Ibanez® Ibanez Jazz Bass, Mahogany - Sold

The instrument is from the period when Ibanez had not yet got around to putting serial numbers on these reproductions, which dates it between 1972 and 1974; the neckplate just says "Made in Japan". It is a direct copy of a 1970's Fender Jazz bass. 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.

This one is especially rare being a very early model. It has the classic black block inlays on a rosewood fingerboard and in all material respsects is just like an early '70s Fender Jazz from the bridge to the tuners except for one interesting thing, the body has a mahogany core with an Ash top and back . Whilst it has a couple of nicks and scuffs, the instrument is in fabulous condition for being 35+ years old and it plays very well. The Jazz pickups are deep and warm, a little more so than you might expect from a real J Bass from the '70s.

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

Sale Price: $1 200.00

Freight cost (contiguous USA): $40.00

Reference #: 4012

Out of stock.

Call or email us for an in-hand description of this item. 212 353 1775

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.