Artist 2617 Prototype???

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Author Message   Mckay Username: Mckay Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 5:00 am:    I have a 2617 with wide headstock and block inlays and no serial number. According to the Ibanez book 'the untold story' on page 75 it is a prototype and not a production model. Anybody know if there were any others like this, also the value - Picked it up in a run-down second hand shop in South Africa for about $250.00   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:19 pm:    Mckay: Welcome and thanks for sharing your "find" with us! This is definitely a VERY early 2617. You can tell by the wide headstock and rounded horns. Here's a catalog scan from 1975 showing the first 2617: http://www.break-even.org/ibzscans/1975FB/75-8.jpg Ibanez guitars preceding mid 1975 don't have serial numbers. I don't know if the caption on page 75 of the Untold Story book is accurate in calling this a "prototype". The caption also says that the guitar in question is supposed to have block inlays that did not make it into production. Yet the picture clearly shows the split block MOP/Abalone blocks that have always been on production 2617s. I don't know if you can call a guitar a prototype when they were producing the same design for other name brands. Take a look at this thread for an early Antoria 2617. Same body shape, different headstock (but very familiar to Custon Agent owners.) http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=17&post=29850#POST29 850 All in all, a very nice bit of early Ibanez history.   Sixvsix Username: Sixvsix Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 4:30 am:    I agree John and puts it in the same era as my Scruggs that equally is script logo and no serial # six   Mckay Username: Mckay Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 6:22 am:    Thanks for the response John and Six. Any idea how many were made like this?   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 8:44 am:    Mckay: Sadly, all production records for the 70 to mid 70s are gone. But your guitar was really a transition model. Take a look at the following year's catalog: http://www.break-even.org/ibzscans/1976FB/76faltblatt-7.jpg Now, you see the familiar 2617 in the shape of the rest of the Artist line. So, they couldn't have produced too many of your guitar in one year.   Mckay Username: Mckay Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 10:39 am:    Thanks for the info John. Funny I have always wanted an Artist and was considering buying the AR3000 (I work for the Ibanez importer in South Africa - Thus - good price!!) But then I came across this old, slightly abused guitar and decided it needed a good home..   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 12:54 pm:    Mckay: What's the name of the SA importer? Whereabouts in SA are you?   Mckay Username: Mckay Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 5:48 am:    It is called T.O.M.S. Sound and music. We are based in Johannesburg. We are also the importers and distributors for: TAMA, MACKIE, MARSHALL, WASHBURN, ROLAND/BOSS, M-AUDIO, TAKAMINE, GENELEC, SWR, FISHMAN, ALTO, QSC, LEEM, ZOOM, ZILDJIAN, PAISTE, CAKEWALK, D'ADDARIO. This is our retail division website(still under construction) www.toms.co.za I am in sales and product support. It is really great, I get to play with great "toys" everyday.. Although I am turning into a bit of a gear junkie!! Graham

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