NBD : Ibanez Roadstar II RB620NT (?)

[Jolltax]

I went to look at a Peavey Zodiac bass advertised in a local shop window for £99 and the guy showed me this Ibanez Roadstar II as well, according to Dr Google its a RB620NT from around 1983 (but open to advice on this).  I am a beginner player and don't  know much about gear but whatever it is, it spoke to me, and so I went home to find the cash, google it and went back today and got it, very grateful to the seller. I paid £180

 

It seems in strangely good condition for its age, better than I was at 38 years old, maybe it has been worked on? One of those situations where I don't really know what I bought ... but I like it 🤨. It seems pretty genuine, but again, I have no idea ...

 

I took the photos straight away when I got home before the light left, still undusted, as I wanted to post this and see whether people think I made a wise choice. I practiced with it this evening and it surprised me how lively the output is, for a passive bass it seems to have quite a kick compared to my (one) other passive bass, I love the feel of the neck - it is a P-bass type? No idea, lol.  I think it needs a setup and some strings and the neck looks a tiny bit torqued / twisted, is that usual for an old instrument?  Plays ok to me, though.

 

I get the impression it has been stored and unplayed for a while 5-10 years, any advice on what I should do with it to restore to full health?

 

Anyway, I am very happy with it, I feel like I need to get some flares to wear while I am playing it to properly do it justice, here are some pics :

 

 

Groovy!

 

J

 

[PaulThePlug]

Nice in Natural...

http://www.hoshinogakki.co.jp/pdf/ibanez/catalog/1983EB.pdf

 

Looks like its wearing Adagio Flats from the silks...

Edited October 10, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[Deedee]

Great buy. Congratulations.

[AndyTravis]

Cor blummin eck. Yerrrrrs.

[Guest]

@Bassassin You should enjoy this ping a bit more than some of the junk we cast before your eyes

[Guest]

I know a bit about this, but it seems rude to pick the low hanging fruit and leave the details to Bassassin to fill in. Would be even ruderer if I got them wrong, so I'll just wait nicely and let him tell us alllll about it. 

 

So I'm glad it's natural, as that's keeping my jealousy at bay

[uk_lefty]

9 hours ago, Jolltax said:

I am a beginner player and don't  know much about gear but whatever it is, it spoke to me, and so I went home to find the cash, google it and went back today and got it, very grateful to the seller. I paid £180

£180????!!! If they have anything left handed let me know...!!!  Great deal. That will be a quality bass. Have it set up by someone who knows what they're doing, fresh strings and you've got an excellent, excellent instrument to learn on.

[Duarte]

Very nice indeed! You made a great purchase, you could buy a lot worse for a lot more. The grain on the body is cool too. Looks like a one piece body? I could be mistaken, but that's something you just don't find very often, especially on modern basses.

Edited October 11, 2021 by Duarte

[Cat Burrito]

That is a good deal. I remember seeing these around loads back in the 80s. 

[TPTroll]

The pickups on these are ceramic with a brass base plate, hence the high/hot output. 

Edited October 11, 2021 by TPTroll

[Bassassin]

15 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said:

@Bassassin You should enjoy this ping a bit more than some of the junk we cast before your eyes

 

15 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said:

I know a bit about this, but it seems rude to pick the low hanging fruit and leave the details to Bassassin to fill in. Would be even ruderer if I got them wrong, so I'll just wait nicely and let him tell us alllll about it. 

 

So I'm glad it's natural, as that's keeping my jealousy at bay

 
Blimey, the things you miss when you're not paying attention! That looks like it's in amazing condition.

 

So to do my duty - RB620NT, from August 1983, made by Fujigen Gakki. I could reel off a spec list but to save the copy-typing, here's the official blurb:
 

 

Crazy bargain for £180, especially in that condition.

 

 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Bassassin said:

here's the official blurb

 

"If your bass is going to have one pickup, this should be the one" 🖤

[Lo-E]

You did very, very well!

 

When these instruments were new they were inexpensive and, as a result, they were dismissed by many as being “entry level”; A big mistake as these were very well made basses that played and sounded great. 
 

I started my bass journey 35 years ago with a good deal on a used Ibanez bass. I hope you have as much fun as I did!

[kodiakblair]

I feel pangs of jealousy , what a cracking bass .

 

No wonder you left the Zodiac behind 🙂

[Jolltax]

1 hour ago, Bassassin said:

 

 
Blimey, the things you miss when you're not paying attention! That looks like it's in amazing condition.

 

 

 

 

@BassassinI am very happy with it, thanks for the info and I have saved the catalogue.  I am also kind of puzzled why it is in such good and apparently original condition, the only thing I can think is that the original owners didn't use it / travel with it.

 

The description of the pickup is really interesting and explains why the output is high for a passive bass, it certainly surprised me when I played it for the first time!

 

J

 

[uk_lefty]

13 hours ago, Jolltax said:

I am also kind of puzzled why it is in such good and apparently original condition, the only thing I can think is that the original owners didn't use it / travel with it.

Could have been left in its case more often than not or meticulously looked after. I picked up an 80s/ 90s amp a few weeks ago that even smells new because it was left under a cover in a working men's club and got used about twice for a failed run of open mic nights. I've also seen a 70s Fender with a brand new looking neck but a sun faded body. It had spent 30 years hung on a wall and not really played.

 

80s Japanese made basses are incredible value for money. You've got something that will last a good while longer but it needs to be played!

[Doctor J]

That's one hell of a bass and an amazing deal for the money. Congratulations!

Edited October 12, 2021 by Doctor J

[tubbybloke68]

My very first decent bass I brought years ago from rock bottom In Croydon.certainly brings back memories.cracking basses.enjoy 😁

[Grahambythesea]

Fab bargain. I had a slightly earlier model, or possibly down market version with a single sided headstock and fretless maple neck. A reall brilliant workhorse bass which I never should have sold.