EBay - Ibanez 12 String circa 1983

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Author Message   Tim Username: Tim Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Monday, December 03, 2007 - 12:56 pm:    Hi, I'm looking to buy a new acoustic for my collection, and I quite fancied a 12 string. Browsing eBay and I came across this... is it worth it? What sort of price should it be going for? I've asked questions about my other Ibanez here before and you were a great help, so I thought I'd ask you guys again. As much detail as possible, all comments welcome. Cheers, Tim. Ebay Item #170175234594   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 12:02 am:    Nice hockey stick, but not electric. Interesting serial no. though. This one's for the acoustics serial numbers list: 647-12 (serial number N-G770901) I wonder what the N means... probably Neck, because the serial number is not on the label, so it must be a neck number. We've already seen a few acoustics with two serial numbers... "Is it worth IT?" That depends on what IT is... the 150.- sterling, which is EUR 225.- is peanuts of course... so, the answer at the moment is yes, unless you are USA and must pay in dollars plus shipping and blablabla, then you don't know where it ends. But from a European perspective, it looks quite reasonable at the moment. It's vintage (1977), but acoustic, so less competition and 12-string so even yet less competition than for a 6-string. It's a nice piece because it imitates the Fender headstock. A nice example of "look what they did back then." How the sound will be, depends on the materials that were used. If the top is solid, then it will sound good, even if the back and sides are laminated. The Sigma guitars were very good too, and a lot cheaper than their big Martin brothers. If you would want to buy a Sigma 12-string with a solid top you won't get it for 150 sterling. Oh, btw... Don't be surprised if Johns moves this thread to the acoustics. Ginger   Tim Username: Tim Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 5:13 am:    Thanks for your help. Yeah I'm in the UK, about an hours drive from the pickup point. Well I'm going to keep an eye on it. Ah sorry, completely misread the topic, thought it was just vintage/custom 1970s. Didn't notice the electric, sorry about that. Yeah please do move it to the right place. (Although it does have a concealed pickup :P) Cheers, Tim.   Tim Username: Tim Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 5:20 am:    It seems that the person has changed the description and put it '77 now. Which is what the serial number says. So if JohnS could edit the title of the thread as well please.   Chazmo Username: Chazmo Registered: 3-2007 Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 6:48 pm:    Yah, nice acoustic! Are you looking to play it or collect it, Tim? As a player, you might look elsewhere. But, surely for collecting it'd be cool! I think this should go for around $400US. Probably a bit less.   Tim Username: Tim Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 8:44 pm:    I'm going to be playing it I think! Right ok, cheers Chazmo! Anyone else have any input? Would be much appreciated.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 7:35 am:    You should have a price range in mind and then take your time and get the best possible guitar available at the time, within your budget. Buying acoustic guitars on line is a bit different than buying electric guitars on line in my hummble opinion. To me, best bet with acoustics is... have them in hand and play them before you buy them. There's so much more to take into consideration when buying an acoustic (vs. electric) on-line. Electrics, in most cases, are gonna be more "adjustable" if you know what I mean. If the actions bad on an acoustic for example, sometimes... you're stuck and the only way to deal with it is gonna be very expensive. I recommend having an acoustic in hand when considering a purchase, whenever possible.   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 9:38 am:    You're absolutely right, Bobzilla. Have them in hand and play... but 150 quid for a British citizen is not much. My MIJ Bozo 12-string was about that price (second hand) after I got 100 guilders off for the bridge coming loose. I paid 120 guilders to have it totally removed, the location cleaned, the bridge reglued and setup plus a touch up around the bridge area. The value now is much higher, but that's because it's a licensed Bozo made by Yairi for only a year or two. It's not the top piece though. That was the B-100 6-string (solid rosewood). I had that already, so a 12-string next to it seemed the right decision. The best 12-string you can get is probably a Guild, but then we're talking different budgets. So what options are there with a smaller budget? Sigma, Cort, Vantage (by Samick), something Chinese perhaps? This hockey stick has collector's value. Sigma has too... the others don't. So I think 150 quid is OK. A Sigma will probably sound better. A Cort Earth series probably too. I know they have excellent Sitka spruce tops. And actually I don't know a thing about the top of this hockey stick. But the vintage Ibanez acoustics that pop up on sessions and in malls with live Christmas music all sound good. But without holding and playing it, it's still a gamble. Ginger   Roland_g303 Username: Roland_g303 Registered: 5-2007 Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 5:48 pm:    I got an mid to early 70's Epiphone Bard 12 string for a $100 not too long ago. It's a pretty well built acoustic and it was made in Japan. It's a bolt on neck and the volume isn't very much, but I don't play 12 string acoustic that often so it doesn't bother me. I was looking for an affordable 12 string and this did the trick for my needs. It's a good recording guitar for fattening up a rhythm track. Here's a pic... Patrick   Fendouglas Username: Fendouglas Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 2:40 am:    When he first posted this 647 on the bay he didn't have the serial number on. I emailed him & told him where to look (as any serious buyer would want to know before bidding)& he found it on the back of the headstock. I already posted it on the "Serial #" Thread as I thought it a worthwhile inclusion. Tim, that's a good price and the guy seems genuine   Tim Username: Tim Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 5:21 am:    Yeah, I totally agree with you all. It is risky when buying any guitar online, especially acoustics. So obviously I'm still shopping around and looking. Not going to jump into anything. Never have when buying guitars really. Thanks for all your help everyone, much appreciated.

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