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Author Message   Oldguy Username: Oldguy Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 6:03 pm:    I'm not sure if it's a collectable but, I have a Ibanez guitar somewhat like one I saw on the Ibanez Vintage site. It's the same ash body with the inlay around the body and head, with square inlay in the neck and solid pearl tuning pegs, but it only has four knobs and one toggle switch on the top above the first pick-up. The serial number on the back of the head is L785450. I think I picked this rig up sometime in the late 70's or so. I was walking threw a small used music shop and it caught my eye like a piece of gold. I had to have it after playing it for only two minutes. But within a short time there was a short in it, so I brought it to my local shop for a repair. When I picked it up I was playing a Gibson Melody Maker I had traded someone for, and didn't take the Ibanez out of the case for a year or so. To my dismay, when I did take it out to play around on, I noticed two strings kept going out of tune. I was pissed when I noticed that the back covers on two of the Pearl Tuning Pegs were gone. I flew down to the shop to do some screaming, but it had closed down. I put it back in the case, put it back in the closet, and forgot about it for 20 years. Fast forward to this week and my 16 year son pulls a old case out of a closet and says "hey Dad, what's this? I have about 15 gits so I guess I forgot about it. Besides, in my old age I prefer wood these days. So after finding this web site, I was hoping that you could give me any information on this axe (see I am old) and maybe some help on trying to replace the two tuning peg covers. If you need pics just let me know and I'll send some along. Thanks in advance, Rick Peterson   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 6:20 pm:    Here's the pictures of Rick's 2617:   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 11:05 pm:    Rick: What you have is a Dec. 1978 model 2617. It's a very desirable model. It looks to be in great shape. I would do everything possible to keep it that way. I wouldn't think that the lack of gear covers is causing the tuning problem. Maybe there's something else going on inside? There's a fairly good chance that you will be able to find replacement tuners by placing an ad in the Free Classified section and watching on ebay. Because there were several version of these tuners, you need to be real careful about finding an exact match. And they won't be cheap! There are lots of collectors looking for them.   Oldguy Username: Oldguy Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 12:02 am:    Thanks for the info John. I was just crusing some of the old threads and found one about 2617 that had a faded head like it had been redone. They were also all wondering why there was no serial number. Du! I suggested they contact the local police dept. lol But the kicker was that it had two replaced tuning peg covers exactly, exactly like the ones I'm missing. I know, really digging deep here, but I'll be thinking about it tonight. Thanks again for your help. I hopin to hear it play again. Oh, and the gear slides out of the tuning peg if theres no cover. Is that Broke?   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 01-2002 Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 4:08 pm:    Oldguy...I'm the owner of the 2617 that had the faded headstock, believe me that guitar never had a serial number..what you may not know is that Ibanez EMBOSSED the serial numbers into the headstocks , then filled in the EMBOSSED numbers with a gold colored substance. The numbers are a very deep embossing- You cannot sand down an Ibanez serial number without altering the shape of the headstock, or at lease leaving evidience of the sanding-you just would have to remove so much material. I have seen a couple of Artists in my day and am convinced that this one NEVER had a serial number on it. The dust covers do come off of these old tuners rather easily, especially if the tuner is impacted from the front. I have had great success just replacing the dust cover with one from a new el-cheapo set of tuners.   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 4:34 pm:    OldGuy...a little deftness would behoove you out here (and in life in general). These guys out here know more about guitars, and moreover Ibanez guitars, than you will EVER find. A few of these contributors have 300+ axe collections as starter kits. So, when you are throwing "Du" around...be careful who you address...MMMMMKKKKAAAYY?! Sorry you got ripped off...but, not only are you digging deep, you're digging in the wrong spot. And, if you are wanting to sell this axe, I'm sure that you'd be able to unload it to one of these fine folks out here for say somehwere around $350.00 or so...'cuz after all, it is old.   Oldguy Username: Oldguy Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 3:20 pm:    Geez, sorry. Thought I was making a joke but I guess some might have misunderstud. The idea that these were mine from 20 plus years ago would be quite a yarn. Sorry for the confussion. ummmm...and I'm not trying to sell my 2617, just fix it for my 16 year old, and thanks for letting me know what it was because I really had no idea. I was just hoping you guys could help me find some covers. I only bought it on a whim cause it sound and looked so cool. I spent almost two whole days reading these old threads though and had a blast. Your right, everyone is amazing. On the other hand, maybe I was just P***ed again thinking about only playing this thing for a month out of 25 years...lol. Again sorry, and thanks for the info.}   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 6:29 pm:    Just keeping you in check OG. It seemed you were yucking it up over a true mystery...and believe me, we these boys are perplexed, there is a valid reason for it. I think we all wish you well with your fix...eventually you will have a hard time putting her down!   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 6:45 pm:    Yeah, those elusive tuners. Oldguy, if you find any spares at a reasonable price, you'll be a lucky man. I've bid on a few of them and usually bail out for ~75 dollars for three of them. I guess it's not terrible at 25 dollars a tuner, but my situation isn't dire. You might have some luck hitting some of your local guitar shops. I found a replacement back in the boneyard at a local store.   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:56 pm:    Brent, which ones do you need? If you (or anyone out here) needs AR tuners from the early 80's, let me know...I might be able to help you out.   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 11:31 am:    Strings, if you have a source, I might be interested..I happen to have a "grand restorization project" in my hands..But unfortunately I would need a whole set.. The whole story will be told here as soon as I take some pictures.. It will be a story about 1976 october-made 2617 Artist with odd features   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 12:20 pm:    Fox, I have only five as Les Paul needed one for his AR Brass Beauty...Three of the five have the problem of the handle pulling out when there is no tension on them. I'm pretty sure that problem could be fixed. The remaining two are fine. Let me know. I have no need for them and won't charge $$...perhaps if you have an old Team Finland (or any Finnish)Hockey Jersey that you no longer want (Adult or Kids size), we could trade. That would not be a continency on the free deal...it just might help you clean out your closet a bit.   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 12:27 pm:    Thanks for the offer strings. If you have an extra for string number 3 (G in standard tuning) I'd be interested. Three per side configuration. I'm sure I can come up with something nice to send you for the favor. Although I don't have any Finnish jerseys. :/ I do need a gold one with the tension adjustment knob deally (it's for my MC400). Thanks! -Brent   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 3:39 pm:    Brent, do you need an MC or an AR tuner? MC 400 look like perloids from what I've seen. In that case, I can't help you. Here's the type I do have: Brent, Fox let me know.   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 5:41 pm:    Uh-Oh...I would have needed pearloid-buttoned tuner (neccessarily one, preferably several..) Oh dear, oh dear.. Furthermore, I believe that MC has those Grover Kidney-lookalike tuners, but with tension adjust screw..or pearloids..   Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 6:36 pm:    Strings, Here's a picture... I actually stated the wrong tuner in my last post, but it sounds like you we don't have a match anyway...   Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 12:20 am:    Fox, I should have picked up on that when you mentioned the 4-digit Artist. Thought perhaps one of the odd features were these odd tuners. I always thought the 80's AR tuners were a little strange looking. I like the replacement Grovers that I was fortunate enough to inherit on my '82 AR300CS...they just look right and no extra holes! Brent, sorry too!   Sixvsix Username: Sixvsix Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 2:55 am:    Taking note of the above comments on stamped numbers. Thought I'd mention that the depth of the serial number stamp on my 2681 Weir wasn't that deep. It's as 76' as you know and the black refin completely covered it never to be seen again.... six   Oldguy Username: Oldguy Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 2:56 am:    Thanks for the return strings. But from reading the other comments it seems everyone thinks I need the tuners themself?. I just need two covers for the back of the tuners. Someone else told me the tuners shouldn't slip because of these missing covers, but the gears seem to slip out. Maybe I was bending the strings to much in my youth..lol. And just for a update, after closer examination, my string block is more eatin away then I noticed before. (just like other threads said they would be) and all the gold is off the tailpiece! Maybe it was sitting to long? I'll keep looking for those covers though, and thanks for letting me join in..   Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 4:37 am:    Oldguy, try to install dust covers from some other set..eg.Gotoh..   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 10:31 am:    I have seen the missing back problem before, but have not experienced it personally. They look pressed in to me. Could someone shed light on the reason for the backs coming off? Is this intentional design; to lube the gears, maybe? Or were they not intended to be removed and they've failed because of some design flaw?   Emckenrick Username: Emckenrick Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 2:59 pm:    I'm thinking possibly that those that change strings with too much vigor, might be building up heat and pressure in the tuning gear box therebye blowing off the back!? Those string winders can be hard on a tuner. Thoughts?

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