1982 Ibanez Musician MC924 vs. 1987 RB650 Roadstar II Bass

Bass clash of made in Japan Ibanez Titans! Which one do you like best?
One of the most legendary basses in Ibanez lore, the neck thru Musician series MC924 locks combat with the more traditional Roadstar 2 RB650. Both basses are P+J configs and both are passive in this video. There are some really interesting things to compare like:
Super P4 and J4 vs. Super P5 and J4 pickups
Ash vs. basswood
neck through vs. bolt on
Cult classic favorite vs. one that is just catching on
Heavy vs. light
Good vs. Evil

[@Crushin123]

I got a MINT RB650 recently because of this video. LOVE this bass! What an overachiever!!

[@dukkedusse]

the mc924 seems to have a more complex, huskier, more of a "3D" sound, I just love it passive! the RB650 is more open, a little less bassy, also a fantastic bass, but I inclineto like the MC924 more... cheers and thanks for the video! :D

[@webb264]

Musician MC924

[@kevmac1230]

I like the musicians though they both sound great but then he could probably make a shovel with strings sound good.The Muscian is just nice looking with a warm tone but as said both sound great

[@evenseb7574]

The Mc924 is absolutely best. You also play better on it, more relaxed. Ebony fretboard!

[@HectorZLopez]

I like the MC924 for most of the music styles played, but the RB650 rocked when slapped and pulled Great demo, covered a lot of music style using both equipment. Thanks lots!.

[@rfuriati]

I have a roadstar II just same model and edit. Love It .., never sold and all people who kmow ask me to sale jaja, for o side ..always wanted get a Musician.. my favorite headhache ..last bass i bougth , Sire MM V7 , magnifico!

[@user-kt1hc5ig7s]

I have the exact same RB650 as well, and often being asked to sell

[@СергейПроценко-о6ь]

This black Roadstar - My Big Dream

[@Fender664string]

The Old 1 sounds great!!!!!!!👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@goral705]

For more than 25 years I had a RB650 , a good bass but I didn`t like the pick-ups . I changed to Seymour Duncan pic-ups and it was a great improvement .

[@timothyhornyak6276]

Got the same problem

[@gabrielnilsson7955]

What did you do with the original pickups? I have a Rb 650 too, just bought one in great condition 1987 fujigen

[@goral705]

@@gabrielnilsson7955 Jag har kvar dem.

[@gabrielnilsson7955]

@@goral705 Great. You're not going to sell them right? I wouldn't. 😋

[@goral705]

@@gabrielnilsson7955 I tried to sell them but no one was interested in buying .

[@ericfolk3142]

I have a couple of Roadstar IIs... an 85 (old style with the body hooks) and one like yours in Red. Now I have to find a MC924! Have to!!

[@kubicki2000]

I have an entire FLEET of Roadstar 2's :) I do think the Musician series is a cut above those though. You are going to pay a lot for one of those and need to pay attention to the pickups as it feels like there were multiple pickups arrangements on those. However, since you are into the Ibanez P+J basses, have you ever checked out the RB760 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH6WY2atg66liKs ? Pretty sweet as well and they can be had at better prices.

[@ericfolk3142]

Nice! I'll check it out. Yeah, I was noticing the MC pup configurations and wondering about that. Are the Roadstars basswood as well.. like the RB760s?

[@worldmusic1401]

very informative video!

[@amonster8mymother]

I have the yellow one. With the gold chrome hardware. I think it's an '83. I got it because it's both passive and active. I'm not sure which di box to get for it to record now. 😎

[@MrGrsrrt]

RB is too scooped for my tastes. I vote for the MC

[@pgdonahue31]

Excellent demo!

[@nathanballein3035]

I have a RB850 from 85. Kind of a mix between the two. Biggest difference is the pickups are coil splitting humbuckers. Imagine a rawer version of the MC or a more polite version of the black one with more frets lol.

[@kubicki2000]

Not trying to one up you but some time ago unconsciously I set out to corner the 80's Ibanez bass market :) Here's my current lineup: 2 RB850's, both black. One like yours and a newer one without the push/push pots to split the coils and it has active pickups. 3 RB760's, 3 RB630's, 2 RB650's one maple, one rosewood, one RB600 medium scale that someone modded with 2 Duncan quarter pound basslines P pickups. I had an RB800 (precursor to the Soundgear 800) and an RB690 active Jazz sort of bass that I sold. I also have a sweet early 1990's Soundgear 890 which is transparent cherry over ash. And I think the MC924 is better than all of them :) It's the only neck through of the bunch but I love the mids on that one.

[@timothyhornyak6276]

Great video! Question: I have the RB650 but I want that MC924 sound. What would you suggest? Change the pickups?

[@kubicki2000]

I don't think there is any hope making an RB650 sound like an MC924. The Musician is a really unique sounding bass. I'm fortunate that the one I have plays great too. From a pickup perspective, I think the RB760 would be closer to an MC924 vs. the RB650. I own 2 RB760's though (LOVE them!) and I don't think they sound anything like the MC. The MC's are really beloved for a reason IMHO. There is just something unique there.

[@amonster8mymother]

I would get the walnut one if I had a bit more cash I think they are worth more. 👍😷🇨🇦

[@patrickwelch1352]

best bridge pickups ever......

[@robertnicklin2183]

The MUSICIAN! that was Ibanez's attempt of an Alembic copy

[@lesgl]

The one not in the running..the mighty RS 924 Roadster..had both the MC and RS...the RS was the best of them..basically a bolt on MC

[@nickpicc]

what is the neck like on the MC924? Love the way they sound but looks a little thin to my taste. How does it compare to a standard P or J?

[@kubicki2000]

That thin you see must be an optical illusion. It's pretty darn beefy. Narrow at the nut but pretty chunky. Ibanez in the 80's had a different neck profile on almost every bass they made but this is similar to (although thicker) an 80's RB760. I have a Peavey G bass and it has a vaguely similar neck to it as well.

[@nickpicc]

@@kubicki2000 That sounds great. I like chunky

[@deafprof]

What's the bassline you're playing at 6:20? It sounds familiar but I can't place it...

[@kubicki2000]

First off, love your KZbin name :) It's sort of but not really a part of Bach's 2 Part Invention No. 13. It's not the same tempo but there is a section where the bass hand on piano plays similar passages.

[@paolozak3014]

Both are good in their own right, yet missing Fender's fenderness. I mean Japanese Fender-killer basses by Ibanez, Yamaha or Matsumoko are always sort of harsh/metallic sounding, with not so smooth deep bass tone, for instance for reggae. Horses for courses...

[@bushmann9272]

my RB850 is my best sounding bass

[@bartnettle]

What is the heaviest?

[@kubicki2000]

The MC924 by far. It's probably over 10 pounds and the body is ash. The RB650 has a basswood body and is probably 9 pounds or less.

[@michomicho7668]

OTHER IS NOT BAD BUT MC IS ON OTHER LEVEL //DO U KNOW WHEN DID THEY START PUTTIN 2 IDENTICAL SOAP BAR LIKE PICKUPS ON MC924 PLS,,SAME WOOD CONTROLS JUST PICK ARE SAME /BOTH/AND GOT RADIUS AS NECK,, PLS MAIL ME AND IF THERE IS ANY LEFT MC I AM INSTANT BUYER,,CASH NOT QUESTION JUST CONDITION,,PLS

[@kubicki2000]

I'm not sure about when different pickups went in. Mine is the P + J setup. I'm not looking to sell this one.

[@michomicho7668]

@@kubicki2000 i got you //i would not sell it if i could get it,,but left model was order only,,before my time ,,

[@michomicho7668]

i am sure about that in late 1980 s when i bought my soundgear 800,,it was one i think of two soungear models that i could order,, and about mc,,it was not in that catalog at all,,i am so so so sorry that i did not annoy ibanes custom shop till they produce me one of mc s but i was new than,,in my opinion this bass is best ,,for me and my style ,,of all in balance of playability/sound /quality,, let say foderas tobias,,are ok but i cant feel their sound to fit in my music,,a bit too clinical ,better suited for bass , and bass alone playing,//on other hand i got precission that fits soundwise , but is impossible to play as mc,,or if adjusted to that setup it looses that ,,in music,, sound//but mc does it all/perfect :) thanks

[@michomicho7668]

i got one of them ,,and it is in proces of turning to left,,wings cut off,,new glued on ,,by pro guitar maker ,, i may use mec electronic,,the one on mc is great but too much knobs for me as live gig guitar ,,but i just saw another for sale ,,perfect shape ,,and thinkin bout buying it to just turn it ,,hendriks style,,but leave all as original,,only that neck pickup i am worried about,,since if turned it will not be simetric, i ment low string will have pick s magnet cores not in same position ,,but i guess that it should be ok ,, my got identic other model pickups like soapbar stile ,radiused and identical by shape ,, ,,got to see/but it is cheap ,,for shape it is in ,, got to buy it i supose //:)