forum members opinion of the guitar and the fact that someone in CT was trying to sell one at a price way greater than its worth...I assume the person he is referring to is the same one selling this one on gumtree

Keira-WitherKay

I'm not certain but i think aja on forum has one of those maybe he can tell you more about it

vic

That guitar is a sort of copy of an ES 335 or whatever and a bad one too...bolt on neck. Don't be misled or get excited by the age of a guitar.... older is not always good or better ?
So I will go with Mike on this one.

PS: Read the links posted by Kalcium above ...there is a comment by an owner of one of these.

Highway-Chile

Old Ibanez and Aria guitars are somewhat collectible with enthusiasts of the guitars from Japan of that era. What you have to go figure though is these are getting older and older and at some point stuff like this will be hard to find.

If the price is decent I would say get it. Why not. I think he has another ad where he is asking R2750.......is this correct. This equates to a little over $300. Id buy it for that price if it was playable. It might have a really nice neck and action. Then again........

Looks beautimous though. Totally retro. I'd not get it as a daily player though. I would buy it and put it away.

It's no old Guild, Gibson, Fender, Martin etc........ but some of the Japanese builds from that era were not bad.

kapepper

I agree with Vic and Mike

Ibanez is known to have nade good guitars in the seventies, the sixties... not really ?

Value wise is difficult to tell...

I can imagine a collector would like to throw some money at it (lets say 4-5000 rand) but here in SA maybe 2,5 K at best ?

aja

makepeace wrote: AFAIK, aja has one of those - for which he traded a PSP and some games. Given, it wasn't set up, but I think the condition was otherwise alright?

Indeed! ? Good memory!

It is nice to look at, which is why I have it hanging on my wall and not much more. I had the missing nut replaced, strung it up and played a few notes before deciding to stop playing wall decorations and rather get a proper guitar instead.

It is a curiosity, but the pickups are really REALLY bad - Played the hanna montana guitar in makro by any chance? The wood is not great, the whole bridge assembly is junk. If you got the guitar for really cheap and replaced pickups (with what I dont know) and the bridge, it may be a fun guitar to play, but do not get this guitar as a gibson replacement! The stereo feature is a nice gimmick but after messing around with it I decided it is a waste of time - there must be a reason why this split pickup stereo thing never caught on!

Treat it like one of those weird hofner or eko one-off things that some times float around... Not the same as the other ibby copy guitars like the LP or SG, those ones are not too bad.

I have never been able to date the guitar, dunno where that guy gets 1968. The style is late 60's and very similar to other guitars in catalogs of that period, but then it should have a brass logo nailed to the headstock as far as I know. The painted logo was early 70's I think...

Always remember that when it comes to vintage gear some things are old and valuable, others are just old.

StephenG

UncleGoatLips wrote: I'm seriously considering buying this guitar off the gumtree but I can't find any info on it.

According to the guy it's a 1968 and it's pretty rare, there are no ibanez catalogs for 68 and thereabouts that I could find, similar guitars existed within Greco guitars (They were basically the same company) and a few others. As you can see it's the pre lawsuit headstock, fretboard etc. so the vintage is more or less accurate.

http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc/120220/462r1/5112f2b_20.jpeg

If I could get an estimate on it's worth and just some more info I would know if the price is right. I'd like to know the model numbers or anything else.

Here's the ad:

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-1968-Ibanez-Hollowbody-Stereo-Guitar-Case-and-Fender-Amp-W0QQAdIdZ356555745

Any

he is a regular on this site - ask him.

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/profile/Eddy%3A%29/

vic

I see he is also advertising a 360 watts !! Fender Deluxe ???

UncleGoatLips

Wow! thanks Karl, Aja and everyone, I was really keen on getting it since i've only had good experience (or luck) with old Ibanez guitars and this seemed like it had some personality. I think i'd still get it if I could personally go check it out and it sounded good or if I could just somehow replace the pickups etc, in my mind I still think the stereo thing is an interresting idea, If I find something similar in the future for a better price I think i'd get it anyway.

So the hollowbody bug has bitten me, I am actually more interrested in a 175 type shape, thinking of the Ibanez Artcore AK95, they are around the 5k mark I believe. I'd prefer an older guitar with more personality though, anyone know of anything special out there? I'm not specifically interrested in Ibanez, it's just that you usually get value for money, I've played some entry level Gretch's which didn't quite match up to Ibanez's in the same price range, that said I can't go into the proper Gretch/Gibson price range.

singemonkey

Artcores are really good options - though they may need a pickup swap for (toneriders say), to really shine. I played a Gretsch Electromatic in the store not long ago and found it really playable (although I didn't plug in). Don't know what it was going for. Maybe it depends on the guitar.

vic

UncleGoatLips wrote: Wow! thanks Karl, Aja and everyone, I was really keen on getting it since i've only had good experience (or luck) with old Ibanez guitars and this seemed like it had some personality. I think i'd still get it if I could personally go check it out and it sounded good or if I could just somehow replace the pickups etc, in my mind I still think the stereo thing is an interresting idea, If I find something similar in the future for a better price I think i'd get it anyway.

So the hollowbody bug has bitten me, I am actually more interrested in a 175 type shape, thinking of the Ibanez Artcore AK95, they are around the 5k mark I believe. I'd prefer an older guitar with more personality though, anyone know of anything special out there? I'm not specifically interrested in Ibanez, it's just that you usually get value for money, I've played some entry level Gretch's which didn't quite match up to Ibanez's in the same price range, that said I can't go into the proper Gretch/Gibson price range.

Keira bought a gorgeous new archtop not so long ago...check with her. That may be a good one for you. Good luck.