NBD: Never gassed for an Ibanez until...

[Camarillo]

...until I saw this guy I never guessed for an Ibanez. I am more in the Fender and fenderish realm. But searching for vintage Japanese copies with non so specific keywords this ‘81 Ibanez Roadster RS942 came out. I found myself a few days later thinking about it and searching for informations and demos. And so it was my birthday, and so was Xmas and it was there, apparently waiting for me. The guys who sold it to me is a very nice guy, I had it for a fair price, and long story short, here it is in my hands. Very quick review after the first few notes played on it:
- astonishing beautiful and well constructed
- heavy as hell, 5,44 Kg, but very well balanced
- lovely chunky neck
- 24 frets
- huge, huge, huge sound especially from the P pickup
- hot, super high output even in passive mode
- tone knob (in passive) that really does something
- in active mode bass boost could tear down a wall, high boost not too harsh, output, hotter than hell.
I’m happy.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I know the joy of a burly Ibanez instrument. Congratulations, and enjoy

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Nice! I really wish they’d bring some of these classics back...

 

[Bitterdale]

Gorgeous bass!

 

[B-Mac]

View attachment 4135787 ...until I saw this guy I never guessed for an Ibanez. I am more in the Fender and fenderish realm. But searching for vintage Japanese copies with non so specific keywords this ‘81 Ibanez Roadster RS942 came out. I found myself a few days later thinking about it and searching for informations and demos. And so it was my birthday, and so was Xmas and it was there, apparently waiting for me. The guys who sold it to me is a very nice guy, I had it for a fair price, and long story short, here it is in my hands. Very quick review after the first few notes played on it:
- astonishing beautiful and well constructed
- heavy as hell, 5,44 Kg, but very well balanced
- lovely chunky neck
- 24 frets
- huge, huge, huge sound especially from the P pickup
- hot, super high output even in passive mode
- tone knob (in passive) that really does something
- in active mode bass boost could tear down a wall, high boost not too harsh, output, hotter than hell.
I’m happy.

Great find!
Looks like it came out of a time capsule.
Enjoy your vintage Ibanez.

 

[Camarillo]

Great find!
Looks like it came out of a time capsule.
Enjoy your vintage Ibanez.

Yes, it’s really in mint conditions. Only the knobs looks a bit aged, and in 40 years probably the cream pups cover and switch darken a bit, which is a good thing.

 

[stuntbass77]

Wow, nice score !!!! I’m jealous !!! Congrats on the bass !!!

 

[Camarillo]

I'm falling in love with that sound, and that neck!

 

[Relayer71]

View attachment 4135787 ...until I saw this guy I never guessed for an Ibanez. I am more in the Fender and fenderish realm. But searching for vintage Japanese copies with non so specific keywords this ‘81 Ibanez Roadster RS942 came out. I found myself a few days later thinking about it and searching for informations and demos. And so it was my birthday, and so was Xmas and it was there, apparently waiting for me. The guys who sold it to me is a very nice guy, I had it for a fair price, and long story short, here it is in my hands. Very quick review after the first few notes played on it:
- astonishing beautiful and well constructed
- heavy as hell, 5,44 Kg, but very well balanced
- lovely chunky neck
- 24 frets
- huge, huge, huge sound especially from the P pickup
- hot, super high output even in passive mode
- tone knob (in passive) that really does something
- in active mode bass boost could tear down a wall, high boost not too harsh, output, hotter than hell.
I’m happy.

That's a beauty!

Love the Roadster and Musician basses. I wish they would revive these with slightly smaller/thinner/lighter bodies. Damn, 5.44 kg (12 lbs) is scary

 

[blacktocomm]

Those old Ibby’s are super cool. Congrats on the new bass OP!

 

[JRA]

I'm falling in love with that sound, and that neck!

way cool! the look of your ax, the sound of it, your playing = it's all good! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[bassist4dalord]

Congratulations! I just got a vintage Ibanez as well; a 86 or 87 Roadstar II RB630. Essentially a P-Bass copy. Strung with TI Jazz Flats it sounds and feels incredible!

 

[Abner]

The Roadster line ended all too soon, an RS-940 quickly became my number one after refinishing the fingerboard. Even my Musicians sit gathering dust. Heaviest bass I own, as well, but haven't actually weighed it yet.

 

[Bass V]

luvit!

 

[JW56789]

Still a great axe, these were Big Medicine in their day, when these sorts of Ibanez basses were a new choice, and Sting and the late Phil Lynott were notable for using them and their brothers. They are indeed massively built. An early player in that 70's/80's time frame where the Japanese makers turned the Bass World inside out with new ideas, shapes, and attitudes, that will never come again.

 

[A9X]

Congrats. I had one in plain brown (not a burst fan) and my bass teacher would always take it off me and demonstrate with it rather than using his custom bass. "Lovely, lovely neck" was what he'd say. I'd grab another if it fell into my hands at the right time/price. Maybe not as I only really play 5s and 6s now.

 

[Camarillo]

That's a beauty!

Love the Roadster and Musician basses. I wish they would revive these with slightly smaller/thinner/lighter bodies. Damn, 5.44 kg (12 lbs) is scary

Yes, it's really heavy but really well balanced, and with a large strap it's not so scary. It's manageable.

 

[songwriter21]

Yes, it's really heavy but really well balanced, and with a large strap it's not so scary. It's manageable.

This is to Ibanez like the T40 is to Peavey.

 

[hypercarrots]

roadsters, musicians, studios and roadstars. ibanez legends.