This A2630 Ibanez Model used by players like Jens Larsen and in earlier years by John Scofield and others is a … Great alternative for Gibson 335 lovers with a considerably lower price tag.
As can be seen by the picture, this 1979 model is in exceptionally good condition despite minor cracking and some deterioration in the binding, not unusual for an instrument of this vintage and really not an overall concern cosmetically or otherwise.
All original parts including the very rare and hard to find original pearloid tuners, except for the pick guard which was fabricated by Repro Guitar Parts whom I heartily endorse. The reason the Nitrocellulose body on this model is in such good condition is because the original Ibanez pick guards tended to ‘gas off’ ruining the finish in time. Wisely the original owner removed it for perhaps this reason. As a result, the guitars finish was remarkably preserved!
A number of noteworthy things about the A2630 besides it’s great looks and vintage provenance are the amazing Super 80 pickups it is equipped with, (these are the hottest and loudest pickups I’ve ever used and will absolutely raise the roof!) along with it’s solid curly maple back and sides construction, and a full length sustain block offering the sustaining properties of a solid body with the tonal characteristics of a semi-acoustic. The fretboard is ebony with pearl-abalone fret markers. Instrument still retains the original half bone-half metal nut indicating how little this instrument was actually used over the years. Frets are original and in excellent condition as well as attested by the restorer as quoted below.
The 'Tri Sound'selector switch above the neck volume and tone controls is not functional however I have personally found no use for it since as a blues and jazz player I prefer the full- on humbucking sound of the neck pick up and since the bridge pick up gives me all the sounds as indicated below. I need.* Lastly, I would be remiss in failing to point out this instrument’s VERSATILITY. For country pickers the bridge pickup produces an amazing crunch that even I as a jazz player can appreciate. Combine both pickups and you get an incredible blues, R&B option. And although not a ‘jazz’ instrument in the strictest sense of the word, the neck pickup lends itself to this style as well as finger style playing.
In 2000 I had the instrument gone through as part of a restoration project. All the wiring was replaced, pots checked for the appropriate values and cleaned, frets lightly dressed and more. Dana Sutcliff of Dana Research who did the work, was quite surprised that the hardware including the fret condition was so well preserved. See attached receipt for work done totaling totaling upward of $800. The guitar comes with a new custom fitted hard shell case by Cross Rock valued at $150. Oh of course, last but not least: the Asking price: $2800; Shipping: $85
$SELLER assumes all outbound insurance costs. Instrument comes with a 7 day return policy. BUYER assumes all return related shipping, incl. Insurance.
*Sound switch is the name Ibanez applied to a type of pickup modification.
The Tri-sound switch allows the player to access multiple "voices" of a humbucking pickup:
Both the neck PU and the bridge PU may have their own independent switch, on top of the usual 3-way switch.