I bought it knowing something about the rarity, apparently only around 300
were made and the great reviews that were written about it.
Although it looks like it has done 20 rounds with a boxer, this didn't bother
me, as all the other ones I had seen, had all looked pretty much the same.
Hard to believe but I have have cleaned this up quite a bit but not restored
it in any way, leaving it with a finish that some guitar makers would charge
you quite a bit of money for.
If you have a favourite instrument that just "does it" for you, then you'll
understand when I say that when I throw the strap over my shoulder and
plug this thing in - notes just appear from nowhere.
I can't explain it, all I can say is, I remember having the same feeling many
years ago, with a Les Paul Junior, at a time when they went for a song!
I plugged it in and basic as it was, what a sound!!
At the time - shame on me - the more switches, pick-ups, knobs, strings,
whatever - the better I thought it was and that battered up old single pick-up
Gibson, changed my viewpoint in an instant.
This SB70 is like that. No frills, a finish that is as thin as it could be, nothing
fancy but boy, oh boy, does this thing sing!
If you get a chance to try one, I think you'll see what I mean.
I'm starting to get into the swing of this blog now - the only thing holding me
up is getting the stuff together and getting some decent pics!
I'll be back soon.
I'm starting to get into the swing of this blog now - the only thing holding me
up is getting the stuff together and getting some decent pics!
I'll be back soon.
Cheers. :)
Hi, just picked up an Ibanez SB70 for €159. I agree with your comments.
ReplyDeleteDo you still own yours? Have you registered it with the SB70 register at ibanezcollectorsworld.com? They are trying to establish how many there are in the world...
(PS your blog gets visits every 10 minutes, you should keep it going)
Hi. Yep, I still have that one, there is just something about it! I also have an ST55, with Gibson pick-ups, that one is very nice too.I haven't registered it but I will do now. Thanks for your regular visits - I wonder if you have read it all, from start to finish? There are many more to go, including Aria, Ibanez, another Doug Wilkes, another Ned Callan, a Jim Cairnes, more T-40 and a whole load of T-60's. . . . It's just finding the time!! Cheers. :)
ReplyDeletewas it played by taz ?
ReplyDeleteTaz of Tazmania? Ha, I know what you mean - pretty beaten up! :)
ReplyDeleteI had one of those! I bought it brand new from the Cambridge Rock shop for £159 in 1984. I always considered it my first 'proper' guitar.
ReplyDeleteThe finish didn't last long. I think I had it a couple of weeks before overenthusiastic strumming had removed the lacquer to a similar state as yours.
Sadly, for reasons I still can't fathom, I had a locking trem fitted, gave it a really bad refinish and sold it to a friend who promptly demolished it.
I did manage to get fifty quid for the knobs though!