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Glenn Popson
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

I've recently become interested in the lawsuit era flying Vs. I'm a lefty (and cheap) and looking for a high-quality inexpensive guitar to convert and play.

Does anyone know whether other Japanese makers were producing guitars of similar quality to the Ibanez copies?

I got the story on Greco from Jim at the Vintage Ibanez site, but I've seen 1970s Aria Pro IIs and Hondos and Antares' with set necks Gibson headstocks, and bodies like the '67 V.

Anyone have any information about whether these guitars are worth the $200+ the sellers are asking for them?

Glenn
gpopson@hotmail.com
Challenger
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

As far as copies go, I think that the early Fernandes and Tokai stuff are really good, too.
Dusty Rhoads
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Wow, what a great day I had yesterday! I was walking past one of the many pawn shops here and in the window was a beautiful Les Paul gold top Ibanez copy. I figured it would cost around $250 or up and to my amazement it was $99 bucks! Needless to say I bought it. What a great player for a bolt-on neck guitar. Go's to show that deals are out there!

Dusty
Aaron Hancock
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Wow, very nice! Quite a deal there! One of them hard to believe stories... why don't I ever come across those... Oh yeah, I suppose that's why I keep buying guitars... all those deals that I occasionally find that are too good to pass up. :) Let me know when you find me a gold top for a hundred bucks!
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Dusty:

$99...for the whole guitar? I've seen old bridges and pickups go for that much.

Like Aaron says: "why don't I ever come across those?" Where abouts are these pawn shops?

JohnS
Dusty Rhoads
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Guy's if I lying Im dying, no joke $99.00 bucks + tax right here in Sacramento CA. I was waiting for that Kimchad (Crazy Mike) guy to walk up behind me and tell the pawn shop owner " Ill give you $200 for it!" (just kidding Mike!) I asked the Owner, Why so cheap" he said he only paid 30 dollars for it (how sad). That's the second guitar in the last 3 months that I paid less than $300 for a nice guitar (two months ago it was a very nice Ovation solid body electric for $250 (Preacher) with the original hard case (Music Go-Around). The wife is ready to kill me! Also, Crazy Mike I hope you win the auction on the Bob Weir 2680. It's a great model (77 is a fantasic year)I would never part with mine.

Take Care,

Dusty Rhoads
mike g.
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Dusty,

You better be glad I wasn't behind you!!You might not have made it into the store!

All kidding aside,i love when i hear a story like this.It's something all of us deserve a few of in our lifetime.

Just think how many were bought by fellow guitar lovers who found out afterward that they were taken by unscrupulous dealers who "bent the truth" just a little.

How many fake Fender Strats do you think were bought by guys who thought they were getting a deal of a lifetime just to find out it was a reissue with a vintage neckplate?

I already won an auction on a Bob Weir standard but it's such a neat guitar,i figured why not have 2!

P.S. wait till you see what John just got.......

Mike The Maniac
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Mike:

I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I can't help "crowing" about winning the '76 LP Professional!

Thanks for not going totally "Crazy" and outbidding me! J

JohnS
Harold
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

John,
It was difficult holding back and letting the Scruggs pass before my very eyes.
I hope it's a keeper.
I have one just like it that happens to need some of the Gold hardware replated.


Harold
mike g.
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

John S.

Truth be told John,I wanted that vine real bad.
The thing that made me hold back was you.

You have taken the time to help out so many people with questions and problems,and out of the goodness of your heart,steered them in the right direction.

A few months ago,I was totally frustrated with dealers,want ads,guitar mags and everywhere else that i tried to find vintage Ibanez Artists.

You not only steered me in the right direction,you took the time to personally help me get one of my most prized guitars,the AR305SE among others.

I would not be "right" with myself if i stepped on your toes.

But just remember:YOU HELPED CREATE A MONSTER!!

Seriously,I think everyone who frequents this site has alot of gratitude for guys like you,Harold,Matt and all the others who take the time to share the knowledge they have to our eager eyes.

Thank You.

Mike G.
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Mike:

Thanks. I feel a Sally Fields impersonation coming on: "You like me, you really like me!"

BTW, are you playing any of these guitars? Or do you only have enough time to unpack one before the next arrives? J

Let's hear some of your impressions regarding sound, construction quality of 70s vs. 80s, which pickup is the best, etc. All that silly stuff that nit-pickers, like us, obsess over.
mike g.
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

John,

I didn't mean to get you all teary eyed.

Yes,i do find time to play some of these guitars but it's like a woman who has 30 pairs of black shoes and she asks you,"which ones do you think hon?"

As of the last week,my favorites (getting the most licks)are the 82'AM50 (SWEEET!!)the 79 ARTIST EQ (VERSATILE AS HELL)and the 77 ARTIST with the flying finger pu's and the real nice neck.

That may change tonight as i have another ARTIST EQ being delivered by another IBANEZ MANIAC who has at least as many as I do and more rare ones
like the real PS10'S AND ARTWOOD TWIN W/VINES AND 200 LBS. OF WOOD.

I turned him on to this site in hopes that he will post some pics of his stash.IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

We'll get to all that silly stuff when I Don't have to stay glued to the laptop or answering the bell for UPS.

Can't wait to hear about your VINE man......

Mike G.
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Mike:


I just got a message that my vine LP has left it's previous home in North Dakota. The goodbye was "kinda sad". NJ here we come! I'm pretty sure that the climate in NJ is much more condusice to a vine's growth. After all, we are the "Garden" state.

I'm surprised that the AM50 tops the list. Just goes to show how underrated the AM series was.

Does this "new guy" live in NJ?

BTW, I almost made a run down to the pawnshop in Philly to check out that '75 Artist with the MOP binding. But the schedule was too tight, with going on vacation and all. How is it?
mike g.
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

John,

Yes,the new guy lives real close by.

The 76 artist with mother of pearl binding is cool but not as clean as most of my other ones because the back of it has some buckle wear.It is yet another nice playing/sounding guitar though and I saw a pic of the exact same guitar in this months Guitar Player article on Andy Partridge of XTC.His is listed as a 75'(see page 71 & 73)

BTW,the shop in Philly was in a pretty rough area and I was nervous about my wheels while i was checking out the Artist.

I got more nervous when I had to walk down the street carrying my new purchase since I was being eyeballed by about 15 different seedy looking characters.(lucky for me I'm 6' 230lbs)

Oh,I almost forgot!New guy delivered my EQ today and it sounds even better than the other 2!!

He dug the AM50 as much as I do.

Hope shipping goes well with your vine and you're right.Vines are right at home in the Garden State!

Time to go sort some "shoes"

Mike G.
orval
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

john,
is your "vine lp" a les paul or a randy
scruggs? i have a lp with partial vines
that i have never seen another like.
orval
Harold
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Orval,
I used to own an Ibanez Les Paul copy, bolt neck neck with 3/4 vine inlay on the fingerboard. It was nice sounding, playing, and a nice looking guitar. I wish the guitar had a set-neck and full vine inlay. I would have added it to my collection.
I believe Ibanez called this the 2660 (Black) or 2661 (Brown sunburst) model.

ENJOY!


Harold
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Orval:

Mine's a July '76 Scruggs. Here's a picture.
NewScruggs,NewScruggs

Does your's look like the one in this thread: Replicas: Dating a "Half-Vine"
orval
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

john,
that's the one, mine is black. i also
have one like the scruggs you just bought
only in dark stain finish.

harold,
thanks for the info.
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:   

Orval:

There appear to be 2 different versions of the "LP with 1/2 vine". The logo on the headstock started out as the flower pot (as seen in the thread mentioned above), but then changed to a different style. Actually, the same 2 emblems appeared on the "early" and "later" Custom Agents.

I have been told that ALL were bolt-ons.

Why don't you upload some pictures of your suntanned Scruggs? The rarest of the rare. I've seen one other. The one I saw had a "smooth heel". Whats your's like? Got a date on it?

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