| Author |
Message |
    
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 3:49 pm: | |
Hi Folks,
I've set my sights on an Ibanez Custom Agent for my next guitar purchase.
I've been feeling out eBay for the last 6 months on these and find that they come in a wide variety.... from well used, customized, missing original equipment, etc etc.
My hope is that I can pick up one of these babies for a fair price that is all original. I'm not extremely concerned with the condition, although I'd like the mandolin head stock to be intact, and hope she'll be in decent shape by the time she lands in my modest collection.
Anyway, if anyone has one that they're ready to separate with, let me know. We can talk.
I have a question about one of the two currently on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-1977-Ibanez-CUSTOM-AGENT-Les-Paul-style_W0QQitemZ734 1575740QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This one looks to be darn near all original. However, the pickguard looks like it could be a repro? Any ideas?
The second one I see is in Australia.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1978-CUSTOM-AGENT-IBANEZ-ELECTRIC-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ7341091570 QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The owner said it was played only 4 times.... awfully high priced tho (definitely out of my price range at the moment). Had an accident on a friends? sea-doo that cost me dearly.
Thanks for all your help! I'm excited to find the right guitar at the right time.
-Brent |
Dave_g
Username: Dave_g
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 5:40 pm: | |
Brent....The first one looks nice, very respected dealer by the way, I agree with you on the pickguard-looks home made. Seems a bit pricey too.....
The second one looks to be overly hyped...if you look closely at the picture of the hardware you can see that the bridge looks to be pretty badly corroded yet the stop looks brand new -I suspect that the stop is aftermarket.
Neither one of these CA's is particularly interesting yet both are priced at the high end of what I believe is the current market value for these guitars. Anyway at least with Olivias you know your dealing with a known reputable source. |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 6:13 pm: | |
Olivia's states the possibility of the pickguard being aftermarket. It is three ply in stead of the usual four ply so it seems obvious to me it's non original. So I see not much wrong here other than the price.
Last two I bought were nicer than those and I paid about 800 US$ for each. Right now I know a decent one, only a miniswitch installed (damn!) and a non original neck PUP, other than that OK, which I believe can be yours for about 1000US$. |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 9:16 pm: | |
Thanks Dave & Lespaul. I knew I could count on you folks for some seasoned knowledge! I didn't know the original pickguard was 4 ply... good to know.
Yeah, I'm in no rush to jump in... but I'm ready to pull the trigger when the right guitar comes along (despite my current guitar fund deficit).
LP: I take it that she's been drilled for the miniswitch? I'm hoping to find one unadulterated... however, thank you for the tip. It is appreciated! |
Dave_g
Username: Dave_g
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 10:25 pm: | |
brent, if your not in a rush..no need to settle. Half the fun of collecting is the 'THRILL OF THE HUNT'Hold out for a pre-serial number one with LOGO pups, original pickguard & Urn headstock inlay. In my opinion, those are the only CA's worth a grand or more (unless you see a cherry burst or Burgundy one). The later ones should sell in the $700-$800 range. The complete lack of interest on these guitars at the higher price rangge is a reflection of this. Brent, your instincts are correct-these are really nice guitars but like so many other Ibanez products, sellers get caught up in their own hype ! Hang in there for the right one... |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 10:46 pm: | |
Thanks Dave, probably the best advice anyone could receive from this board.
True that... the hunt is the best part. Hard part is looking at my completed items watch list.. on a couple I passed up.
I'm confident I'll find the right fiddle at the right time. I'll post pics too  Meanwhile, I'll hit all'yall up for tips.... I like the sounds of the one you described!
-Brent |
Snowjays
Username: Snowjays
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 10:16 pm: | |
Brent,
How about this one?
http://www.guitarsplus.com.au/
Electa was an Australian branded version. |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 1:49 pm: | |
Dang, that Electa is pretty close to the mark. I wish it said Ibanez on the headstock... :/
You have access to this locally Snowjays (i.e., are you local to that shop)? |
Snowjays
Username: Snowjays
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 5:05 pm: | |
No, Unfortunately it's in Melbourne. A bit too far to travel. |
Bluesmeister
Username: Bluesmeister
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 10:03 pm: | |
Where are you Snowjays? I'm in Perth. |
Snowjays
Username: Snowjays
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 10:15 pm: | |
In Brisbane. |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 9:50 am: | |
This one looks pretty nice!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ibanez-custom-agent-pre-serial-number-black-guitar_W0QQitemZ 7343015876QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 10:12 am: | |
How do I get into yesiknowj's (ebay ID) will? I know he's on here somewhere.
 |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 3:41 pm: | |
Nice old one, black and the Custom pickguard. I put it on my Watch list, let's see how the die-hard CA fans weigh in on this one. |
Jeffsailor
Username: Jeffsailor
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 4:42 pm: | |
It will be higher than you're run-of-the-mill AV CA, that's for sure! I've been waiting for one of these to pop up for a while. I'll certainly be keeping a close eye on it as well.
js |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 3:21 pm: | |
FYI: I'll be there up to around 1K. I just like it. |
Partsman
Username: Partsman
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 1:07 pm: | |
You guys don't want that one, it's junk, replaced, repaired, customized, warped, and uhh...uhh...I WANT IT!! LOL.....just kidding about the other stuff, i just hope she stays in my price range..
Mark |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 9:24 am: | |
Well, the final bid price was 1,701.00 - anyone on here named potseekr99? |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:23 am: | |
Not me. But I'd like to know who is Ed Wade and why he should be fired as someone over here can undoubtly tell me.
Paul |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 11:13 am: | |
Brentm: I don't know who the winner is or if they are even a member of this forum. But $1700.00 is probably a new record for a CA.
LesPaul: Ed Wade...fired? What are you referring to? |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 11:22 am: | |
John:
Fireedwade is an ebay name for a well known ICW member... |
Partsman
Username: Partsman
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 11:26 pm: | |
Well maybe my $1200 snipe wasn't enough for the custom agent, but I still got this!
new member of my collection
Mark |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 9:03 am: | |
BrentM & JohnS:
Potseeker99 is known overhere as Nickuk. So we might see some more of this (black)beauty soon.
Paul |