HOW TO READ A IBANEZ SERIAL NUMBER

[hands]

thanks for the reply

im off to get cleaning supplies. Now thats what i call good instructions!!!
i will load pics when she is cleaned up. And if this is a fake... well thank god for fakes!

[bassdood]

Hello.  Newbie here.  I just entered my first post, and now I have realized that maybe I put it in the wrong section.  Being a bass player, I posted in that section.  The question, however, is about serial numbers.  I'm not sure how to put a link in here to that post, and am not sure if that is appropirate.  So at the risk of being redundant, I will repeat the post here.  Sorry if this is inappropriate.

I own a SoundGear 5-string MIJ 2000 SR 885.  It has a "normal" Ibanez serial number.  I am considering buying a SoundGear Prestige SR 3005e, which is claimed to be MIJ, 2002.  I do not know the seller, who is a local player, and who says he is the original owner.  I should see the bass in person tonight for the first time. The seller tells me there is no serial # on the back of the headstock, and on the front of the headstock there is a simple five-digit number, no letters.  He has double-checked this for me.  The number is 54820.

I have read all the old threads about serial numbers, and have used the online serial # lookup tool. I have done extensive web searches, and can find out very little.  These were only made for about three years, I think, and seem to be uncommon.

Does this make sense? Can we tell anything from this number?  Should I be concerned?

Would appreciate any comments or advice.  Thanks!

[gemberbier]

Hello.  Newbie here.  I just entered my first post, and now I have realized that maybe I put it in the wrong section.  Being a bass player, I posted in that section.  The question, however, is about serial numbers.  I'm not sure how to put a link in here to that post, and am not sure if that is appropirate.  So at the risk of being redundant, I will repeat the post here.  Sorry if this is inappropriate.

I own a SoundGear 5-string MIJ 2000 SR 885.  It has a "normal" Ibanez serial number.  I am considering buying a SoundGear Prestige SR 3005e, which is claimed to be MIJ, 2002.  I do not know the seller, who is a local player, and who says he is the original owner.  I should see the bass in person tonight for the first time. The seller tells me there is no serial # on the back of the headstock, and on the front of the headstock there is a simple five-digit number, no letters.  He has double-checked this for me.  The number is 54820.

I have read all the old threads about serial numbers, and have used the online serial # lookup tool. I have done extensive web searches, and can find out very little.  These were only made for about three years, I think, and seem to be uncommon.

Does this make sense? Can we tell anything from this number?  Should I be concerned?

Would appreciate any comments or advice.  Thanks!

Welcome Bassdood,

I never heard of such an Ibanez serial # before.
I suggest that you make some detailed pictures and post them on ICW.


Ginger

[bassdood]

Thanks for the response.  I will definitely post pics if I end up getting this.

I just found a post from the 2008/2009 time frame on the Ibanez Forum that deals with this same serial number issue on the Ibanez SoundGear Prestige bass line:
http://forum.ibanez.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=71072

Somebody bought a 3005 used back in March 2008, loved it, took it apart, and couldn't find any serial # other than the 5-digit all-number version on the front.  He even looked for evidence of the number on the back having been removed, etc. 

Then a year and a half later somebody new adds to the post, as a fact, but without stating how he/she knows this to be a fact, that the 3000 series SoundGear Prestige basses definitely do not have any other serial numbers.

I wonder if the number format might be limited due to possibly all SoundGear Prestige basses being made in the same country in the same plant (which I do not know to be a fact, but this conforms with everything I have seen so far).  If that were the case, the number might only need to indicate the year and the sequential production #.  And they may well make less than a thousand SoundGear Prestige basses per year.

[gemberbier]

Thanks for the response.  I will definitely post pics if I end up getting this.

I just found a post from the 2008/2009 time frame on the Ibanez Forum that deals with this same serial number issue on the Ibanez SoundGear Prestige bass line:
http://forum.ibanez.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=71072

Somebody bought a 3005 used back in March 2008, loved it, took it apart, and couldn't find any serial # other than the 5-digit all-number version on the front.  He even looked for evidence of the number on the back having been removed, etc. 

Then a year and a half later somebody new adds to the post, as a fact, but without stating how he/she knows this to be a fact, that the 3000 series SoundGear Prestige basses definitely do not have any other serial numbers.

I wonder if the number format might be limited due to possibly all SoundGear Prestige basses being made in the same country in the same plant (which I do not know to be a fact, but this conforms with everything I have seen so far).  If that were the case, the number might only need to indicate the year and the sequential production #.  And they may well make less than a thousand SoundGear Prestige basses per year.

My point of concern is that Ibanez serial numbers on electric (bass) guitars were usually NOT related to that specific model, but to the OVERALL Ibanez production in that factory in a certain month.
Prestige models are usually built by Fuji Gen Gakki, Japan.
In 1987 Ibanez introduced factory letters in serial numbers.
The letter for Fuji Gen is F. Question is: why is it missing here.
Second point of concern is the length of the serial number: it is just too short.
This 5 digit number does not fit into any system that I know of.
Maybe a part of the serial # sticker was removed.
Anyway, I'm stuck here...
Cameron, what say you? It's weird isn't it?


Ginger

[JohnS]

bassdood:

This is a weird number system and place for it. But Ibanez has done some "interesting" things in the past, so I wouldn't count it out, just yet.

I wonder if the number format might be limited due to possibly all SoundGear Prestige basses being made in the same country in the same plant (which I do not know to be a fact, but this conforms with everything I have seen so far).  If that were the case, the number might only need to indicate the year and the sequential production #.  And they may well make less than a thousand SoundGear Prestige basses per year.

Hoshino has (don't know if they still do) sourced high end basses (like the Gary Willis model) from a factory other than Fuji Gen. It's a long shot, but maybe this Prestige is connected to that operation?

I would think that Hoshino would know the answer and could lay this question to rest. In the Ibanez forum, IbanezBass is the Admin. Why not click on the PM (Private Message) or E-mail buttons and send a message directly to him?

Really would love to see pictures of it, when/if you get it!

[captainibanez]

Thank you JohnS,

Look gang, after 29 pages of questions.....I am so stoked.. ( Australian slang ) for being impressed, by your quest for knowledge..I really am.

Now , as of August for a month only...I am going to be back in the monster I created at Australis Music all those years ago and still influence  And last Friday , I was so glad to catch up with a very close personal friend from Ibanez Japan who was visiting Australis & spent time with my mate talking about many aspects for the next couple of years production & J Custom models on the way 

So, for those who are having Soundgear Bass serial number issues...Relax, when they produced limited production runs of Soundgear Basses, my factory formula does not run true to the normal. Factories are not the issue here....there were no outside factories involved..So this clears that @!## up , let me tell ya!
You don't need to worry your bass slapping heads about that. The serial numbers on Soundgear Bass limited runs were for those in the know for warranty purposes...not collectors....For Collectors if its a limited edition run thats all that matters if you want to sell it on Ebay etc. !

AS...I HAVE SAID BEFORE.................... Please stop worrying so much over stuff with serial numbers, production runs, what factory etc.

If you have up for grabs what a collector wants .. then you have a winner. It's sold and you profit 

It just seems to me personally since the stock market crash.....everyone is in panic mode...relax...it's short term, & Ya Ol'Cappy has been doing Excel spreadsheets on the Ibanez market for some time...........Now is not the time for a Ibanez Fire Sale of your gear.

Look bass fans , it's like to explain why the SR8100AM J Custom Bass from the 1997 range...they only made 12 of those & there is only 1 in Australia , had a funny serial number to everyone back then !

Look , I will always be here for you all with your questions, but sometimes , I just feel that anxiety overrules commonsense sometimes...nothing personal, just your industry insider looking in at the mass panic amongst you.

Keep On Rockin"

Cappy 

[bassdood]

JohnS -

I would think that Hoshino would know the answer and could lay this question to rest. In the Ibanez forum, IbanezBass is the Admin. Why not click on the PM (Private Message) or E-mail buttons and send a message directly to him?

Thanks for the tip.  I did that yesterday; hopefully we will get a response back. I will let you know if I do.

Captain -

Please stop worrying so much over stuff with serial numbers, production runs, what factory etc.

Well, I am trying to confirm, if possible, some facts about a bass I want to buy and keep.  What year was it made?  What country?  Could it be counterfit?  Is inquiring as to a serial number situation that, for most of those who are in the know, seems to be unheard of, an unreasonable bit of due diligence?

At least now I know that some Ibanez models are apparently outside the normal serial number patterns. 

The weird thing is, I communicated with one prior owner of a SoundGear Prestige SR 3005e, and he said his had a normal serial number on the back of the headstock.  Perhaps he mis-remembers, as he no longer has it. 

It would be nice to confirm, if possible, that all Ibanez SoundGear Prestige basses are made in Japan at the Fuji Gen plant.  Or that all were in a given span of years. Does anyone know?

Thanks again.  The collected experience in this Forum is amazing.

[captainibanez]

Well bassdood,If you are able to email me some pics of your bass and the serial number, i will be more than happy to give you the info you desire

camb62@optusnet.com.au

Cappy

[bassdood]

Well bassdood,If you are able to email me some pics of your bass and the serial number, i will be more than happy to give you the info you desire

Sent it.  Thanks for the offer to help!

[SevenOTwo]

OK, I have been following along, being new to this forum, but I am seeing a letter missing out on the Plant locations, I have a 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II Deluxe Series, the Serial number is L841408. I am looking for an Original Tremolo Bar if anyone has one to sell....

Thanks

[Mr-Ibanez]

i have hardrocker, prorocker, and powerrocker trem arms available
http://www.mr-ibanez.com/parts.htm

[JohnS]

SevenOTwo:

OK, I have been following along, being new to this forum, but I am seeing a letter missing out on the Plant locations, I have a 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II Deluxe Series, the Serial number is L841408. I am looking for an Original Tremolo Bar if anyone has one to sell....

Are  you asking if the "L" in your serial number refers to a "plant location"? No, prior to 1987, letters at the beginning denote the month of manufacture. In your serial number, the "L84" means December 1984.

[sfa34]

Hi,
I have an ibanez artwood, but i cant find any information about the guitar anywhere. It is a aw 800ce with vine inlay all the way up the fret board and on the head stock. There is a  serial number inside 99050862.
Can any one give me more info on this guitar or any links to web sites.

[Mr-Ibanez]

ok. vines ?   now you must post a photo