Questions for the Ibanez players

[JCH]

I bought this Ibanez a couple months ago. After some research I determined it (ser.#F714xxx) is most likely a 1987 roadstar pro 540S. The pu's are IBZ's. From what I've read they were made by DiMarzzio. Notice how they're switched. There is a mini switch for each pu, and on the volume pot is a pushbutton switch... First question: What exactly does this switch do? I've read conflicting descriptions so I'm confused... This thing has a really thin neck. I think it's a wizard. I have ernie ball 9-43's on it now, but I'd like to set it up a little heavier... Second question: Will it harm the guitar? Should I leave it the way it is? Yeah I know thats two questions. This is the first Ibanez I've ever owned. I knew it was a sweet rig when I saw it in the pawn shop. I love it when they don't know what they're selling. I was even happier when they brought out the original case.

 

[faderbug]

it's either a coil split for the humbucker or a phase switch for the middle pu.

select just your bridge pu and push/pull, tone changes --- coil split.

select a combination of middle pu with any other and push/pull, tone changes --- phase switch.

 

[TMatt142]

Man, that is a nice guitar! Anyway, setting up heavier won't bother the neck or anything. Of course you'll have to make some adjustments and stuff, but thats normal with any guitar usually. Welcome to the Ibanez family.

 

[Dani Pace]

Cool guitar! I've been an Ibanez fan ever since the first time I played one (sometime around 1990) and have owned 8 since then (still have 3.) The thin necks is what most attracted me to them. I use 10-46 strings on mine and have had no problems with the necks at all. If you decide to go for heavier strings a set up will be needed, probably only setting the intonation and maybe a very slight tightening of the truss rod. The only problem I've had with Ibanez has been the screws that hold the strap buttons on tend to work loose.

 

[chris-from-ky]

You definitely want a pro to set up the guitar for you. String weight plays a larger roll in intonation and action in a floating trem than in stop bar set ups. Also, don't plan on drop tuning with a floating trem. Maybe with one of those EVH d-tuna's, but don't expect to just reach up and twist it down to the desired tuning. You'll screw up everything because in a floating trem, each strings tension affects the other strings tension.

I LOVE Ibanez gutars. The Wizard II neck is just right for me. I just wish I'd gotten a guitar that didn't have a floating trem.

I bought my RG450 in 1995 for $385 and it's still my only electric guitar. This guitar still rocks.

 

[TMatt142]

Hey Chris, I agree, that's a huge problem with the cheaper Lo-trs trems. The "pro" trems are a lot better to handle. I just went out and got an S-470 with the ZR trem and that solved EVERYTHING! I love it and I'm NEVER out of tune. You can drop D tune with no probs. Breaking strings causes ever so slight tuning issues but not like the standard floating trems. I had an RG 320 that had the better of the trems (lo-pro trs) and D tuning didn't effect it all that much...maybe I'd go a tad flat on a few strings. Now I just picked up a 7-string S series with the crappy lo-trs.......I took the bar off the bridge cause once you hit it the whole damn thing goes out of tune!!! I figure I'll break the bank and buy the high end one.

 

[JCH]

it's either a coil split for the humbucker or a phase switch for the middle pu.

Thanks, coil split it is.

I use 10-46 strings on mine and have had no problems with the necks at all.

Cool, good info. I'm anxious to hear how it sounds with heavier strings.

You definitely want a pro to set up the guitar for you.

Good advise, I used to have a kramer with a floyd.. I learned my lesson there. A good professional setup is well worth the bucks.

Thanks for the replys. John

 

[tothg]

ibanez pro-540s bc1987

Hi Guys,

I also have one, but I cannot find out the price of it as it is a rare piece. I bought it long-long years ago, now I want something else and want to sell it.
Could someone help me?

Thanks

 

[faderbug]

keep an eye open on eBay, they pop up occasionally.

 

[Superhuman]

I have a Jem and a Prestige custom - no problems with drop tuning either but you will have to adjust the screws at the back for the spring tension, also intonation can be a bitch to get right but once its setup properly it will stay good pretty much forever unless you change to different guage strings. I would recommend a pro setup too - get it right from the start and it will stay right.
One point though, the IBZ pickups are pretty nasty, very muddy IMO. You might want to upgrade them - loads of choice from Dimarzio (Evolutions are excellent).
Looks like a beautiful guitar, nice catch!

 

[Light]

This thing has a really thin neck. I think it's a wizard. I have ernie ball 9-43's on it now, but I'd like to set it up a little heavier... Second question: Will it harm the guitar?

No, you will not harm the guitar, unless your thinking of putting something rediculous on there like 15-70 and tuning it up a whole step or something.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[JCH]

Wow.. old thread. My son has that guitar now. It suits him much better than me. I did like the tone much better with the 10's on it.

tothg; In good condition it's probably worth $500 to the right buyer, but don't get your hopes up too high. Although they're sweet guitars they don't hold much value. I paid $100 for mine, and ended up giving it away. I prefer the sound of my SSS strat by far.

 

[Shackter]

Hey,

Before i bought my first 7 string i used an ibanez rg set up to C Standard with d'addario 12's. There was no problem, you just need to adjust the bridge and the intonation for them. I'd advise getting it set up by a tech if you haven't done it before as those bridges can be a bit tricky.

Dave.