Ibanez® Ibanez Challenger Jazz Bass, Black - Vintage

The instrument is a Challenger model Ibanez Jazz bass from 1977. The Challenger designation covered a variety of designs that Ibanez were copying at the time. This is a direct replica of a 1970's Fender Precision bass. The bass is a classic configuration of black body, tortoiseshell pickguard with maple neck and black block inlays - very smart. It is from near the end of the so-called 'lawsuit' period. In 1977 Gibson sued Ibanez for trademark infringement which resulted in Ibanez withdrawing their more obvious knockoff instruments. On the one hand the lawsuit guitars and basses that Ibanez were making were clearly trading on the Fender and Gibson brands. On the other, they really were great quality instruments, often every bit as good if not better than the ones they were emulating, at at time when Fender and Gibson quality was not at its best.

None of these instruments were made in great volume and so they are all relatively rare. In all material respsects this is just like a '70s Fender Jazz bass from the bridge to the tuners. Whilst this has a couple of minor dings and scuffs, the instrument is generally in excellent condition and it plays well. The Jazz pickups give you everything you would expect from a '70s Jazz with particularly prominent output in the lower registers.

A rare vintage instrument with an interesting history and Fender pedigree.

Sale Price: $900.00

Freight cost (contiguous USA): $40.00

Reference #: 4013

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Hard-shell case included. For orders shipping to a confirmed address in the contiguous USA, buy this now with your credit card or PayPal using our secure server. For all other orders, please contact us. We must provide individual shipping quotes for all overseas destinations.