Gettin' all octal around here

[chromium]

While intended to capture images of basses traveling away from my home, the chromium welcoming-cam sent me this nice action shot of the UPS guy lugging a present up to the door today



Man I love that guy.


Thanks to Nokturnal for tipping me off to this one!




I've been wanting an eight string for a few years now, and looking off and on for one.  A couple basses in particular appealed to me, this '80 Ibanez ST-980 model being one of them.  The craftsmanship of some of the Japanese guitars produced in this era is just fantastic, and as a child of the 70s I seem to have developed a weak spot for large slabs of brass and wood working in concert with each other.  

13.2 pounds worth in this case!  ...and with only 3.6% body fat according to the wife's NASA-spec bathroom scale.  Feels sorta like Santa is sittin' on my lap when I play it!










Hey there seems to be a pattern developing here!



Pretty on the inside?  I'm not sure what all the controls do yet, but it gets points for the varitone with chicken head knob:



Always wondered what this whole "QuadraLok" business was all about  .  It seems that it's about metal ferrules and (presumably) threaded inserts in the neck:



I gave it a good bath and setup, and I'm loving it so far.  I'll post some sounds once I get some time to make a recording with it.

[Nocturnal]

Glad to hear that you're happy with it! You know I only tell you about these deals so that I can come over and play them too  Looking forward to checking that one out.

[hieronymous]

Awesome! I've lusted after those too. Congrats on finally adding one to the herd!!!

[Basvarken]

Congratulations!
I have an Ibanez Musician guitar from the same era.
I think I last tuned it 6 years ago, and it still is in tune 
Those Ibanezes are of superior build quality.

[Pilgrim]

13.2 pounds!!!

You are indeed a manly man, and I wish you much joy with it!

[gearHed289]

Very cool! The UPS guy pic AND the bass. Ibanez was making great stuff during that time. A friend of mine had a Musician guitar like that. Super solid. It was in a silver pseudo flight case with that same green fur inside. 

[OldManC]

Congratulations! Looks really nice. Get a wide strap. 

[Basshappi]

Very cool, congrats!

[godofthunder]

That is sweet !

[Pilgrim]

Get a wide strap.

Har har har har!!

You, sir, are a master of understatement!

Beautiful instrument, though.

[SKATE RAT]

very very very nice!!!!  are there 2 versions of this body style? i've seen some that look like they have less cut out on the treble side horn.

[chromium]

Thanks all!

Yeah this does fit into the 'none more heavy' category for me.  It's just for home use, though, so the shoulder should be fine.  It'll just cutoff circulation in my leg 

very very very nice!!!!  are there 2 versions of this body style? i've seen some that look like they have less cut out on the treble side horn.

Thanks!  They did have another eight string in their Musician series, called the mc980.  It was also a 32" scale, but neck-thru and outfitted a little differently (pickups, etc...).  I only recall seeing a couple of those for sale during the time I've been looking around.




I have a Roland bass that vaguely resembles those (made in the same factory), but its a 4-string.




Youre right about the body shapes being different.  The st980 body is kinda stout by comparison, with a stubby treble horn.

[exiledarchangel]

80s never dies! Beautiful instrument.

[Highlander]

Gotta admit, does look like a nice one...  

[rahock]

It's mighty pretty   Kinda makes me miss my old Hagstrom
Rick