Patapsco Boy - Posted - 01/31/2009:  08:00:50

I've heard great things about these banjos. I know someone who has a blonde maple artist and it's clean as a whistle. He thinks its all original. He doesn't know the exact year and is not the original owner. I've looked at Will's tracking page of Japanese banjo sales, but I'm thinking we're in a bit of a different market right now. Nobody has any money, so what's fair to him, and good to me? Everyone here has been good to me so far, and I appreciate your help with this! Here's a link to Will's tracking page for reference: http://www.fastie.net/banjo/ebayjp.htm

Thanks all!
TJ

AJA - Posted - 01/31/2009:  08:11:38

If you can wait a few days, there is a blonde Ibanez Artist being auctioned on Ebay, and the auction ends in two days. That sale would give a decent benchmark for current value. The item number is 140296886106

I don't have any interest in this instrument - I'm not the seller and I'm not going to bid. It has some inlay that I haven't seen before on an Artist (but I'm NOT an expert). Unique fretboard inlay. It has Bella Voce headstock inlay, but a modified "Vine" or "Tree of Life" on the fretboard. It looks to be in excellent condition and has D-tuners to boot.

My bet is that in this market the seller will be lucky to get $750 for it.

Andy
www.sciencegeek.net

Patapsco Boy - Posted - 01/31/2009:  08:22:38

I'll keep an eye on that one - thanks for looking out. I don't know if they had different trim levels or what... if it helps clarify, this one has snowflake inlays, Ibanez clamshell tailpiece, spotless chrome hardware. In fact, it looks exactly like the one I found here http://www.mainstreetvintageco.com/.../6281957.htm

DbBanjo - Posted - 01/31/2009:  10:13:36

Howdy TJ,

I played and owned one of these Ibanez Artist models
for a no of years. For ref, you can hear how one sounds
on a couple of song posting on my profile here on the hangout.
They were well made and attractive instruments, IMO.

I sold the Artist I had on ebay around 2002 and got about
$700 (sorry, can't recall the exact amt). The link to one
currently for sale on eBay is "Not" one I would want to
purchase. Why? The aftermarket mod's to the resonator
for pickups and the work on the neck for the sliding 5th-string
capo - these items "should" reduce the price. Will they effect
the sound of the instrument - certainly not.

As for the link to one for sale at: mainstreetvintageco.com -
it seems nice enough but it's priced fairly high, IMO. Also,
I'd really want to see some add, more detailed pic's before
I'd purchase it.

Just my opinions here, folks, that's all.

DbBanjo (Marc Bolen)

DbBanjo@Yahoo.Com

AJA - Posted - 01/31/2009:  10:56:57

TJ,

That price at MainStreet Vintage is totally out of liine for that banjo. If you look at the tuners, they are the old metal style tuners found on the banjos that came out of the Kasuga factory. In fact, it looks as though the fifth string tuner is a friction peg. The bridge appears to be 1/2", and most people are going to want at least 5/8" if not 11/16", so you would probably need to have a new set up done on the neck if you don't know how to adjust the co-rods yourself.

For what they are asking, you could buy yourself A LOT more banjo. Heck, you could get a 70 - 80's Goldstar in that price range, or a used RB-250.

I have nothing against those Japanese banjos. I have an Aria Pro II and love it. But I paid $700, and it has a great set of tuners as well as Hearts and Flowers inlay. If you are set on a Japanese banjo from that era, keep your eye on Ebay and on our classifieds. Or, you might post in the Swap Shop here that you are looking for one, and include what you might be willing to pay.

Andy
www.sciencegeek.net

Banjowen - Posted - 01/31/2009:  11:34:49

I sold my Ibanez Artist with the vine inlay over here in the UK for £800 about four years ago, It seems to be the average price in the UK,.....I wish I could have kept hold of it as they are very well made instruments but I needed the money to buy my Greenbrier, .....I recorded "Alices Waltz" which is on my homepage with the Ibanez.

Owen.

http://www.banjohollow.ic24.net/index.htm