Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

[greco]

I have chance to get one of these for a very fair price.
(about $200.00 US with generic HS case)

Any general comments on this model of guitar?

Maple neck, basswood body, 1 tone, 1 volume, and 3-way switch.

It has 2 hums. (stock "Super '70s ) and a Powerocker trem bridge.

Thanks

Dave

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

In general, old Ibanezes rock (as do most old MIJ guitars) Roadstars were very nicely made, very playable instruments.

I know there's a big following for later 80s and whatnot Ibanezes (RGs, JEMsetc) but I had a few of those myself, played I don't know how many, and IMO those later guitars are good, but not as nice as the earlier Ibbys I've owned or played. The later guitars started getting that "mass production" feel to them.

YMMV.

 

[greco]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

Thanks JeffB.

I don't really need another guitar...but you know how it is.

I also have some SD hums and thought it would be fun to use it as a platform. I'd also like to use it a a learning tool for setups, mods, etc. Nothing too wild in the mods department.

What is the "powerocker" trem bridge like...any good?

Dave

 

[JeffB]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

What is the "powerocker" trem bridge like...any good?

It was more like a Kahler than a Floyd. But IDK how reliable they were over time or just how good they are. Just like everything else, the "name brand" trems became what you HAD to have thanks to all the marketing BS and guys like EVH...so Ibby started going with Floyds(though a few Ibbys came with Kahlers too...some destroyers e.g.)

I'm not a trem guy anyways and when I do have a guitar with one I use it sparingly and subtley..if at all. I'm really not the person to ask.

 

[tone?]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

I am a fan of old ibanezes and i would stay away from the models with anything but an Ibanez edge trem. IMHO.

i have a RS1000 and the trem on it sucks booty. i think it is the prorocker or something like that. super cheap metal that most likely sucks tone. the guitar sounds good, but the bridge i am sure sucks whatever potential kick ass tone this guitar has. I also have a RS II 440 with an edge trem on it that is waaaaaaaay better in terms of a bridge. The guitar isnt better than the RS1000 but the bridge definately is. i would however still preffer a Floyd on it.

the workmanship is amazing compared to guitars now in those price ranges. seriously they are totally on par with an american strat. Maybe even better.


I went recently to an Ibanez dealer here to mess around and was totally surprised at how crappy and plasticy the guitars feel like now. the only one i kinda liked was the andy timmons one. I played a satch one and it sucked to me. I really thought my Roadstar II was better. I went home and played my Roadstar and thought, " wow i can get a better guitar for around 200$ nowadays, which is how much the roadstars go for about now.

 

[greco]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

I'm not a trem gut at all. Just wondered how stable it is for tuning, etc. Sorry, should have stated that.

Dave

 

[greco]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

I am a fan of old ibanezes and i would stay away from the models with anything but an Ibanez edge trem. IMHO.

Probably a very dumb question...but could the powerocker be replaced (with relative ease) with an "edge trem" ? Assuming I could find an edge trim somewhere.

Also, thanks for all the additional info/comments.

Dave

 

[tone?]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

the prorocker and power rocker bridges are a bitch to change. they will need to be rerouted for another bridge=too much trouble for me at least.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Ibanez Roadstar II (1984 - Model RS225)

Probably a very dumb question...but could the powerocker be replaced (with relative ease) with an "edge trem" ? Assuming I could find an edge trim somewhere.

Also, thanks for all the additional info/comments.

Dave

Adding an Edge trem may cost you more then what you are going to pay for that axe... I found a Kramer Striker with an old Edge trem someone added on it for $99 last fall... but i have heard there is people out there wanting old Edges and as such they are going up in price... My Edge i have plans for my old parts strat that i butchered up many times over adding crazy mods to over many years....

but when it comes to an old axe like this Roadstar, if it is a good axe as it is, then it's a good deal and buy it..... if it stinks, stay away from it as modding the hell out of it will not make it a great axe and will cost you way too much to mod it