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Thread: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    Hello everyone,

    my name is Oliver and i am from Germany. I am an organ builder apprentice (almost done), but i play the electric and acoustic guitar and I am very interested in other musical instruments, too.
    I registered in this forum, because i want to know more about mandolins at all and about my Instrument.

    i recently purchased a Ibanez Model No 516 Mandolin for 40€. It came in a case and was laying around without strings for assumingly a few years.
    It had a loose brace on the treble side, which i glued back on; now it plays and sounds fine.
    I think it has a spruce top and mahogany sides and neck. I couldnt identify the back material.

    But the problem is, i cant find anything about this model in the internet.
    Do some of you guys know something about it? Year of Build, Quality, etc...?

    Here are some Pictures:
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    I hope you guys can help me out.

    Greetings,
    Oliman

  2. #2
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    There’s not a ton of info out there, but looks like the 510 A/E they’re selling now. Most likely laminate spruce top and laminate maple back and sides. If the top is solid, it’s like pressed, not carved. I’ve never been terribly impressed with the acoustic tone of these, but Ibanez electronics are generally pretty decent. With the right EQ, it may be decent plugged in. Your price doesn’t look bad at all. Get it we’ll set up and enjoy it!
    Chuck

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    thank you very much for answering!
    But you say Ibanez 510. Why does it say in the mandolin Model No 516?
    Doesnt this mean, that it cant be an Ibanez 510?

    Also, the Ibanez Logo is sort of like a classic 70s ibanez logo in my opinion. I think that its an older instrument.

    Also, i searched a little bit and found nothing alike this small pickup with four pole pieces. Does anybody know somethinf about this pickup?

  5. #4
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    You’re correct, I’m not saying it’s a 510. The label clearly reads 516. But, the 516 was probably discontinued somewhere along the way and the 510 is what looks closest to taking its place, at least among more modern offerings. I agree that the label is more 70s/early 80s looking than the current look.

    Kentucky mandolins change model numbers with some frequency as well, sometimes based on actual spec chances, but sometimes just because they want to...

    Hopefully someone who owns/owned one of these will chime in!
    Chuck

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  7. #5
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    I have a few ibanez mandolins with the same headstock. They are from the early 80's. I know the headstock shows up in the Ibanez 1982 catalog. Tomorrow i can go thru the catalogs i have , but i don't recall any 516 models in any of the ones i have. I have look for catalogs all the time, they seem to be hard to find.

    There are two websites that have some online
    http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/

    https://www.ibanez.com/usa/support/catalogs/
    Ibanez 70's 524, 521, 3 511's,2 512's,513,1 514,3 80s 513's, 522
    J Bovier F5-T custom shop
    Kiso Suzuki V900,
    The Loar lm600 Cherryburst
    morgan monroe mms-5wc,ovation
    Michael Kelly Octave Mandolin
    Emandos Northfield octave tele 4, Northfield custom jem octave mandolin 5 octave strat 8
    2 Flying v 8, octave 5, Exploryer octave 8 20"
    Fender mandostrat 4,3 Epip mandobird 2,4/8, Kentucky. KM300E Eastwood mandocaster
    Gold Tone F6,Badaax doubleneck 8/6

  8. #6
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    Looked thru my catalogs and no 516. But i did find online that it was made 1978-1979
    Ibanez 70's 524, 521, 3 511's,2 512's,513,1 514,3 80s 513's, 522
    J Bovier F5-T custom shop
    Kiso Suzuki V900,
    The Loar lm600 Cherryburst
    morgan monroe mms-5wc,ovation
    Michael Kelly Octave Mandolin
    Emandos Northfield octave tele 4, Northfield custom jem octave mandolin 5 octave strat 8
    2 Flying v 8, octave 5, Exploryer octave 8 20"
    Fender mandostrat 4,3 Epip mandobird 2,4/8, Kentucky. KM300E Eastwood mandocaster
    Gold Tone F6,Badaax doubleneck 8/6

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  10. #7
    Registered User mreidsma's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    It *is* a 516. The 516 was available in the 1980 Ibanez mandolin catalog. It's a 511 with a single coil pickup. The 511/516 has a solid spruce top (pressed, not carved) and laminate maple sides. The Ibanez mandolins of this period are surprisingly nice. I have a 518 and it play it almost daily.

    Here's the catalog: Click image for larger version. 

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    More info at the Ibanez archive: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/support/c...ndolins_01.jpg

    -Matthew

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  12. #8

    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    Get Rob Meldrum's free e book on setup. Do the setup, and play it. It will certainly be good enough to get you hooked.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

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    Oliman 

  14. #9

    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    Thank you very much for your answers, guys!
    Now I know something about my mandolin.
    I have done a setup with fresh strings (the ones that came with it were rusty inside their packaging).

    I enjoy playing it, since i have got it and repaired the loose brace, i play it daily.

    I am looking forward to further discussion with you guys in this forum!


    Greetings, Oliver

    PS: I will make a new pickguard, because mine i missing.

  15. #10

    Default Re: Ibanez No 516 Mandolin

    Hello everyone,

    i am once again logging in here to search for your advice.

    I havent been playing this Ibanez Mandolin a lot, i played it a handful of times. I mostly looked at it because i find it so beautiful.
    I found out that i like to play the Irish Bouzouki way more than Mandolin (maybe because i came from guitar playing?).

    So i am thinking about selling this Instrument. My Question is if you have any advice for selling this, i want it to be in good hands!
    Also, i am asking for the price. I do not find any mandolin like this for sale anywhere. Do you have any Idea what a good starting point is, regarding the price?

    Greetings from Oliver!

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