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Message |
    
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 8:18 am: | |
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 8:35 am: | |
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 9:02 am: | |
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 9:18 am: | |
C'mon Bob give us a report! Hows it feel, sound and look compared to your original? What # is it? |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 9:26 am: | |
Dude, I'm having a miserable time posting photos today. I'm at work so it's tough for me today to discuss things. I'd say there's one really major diff. between the '81 and the '07 and... it's the NECK. Big time difference. Big. |
Ekkerman
Username: Ekkerman
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 10:27 am: | |
can you go into more details bob?
whats up with the neck?
and the sound...? |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 10:36 am: | |
I think John started a new section for this discussion. I may as well wait til he moves this over there. I tried posting in this new place John set up, but like I said, I'm having trouble today. Sorry. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 12:29 pm: | |
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 12:52 pm: | |
Ekkerman, when I say "the big difference is the neck", what I mean is... the neck on the '81 ar5000 is so very noticeably thinner than the neck on the '07 reissue. To me, it's a huge difference although I suspect that if one actually measured the necks, it may not turn out to be a huge difference but... in my opinion, it is a HUGE difference. The neck on the '81 feels the best to me by far. By far. The neck on the '07 is a beefy neck, the '81 neck is almost like an old strat neck but not exactly. Point being... the neck on the '81 is what I prefer. Some folks may prefer the width of the new neck but I don't. And... to me, the difference is like night and day, I could tell within 1 second that they were very very different. Now... I have not plugged in nor played the new one and... I don't intend to. You guys can say what you will about that but... I figure... I have anm original '81 ar5000, and I play it. Now I have the '07 as well and it's pristine/unplayed. So... I have an ar5000 I can always play and I have one I can keep mint until I decide otherwise. It's such an incredible top on the '07 that I'm having a hard time scratching it up with picks and clothing and whatever, it's just too nice right now, I will keep it perfect for a while. I haven't even formed any chords on the neck without even having it plugged in. I literally haven't touched the guitar except to feel the neck and give it a look over. Guitar came with a real nice black Ibanez alligator case and a copy of "Ibanez the Untold story." There were "gizmo's" in the case to adjust things on the axe as well as literature, getting into pretty minute detail about the electronics and other aspects of the guitar. Other differences between '81 and '07: The red LED light on the '07 is about 3x bigger than the '81 and it's "housed" differently in the guitar. '81 had 2 black toggles and one chrome. '07 has 3 chrome toggles. The '07 machine heads are pearl but not the vintage ones, I prefer the vinatge ones. They used other sure grips on the '07 than the ones on the '81, I prefer the originals. The top on the '07 has a better flame than the '81. The color of the top is probably 7 shades lighter than the top on the '81. The '07 is flamed in 2 directions... north to south and east to west. It's weird but the wood grain is actually running in 2 directions simultaneously and the flamed top on the '07 is truly AMAZING! Overall, they did an excellent job with the '07 but I prefer the '81 BY FAR!!! Except for the top, the top on the '07 is magnificent and it really moves around, to me, this is more of a true flamed top than the '81. However, I love the top and the darkness of the '81 just as well, it's different look, but I still lean towards it (the '81), honestly though the top on the '07 is pretty hard to beat. It really is one of the nicest tops I've ever seen and there's no way the photos do it justice because... there's so much movement in the flames and you can't capture that with a still camera. Serial # (which is barely visible on back of headstock due to the finish is also stamped into the fretboard #G07003. So.. it appears my little monster was made in September 2007 and it is #003. Every one of you guys who ordered an '07 ar5000re will be very very very very happy, they really did a spectacular job reissuing this axe and I'm glad they went for the pearl tuners and I'm glad they stamped the necks. I'm still not thrilled they reissued this guitar (for my own personal reasons) however, the joy you guys get when you have it in hand will circumvent my idio-quirks. It's a spectacular guitar and the '81 is done proud by this reissue. If I had to choose, I'd keep the '81 but... I'd still put up a heck of a fight before I let go of the '07. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 1:01 pm: | |
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 1:08 pm: | |
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Chazmo
Username: Chazmo
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 5:26 pm: | |
Way cool, Bob. Interesting that the necks are so different. I would've thought they'd keep the dimensions the same.
Also, diggin' the "guitarded" shirt!  |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 7:31 am: | |
Necks are quite different. To the extent that it makes the '07 a different animal. But... they're both great guitars, you won't be disappointed. They did an outstanding job with the '07. |
Cmangeot
Username: Cmangeot
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 8:26 am: | |
I totally prefer the darker finish.
I also wondered if the AR5000 is thicker than the 2618 and 2619. I am assuming so. I am also assuming that the smooth heel is not present on the AR5000. Either way, they are both beauties!
Still putting in the vote for the MC5000 for next year!
Thanks for the display, hope to hear more reviews
Chris |
Careycorson
Username: Careycorson
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:43 am: | |
As for the darker finish. I have a 1968 Telecaster, and its neck has gone from very light color to almost a reddish orange, just from age. Might the finish on this do the same, and darken over the years? |
Grateful66
Username: Grateful66
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 7:59 pm: | |
I'm with Cmangeot. The MC5000 would be a dream come true! I'd buy one of each color. |
Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:01 pm: | |
Was there ever an original MC5000? Or is that just a dream? If it was real, what year, which catalog? Show me pictures! |
Grateful66
Username: Grateful66
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:08 pm: | |
Chuck, Do an ICW search.
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Chucke99
Username: Chucke99
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:24 pm: | |
Wow, and there was an MC3000 also:
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/12 /4166.html
OK, I'll take one each of the MC5000's in DS and AV. This HAS to be next year's reissue. I DEMAND IT! I'll even pony up the $8K or so to buy one.
-Chuck |
Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:25 pm: | |
That pic above is not the MC5000.
Here's some info on the MC3000 & MC5000:
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/26 32/4433.html
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/12 /4166.html
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/12 /4501.html
I'm 99.999% positive that the Garcia Musician guitar was sold by Toys From The Attic, which is located right near me and from whom I purchase by first Ibanez guitar (Weir 2680). They used to be very into vintage Ibanez guitars. They have a photo album containing many of the guitars that passed through their hands. This particular Musican was very ornate and may be the one in the first link above. I remember it was a dark color with lots of inlay.
btw...that MC3000 is beautiful!
mk |
Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:37 pm: | |
OK - more information (just to muddy the waters even more).
Page 74 in "Then Untold Story" shows a picture of the "Prototype Musician guitar made for Jerry Garcia" with his name inlaid on the 22nd fret". The picture looks like an MC500 with a light colored wood on top and a dark colored wood on the back. It has a dot inlay only - nothing fancy.
Maybe the guitar sold by Toys From the Attic was the MC5000.
mk |
Grateful66
Username: Grateful66
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 9:49 pm: | |
Outstanding data. Thank you Michael. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 7:36 am: | |
I believe there is only one mc5000 and it's in a NT finish, an ICW member owns it. Maybe there's 2 but I kinda think only one. When you own a guitar, that there was only a few ever made, you really don't like to see more of them being made. I collect coins. in 2001 the U.S. Mint issued a "buffalo dollar" coin. It was a very low mintage and you could buy it from the mint for $30. Next day, they were sold out. The price on the open market jumped to $125 the very next day for one of these coins. Coin collectors who had them were thrilled. Coin collectors who did not have them, wanted them bad. They lobbied Congress to mint more coins. The guys that had them put up a big fight and won, they did not reissue the coin and never will. To compensate, the mint issued a gold version of the coin but, not the silver and today those coins sell for $250 each (the original silver dollar issued for $30.) So... I am sure you guys want an mc5000 as you did an ar5000, but, it does tick some folks off and I hope you can understand why. ...and maybe there should be some consideration given to that. All of a sudden, something rare that you owned is now almost common. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 8:51 am: | |
Did anyone else who owns an '81 ar5000 order the '07... or... am I the only guy on Earth with 2 ar5000's? And ... I still haven't heard anyone mention anything about the sound of the '07. John, have you played yours? How's it sound? I know it's extremely versatile and you can get nearly any sound out of it that you want but I'd still like to hear something about how they sound. |
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 3:19 pm: | |
My guess is Orval will have them both but thats up to him if he wants to share that with us. |
Grateful66
Username: Grateful66
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 5:14 pm: | |
Anyway. It would be awesome if the did they Garcia guitar. I'd lose my $%^&* and most of my bankroll if I had to. |
Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 6:56 pm: | |
Why don't you buy a Travis Bean??
mk |
Grateful66
Username: Grateful66
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 7:51 pm: | |
You know, I never really dug em. I had a Kramer as a kid and wanted to like it but it never happened. Then a Musician came into my life and it was so right I can't even explain it. I've never played an Alembic. I suppose I should one day. |
Guitarwhisperer
Username: Guitarwhisperer
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 9:32 pm: | |
I used to have an Alembic Further, birdseye maple and padauk accents and tonewood. NICE guitar. The electronics were ridiculous, though, and sounded harsh, even through my vintage tube amps. I like the EQ systems and passive pickups on my MC400, 2622, and AR500 better, on all of those guitars. Alembic Guitars would sound better IMHO with passive pickups and a better EQ system than the filter systems they use. |
Dave_g
Username: Dave_g
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 10:16 pm: | |
Bob...Your not the only one...I got the call today and will pick up mine this weekend !!!!!!! |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 7:18 am: | |
Good news Dave. I guess everyone should have there's shortly then and that would make you the only guy I know that's owned 3 ar5000's. Let me know what you think of it once you've had a chance to whack it around a bit. |
Mitch236
Username: Mitch236
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 7:51 am: | |
Bob, I don't think the RE will affect the value of the original. RE's are nice and allow more people to enjoy a piece of history but collectors don't care about RE's since they probably won't go up in value as most will be still in pristine condition in 20 years. Your original will continue to increase in value and may actually experience a bump in value now as the RE is stirring interest. I would love Ibanez to RE the MC. The musician series is still my favorite. But even if they RE'd the MC 5000, my most prized MC would still be my 400 NT! |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 11:30 am: | |
About a month ago, I received an offer for a decent amount of money for my ar5000LE (1981). Considerably more than I paid for it. $2,500 more than I paid for it. I had actually agreed to sell it and let it go. (I knerw I was getting the ar5000RE, so I figured... I really needed the money (which I do) and I'd have the reissue anyways so... sell the '81.)
When I went home to prepare it for shipping...
I literally got sick.
I got dizzy.
I felt nauseus.
I couldn't breathe well.
No exaggeration, I was sick from it.
I just couldn't let it go.
I felt soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo horrible for having to tell the buyer I just couldn't do it. He is a nice gentleman and I just felt horrible for backing out. I feel so strongly about keeping my word that I really tried to just bite the bullet and let it go, just for the sake of keeping my word.
But... I just couldn't let it go. I lost an mc500nt, a 2622 and an ar500CS for that ar5000LE and ate pasta for 2 weeks so... The offer just wasn't worth it. I'd spend the money on my debts and miss the guitar forever... without a chance of ever getting another 1981. I don't own any other axes that perform like the ar5000 and that's really the main main thing to me. The guitar puts out. It's very special. |
Dave_g
Username: Dave_g
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 6:44 pm: | |
Besides the fact that you would have to deal with me !
Bob..if I have taught you anything it should be that its NOT about the money ! |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 7:26 am: | |
Dave, like I said... Man I really could have used that money but... you are correct, it's not ABOUT the money and I couldn't let it go. Money comes and goes, that's never gonna change. The guitar has value that can't even be thought of in dollars and cents. It's an amazing sounding/looking/playing guitar that I really consider to be irreplaceable so... it ain't going nowhere. (I do/did need the money though.) In any event... I sold my coins instead of the guitar and that's how I bought the 2007 reissue. I am happy to have them both. Unfortunately, I don't keep my guitars at my home anymore. I keep them at a friend's house about 3 miles away and I just have one at my home at any given point in time. It used to be nice to have them all around me but... circumstances dictate that I keep them in a safer place. I also had them all insured recently which is something I recommend. The deal I got was... 55 cents for each $100 worth of value insured. So... it basically costs like $22 per month to insure $50k worth of guitars. |