Author Topic: Ibanez Artist (Read 3475 times)

Dakine · « **on:** January 04, 2006, 07:59:00 PM »

Wanna ask any Ibanez guru's a question.

This guitar is very close to where I currently live.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1977-Ibanez-Artist-electric-guitar-w-P90s-Vintage_W0QQitemZ7379631160QQcategoryZ33043QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think it is a model 2618 but not sure.
Headstock serial dates as "77.

Looks nice.

Whats it worth? Cannot find one on Harmony.

Thanks,

Nick

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 08:53:15 PM »

A friend of mine has one from the same period.

http://www.guitarsagogo.com/Ibanez.htm

there's the posh version for £580 on that site, anything from £300-500 for that model in the UK. They can be made to play great, they sound great too, even with stock pickups they're OK!

Dakine · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:02:19 PM »

Thanks,
will probably go too rich for my blood (what I am willing to pay) but thought it looked interesting and a good guitar for BKP pups even.

Skybone · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:21:52 PM »

Yes, that is a 1977 2618 alright, built in May (E77**** - E=May, 77=1977, ****=serial no.). The 2618 was a 24 fret neck and dot inlays, where most other models were 22 fret. Very nice guitars indeed, kind of like a maple capped SG.

For more info:
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/ - Ibanez Collectors Forum
http://www.ivc.ca/misc/artist/ - Ibanez Artist Pages

Unfortunately, these guitars are becoming quite sought after by collectors, although original one's with their cases get the premium. Prices are pretty much the same in the US as the UK it seems (look at the collectors site), obviously traders/dealers/shops will charge a premium. If you do go for it, it's worth buying the original pickups as well (if you ever sell it on).

I have a stock '79 2619, which plays superbly, even sounds good!

Dakine · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:28:42 PM »

Hey Skybone
yeah looked at collector site and forum and figure it will go for more than I can/wanna pay.
Nice looking geetar though.
Maybe will be cheap due to p/u swap and no case. Only reason I saw it was I got bored and did a "50 mile radius of me" search.
As for pups, would be cool for BKP anyway huh! I know not as "collectable" but I wanna use it. Goodness knows I baby my Gibby like it was gold right now, don't wanna start that with more, need to get over brain block that these things need to be played as was intended LOL.

Nick

Kilby · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:02:35 AM »

I played a few of them in the early 80s and they where nice guitars.

A friend in the office claims that the Ibanez Artist he used to own when he lived in South africa was the best guitar he ever played (he dosn't like the reissues that are about these days).

Wunjo (spelling ?) just off Denmark street have had a few of them in over the last few months for under £400 including a 12 string model (way nicer than the 12 string fenders).

Rob...