What model do I have ? MC500 ?

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Author Message   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 2:29 pm:    I believe I just bought what is a musician series Ibanez, but their are some differences. I was also told that there were only two of these ever made and Bob Weir owns the other one. The seller could not prove this so the price I paid did not account for that. I know a picture would help a lot, but I will send that a soon as I can. The guitar has a set neck instead of a neck thru. The body is a sandwich, but the woods vary from the norm. The main part is ash, then it gets weird the center is birdseye maple and on each side on the top is rosewood. It has the EQ tone system with three mini toogles and a mini light for the preamp. Two cream colored humbuckers. Their are abalone dot inlays in the body for each volume and tone knob. Ebony fret board with abalone dot inlays. Rosewood covered headstock. Pearl inlay Ibanez on the headstock,rosewood truss rod cover. The big knob on the body is also rosewood. Gold hardware. The serial number dates it 1979. It has limited edition pearl inlayed on the 24th fret. It looks like a MC500 at least very similar. It weighs a ton and looks more like a piece of art than a guitar. Anyone ever heard of such a guitar ?   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 3:24 pm:    Is it an arched or a flat top?   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 7:51 pm:    take a look at www.mr-ibanez.com and you will see one of the musician series guitars presented to jerry garcia (not jelly, not bob) mc5000. sometime when jeff h and i get together, jeff will be able to verify whether or not my guitar was the one presented to bob but never played in public.i saw the third of the only three made in photos at winter namm. the photos were owned by fritz k. i know that this doesnt answer your question of model, but the g.d. connection got me started.   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 8:56 am:    It has a flat top. I am going to try and get the pictures taken today. Thanks guys.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:59 am:    what did you pay for it?   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 1:54 pm:    I thought the major difference between the MC 400 and the MC 500 was that the MC500 had an arched top. I have a previous thread on my MC 400 which has a flat top... you should be able to find it in the list.   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 4:07 pm:    Orval, said that my guitar is a Studio model and not very common. I also sent pictures to Captain Ibanez since I couldn't figure out how to post on the sight. Maybe tonight I will have them posted. Paul Specht had the pictures sent to him as well, so waiting for his reply. I had to part with a brand new Martin acoustic to get this, so if it's not worth much I will just keep it since it is so nice.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 7:29 pm:    can someone post a photo?   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:25 pm:    Thanks for the pics.... I tried to post them but something came out wrong!!! You have a very sexy guitar! I hope my pictures come through for you.   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:26 pm:      Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:27 pm:    That should get you started! She's a hottie!   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:28 pm:    Sorry, can't resist... one more..   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:30 pm:    Ok... maybe just one more for you freaks out there.   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:33 pm:    Ok, I guess that was really 2 pics, eh? So I guess it's time to fess how much you paid for this bride?   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:09 pm:    Isnt this an ST model?   Yogi Username: Yogi Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 5:13 am:    That's a real and rare beauty, congrats! As Orval and Ibanezfreak1960 already said, it is a Studio series and shares a lot of it's features with the model ST-390 which came out in 1981... Here's a link to a scan of the '81 catalog that shows some pics (only the ST-370) and the specs. Studio Series - 1981 Juergen   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 9:26 am:    USACustom: Is that a hunk of birdseye maple down the center? It looks like a massive guitar. Any idea how heavy?   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:14 am:    Yes, very nice birdseye maple and it weighs more than my Les Paul Standard, by a lot. There is also a lot of Rosewood on the guitar as well.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:11 am:    Dude................... sweet!   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 12:45 pm:    Check out page 93 in the "ibanez untold story book". There is an ST prototype that looks like this guitar.   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 2:45 pm:    Pete from Ibanez, just faxed me the spec sheet for my ST-Custom and said there was only one made and the spec sheet says quanity 1 piece. It was made in the Hand Crafted Division. The top is made of Jacaranda and Birdseye maple and walnut, color NT. Machine head 1346,nut half ivory and half brass, abalone dots for position markers and fret board inlays on an ebony board,24 Frets SBB-216, Bridge 327 with sustain plate, tail piece 227, knob 2775BK, TRI-SOUND, LED, EQ on and off, PICK UP V2 Ivory.   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 3:49 pm:    Wow! Its even more rare than you'd thought before! Nice score!   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 3:56 pm:    USACustom: You'll have to tell us all about how you acquired it on Sat. You're coming, right? Check the thread in the Miscellaneous section entitled: "2005 Philly Guitar Show". We're need a headcount and shirt size.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 7:59 pm:    Did u say u traded a Martin acoustic for this guitar... or... was that another thread? In any event................one more time........... how much..... if you don't mind.   Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 8:38 pm:    The picture in The Untold Story is different than this guitar, therefore, there's at least one more out there, although, somewhat different. Look at the electronics, more specifically, the knobs. mk   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 9:45 pm:    I'll take the liberty of posting a couple more pics.. Hope you don't mind.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:52 pm:    I know the books guitar isn't the same one I was pointing out they are close. I could see the control cavity plate was different. It is a small picture though!   Orval Username: Orval Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:01 pm:    in 1979 there was a st3000 listed in the chesbro price list"custom made, special order only" list 1295 usd, the case was 180 usd, which would account for an aluminum flight case. most likely this guitar is a st3000.   Usacustom Username: Usacustom Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:06 pm:    I bought a brand new Martin Acoustic at the Philly show last year and really didn't play it much. A guy at work said he was interested in it and he had an electric guitar that he got from his brother that he would be interested in trading, so I said I would check it out. I know his brother bought it new in 1979 and what store he bought it at. His brother played in a local band years back and I was familar with his name. So after cleaning it up I agreed to the trade. The Martin in Musicians Friend goes for $1100 at their sale price list is $1500   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 2:22 pm:    I'd have to say, without a doubt, this is one of the major major major guitar scores of all time.   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 11:06 am:    USACustom: I don't know if anyone at Ibanez has gotten this info to you, but thought it would help to keep straight the Bob Weir connection for the rest of the collectors: From Jeff Hasselberger, the guy that worked with Bob Weir in the early days: Yes, the guitar is a Studio. I don’t think Weir has one like it. Sorry. On the other hand, it truly is a "Custom" order that may be one-of-of-a-kind.   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 5:46 pm:    what are the chances of contacting Ibanez, sending them these photos and having one made up?   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 6:59 pm:    Chances are probably none!   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 4:35 pm:    Why are you so sure of that Freak? I do believe you are most likely correct but you know what.... sometimes, for the right $$$ , things get done. I don't suppose it would hurt to try. After all.... they make money by building guitars. But I am interested to hear why you're pretty sure it won't happen.   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 10:02 pm:    Bob, How much cash were you thinking of fessin' for this project? -Brent   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 10:22 pm:    Bob: At one time, Ibanez did make made-to-order, custom guitars. But their current position is not to make custom guitars, except for artist/endorsees. A lot of this takes place in the Los Angeles office.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 11:20 pm:    Bob, I know people at Hoshino who said the same thing John said. Endorsers only get custom guitars and even those are current production models beefed up with high end parts and woods.   Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2005 - 6:44 am:    Ah but I have seen strange 3 neck Steve Vai guitars   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2005 - 9:41 am:    Freak: If you were Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Benson or John Scofield, you'd likely see whatever guitar your heart desired.   Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 7:10 am:    Well said Mr Shanley...ahhh the glory days of the Hollywood Custom shop...gone but never forgotten. Still not forget the Fujigen specials either Cappy   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 5:46 pm:    Well Gentlemen, I (like I said above) kinda knew that you know what you're talkin' about. Never really doubted it because... you guys are truly amazing with your knowledge and insight on these guitars. Still... sometimes I guess it doesn't hurt to try. As far as how much would I be willing to pay.... I would just send the photos in, and ask how much is required. Now... if you can point me in the right direction as to whom to contact over there and at least give it a whack, that would help. No... I do not have much hope at all. But like I said, what's the harm in trying. Any contact info for me?

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