| Comments | Ibanez produced a large number of good copies of popular brand guitars, and at their top end were renderings of the ‘Johhny Smith’ archtops. This 1976 example, the model 2471, is in good shape with a modification – the volume and tone controls, originally mounted on the pickguard, have been moved to the top.Despite being a close copy, this is not what’s known as a ‘lawsuit’ model. The lawsuit was over Ibanez’ use of the open-book headstock shape, and by this time Ibanez had stopped using that design, opting for this shape which they still use.
This is a really, really nice instrument and is priced far below what it copies. We know of one top local jazz player who has used one of these for years. |
| Serial Number | K768074, built November 1976.In this version of the Ibanez numbering system, the letter indicates the month and the first two digits are the year. The last four digits are the position in that month’s production. |
| Pricing | $1,600.00 CAD with hardshell case. NO LONGER AVAILABLE |
| Neck | Maple neck with bound and pufled ebony fingerboard; mother of pearl block markers. Faux pearl Ibanez logo on black headplate. |
| Frets | Original wide frets with some wear. |
| Body | Maple back and sides, spruce top, L5-size and shape body. |
| Finish | A thin gloss finish with some wear and checking, could be nitrocellulose lacquer rather than the usual thick polyester. There’s a lovely patina on the binding and heel cap. |
| Hardware/electronics | Gold-finish Gotoh tuners, L5-type tailpiece, Kent Armstrong ‘Johnny Smith’ pickup. Volume and tone pots removed from the pickguard and added to the top. Gold finish tune-o-matic bridge, original ebony bridge in the case. |
| Playability/Action | This is a great player. The neck is a slim taper but not overly so, it’s wide enough to make complex chords but not so big that they’re a reach. The geometry and neck set are sufficient to allow any kind of action adjustment. |
| Case | Arched hardshell case included. |
You can preview our videos now on Our YouTube Channel!
You can now Visit our Facebook page!
