Rare Ibanez Musician MC350 in Fire Red, June 1981, with OHSC, in very good condition


We are pleased to offer this one-family owned Ibanez MC350 with original case, in very good condition, with a serial number based construction date of June 1981. It has seen good use in its 42 years, resulting in some unfortunate finish flaws as pictured, but the neck-through construction makes sure its built like a tank and therefore completely free of any structural damage or cracks. This Musician has partially fading gold hardware consistent with age and use, and has functional and original electronics, including the Tri-Sound switch. We levelled and crowned the frets and it is once again in good playing condition for many years to come. These Musicians are of a superb construction quality, with amazing tonal options due to the Tri-Sound switch, and are a rare find nowadays, especially in gorgeous Fire Red. Cosmetically we would rate it as player's grade vintage.

Description


The MC350 was made in Japan in 1981 and 1982, with each year having very distinct technical specifications. This MC350 is fully consistent with the 1981 specs: two Ibanez Super-88 pickups in HH configuration, one Tri-Sound switch for the neck pickup, and Ibanez Smooth Tuners II. Also, Fire Red was only offered in 1981. The body is made of a weighty sandwich of mahogany and ash, with the neck a 5-piece maple/walnut in a neck-through construction. The guitar has gold hardware and original Sure Grip knobs. The nut is original and half bone, half bronze, which limits wear to the nut. Full specifications can be found through Ibanez Fandom. The guitar has no documentation or accessories (other than the OHSC).

We obtained the guitar suffering from a collapsed bride, common to this type of bridge after 40+ years of string pressure and too low a tail piece. We carefully plied the bridge back to an approximate 12" radius and raised the tail piece to decrease downward string pressure on the bridge. This is now holding fine again (for the past year+), though the D and G string are still slightly below their optimal height. It hardly affects playability, but this can be easily further compensated for in the overal bridge/string height if desired. As stated above, the guitar has some dings to the finish on both body and headstock - all pictured very clearly. There is some various scuffing and scratches in the usual places, and some buckle rash in the back of the body contour, as can be seen in the pictures.

OHSC


The guitar comes with its original hard shell case of its original purchase, of a minimalistic wooden construction with brown tolex and a bronze plush interior. This one would ‘normally’ be used for Roadster models. Various case models in these years can be considered OHSC, depending on what the dealer had lying around at the time of sale. The case has some tears to the outer tolex and is missing one of its four rubber feet, but is for the rest in a good condition for its age. The latches are in good working order, but the case has no key.

Technical specifications


• Strings: set up with a fresh .010 set of Fender Super 250R

• Pickups: Super-88 neck and bridge humbuckers
. Non-scratchy pots.
• Weight: a chunky 4.4 kg / 9.7 lbs


• The guitar has received a fret level and crown, has been professionally set up with medium action, tested and thoroughly detailed
• The truss rod is functional
• Its playability is really nice and just as you expect from these early 80s Musicians. Please note that shipping conditions and a change in the guitar’s environment tend to affect the set-up of a guitar, requiring some adjusting after arrival and acclimatisation. Keep in mind you are buying an original 40+ years old guitar, not a new one.
  

Shipping


All international shipping is by default through UPS and rates are an estimate only - please contact us for an exact quote to your location. We pack properly for worldwide shipping and take pride in our shipping process. Additional custom fees and taxes may apply and are the buyer’s responsibility. 

Items are sold 'as described', so please ask any questions before buying. The photos are part of the description.