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Author Message   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 7:15 am:    Many centuries ago, when I was young and extremely stupid, I allowed a Musician I purchased for £250 to leave my side. I have ever since regretted that decision. I've had several guitars since, the latest being an RG s520ex. Nice guitar, but not a Musician. I've been trying to track down the particular Musician I had in the hope I may be lucky enough to purchase another for less than a million quid, but it was a long time ago and I'm a little hazy. The specs as I remember them were as follows: Ibanez musician mc 400/500/550, ‘78 thru ‘82, could have been a DS or a limited edition. Twin Super 88 pickups, brown (covered) Active 3 band EQ/boost with LED and ON/OFF toggle Had five pots I think Push-pot tone control coil taps switching from humbucker to single coil 2 Neck and bridge full/split/phase reversal tri tone toggles Walnut/Maple/walnut arched sandwich body 9 or 11 piece straight thru neck Ebony fret board 24 frets, slightly wider than the average. Gold plated fittings and machines. Unbelievable sound and playability! Can anyone name this guitar?   Hasenobu Username: Hasenobu Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 9:15 am:    It was probably an MC500DS. (But it didn't have push-pot tone control coil taps. It had two mini-toggle switch for that purpose.) For your information: http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1978/p09.jpg   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:43 pm:    Musician... first of all, I'm not an expert but I do own a '78 mc5500nt. I would think for anyone to accurately answer your question, the specifics are very important. Especially with an Ibanez. Any uncertainty here or there, could make a big difference in determining the model. My mc500nt does not have push-pull anything. Hasenobu knows his stuff, maybe his guess is accurate. Did your axe have a flat top or arched? I think your light-up LED may make it something other than the mc500ds because there's no light-up LED on my '78mc500nt. I asked about the arched top because the 500nt has an arched top, mc400 is flat top.   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 2:07 pm:    Thanks for replying guys. I agree Hasenobu, my best shot so far has been the MC500DS, but I could have sworn the pups were covered. And Bobzilla, again I agree, in my search I have come across SO many variations, my head is spinning! It was definately an arched top which makes me lean toward the 500 series, but the LED now I'm unsure on. I'm 100% positive it had the EQ as I remember noticing this strange guitar had a battery in it when I first came across it. So far, the MD500DS looks to be it. Hasenubo, again I'm not 100% certain that it had push pots, I am 100% it had the two toggles accompanied by the EQ on/off toggle. So to summarise... Only 99% sure on the LED and push pots, but definately had covered pups, arched front and gold plated machines (not pearl.. ack). Damn, I sure wish I'd had a brain all them years ago. I feel sick every time I see things like Ebay auctions for a 550 reach £700. Stupid, stupid, stupid!   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 3:47 pm:    Mourner, that's not stupid. It's normal human inability to foresee the future.   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 7:13 pm:    Nah, it's not so much the value of them now Bob as the fact that it was such a fine axe, and I let it go. Stooooopid.   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 7:40 pm:    Mourner, you wrote "but I could have sworn the pups were covered. " they are, brown plastic-covered, usually with polepieces showing. If you agree to omit the LED and push-pots, then I would bet that you had MC 500DS... MC400 is, as mentioned, a flat-top, and it has laminated neck from 7 pieces..   Hasenobu Username: Hasenobu Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:51 pm:    Guys, I'm not an expert on MC, either. But as Bob wrote, I have an MC500NT, which is a 1979 model. And as far as I know, there are two verions of MC500 according to their production years. I think Bob's is an early model, and mine is a late model with a LED. Here's a photo of the guitar. (The left one, of course.) Please note the different arrangement of the switches. (I mean, difference between the early version and the late version.)   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 4:28 am:    Hi Fox. Yeah, I just can't remember the pole pieces showing, maybe they were. I think we're all leaning toward the 500DS, but I'm almost sure it had push pots as well as the toggles. I'm no expert either by any means so I'm just guessing here, but MC550DS perhaps, or possibly the limited edition, which would be just bloody typical for me. I would have to sell on one of the rarest wouldn't I. Hasenobu, too sweet, and yeah if not for the DS it's identical (as far as I can remember that is), and the year is a stickler too, is there any chance it could have been a late 500 or 550 i.e. 79 through 82? All I need to do now is sell a kidney!   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 7:09 am:    Has.... only diff. between my '78 and your '79 that I can see is that LED.   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:59 am:    Hasenobu...Looks like yours has the upgrade feature in the master tone knob too! BTW...nice AR   Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 5:14 am:    I think Hasenbro's guitar is an MC550. At least it sure looks like one to me. js   Hasenobu Username: Hasenobu Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 6:40 am:    JS, Well..., actually, this is my first time to hear of the name "MC550", and it's because the model was never available in Japan back then. I checked with some related threads here, and realized that there certainly were MC550 and other models.... Anyway, mine is, I'm sure, an MC500NT. It's serial number is H795848. (MC550s didn't appear until 1981, right?) In addition, please have a look at the following URL: http://www.geocities.jp/ar_lovers_room/catalogues/1979_09/79_12.jpg The scan is from an Ibanez's 1979 catalogue for the domestic market.   Yogi Username: Yogi Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 10:12 am:    OK, here I go again... Here are the specs of the MC400/MC500/MC550 models I posted in other threads, combined and corrected: The MC400 has a flat top, the MC500 has a carved top. Another difference is the construction. All Musicians have a mahogany core except for the MC500/MC550 which have maple cores. The tops and backs of all models are made of ash. MC500: 1978-1979: Super88-PUs, 7-piece-neck, Output-Jack on top. Tuners with Pearloid-Buttons, Dark Stain or Natural Finishes. 1979-1980: 9-piece-neck, additional Master Tone control and PreAmp LED. The Output-Jack at the side, extra battery compartment. MC550: 1981: Super88-PUs, 7-piece-neck, Tuners with golden buttons, Walnut-Finish. 1982: Same as above with the exception of the Super58-PUs. Juergen   Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 11:58 am:    Yet another example of Ibanez marketing anamolies. Here's a shot of the '80 domestic US cat showing the MC550... Interesting that in Japan/Europe it was referred to as an MC500.   Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 12:01 pm:    Here's a better shot (I hope) with the 550 cropped...   Yogi Username: Yogi Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 12:52 pm:    Jeff, when was your catalog printed? I have an European version of that one printed in November 1980 that actually shows the '81 models. It often happened that the production of the new models started earlier. Juergen   Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 3:46 pm:    Juergen, I have only scans so I don't know when it was printed. Its very possible that what I have is identical to yours. I would tend to agree with your assessment that the 80s we are seeing may in fact be early 81s. Releasing the "next" year's models late in a calendar year seems to be one consistency Ibanez showed back then. It would be interesting to get some serial numbers to see when the first 550s started showing up. In the grand scheme of things I guess it doesn't matter what the guitar is called. Its really only a matter of symantics, right? Either way, they're nice guitars, whatever name tag has been placed on them. js   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 7:23 pm:    I love you guys! That's it! It's the MC550WN! Only thing I have to do now is discern whether it was '81 or '82, then find one, then sell a few body parts, then.. Umm... You guys have been great, but can I ask one more small question? What's the difference/s between the super 88's and super 58's?   Hasenobu Username: Hasenobu Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 11:17 am:    Musician_mourner, Sell a few body parts!? No, you shouldn't!! Anyway, I believe you'll find some answers to your "small" question if you try the "SEARCH BORAD" here. Good luck.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:10 am:    Dude..... here's your mc550 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7400534744&fromMakeTrack=true   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:14 am:    Here's the ICW-friendly version of the URL. Please use it to place bid, if possible: http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7400534744 BTW, check out the non-original bridge.   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 4:09 pm:    How about pups? Shouldn't they be Super 88's? mk   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 4:19 pm:    I want that extra knob!   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:59 pm:    Michael, that guitar is the "newer" MC550.. The x50:s had Super58s   Trisound Username: Trisound Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:07 pm:    Yup, according to the ebay listing, it's an '82MC550WN, which is the main MC Series picture in the '82 catalog. Only differences appear to be the bridge and the changed knobs. Can't quite tell about the nut. Definitely Super 58s.   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 1:59 am:    Yeah John...kinda makes the cloud look a little lonely all by itself there!   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 01-2002 Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:16 pm:    How 'bou this one ? think the finish is original " http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7393968849   Yogi Username: Yogi Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:46 pm:    Yep, seems to be original. There was a similar one for sale on a Canadian website some time ago. I own a black MC300. Strange thing is that only the body and headstock are black, the neck is natural. Juergen   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:39 pm:    Dave, still can not see the link, but: I assume it is a black MC300.. Like Juergen, I happen to own one. It is a finish not listed in any catalogues, I suppose. Also my other MC300 NT is sorta satin-finished, not normal laquered one.   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 01-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 6:13 am:    Fox, the auction number is 7393968849, and the finish looks to be almost a cherry color...   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 7:29 am:    OK, thanks Dave..I have still problems with those ICW-friendly URLs, maybe firewall-related..   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 7:42 am:    Fox: If it helps, the ebay item number is always the last series of numbers after the "%3D".   Lespaul Username: Lespaul Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:05 pm:    Little hijack here: JohnS, the link does not show at all. "We" cannot read it. (Can't place the winning bid through the links either.....) Back ontopic now. Paul   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 8:32 am:    Paul: Sorry about that. I forget that some of you can't see the links, at all. However, there are others who can see the ICW-friendly links, but they don't connect to a page when clicked. My advice about identifying the item number was meant for this (smaller) group of readers. Someday I'll find a solution to this problem. Maybe ebay will still be around by then. Until then, my apologies to all for the inconvenience.   Creekhed Username: Creekhed Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 9:17 pm:    My Musician MC550 is back on ebay... had a buyer...fell through! http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7405098747   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 6:54 am:    Hi guys, sorry I aint been back in a while, up to my eyes. Dave, that's a NICE cherry and Creekhed, thats an equally nice 550. Still trying to find a buyer for my body parts   Phatphred Username: Phatphred Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 7:27 am:    Mourner, be of good cheer. I now own that cherry MC300. I speak a litle Italian and was able to get a lot of good background info from Roberto in Rome, who was selling it. I can tell you that the guitar is in absolutely amazing condition and had even been given a set-up prior to being sold! Since then, I've aquired 3 EQ'd higher end Musicians and am looking to sell the cherry. Wanna buy it? It will only cost you an arm and a leg! I also accept money Email me soon. If not, I'll be putting it and my other 2 MC300's on the for sale board here as well as eBay as soon as I can overcome my hoarding instincts. Both of them are DS. One has the rare chickenhead vari-tone switch and the other is just a good ol' two vol two tone plus tri-sound.   Slpraeg Username: Slpraeg Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 5:26 pm:    Hi All, I didn't read the entire postings but just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. My 1980 MC550 has the LED above the EQ toggle, along with the 2 coil tap switches. It doesn't appear to have any push-pull capability though. It also features a much darker stain than the DS models I have seen. I am including a link to my personal website, the guitar I am referring to is the second one on the list. http://www.scottpraegitzer.com/id155.htm Best regards, Scott   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 6:04 pm:    Yo PhatPhred, pleased it went to a good owner. I was originally interested only in a 79 550, but I'm currently looking at a black 79 300 in mint condition. Should I shouldn't I? How much would you guys pay?   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 6:17 pm:    Between €600.= (winning bid on ebay) and €800.= (Argus list price) seems reasonable. Greetz, Ginger Ale   Musician_mourner Username: Musician_mourner Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 5:14 am:    Thanks Ginger. That seems about right and the guy is selling it for £450. It's in beautiful condition, practically brand new, but I don't know. I don't know whether to grab this one or wait for a decent mc550 to come up.   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 6:12 am:    Well, black MC300s might be rare ones, I have no idea about that.. -79 you said? There is currently a -78 MC300BK on eBay and the seller declares, he has seen only one other than his.. Might be the same one, the price is the same..450 pounds.. I have seen one too, it is there in our studio..   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2006 - 4:57 pm:    just out, the latest vintage guitar magazine has an article by michael wright on the mc500. pictured is a special ordered mc500 with conventional vines (as opposed to the mc5000 array)   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:00 am:    Orval... is "Vintage Guitar" the name of the mag.?   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:09 pm:    yes

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