Ibanez RB850

[pjmuck]

Just snagged this one for $270. I was holding out for a white one, but I'll take what I can get. Picking it up on Wed. in Long Island:

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This place also has a great price on a lefty Kala U-Bass in stock, so if anyone is interested in that one let me know and maybe I can arrange to pick it up for you and ship it to you. I don't think this place is willing to ship, it's pickup only:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325100850710?h ... Swij1iL2vG

[paulo]

Score!

[fivebass52]

Nice looking Bass! What year is this?

[Jeroen]

I'm guesstimating 1986, maybe 1987
This is one of the final phases of the Roadstar before it evolved into the Soundgear series, which came out in 1987.

[pjmuck]

Picked up the bass today and gave it a quick spin. According to the serial #, it was made in March 1986. In really nice condition and came complete with it's original case, unmailed warranty card, manual, pickup brochure, Allen key, etc. It also came with two boomerang-shaped nuts and screws that I'm not sure what they're for, but I'm guessing string retainers? (see photo below). At any rate, it doesn't look like they were ever installed because I can find no open drill holes anywhere.

The bass was set up well and plays/sounds great, but I have to admit the electronics are odd. I wasn't expecting an active bass, as it only has 3 knobs, which are master volume, master tone, and a pickup balance. So not really understanding why the bass is active at all when it offers no EQ control other than treble.

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[paulo]

These are the stock boomerang strap buttons.
I've had these in other Ibanez basses as well in the past.
Funny that you've mentioned I was also confused with the knob layout on mine but I also have other active basses with no preamp as well and have no idea why.
Congrats!

[pjmuck]

These are the stock boomerang strap buttons.
I've had these in other Ibanez basses as well in the past.
Funny that you've mentioned I was also confused with the knob layout on mine but I also have other active basses with no preamp as well and have no idea why.
Congrats!

A ha! Thanks for clarifying that!

[Jeroen]

The bass was set up well and plays/sounds great, but I have to admit the electronics are odd. I wasn't expecting an active bass, as it only has 3 knobs, which are master volume, master tone, and a pickup balance. So not really understanding why the bass is active at all when it offers no EQ control other than treble.

It's not the onboard controls that are active, it's the pickups themselves

[fivebass52]

Interesting explanation on the electronics... not sure how many modern Ibanez basses Don't have active pickups, but they use them a lot - My ATK305L, and my SR206L are both active... and the only problem with that is; if the battery dies, you have no sound...