Wow... Ibanez RB960 Roadstar II Bass 1985 Made in Japan [Review/Demo]

#Ibanez #RoadstarBass #RB960
This week we're taking a trip back in time... to Ibanez's "hay day"
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[@richie8847]

Japanese basses in general are amazing. I just bought a Fender PB-70 made in Japan and it's simply amazing. Jonny, great beard man, keep it growing!

[@JonnyDibble]

Never heard a bad word about anything MIJ! Thank-you sir 🙏

[@jamcam9]

What a beauty. That binding is amazing. Given the size of those humbuckers I wonder if they are quad coils? Because they really have a nice punch of low end on the initial attack.

[@JonnyDibble]

I didnt even know that was a thing! Haven't read anywhere about that, only seen mentions of humbuckers. Would be interested to see what's under the hood

[@jamcam9]

@@JonnyDibble I know Ibanez has experimented with odd pickup configurations. For example, the main pickup on the ATK series was a triple coil (three long thin coils). Nordstrand makes pickups that are quad coils for MM designs, and I remember seeing a review of a bass (I think it was Lobster?) where the pickup was huge like that and was a quad coil (basically two massive split coils). If you find out what's under the hood I would love to know!

[@themigwel6185]

I would see SIMS pickups in this one.

[@gavinoneill7102]

I’ve got one of these in the white ( got it for my 21st in 1986) which has now transformed to an amazing vintage cream colour and it still is a great sounding bass! Really enjoyed watching this to see what your thoughts are. Great vid👍

[@JonnyDibble]

Oh thats awesome. Aged like a fine wine! Thanks very much 😊

[@Anton-du-Fleur]

I still play my Roadstar 2 bass. I bought it in 85 and it has never let me down . It plays fantastic and sounds good with dead strings too. A real bass - guitar not a low mid bass machine

[@hephaestusofficial]

Dude! That's my bass! Gotta say, these basses are built like TANKS! The sound is also incredible although my one was converted to passive I plan on making it active again. The gold hardware makes look classy af, especially with the body that reminds me of a Rickenbacker. Overall an amazing bass, I got mine after trading my Cort B5 Artisan bass which I consider a great deal!

[@JonnyDibble]

That was a great deal! I'm a big fan 😄

[@pilummurialis6490]

The Ibanez Roadstar Body shape is basically modelled off the Rickenbacker, but better in comfort, those quad coil pickups and the push pull taps, can basically pull off ANY/ALL Tones, including the Rickenbacker tone, it's such a shame they stopped being made, I mean they were heavy as shit, but Ibanez should bring this back, they can use the woods they use now, produce all the colours and keep all the original electronic and guts of what made these great, to me this is perfect craftmanship and versatility as well as a great looker! I loved the fact you can get all the tones and still be passive too!

[@paulsnijder2031]

IMO the best bass you bought so far. The looks and sound are amazing and it really suits you 😊

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Paul! It was a lucky find 😄

[@aaronbonds1926]

Also born in 94! I got one of these headed my way right now. I have an 81 Roadster (rs824) so I'm STOKED on this! Great video!

[@JonnyDibble]

Ayyy, great year imo 🤪 Awesome! Let me know what you think

[@KitBasher1]

I am so blown away with the tone of the bass!

[@tonyhereford5658]

It's on the way Jonny! The only one I could find online like this one. Love Japanese basses next to American. That bass seems to be a bit rare. (Black 1985 Roadstar II) Great video and info. I can't wait to plug it into the old SVT. I really like the Aria Pro II basses made in Japan also. I have a 2015 Aria Pro II IGBRC, that is a joy to play. 33 scale 24 fret with awesome feel and sound. Keep up the good work!

[@JonnyDibble]

No doubt it'll sound HUGE through the SVT 😁 I had a Aria Pro I a few years ago which was really cool! Cheers Tony 😃

[@Bassdriver]

I absolutely LOVE old MIJ basses and had several of them: Ibanez Roadster RS824 (retrofitted with EMGs by one of the previous owners; I planned to install a pair of DiMarzios but I was dumb enough to let that one go), a defretted Roadstar RB850 (sold to one mr Colin Bass, best known from the band Camel - very fitting last name btw), a Fernandes "lawsuit era" P-Bass, a Fernandes Jazz (both in my favourite black/maple combo) and a Founder (yes, Founder) "lawsuit era" Jazz which I've just sold (a great bass but I needed a backup 5 + some cash so I ended up buing a Sterling Ray SUB 5). I also had an opportunity to play an Aria Pro II SB-700 for several days and it was beyond awesome. It's one of my dream basses, together with an Ibanez Musician. Stellar instruments. And this one is another awesome MIJ offering from the 80s. Actually, it has some Wal vibe to it. Love it! And I love that new wave song at the end - the tone of that Ibanez suits it perfectly ❤️

[@timmerred5]

I had an 80’s Roadstar II 5 string that was fantastic. I wish that I still had it. Some of the basses in that era had humbuckers with a switch or tone push/pull knob to make them single coil.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah! I did see when looking into it. I tried to pull the knobs several times on mine haha

[@stephenghudson6179]

Super good review. I've had my eye on a vintage Ibanez, different and older model however this vid makes vintage look amazing. Very slick playing and as I've said before and many others have, love that you go through all the different sounds like a detective.

[@JonnyDibble]

So great! Feeling the love, thank-you so much mate 😊

[@allnightslash-o-rama2308]

Another killer video Jonny! Keep the bringing the thunder!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Zach! 😁

[@bassnsax]

What a cool design! I'd love to see Ibanez make a "throwback" run of these, with some Nordstrand Big Splits, in 4-, 5- and 6 strings models... Also, speaking as someone born in 1985, I've got my fair share of dings & scratches, too.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yesssss. That would be great!

[@wolfram4321]

Thanks for this feature. I bought mine in 1988. I am an 80s kid and likes the „modern“ symmetric style. I also was impressed from Steinbergers pedal bass made of „plastic“ instead of wood. Compound Glasfibre reinforced or whatever. I never played Fender P. It is like VW beatle or Bully. It is cute but who really wants to travel without servo steering, real assistant and air condition? Ibanez introduced active pickups. Clean sound, no radio interference, no noise. Simply great. Better string pressure on the saddle and a bridge that makes changing of strings very simple. I started with Ibanez and stuck on them Actually I play SR 500 and ATK 850.

[@JonnyDibble]

Would love an ATK! I do love the simplicity of a P bass. This bass definitely captures the more vintage sound whilst being super reliable and consistent sounding 👌 Thanks for tuning in!

[@Blackstormriders]

I own 2 units Ibanez Roadstar II basses RB850 Deluxe (1986) & RB830 (1987) they are very great, they always please me with the kind of tone that I want 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@DannoDemo]

Daaaaaanng! Great find/play/review! Will have to keep an eye out for one myself.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much! These things are so cool

[@sv.graaljosua1163]

@@JonnyDibble I recommend washing your hands more often after intercourse. And it's good to lubricate your ass.

[@patpompeo9354]

I own this exact bass bought new in 1986. At time $389 US. I recently started playing again and have been researching my basses. I always loved the body and variety of sounds. I like hearing it compared to a Stingray. That is on my wishlist.

[@mr_ozzio5095]

My first bass was a black second hand 80s CT-series 4 string, back in 94 but i didn't stick with playing bass and sold it on!

[@gf9898]

Gorgeous all round. The video makes the A string sound slightly lower output, but I’m sure it’s just a quirk of my headphones or some such. Love your work!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much 😊

[@XtramayoX]

I've got an 84 roadstar II that sounds and plays amazing. Its got that same headstock and unfortunately is yellowing a bit (It used to be white) so its not much to look at. It is definitely hard to find much info on these basses. I was however able to find out out the year of manufacture and even the factory by searching the serial number. Love your videos!

[@floydlay9189]

Gidday Guy,,I love when they start to turn yellow,,just ageing as you know,,I have a bass from the same period,,and doing the same,,horses for courses,,I guess.

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! I'll do a search on the serial number 😄 Thanks very much 😊

[@ismaelo182]

Hey Johnny, you what we NEED? For you to get your hands on a Fender Modern Player STARCASTER bass. There's not a decent review online. Btw, keep rocking that beard!

[@That_One_Guy_In_A_Band]

I think this is the same kind of bass that Greg Norton used in Hüsker Dü. Like, same model and everything. One of my favourite bands, with one of my favourite bass tones. Impressive sound he got, considering he very rarely played with a pick. Congrats on the bass, btw. I've always wanted one of these for myself, but could never find one for sale. Edit: I believe the Schecter Stargazer bass, and possibly this bass as well, take their style cues from the legendary Rickenbacker 4001/4003 series of basses, with the "cresting wave" design.

[@ulash12344321]

Hi Jonny, I'm a big fan of Japanese basses. You know my highly modded Japanese Fender PJ is the no:1 for me, as we talked in the instagram. This one makes me excited too, not only for the place of birth but the year. Can you believe we are in the same age with that monster :D I think RB960 would be a great choice for drop zone (Eb standard, D standard etc...) in any arsenal ;) I wish I had one...

[@mightyV444]

Pretty cool bass! 😀👍 I love vintage Ibanez stuff from the 70's and 80's and would collect it if I had the dough. I did once own a 'Musician' series MC900 from '79 though, which is the same bass ol' Sting had used around that time, only his one was fretless; It was a great bass and kinda Ibanez' answer to the MusicMan Stingray and Alembic basses. It was also terribly heavy, though; Which was one of the reasons I sold it on, after a decade or so.

[@daveandrews5485]

Really nice bass Jonny, lovely finish. Reminds me of the Fender Jazz Aerodyne, black finish with cream binding round the body.

[@JonnyDibble]

Good comparison! They're so sleek looking 😍

[@nj1255]

I prefer the passive humbuckers on the RB850, but these active ones sound pretty good as well. I think that the RB950 also had the passive pickups, but I haven't had the chance to play one.

[@jcisme]

I believe these pickups are called the J60's. They are actually reverse P pickups. I have these in an '85 MC924 (Musician). They are a nice pickup just a bit mid scooped for me and the bottom end seems a little wooly (for want of a better word). There are some 3d models of the covers out there so I want to try something different because I love the physical bass so much. One idea is to WALify it. Get some multi-coils wounds and put a filer preamp in it.

[@paulclemas513]

I covet that bass! That headstock is perfect. Very versatile sounding too. I'll be on the lookout for one now. Great show as slways Jonny

[@JonnyDibble]

Thank-you sir! They're great and haven't climbed too high in price 😄

[@paulclemas513]

Those little horns on the bass are an homage to Rickenbacker i think. Def not Schecter 😂😆

[@JonnyDibble]

@@paulclemas513 oh yeah I was trying to say I think Schecter was inspired 😝

[@paulclemas513]

You should review a 4003, you're very thorough. Can use mine if you need to source one.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@paulclemas513 I would be very scared haha. That's just it though, getting hold of one is a bugger! I appreciate that offer SO much but couldn't ask you to do that x

[@tominthehat5145]

I was very sad to see it go, truly was a great workhorse. But fantastic to see it in a good home!

[@danielgraham4282]

I’ve just picked up a 1981 Ibanez Blazer bass that was for sale locally, and the guy sold it CHEAP! I messaged my guitar tech friend if I should go for it, and he said he would snap the guys arm off at 4x what he was asking for it, I love it, it’s in what my research found out was a TV finish, which stands for Traditional Violin apparently 😂 I think it’s more like a 1980’s tv cabinet personally 😂 it’s got a lovely maple neck, and a single, split P style pickup. It f***ing rocks man! Those Japan made 80’s Ibanez basses are solid, well made instruments. If you don’t have a place in your arse 😂 for it, do you want to sell it to me?

[@JonnyDibble]

Sweeeeet! Would live to see it 😍 If you're on Instagram, send me a photo 😊

[@danielgraham4282]

@@JonnyDibble just sent some pics on insta

[@SALOEDD]

Hello. I have an ibanez blazer bass 82, the colors of my grandma's closet))) and a great maple neck!!! I use it in the studio and at concerts, an excellent workhorse. Thank you for your attention!!!!

[@prestachuck2867]

I used to own a fretless one of those. Paid $200USD for it used in about 1988. It was my favorite bass until I purchased my Pedulla in 1990. Kind of wish I still had that one too.

[@JonnyDibble]

Awesome! Was that modded to be a fretless or just how it was stock?

[@MrJoeAkuma]

What a classy bass!!

[@JonnyDibble]

It's very saucy

[@egnbigdave]

I had a 1979 Roadster RS900VT.. epic bass. Jesus it was a boat anchor but it sounded fantastic - same model Phil Lynott moved to.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ahh the beauty of vintage 😅 This one is heavy, but the sound resonates super well through the body

[@CharlesNegroe]

Sounds amazing!!

[@JonnyDibble]

It's awesome 😁 cheers

[@michaelblaney4461]

It's sometimes hard to research pre internet instruments if they don't have large collector interest.

[@andyunwin9260]

That bass looks absolutely lovely. Very jealous

[@JonnyDibble]

Tis a beauty!

[@gabrielegazzotti5582]

I Love Ibanez basses....that bass is super cool...yeah!!!🙂✌

[@JonnyDibble]

Super cool is CORRECT

[@floydlay9189]

That sound is a force!

[@JonnyDibble]

The force is strong with this one

[@wtcornet]

I strongly agree at this being Ibanez greatest era for bass.

[@JonnyDibble]

The force is strong with this one 💪

[@andrewcerecedes4757]

I have an Ibanez SDGR 400 but after seeing this, I wish it was Roadster now :'( Also that Roadster I with the sunburst finish looks gorgeous :)

[@JonnyDibble]

I'm obsessed with that Roadstar I! But, I do think it sounds best with both pickups together 🔥

[@1thess523]

1994 🤔, I was 20 and I was on my second punk band 😁. I'm not a fan of square head stocks or solid covered pick ups but this bass sounds really good 👌.

[@JonnyDibble]

Aka, a great year 😜

[@PushSueAside]

Wow!!!! Nice score. I’m not and Ibanez fan, except for the roadstar stuff of the early 80s. It looks like you have a keeper. How about the humbuckers in the passive G&L basses? Might be interesting. Got to find a 1994 bass. It shouldn’t be to hard. Great video, cheers on the new/old bass. Thank you for sharing.

[@JonnyDibble]

My L2000 does have a passive mode, will need to compare them! 😁 Thanks very much

[@PushSueAside]

@@JonnyDibble cheers buddy

[@Ortav93]

The sound i enjoyed the most was all nobs 100% also when you play auto what it sounds like "go go power rangers". Love your videos.

[@JonnyDibble]

Power Rangers tribute band starting in 2022. Thanks Victor! 😄

[@wolfram4321]

The triangle strap pin looks like a starship.

[@JonnyDibble]

So rad.

[@youngscallywagfourteen4672]

Loving the beard!

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha, thanks! ☺

[@danieltaylor4882]

That bass sounds and looks awesome, problem is now everyone knows the price will be going up.

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha I'd better put it up for sale then! 😆

[@SebastianBleak]

Yes!!!

[@JonnyDibble]

Yes yes yes!!

[@TheCrusader1099]

i am 1 year older then the bass;) take that ibanez!😅 once you get into vintage basses you cant stop...trust me...to my experience most(not all) vintage basses have much better materials used then nowadays but the overall quality is better today...

[@JonnyDibble]

Less mass production and greater availability of quality woods! I do want to get me an older P bass for this reason 🤤 Although I'll always be a cheap skate and love affordable gear haha. Thanks man!

[@TheCrusader1099]

@@JonnyDibble try to get a Tokai from the late 70s! i only heard good things about these old Tokais...xurrently saving up for a custom Sandberg and a maruszczyk custom;) .... have to say it takes me sometime to save that amount of money because i got other hobbys as well;) also a 8 10 ampeg and all valve ampeg for our rehearsal room is on my list...lot of stuff to get in tge next years:) take care

[@themaschi]

Try it with nylon wound Strings.... Deep tone City i tell ya!

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh I can tell that would sound phenomenal!

[@ampthebassplayer]

Ibby's is the plural form of Ibanez.

[@JonnyDibble]

That makes me feel a bit unwell