Help identifying an old Ibanez.

[JohnJohn]

Over at a friends house today and he pulled out this old Ibanez :

View attachment 39812

He said it was the first guitar he owned.
He's never had any major work done to it but doesn't know what model it is.

It's got a zero fret, P90 style pick-ups, a set neck and no tags inside the body.
The switch cap is replaced and it's missing the pick guard, but other than that it's the same as when he bought it.
The closest thing I could find to it was an early 70's 2355, except the inlays, tail piece (which may have been replaced by time he bought it) switch position and pick-ups are different.

He's not looking to sell it, just curious what it is.
I told him I would poke around but suggested that the next time he changes the strings that he pulls out one of the pick-ups to see if there's anything written inside.
I also suggested that he use an inspection mirror to check the inside to see if he can spot and tags or writing.

 

[darnright]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

They look like mini hums (can't tell size) P-90's usually have poles in middle of p'up. I would think a jazz model..Joe Pass possibly? Cool guitar!!! Are you going to try to buy it? If you are, Good Luck!

-dave

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

As much as I would love to own it, no, not buying.
Just helping him identify it.

Plays and sounds good and it's in great shape.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Can the guy recall what year he bought it in, and whether new or used? If not, could guesstimate by when he was a teenager... It looks like something out of the 70s, for sure, but that zero-fret thing is making me wonder, maybe older???

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

I'd say it's late 60s up to 1970, because of the zero fret, inlays stopping at the 17th fret, truss rod cover, somewhat different body shape. I assume there's no serial number either, which would be typical.

In the 60s, Ibanez were still making kooky looking guitars like old Silvertones etc., the early 70s is kind of transitional - copies of Gibson and Fender coming out but still with some 60s style quirks; then by 1975, we're starting to get the nicer, more precise knock-offs, and original designs like the Iceman and Artist.

So, I'd say this is an incipient version of what became the 2355.

This is a 1971 2355, which, as you can see, already has very Gibsony details.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

The zero fret makes me think pre-lawsuit.
IIRC the lawsuit era pieces were done when Ibanez was trying to move up the quality ladder and going from Silvertone to Gibson.

This piece is fairly solid but still has things that make me think of the old Harmony/Kay/Silvertone years of guitar production.
So I'm thinking this a piece from the transition of Silvertone to lawsuit.

 

[jbear]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Post this over on Ibanez Collectors World; you'll get a definitive answer fast.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Signed up for it, just waiting for someone to do the final okay so I can post this.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Well it turns out this is a mid to late 60's 1453, (it's a 2355 variant) and worth between $1000-$1300 USD (depending on the buyer).
I'm looking to see where he can track down a pick guard and proper switch cap for it.

Those guys at Ibanez Collectors World really know their stuff, first answer nailed it after 10 views.
I looked around the site and there's a lot more of a market and sub culture to old Ibanez stuff than I ever would have imagined.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Ok, partially right . I don't know much about the 60s-early 70s guitars.

Yes, there is quite a thriving sub-culture, and once you play an old Ibanez you see what everyone's talking about.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

That's a really nice looking guitar! Looks to be in fine shape for its age. I think Ibanez learned a lot about how to build guitars during the Clone Years.

How does it play? How does it sound?

I'd get in line (a very long line, I'd imagine) to buy that if it were available.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Help identifying an old Ibanez.

Plays really well with a fast neck.
Acoustically it does have a bit of a boxy sound like the old Harmony/Silvertones did, but plug it in and it just sings.

A guy on the Ibanez Collectors site is sending me all the dimensions for a new pick gaurd and details of making one.
Unfortunately it looks like tracking down something authentic is almost a no go, since the common consensus is that and parts that are still around aren't usually in the best shape.

My buddy has no interest in selling it, both for sentimental reasons and that it's a great guitar.