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NBD: Ibanez Roadster RS-924

NancyJohnson

By NancyJohnson,
in Bass Guitars

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NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

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Posted (edited)

A long time ago, in a town not too far from me...

 

My first proper original bass was an Ibanez Roadster RS-924, from memory it cost me about £180.00 from FD&H Music on Charing Cross Road and we parted ways when I either sold it on or part-exchanged it against a Travis Bean 2000 (£375, somewhere in Lewisham).

 

I'd got fond memories of it, here's me, early 80s:

 

20210211_140531.thumb.jpg.c4cedcefb032836c376c6987f30fa7e1.jpg

 

You may have seen Chris @umcoo posting about restoring this baby - my heart did a little flutter and I kind of fell in love again.

 

eUoGlYg.jpeg

 

I don't actually know what I want to do with it yet.  I'm never going to be able to find an original pre-amp fot it, so I suspect I'll fill the holes and stick a John East in there and some complimentary pickups.  The body is a bit rough, so I'll get it refinished; I prefer a black bass, so probably black.  Neck looks fine.

 

I have enough on my plate at the moment, so there's not going to be any updates in the short term.  I may start over Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Edited by NancyJohnson
Spelling, innit.
  • Like 13
  • NancyJohnson changed the title to NBD: Ibanez Roadster RS-924
umcoo Experienced

umcoo

Posted
Posted

I'm glad it's gone to someone who has a connection to the bass and I can't wait to see what you end up doing with it. 

 

Pictures a plenty, please! 🙂

 

  • Like 1
NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

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Posted
  On 09/11/2021 at 16:39, TheGreek said:

There was a set of pick ups on eBay recently - quick look but can't find them...

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I've been looking too.

 

Earlier I was trying to work out whether the differences between the RS824 and RS924 where just purely the active circuit.  The knobs on both seem to be in the same places but the 924 has an extra switch on the front for the actives.

 

I've seen these with cream pickup covers and black ones...right now, as I'm thinking about finish colours, a mate of mine has suggest a black/metal flake with matching headstock, it this was the case, I'd go with black covers (or large pole-piece Delanos) and chrome knobs.  I'd need to procure a replacement decal and also get a truss rod cover made up.

 

Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted
  On 09/11/2021 at 16:47, NancyJohnson said:

 

I've been looking too.

 

Earlier I was trying to work out whether the differences between the RS824 and RS924 where just purely the active circuit.  The knobs on both seem to be in the same places but the 924 has an extra switch on the front for the actives.

 

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The 924 is v & t (both pickups), 3-way selector. active on/off, then bass boost/cut & treble boost/cut. I prefer the passive tone but the inability to blend pickups makes it a bit inflexible. The 824's v/t, v/t & selector.

 

Nice quality trcs can be had from https://reproguitarparts.com/ in the States. I had one for a Musician & you would need to examine it through a magnifying glass to know it wasn't genuine.

  • Like 1
NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

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Posted

I stripped the hardware off the body last night, stick the bridge in the dishwasher, it's come out super shiny.

 

Started sanding; the finish is very thin, I got most of the front finish off with 60 grit in about five minutes.  The top has nice grain and I'm thinking about just going with a few couple of layers of black Feblings leather dye (which should define the grain) and a satin clear coat.

  • Like 2
JPJ Veteran

JPJ

Posted
Posted
  On 12/11/2021 at 12:21, LeftyJ said:

Very nice! If that's a factory fretless, that would make it an RS940 :)

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Well it’s certainly a factory fretless, I’ll check the original hang tag and let you know 😉

NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

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Posted

Little update.

 

Body is fully stripped.  It's a three-piece, the back gives nothing away but the front is nicely matched. 

 

The only worrysome thing is there's a small split in the jointing near the bridge/control cavity, so I'll dribble some superglue over it and rub any excess back.  Some other small superficial dings that I'll try and rub back.

 

Electrics?  I'd like to put some Delano's in...the ones with the bigger polepieces.  There's six holes and a side-jack.  I generally play with everything open, so maybe a pickup selector switch >  master volume > Darkglass Tone Cap.  This will allow me to dowel/lose the smallest hole on the front.  Dunlop Straploks.

 

Definitely going with a black stain and clear coat.

 

20211113_112830.thumb.jpg.9211b9e217626cd47b3594922f59e903.jpg

 

20211113_112849.thumb.jpg.88aec275e12f01c18786d26f6dc195fc.jpg

  • Like 5
Doctor J Grand Master

Doctor J

Posted
Posted

My old 924 had an additional hole, on top of those drilled in the factory. Rather than try to hide it, they always look terrible, I installed a series/parallel switch which added a useful tonal option.

NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/11/2021 at 11:54, Doctor J said:

My old 924 had an additional hole, on top of those drilled in the factory. Rather than try to hide it, they always look terrible, I installed a series/parallel switch which added a useful tonal option.

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I think I'm fortunate that the smallest hole - which used to be for switching the active circuit on - is plumb centre of a piece of the wood grain, so with luck it won't be so visible.

NancyJohnson Grand Master

NancyJohnson

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  • Author
Posted

Update.

 

Put a dowel in the hole, sanded back, it's lovely and smooth.  New batch of Leather Dye arrived about half hour ago, so I've blacked it up and rubbed back any excess.  Went on lovely.

 

I'll let this dry up overnight, give it a light sand and reapply.  The photo doesn't really do it justice, it's a nice body.

 

20211115_164524.thumb.jpg.2643d51d1b830918fc3f1d85661709de.jpg

  • Like 6
Bridgehouse Grand Master

Bridgehouse

Posted
Posted
  On 13/11/2021 at 11:46, NancyJohnson said:

Some other small superficial dings that I'll try and rub back.

 

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If they aren't too deep you could try the old damp cloth and iron trick and steam them out. It's worked beautifully for me in the past on a body I refinished with a few dings in it. 

  • Like 1
TheGreek Grand Master

TheGreek

Posted
Posted
  On 15/11/2021 at 16:53, NancyJohnson said:

Update.

 

Put a dowel in the hole, sanded back, it's lovely and smooth.  New batch of Leather Dye arrived about half hour ago, so I've blacked it up and rubbed back any excess.  Went on lovely.

 

I'll let this dry up overnight, give it a light sand and reapply.  The photo doesn't really do it justice, it's a nice body.

 

20211115_164524.thumb.jpg.2643d51d1b830918fc3f1d85661709de.jpg

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Are you going to go for a gloss or satin finish?

LukeFRC Grand Master

LukeFRC

Posted
Posted
  On 11/11/2021 at 20:19, TheGreek said:

Seen this?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353761540165?hash=item525dd4b845:g:xTAAAOSw~2xhiW84

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was on my watchlist... was going to bid... 

then my 3 year old had a meltdown and at one point bit me. 
"did you bite me?"
"no my sister did" 
"your sister was in a different room"
"no she bit you" 
"She's also 6 months old, and only has one tooth!"

And I missed the auction. :( 

  • Haha 3

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