1981 Ibanez RS-940 fretless bass

[andypowe11]

My mother-in-law has asked me to sell her partner's RS-940 fretless bass and I'm trying to find out a little bit more about it before I do so. Her partner died about 16 years ago and it hasn't seen any use since then. Prior to that It was used for some live gigs, but not a huge number. It's in very good condition and has always been kept in a Hiscox Liteflite hard case as far as I know.

The bass is an Ibanez Roadster RS-940 brown sunburst finish. The serial number is B812310 and it is marked Made in Japan. From that I'm guessing February 1981 as month of manufacture.

I've found the Ibanez catalog for that year - see [url="http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1981/12.jpg"]http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1981/12.jpg[/url]. However, this bass has a very dark fretboard - I'm assuming it's Ebony - which I don't see mentioned in the catalog.

Can anyone confirm what this fretboard will be made of. Also whether it makes it much rarer than the ones with lighter coloured fretboards? Anyone care to hazard a guess at a value? I can supply photos if it helps.

I am planning on selling it on Ebay but if there are any better (more targeted) places I'd be interested in hearing about them.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Andy

[ikay]

As a guide, this one was up for sale on this forum last year for £150 - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/135150-ibanez-rs940-sold/

[BassBus]

I can't help with the details of the bass but this is probably as good a place to start trying to sell a bass. Click [url="http://basschat.co.uk/forum/19-for-sale-basses/"]here[/url] and start a new post. There are some rules to follow when selling on BC and they are set out in the link at the top of that page.

Get some photos taken, pop them in your post with as detailed a description as you can and off you go.

[Ghost_Bass]

I could be up for grabbing it if it turns up to really be a '81 bass. Open the topic and i'll get in touch.

[LeftyJ]

Could you post some pictures? I'm a bit of a vintage Ibanez nut and your post made me curious.
As far as I know, no Roadsters were made with any other fingerboard wood than maple. This includes the fretless versions. So if the one you're selling has a darker fingerboard, it may have been modified by a luthier which in turn may have some effect on the (collectors) value of the bass.

[andypowe11]

Thanks for all the responses so far.

@LeftyJ, I've put some images at [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andypowe11/sets/72157631914640688/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/andypowe11/sets/72157631914640688/[/url] (taken with flash so they're not perfect but you'll get the idea).

Once again, I'm very interested in any further light people can shed on this bass.

[andypowe11]

@LeftyJ,
One other thing... if you look at the image top right on the 1981 catalog page that I refered to above - see [url="http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1981/12.jpg"]http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1981/12.jpg[/url] immediately above "24-fret models" - you'll note that the fretboard on that bass is also very dark. That said, the bodywork on that bass doesn't seem to fit other Roadster models on that page so this image might well be a red herring ??

[noelk27]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1351796825' post='1855599']As a guide, this one was up for sale on this forum last year for £150 - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/135150-ibanez-rs940-sold/"]http://basschat.co.u...nez-rs940-sold/[/url][/quote]
That example has a few issues. Prices more usually £300 to £400 for good examples, with original case.

[FlatEric]

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1351898146' post='1856845']
That example has a few issues. Prices more usually £300 to £400 for good examples, with original case.
[/quote]

I agree with you, Noel - These are very nice and very well made basses.
The one shown as sold is not in this league.

I have a 940 BS and a 924.
I have never seen a 940 with anything other than a maple board.
The truss rod cover is not original, so maybe this was fretted and what looks like a very pro job
has been done to convert it. Looks very nice.

I really do not need any more basses but would be very happy if this dropped into my lap
for £150!!

It may not be original but it looks very well done and would give a lot of pleasure to a new owner.

Since Jon has left us, we have very few champions of "all things Japanese" and classic Ibanez
and Aria, etc don't perhaps get as much airtime as they deserve.
Jon (Bassasin) would be straight onto this.

A very nice bass, indeed.

[Emanew]

I love theses basses. I play a Roadster RS 900 (maple fingerboard fretless) and i use to play a 940 Musician, fretless, of course i have an addiction
[url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/anniversary/expansion.php?cat_id=41&now=1"]http://www.ibanez.co...cat_id=41&now=1[/url]

In this Ibanez catalog, you can see (written in little in the text under the Musician 940 bass) that the dark fingerboard is an ebony one. Ibanez used often this wood.
You roadster looks to have a ebony fingerboard. It may be a special order from the first owner or a limited edition.


here my previous 940 Musician, ebony FB



These instruments were seriously made and designed as my luthier would say.

In excellent condition, these basses worth at least 400£.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Emanew

[LeftyJ]

[quote name='andypowe11' timestamp='1351897015' post='1856834']
@LeftyJ,
One other thing... if you look at the image top right on the 1981 catalog page that I refered to above - see [url="http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1981/12.jpg"]http://s93105080.onl...log/1981/12.jpg[/url] immediately above "24-fret models" - you'll note that the fretboard on that bass is also very dark. That said, the bodywork on that bass doesn't seem to fit other Roadster models on that page so this image might well be a red herring ??
[/quote]

The picture in the catalog you're referring to is of an Ibanez Studio bass. The only thing it has in common with the Roadster is its bodyshape.
I agree with FlatEric, it looks like a custom job. I noticed the truss rod cover too. Whoever did it did a nice job though.

[HADGE]

[i]iv got a 924 ibenez left handed and its one of the best basses i have ever had when i took it to my local music shop to be set up he commented on how good they were he told me if i sold it being left handed i could expect to get £600-650 but right handed would probably get a bit less i would try it on this forum at 450 and am sure you would get it. Good luck with yous sale.And lefty thanks again for telling me about that ricky i bought cheers lads.[/i]