REQUEST FOR RE-ISSUES

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Author Message Meranti (Meranti) Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 12:42 am:    Dear Captain Ibanez, What are the possibilities of Ibanez re-issuing some of the classics and rarities? On this wonderful site we have seen countless discussions on various models rare and great but hard to get. I would think it would be a great idea if Ibanez can re-issue some of these models. Yes, I do agree commercial reasons play a part as to whether a re-issue can be successful. If this is the case, may I suggest Ibanez re-issue one or two of these classics per year on a limited edition like 30 to 50 pieces per issue? This will retain the collectibility and not flood the market with all models at once. My wish list for the re-issues: 1. 2674 2. 2675 3. 2676 4. Artwood Twin 5. AR-5000 6. MC-5000 7. Don't forget the archtops like FA-800 Special Commemerative Re-issues? - these are imaginative models: 1. ST-5000 (to be compatible with the 5000 series) 2. An AS series with vines? 3. RS-5000 Mr Roadstar what do you think if there was a RS-5000 in line with 5000 series? At one or two models released per year it will take 5 to 10 years to re-issue these models. Could fellow memebers help to to answer the following? 1. Anybody else have suggestions for other models for these re-issues? Please share your wishlist. 2. Would you buy if there is such a re-issue? Hopefully the results will be positive and maybe Captain Ibanez can use his contacts to get this moving? Thanks. Regards, Meranti Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 1:23 pm:    I'm not so sure about an RS5000. If it was based on the neck-through Roadstar design, wouldn't it be basically an MC5000 with a different headstock? Personally, I'm not a fan of active EQ in any guitar. I like simple controls. Just gimme a master volume an' I'm happy. If there was to be a Roadstar re-issue, I'd like to see the RS1400, in Brown Sunburst, with block inlays, Gibralter II bridge, and Quickchange II tailpiece. Or a Mahogany bodied RS1000 with a Gibralter II bridge, Quickchange II tailpiece, Marine Sunburst, and a Vine inlay. Hafta have a color-matched headstock and a flamed-to-death Maple top, of course. An RS1300, Transparent Red, with an original Edge or new ZR replacing the ProRock'R tremolo would be outstanding too. Blocks or a Vine would be nice. Just my $.02 Cheers Steve Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 1:27 pm:    Oh, as for the limited production to keep the prices up, forget it. It doesn't do me a damned bit of good to look at a guitar I can't afford. I want something to be PLAYED, not admired in a glass case. Cheers Steve Ericsson (Ericsson) Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 3:05 pm:    Reissue the Custom Agent, yo! not that it would get past Gibson's legal department at this point anyway but i can dream... Meranti (Meranti) Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 4:13 am:    Steve, The reason for the limited production is not to keep prices up. On the contrary, the re-issue idea is to try to stabilise the prices. I understand that the Bob Weir model was not very successful when it was re-issued and imagine if all the models were re-issued at the same time. Hence the suggestion to re-issue in stages and limited quatities if there was a concern for demand. Ericsson, is your Artist Mandolin for sale? Sorry had to ask. Its a beauty. Regards, Meranti Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 2:26 pm:    "If this is the case, may I suggest Ibanez re-issue one or two of these classics per year on a limited edition like 30 to 50 pieces per issue? This will retain the collectibility and not flood the market with all models at once." Doesn't "retain the collectibility" mean keep the prices up? In order for something to be "collectable", it must have a potential for increasing value. "The reason for the limited production is not to keep prices up. On the contrary, the re-issue idea is to try to stabilise the prices." If production is limited to a few dozen, how does that stabilize prices? Manufacturing costs on a small run are exponetially higher than a large run. Therefore, the retail prices are exponetially higher. If the retail price of a re-issue is higher than the current market price of the original, who's gonna buy it? There's just not that much market. It's not like we're talking about re-issuing a '57 Strat! I submit that the 1995 Weir is an example of this. I do not believe there was much market for them in 1995, original or otherwise. I also doubt if it was promoted very well. The whole purpose of a re-issue is to satify a market demand. The reissue must compete with the original it's modeled after. Look at the dismal sales of the AR2000. How many of you Artist collectors rushed out to buy one at $1500? Dealers are still trying to clear them out of stock. The resale value is barely half of the original retail price. Which is about the market price for an original AR from the late 70's early 80's. I believe limited production, high-end re-issues would have the same results. Re-issues as suggested would be out of reach for most Ibanez customers. They would only appeal to collectors more worried about dollar value than instrument value. Even that group would be wary of risking a loss based on depreciation. Hoshino's bread and butter is affordable, players guitars. Even special commemorative models like the JS Chrome Boy are showing little or no increase in value. Regardless of our biased viewpoints here at the ICW, Ibanez guitars are not considered investment quality collectables. They are more in the curiosity range. This may be changing, but not significantly in the broad market. Like it or not, we are a minority group and likely to stay that way. Would I buy a re-issue Roadstar? I doubt it. It would have to offer something unavailable on the used market for a competitive price. Even the most expensive Roadstars are only around $500. Can you buy a new Japanese Ibanez (any model) for $500? Unless they released something like the Mohogany, hardtailed RS1000MS for under $1000, I'd probably pass. Don't read too much into this. I'd love to see the classic Ibanez models back in the current line-up. I just don't see it happening. Cheers Steve Johns (Johns) Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 8:06 pm:    While I agree with Steve about the economics of reissues and why Ibanez more than likely won't do it, it is still nice to dream about some of our favorites coming back to life. Captainibanez (Captainibanez) Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 9:24 am:    Lt Commander Roadstar has summed it up nicely Sorry, Meranti, you'll just have to count classic re-issues in your sleep instead of sheep ! Oh BTW Steve, I love my 1995 BL500 LB Japan Re-issue Blaser even with the sweaty thumbprint in the gold neck plate from the factory ! and they were $649.00 aussie when they came out here Captain Ibanez Johns (Johns) Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Good to have you back Capitan! I've been thinking of the dilemna of a reissue needing to sell large enough numbers to make it financially worthwhile. The older guitars are definitely cool, but not to the mass quantities of newer/younger guitar players. Face it, even though us old farts love and covet the oldies, we aren't a huge market for buying new guitars. So you need to find a model that is modern enough and special enough to reissue. Guess what? I think I found one: The Artfield AFD5CTTB! Anybody who hasn't seen one, take a look at this thread for a picture of this beauty... Captain Ibanez - Defender of Truth!: Artfield ..it's a perfect blend of classic shape, modern appointments, beautiful woods and it's got the VOL! It's got elements of the ARs, the MCs and looks like it could be the top of the line of the new AX/GAX series. I'll wager it would resonant strongly with the PRS lovers, and that you'll snag some orders from that crowd. That crowd is not a small group, anymore. And they've proven that they will spend big $$ on brand new guitars. The originals were made in such small numbers and are way to hard to find. That means the new models won't have "competition" from the used market. If you like it and want one, you can't go to ebay to get one. And the price of the originals would likely go through the roof. Everybody wins! Come on Cappy, tell the powers that be in Japan we need a reissue of the AFD5CCTB-Z! If you can get it to happen, I'll put my order in right now.

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