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HIRISER
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

I have an Ibanez that I picked up from a pawn shop so here goes:

Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, IBZ F2 humbucker and 2 IBZ C2 single coils. 5 way selector switch with an inset input jack on the front of the guitar. Floyd Rose tremolo with a Trem-Lock system inside (which I don't think was stock but highly recommend to anyone with tuning problems). Body style is a strat look but it starts out thin at the edges and then gets fatter towards the center of the guitar. Serial number is 883440. It doesn't say anywhere on the guitar anything about series. The only other identifying thing I can think of is the bolt on neck plate. It says Ibanez "New Ideas for Todays Musicians but the weird part is that it has an address on it which I have never seen before. It is as follows 1726 Winchester Rd. Bensalem, PA 10920 USA. Anyone with any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Farnes
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

I just bought a similar guitar at a yard sale -- slim body double cutaway etc... only differencs are the pickups are H-S-H (IBZUSA's F1 C2 and F2), and the serial number starts with "89." I need help ID-ing this. The seller gave me the original bill of sale that reads RG540 Saber. But I think it's an "S." I just don't know. Please help. Here's a link to a photo:http://www.geocities.com/iirubyii/Guitar.jpg

Thanks!
Farnes
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The Tone Zone
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

does it look like a js model? what color is it? are the pickup model #'s stamped on top or underneath? are the edges round and smooth or flat before it fattens up in the middle? it was made in 1988, that is for certain. it sounds like an r series which is the precursor to the js models, this is what i have but as far as i know the only pickups they put in those stock were dimarzio's. im willing to bet that the trem setter in the cavity is a stock ibanez model that was discontinued about that time. the radius series are the only models they put those in from that era as far as i know.
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guitargirl
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

I've got a Pro540P with a 'trem setter' device as well...I believe it's stock, as I've only seen this type in Ibanez guitars.
There's a pic of the guitar here: http://www.angelfire.com/music/guitargirl66/ibanezgtrs.html
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jester
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

The Bensalem address is their "plant" in PA. Really, I think they fix stuff, ship parts, etc. from there, but the stuff's made in Japan. This may be wrong now, but I think it was the case 10 yrs. ago.

The Sabre was offered in H-S-S and H-S-H depending on year. My mid 80's 540SFM had an F2 and 2 C2s. The Sabre had squarish edges, and the sides were the same depth at the edge - 3/4" or so. I think you have this.

The Radius (540R) was thicker on the side near the floor, held in playing position, and the edges were rounded. On my Radius, the electronics cover plate was "countersunk", but not on the Sabre. I think the Radius never came with an F2 stock - it was an F1, IIRC.
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JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

GuitarGirl:

Nice collection. What's the RS530 like?
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guitargirl
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

It's nice..the pic doesn't do the color justice...I'll try for a better pic someday...

The neck is fatter than a "typical" Ibanez neck, but I think it's a great guitar. We've got a bunch of Roadstars in our shop right now...one just like that, in solid black w/red strip around the edge. The others are different pickup configurations...different bridges...
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JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

I was captivated by an RS1300 NT that I saw on ebay awhile back. But not having any experience with them I asked for feedback here. When I got none, I passed on it. Should I feel bad now or later? J
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Blue Horizon
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Hi Farnes,
pls check the spec of the guitar at
http://bluehorizon.yeah.net
cheer,
Ben
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HIRISER
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Thanks to all that gave me info on my guitar. The post from Ben helped the most. His site is pretty damn good because it came with pics. Identified as a 540S. Wasn't happy with the name of the color (Lipstick Red) but she plays like a champ so oh well. Also identified my Pro Line Series guitar which is in shambles right now. Been apart for over 6 years since I rescued her from a pawn shop. The only thing about it is that when I got it someone spray painted it black over top of the original purple which I didn't see listed on Ben's page as an optional color.

Thanks again all,
Mike
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JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:   

Mike:

It's pretty much impossible to tell every color that was available because they change them as the years go by. So, your Pro Line might not be from a year that Ben has a catalog with pictures and specs.

Also, some construction/material features have changed over the years that certain models have existed. Like the Artist 6/12 doubleneck. In '77 it was a mahogony/maple guitar by '82 it was all Ash.

Here's another: the '83-'84 & '85 catalogs say the AM205 had a 1 piece mahogany neck, but the '93 catalog lists it as 3 pieces of mahogany and maple. Same situation with the AS200.

Then again, Ibanez hasn't been so particular about getting all the available options into their catalogs. For instance, the pictures and specs that Ben has for the Artist 300/350s look to be from the '85 catalog (I've got one, too). But that catalog doesn't list a Burl Mahogany top option. And I know that option existed because I've got one!

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