1984 Ibanez Roadstar II RB650 question!

aaron gein

Does anyone here own an '84 RB650? Does anyone have an opinion on these? Maybe a short review? I'm thinking about buying one...but I wont be able to play it before buying it (it's in another state) and would like some info from people with experience with them. I've only been able to find reviews and posts on later models.

Thanks!

radioripster · Newbie Alert Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

I have three RB650s. They have been my first choice since the day I played a brand new black one in a music store. I just happened to buy that very one. I bought a second black one as a back up to my first and now I play both a lot. I have a white one as well and looking for a red one to complete the set..haha..that's how much I like these instruments. Just something about the feel,tone and look that I really like.

If you EQ one right you can get a good growl out of the split PUs with new-newish round wound strings and a nice poppy ..dare I say..Jaco tone from the bridge PU. I tend to run the bridge PU close to wide open with about a 1/3 up on the neck PU ..giving myself a little wiggle room along with the tone wide open then turned back just a bit...again..more wiggle room.
The sweetheart tuners are accurate and don't get sloppy over time..(a little vaseline on the gears from time to time is a good thing for any open geared tuner). I also like the genie's foot headstock ...it's different and has a bit more mass than a Fender..(helps make potential dead spot areas on the neck ring)..if you buy one and it still has the horsefly strap buttons..take them off and put them in the case pocket and spring for some Fender style buttons or strap locks.. Take time with the truss rod...if you find a used one take the strings OFF and try to give a little hand assisted relief to the neck with each move to the truss rod. After that maple neck gets used to how it's set for years you want to help the truss rod along when adjusting. After it's set though..you shouldn't have to monkey with much afterwards. The Fender style bridge is a just a bit wimpy but lack of sustain has never been an issue for me. If you feel the need to replace the bridge..try to stay away from the badass bridges unless you like higher action. You'll have to route the body a bit for the badass bridge to attain the low action that can be had with the stock bridge. By the way..a stock Fender bridge will screw right on with no modifications.

I use D'addario EXL 170 nickel plated medium light roundwound strings and these basses also do very well with Fender 9050 stainless flat wound strings.

These things are built well and strong. Maybe just a tad on the heavy side because of the maple neck and the thick polyurethane finish..but that's never been a factor to me.

All of the examples of this bass that I've run across seem to facilitate
low action..without much buzz..even if you go too low. The 16th-18th fret will probably buzz out before the rest.

Ok..that's my take on the '84-'85 Ibanez RB650..hope my experience will help if you run across one.