Distressed Ibanez

[fatt-dad]

Dear NG,

I have an Ibanez with an adjustible truss rod, maple sides and back (solid), spruce top and joined and the 12th fret. The fretboard is not bound and it had f-holes. Here is the real deal though - it was made to look worn. I mean the stain was put on with a rag, the neck was stained to look like the finish was worn off, etc. Were it not for the funny stain job, the maple would show some flame and it has pretty good sound.

Does anybody recall Ibanez putting out a mandolin like this? Was this a market shift when they lost to Gibson? Is Gibson copying Ibanez in making a distressed mandolin - ha.

I am just interested in learning about this mandolin. It is in my not for sale pile and I do love it (much better than any Kentucky that I have for example).

Comments?

fatt-dad

[Dan Cole]

When I ordered my Ibanez 524 way back when it was new (1977), there was a model called the 524AV. This is what I ordered. The AV was for antique violin finish. When I finally received it after months, it just had a nice dark finish, but the model number just says 524. SO I'm not sure what I actually ended up with. I'm not sure if this AV finish was only Fs or also As.

[Scotti Adams]

..Im in the process of gettin some pics together of an Ibanez F model that a friend of mine has...which by the way is a killer mando...I believe its a 1977 model too...its about as distressed as can be.....it may take some time..but check back once in a while..

[Dan Cole]

You can date Ibanez mandolins from the serial number. Mine is 77H8014. 77 is the year, H is the production month, A being january, etc, etc, then number.

There used to be a web page that had all the Ibanez mandos from the catalog on it. However can't find it any longer.

I've alwas been curious abour the signature in mine. It looks like TAkawatabe or something. Any one if Ibanez actually had any noteworthy Luthiers?

[goldtopper]

I sold one a while back -to kygirl, I believe- that was beyond distressed. I believe this was done post purchase though. It looked like all the finish was deliberatly sanded off. Had a great neck and very nice tone. Looked really cool IMO.

[fatt-dad]

Dear NG,

thanks for the feedback. My mandolin (i forgot to add) is an a-style, so there is no relation to those of you with the F-5 knockoffs (i.e., the 524). I once had acquired information on the serial numbers for Ibanez and an another time, saw a web page for everything Ibanez as well. Well, my Ibanez has no label remaining so who knows?

I may get a photo on the 'cafe, but as time allows - ha.

f-d

[Scotti Adams]

ok boys..heres those pics of the Ibanez I promised...I wnat to thank my good friend and owner of this mando for the pics. He also has another Ibanez F5 hes going to send me pics of. He has told me he has a catalog with alot of pertinent info in it....enjoy...this one has "The Gibson" inlayed in the peghead(Sorry, Charlie). This mando is an aboslute Hoss..Ive played it on several occasions and I believe it is a mid-70's model.

[Scotti Adams]

another..

[Scotti Adams]

another

[Scotti Adams]

last one..Im not sure of the exact year and model..I will find out though..

[Dan Cole]

Looks exactly like mine, except for the peghead inlay.

[fatt-dad]

Well, it looks nothing like mine (your is beautiful though). Mine is an a-body with f-holes. I took some photos to post, but the file size was too big. So, I will have to figure out how to get them to the right size now.

f-d

[Scotti Adams]

heres a series of pics of the second Ibanez

[Scotti Adams]

the back

[Scotti Adams]

the tailpiece

[Scotti Adams]

last one

[Scotti Adams]

Both mandolins are from 1974 I believe. By 1976 Ibanez had started seriel numbering them and I think that is about the time they stopped using the flower pot. My cousin Lowell bought the one I have in 1974 (I think) right after they were advertized in Bluegrass unlimited or maybe it was Pickin' magazine. As I recall they used back cover adds to introduce these mandolins. Someone on Mandolin Cafe must have a collection of magazines they could use to verify that I am right about it being in 1974. (This is what the owner wrote me)

[fatt-dad]

o.k. here is a photo of my distressed ibanez. So the question remains, anybody know anything about this model?

f-d

[fatt-dad]

here is another picture.