Ibanez Musician Bass

The Ibanez Musician Bass was a line of electric bass guitars produced by the Ibanez Corporation from 1979 until 1987.

History

The Musician series was introduced in 1979 with the MC-800 and MC-900 models, which were available in natural (NT) and "dark-stain" (DS) finishes.[1] List price for the MC-800 was $655.00 USD for the NT finish and $665.00 USD for the DS finish. List price for the MC-900 was $775.00 USD for the NT finish and $785.00 USD for the DS finish.[2] The MC-800 was a single-pickup design, while the MC-900 had two pickups and a three-band EQ.

The 1980 price list retains the MC-800 and MC-900, in both NT and DS finishes, but adds the MC-824, MC-924, MC-940, and MC-980 (8-string), all of which were DS models.[3]

The 1981 catalog lists four models: MC-824, MC-924, MC-924L, and MC-940.[4][5] All four models were DS models, as the natural (NT) finish was no longer an option. The MC-824 was the base model, the MC-924 added a three-band EQ. The MC-924L was a left-handed version of the MC-924. The MC-940 was a fretless version of the same.

The 1983 catalog retains only two models, the MC-924 and MC-940, but introduces a new finish option, polar white (PW).[6] The 1983-1984 catalog shows a reintroduction of the MC-824DS and an additional finish option, metallic black (MB), for the MC-924 and MC-940 models.

The 1984 price list retains the 1983 models and introduces the MC-888, sometimes referred to as the "bean bass," which featured a smaller body.[7]

In 1986, only two models remain. The MC-924 is renamed MC2924 and the MC-940 is renamed MC2940. Their body shape is redesigned and looks more like what would eventually become the SoundGear line.[8] These are the only two Musician models in the 1987 price list.[9]

Features

The Musician Bass featured a neck-through design (i.e. the neck ran entirely through the body, rather than being bolted or glued to it). The neck was constructed of rock maple and walnut, the body of ash and walnut. The electronics were active. They were 34" scale instruments.

Endorsees

The various Musician models were endorsed by several high-profile musicians, including The Police's Sting[10] U2's Adam Clayton, Fleetwood Mac's John McVie and The Who's John Entwistle.[11]

Commemorative Model

In 2009, Ibanez introduced a limited edition, upscale version, the MC30TH, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Musician line.[12] [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.ibanezwiki.com/display/CATALOG/1979+-+Ibanez+Electric+Supplement+No+1+-+Musician+Series+Basses
  2. ↑ http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/price/1979/index.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/price/1980/index.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.ibanezwiki.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=131222
  5. ↑ http://www.ibanezwiki.com/display/CATALOG/1981+-+Ibanez+Electric+Guitars+%28Format+2%29+-+Basses
  6. ↑ http://www.ibanezwiki.com/display/CATALOG/1983+-+Ibanez+Electric+Guitars+and+Acoustic+Guitars+-+Musician+Bass+Series
  7. ↑ http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/price/1984/index.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.ibanezwiki.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=131799
  9. ↑ http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/price/1987/index.htm
  10. ↑ Sting can be seen playing an Ibanez Musician in the original video to "Message in a Bottle." His image also appears in several Ibanez catalogs from the period.
  11. ↑ John Entwistle put his up for auction http://www.rockmine.com/Ox1.html
  12. ↑ http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-MC30TH
  13. ↑ http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/07/24/namm-watch-the-ibanez-30th-anniversary-musician-bass/
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