Ibanez Lawsuit Les Paul
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- Welcome to the new series Restring Sundays (episode 1)
In this video we look at a vintage 1970s Ibanez lawsuit era custom.
It's a Gibson Les Paul copy that Ibanez received a cease and desist for.
If you want to take a look at what the lawsuit guitars are going for currently, here's a link.
reverb.grsm.io/IbanezLawsuitG...
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Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:14 Personal Significance
2:16 Historical Significance
4:08 Trademark Infringement
6:29 Mamas Boys
7:25 Specs
8:17 Made In Japan
9:38 Future Episodes ? - Hudba
The model was referred to as an Ibanez 59'er. I bought the same guitar, brand new, in 1974 as my first electric. Since then, many guitars have come and gone. That 59'er, played steadily for almost a half-century, still plays and sounds as good as any of my Gibson's or Fender's. It's sitting in a stand next to a 100 watt Marshall as we speak. I love that darn thing. Great video young man. You're pretty good on that guitar too.
Because of Arthritis, I can't play anymore. I have a 1972 Aria Lawsuit Les Paul with all orriginal parts, which sounds the same.🤷
I've always found Japanese instruments (mainly basses) of the 80s era to be just as good or even superior to their American counterparts. Easy to play, excellent quality and craftsmanship and built to last.
I have a mid 80's Ibanez roadster bass. It is awesome
@@stephenkemp3372 they are amazing basses, I had one too, an RB960, although I sold it for a Japanese B.C. Rich Eagle. Indestructible basses.
man ibanez blazer basses are so great. even better than the blazer guitars
@@santrixhimself3679 I keep reading/hearing great stuff about the Blazer basses, what always kept me away from trying out one was my fear that it'd have the classic thick P Bass type neck. The reason I love Ibanez basses has always been the slim/narrow necks and I wonder if these basses have that same style of neck! They do look nice though, especially in those natural finishes!
yeah you right i have keyboard from like 94 or few years earlier and it's still great
Fun fact those laws around the open book headstock don't apply for the Japanese domestic market so a lot of the tokais, Edwards etc still have it
I just checked my Japanese market-made in Korea ESP Les Paul bass, and yep it has the open book headstock. Funnily enough the truss rod cover isn't a bell, but just a curve.
Funny you'd mention Edwards, I saw a listing for a new Edward's Explorer up for sale on Reverb, and the seller mentioned that he can't sell this guitar to customers in the USA at the behest of ESP USA. Probably because ESP doesn't want to get into a lawsuit with Gibson like Ibanez over trademarks. I think it's fair game if the guitar were to be sold used.
Ibanez kept getting sued by Floyd Rose, but basically ignored it.
I'm pretty sure all Greco LP's have it. I know my lpc is a proper open book. Also set neck, thing plays like a freaking champ. I definitely recommend it
That's why you can't buy the Burney Les Paul in America
The thing that really pissed Gibson off was that the Ibanez/Greco and Tokai copies were *more* authentic to the 50s originals than the real Gibsons Norlin was churning out, which were mostly garbage. Tokai in particular had bought a bunch of 57-60 LPs and studied them carefully before producing exacting replicas of them. This in turn led to US custom builders like Derrig doing the same for people like Slash.
Norlins mostly garbage? BULLSHIT
I've a fondness for 70s Greco guitars. Very similar. Same factories used, I think. The Maxon pickups are great. Not as easy to find bargains now the market has caught onto how good the guitars are, but you can still get some great deals.
Yep, Greco/Ibanez were the same thing. They made some great Gibson and Fender copies. Then there was/is Tokai, which is entirely separate, plus Edwards (better known for its ESP spinoff)...
I bought a used set neck Greco Les Paul Custom copy in high school (1980s) for $75. It was killer. I sold it to my friends brother because he liked the Sex Pistols and it was a white LP like they played. I wish I still had that guitar. The quality was evident even to a teenager.
I have a couple Grecos. Great guitars. The Japanese market models from the the mid-80's are really well made.
Managed to get a left handed 77 Greco Violin bass for a steal and I haven’t put it down since I bought it months ago
I used to have one of the old Ibanez AS100 made in Japan in 1979, a 335 replica, amazing sound and quality, I had to sell it regrettably but it's been one of the best guitars I've ever had and was even better than the original Gibson 335
I have the exact same guitar. Mine’s from 1976 and it’s fantastic. Bought it for around €650 and it was totally worth my money. Amazing guitar and waaaaaay better than most real expensive Gibsons in my opinion.
Hey..jvdd... I picked up a I picked up a 78 pf300 Ibanez when I was 17 now I'm 58 I still have it and did some electronic work and change the settle in the bridge I almost sold it I'm glad I didn't playing it right now bro
Love the format of this new series!
Great info…great playing…great guitar…hell yea, I’d love to see more vids like this…rock on my brother!!!
That was really interesting. I love hearing about the history of instruments. It adds to the mojo.
Great video KDH and I'm looking forward to Restring sundays!
Love these videos. Always loved Ola Englund's "My Guitar" videos and I'm excited to tune in here every Sunday 🤩
More of this series please. Thank you
Excellent story and I like your delivery. This "restringing" idea is great for videos, I shall look forward to your next one. 🤘
Great stuff! I'll be watching every one of these that you put out.
Like a lot of things in the 70's and 80's (cars, electronics, etc...) American manufacturing really dropped the ball on guitars and Japan swept in and took full advantage of the situation.
An unfortunate side effect of a crappy American economy during the 70s. Recession and shrinking opportunities had American manufacturers start outsourcing production overseas, using cheaper components, and cutting corners overall. This trend has unfortunately persisted throughout the 80s and on to today.
South Korea as well
From what I remember, William Deming was largely responsible for the shift in high quality manufacturing practices and total quality management in Japan during the 70s and 80s.
Yep, an American name Charles Deming took his manufacturing ideas to Japan where they embraced them and well, they win haha
great video , i like the idea of the String/info Sunday episodes! good job!
Lovely Sunday fare...keep 'em coming!
Cool format. Sunday guitar stories. Bring em on.
Love what you're doing on your channel 👍👍 Also that Warrant intro riff from Uncle Tom's Cabin was glorious 🙏🙏🙏
Yes, more please. That was thoroughly enjoyable. Ta!
This series sounds great. I’m excited for the Jackson video.
Definitely would love to see a video on that Jackson Man!!!! Keep up the great work on your channel, LOVE IT!!!!!
I like this new series, and the guitar and video was interesting. Thumbs up
That bridge pickup is a monster. Very, very cool guitar KDH. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I live is a area of Cleveland that has many families that originated from County Mayo. Keep rocking. We are all big Thin Lizzy fan's here.
I love that you spotlighted mama's boys as soon as I seen the sticker I was hoping it would be mentioned.
Great series idea!
Yessss I like this. Awesome info would love to keep seeing these
Awesome vid series im definitely looking forward to- i always stumble on old gems in the pawn shop n wish there was more info on some finds. Please make a playlist for the series so we can find these later!
i'm glad to see you're accuracy on the reason for an impending lawsuit: The head stock.
by utter dumb chance long, long ago, i bought an Ibanez 2661 Les Paul. It has the "open book" head stock,
and sports an artistic vine inlay on the fret board.
I had it appraised by Killer Vintage about 10 years ago, and it was a paltry $500 to $550 U.S.
....nothing to retire on! But i'd never sell it anyway. Too many fun memories.
Great video, pal!
Hi, - fellow Dub here. I have one almost identical to this one. As far as I can tell, it was built in 1974, as the end of the neck, where it's cantilevered over the body, is not rounded. I've had it since 1979, when I was 17. I bought it second-hand from my friend Fran O'Reilly, of Mount Brown. It was my first electric. It still plays really well. When I play it now, it feels like a very old friend. My first acoustic was also an Ibanez from 1974 (Concord Series, 697), which I've had since 1977. Really lovely to see another one just like mine. Thanks for the video, man.
This was great! I think this will be an awesome series! Thanks KDH. Also I have family in Cork and Kerry just thought id say that lol
Keep ‘em comin 😎 bro🤘🏻
Great job . I liked the history , both personal and professional behind the guitar and company .
Got to admit, I have been sleeping on this series of yours but I am catching up. This one was great as I can relate. My dad bought a Yamaki guitar that appears to be a copy of a Gibson Hummingbird when he was a teenager. Also lived in an attic in Dublin for 30 years. It's a great sounding guitar
Man, I've been chasing those for decades! When I lived in LA, they could be had for well under $500 all day. I got to play a '76 Destroyer that felt near identical to my then '05 Gibson Explorer ('76 reissue). The Destroyer was just heavier & obviously the difference of 19 yrs.
From what I remember, there were big playability differences between the bolt on chambered ones & the set neck solid body ones. (At least I remember them being solid body).
Great vid & clean playing!! ✌🤘
Unbelievably beautiful sound!
Just subscribed. I find this interesting, carry on.
Love your channel 🤜🤛
Got one, love it! The neck pickup sounds warmer than every other guitar I own. Nice video, thanks.
Great video mate. And YES, make more vids like these.
A so called pre-lawsuit Ibanez 2355 was one of my first guitars, also from the late 70-ties. I bought it used in early 80-ties. Since i didnt use it often, I have swapped it with a US 2004 start last year. I dont regret I have swapped it, since I play the strat daily and almost never played the Ibanez.
Good to see the Mama's Boys sticker. Saw them twice live and had a signed copy of their first album by Pat, John and the late Tommy.
I'm always down for a good story and history with guitars and stuff. So yeah do more of these I'd love to hear what you have to say!
Really enjoyed that buddy, keep them coming. I loved seeing the Mama's Boys sticker, Pat McManus lives just down the road from me, I've been in his studio and geez his collection of guitars is amazing. I would've liked to have seen more of the guitar, maybe some close ups of the parts, maybe with the parts taken off it etc. I've an '87 MIJ Greco LP Custom copy (with open book headstock etc) and it's superb. I'm surprised Greco/Tokai/Burny/Bacchus etc got away with the openbook design long after Ibanez had to make their changes to design fairly early on.
Thanks for the code!!!!!! Best regards from Germany!
yes, every sunday. I'll wait
Great video- I've always been curious about those Ibanez Les Paul's, but never had the opportunity to see one close up. Other Japanese companies, namely Takamine and Suzuki made some great copies of American acoustic guitars, mostly copies of Martin and Guild. Excellent craftsmanship.
Beautiful guitar, and great playing and tone
Very informative interview., Loved the Mama's Boys sticker, too! I still play "Needle in the Groove" on guitar. Also, I saw that tour in the 80's ....
Great video and sweet licks bro
cool series! I am still playing my Ibanez Stagestar that I bought maybe 25 years ago in 8th grade with my lawn mowing money.
In the video of Mamas Boys, the black flying V Pat is playing was originally custom built for Vivian Campbell, he didn't like it so gave it to Pat. A friend of mine is currently upgrading it for Pat and I get the pleasure of recording pickup samples on it. Lovely guitar. A V with a 25.5" scale length, a Fender like feel and a Kahler tremolo.
Very cool addional info, cara. Nice....
Toughest solo I learned at 15! Stone Cold off of Thunder and Lightning! I was a Priest fan but alway loved Thin Lizzy. Sad losing Phil. But John Sykes is the man! Joel Hoekstra lives right near me and can remember him being at our shows along with the guys in Enuff’s Z’Nuff, and I wasn’t a fan boy but the rest of the band went to Disturbed’s Record Release Party. So many greats moved from Chicago Illinois and even cow town Terra Haute Indiana to L.A. in the states.
Great channel brother
A good friend & lead guitarist had one back in the 70's, it was badass too.
thanks for the cool demo right at the go with this i just got a 2350 today
waiting for another episodes))
Really interesting format to be fair dude! For a knock off from the 70s it sure sounds sick! And your Irish accent is very calming. Subbed ;)
Great video! I have an Ibanez Lawsuit LP (not sure of the year) black w/ gold hardware but it was my #2 behind an '81 LP Custom for years. Got me through my college years playing original and cover gigs. It didn't sing quite as well as the '81 but was a fantastic backup and great if I wanted a change of pace or needed to 'lighten' things up a bit (the '81 is HEAVY) or have something tuned differently for quick changes.
;(for 'market research') cool concept, ill be watching every week
I dig it! The guitar and the segment. Sounds like a great idea! How about adding "The lick/riff this guitar of the week makes me want to play"? Could be cool. Keep it up! 🤘
I have a Starfield LP Copy from 1977 and almost the whole set up looks the same. It plays like a dream. I was searching for a video with the same pickups that I have.
Awesome video! I had no idea this guitar even existed but it looks and sounds great, plus you have some deep family history behind it. I really like the headstock on that Ibanez and the way their logo looked back during that era. I wouldn't have guessed those bridge pickups were stock unless you told me either. Very cool! I have a "Kraken" LP copy and it plays and sounds far and away better than any Gibson I've owned.
Cool! Certainly one of the rarer lawsuit. I saw an Ibanez Exp copy as well and loved it
Cool video! Keep those old import guitars relevant! Great guitars. Prices have gone up steadily. Brings back memories of Aria Pro ii, Aspen, hondo, and the list goes on......
Thanks for an intresting video hope to see more like this always fun with guitar history. be safe and skilful. Pinge
That thing sounds absolutely phenomenal!
Fantastic history lesson thank you Sir.
BTW the guitar sounds great. I had a great Univox Custom LP copy from 1980 that also sounded great.
I've got an Aria 5522n, which is also a lawsuit guitar. Les Paul copy with a natural finish. My dad bought it for me decades ago, and I recently did a full teardown & cleaning on it. Tiniest control cavity I've ever seen!
Very nice. I received a no-name SG from 1970something as a gift. It has the Gibson headstock and bell truss rod cover...no text anywhere on the guitar. It has the super low frets which are great for very low action. The 2 humbuckers were replaced with seymour duncan. The color is a very very dark brown with black and chrome hardware, tophat? knobs, and white binding all the way around the neck and headstock. It's weight distribution is balanced and plays great! I call it a lawsuit even if it's a no-name😀. Your Ibanez LP looks and sounds amazing! I enjoyed your playing and story too
Would love to see your entire collection in depth!
Nicely done.
I have a RR Sr ('58 V) from '76, pre SN. Its a great guitar.
awesome video. I enjoy Les Japauls and play mine (esp variety) quite frequently.
I also formerly owned the white RR24, would love to see your video on that.
Very interesting and enjoyable vid, Thanks. I vote for the Jackson V Mij next.
Legend has it that Scott Gorham nailed his audition with "some cheap Japanese Les Paul copy." Likely a Fugigen or a Matsumoku... Greco, Ibanez, Tokai, Electra, Aria...... all worthy contenders.
Those guitar was made by Matsumoku, they made guitars for a lot of Brands. Most les Paul and SG models were in fact shared across multiple Brands, Vega Power (owned by Martin) for example was one of those brands. Awesome guitar! 👍🏼
Love the restring video idea. I see these Japanese models floating around Craigslist all the time, didn’t know about the top being an arch. Would love more videos like this
if you find it at decent price, go grab it. Ibanez, Orville/ Orville by Gibson, Edwards. You wouldnt regret
I have an old 76 lefty hondo like this still have it it still gets it done
Yes definitely keep this going 👍 love to hear about the Jackson
Mamas Boys and Def Leppard were regulars in the SFX centre in the early and mid eighties. I remember £4.50 to see Leps do a "live rehearsal " circa 1984 That sticker on the Ibanez came with the Lp, I seem to recall. I had that one and a sew on patch from a ratt album stuck to my bedroom mirror!
Great video! We only got the 2350 as a lefty (same model different pickups) , but these have been sleepers for years, people are just starting to really catch on the the pre-87 Ibanez lineups. These really do crush a lot of Gibsons.
That’s pretty cool! , I’ve got a 1975 lawsuit era Japan Ibanez SG deluxe, now I wanna get the les Paul to go with it!
I bought my Ibanez Les Paul new in 1974. It has the headstock shape and bell truss rod cover. Doesn't have the lozenge design on the headstock. It's blank. The fret inlays are like Gibson. It's only had light use so in great shape for it's age and sounds wonderful. I installed Gibson hum buckers long ago and Schaller machine heads.
Back in the early 80s a friend of mine brought me this very beat up Les Paul copy that I proceeded to heavily modify. Bridge and tail piece replaced with a Kahler tremolo, non-potted pickups replaced with Jackson's and my own crazy paint job, which people still flip out over. After finally doing some research it turns out to be one of these early 70s Ibanez "law suite" guitars. Still have it.
That sounds like a fantastic gig piece. I'd love to see it
i saw Mamas Boys a few times in Portland Maine USA back in the 80's. They were always part of the Triple bill with bands like Y&T, Dokken, King Kobra etc. I liked them.
I have an Aria Diamond Hollow body from the early 60's. It was my first decent guitar. It was made in Japan and honestly it plays and sounds amazing.
I remember seeing Mamas Boys in Nottingham in the early 80's, great gig (watered down beer though). Phil Lynott and a few of his band mates turned up and played a few songs with them.
Great video thanks, very well done. I learned something, which is rare.
Dont ever change those pickups. The guitar sounds absolutely brutal.
First of all, thanks for answering some questions I had before watching this video. I was wondering about the pick up configuration, so thanks for answering that. You get a great sound out of your axe. Robbo would be proud. I have a "Lawsuit" Ibanez Les Paul as well, but it's a post 1976 model, and it might be one of the last ones. It has the post 1976 head stock, not the imitation Gibson "Open Book" head stock that yours has. And I've always wondered about the wood, but after watching your video, I'm going to assume that it's ash. The body and neck are totally BLONDE! Blonde body, and neck, which, I assume are ash, and a MAPLE fret board. It also has two twin single coil pickups. Plays like a dream. Sounds fantastic, and the action is like cutting through butter with a hot knife. I wouldn't use D'Addario strings, but Ernie Ball slinky, but that's my preference, since that's what I usually use on all my Gibsons and Epiphones. (I use GHS Boomers for my Fenders and Squiers) You said the Mama's Boys sticker was on there when you got it as a gift. Do you know if it was originally owned by anybody in that band, or if it was owned by a fan? I wouldn't put a sticker on the body proper, but the pick guard, instead. Oh, well, what's done is done. Anyway, thanks for posting that video, and sharing the information. Like I said, you answered quite a few questions I've had for over 20 years about my model. Now I'm on the hunt for an Ibanez lawsuit SG! Wish me luck, because I think I'm gonna need it. You wouldn't happen to have a four leaf shamrock lying around that you could possibly spare, now do you? .
i've got a 1976 Deluxe 59er which still has the bell cover and the open book headstock. serial number starts with C, so its probably made in march 1976. from looking at other models and serial numbers of that year i think they switched the design in june/july.
even though the body is kind of semi hollow and it has a bold on neck, it is my favourite les paul. the neck is just great. i usually dont like les paul because of their necks. the neck on the 59er is something elso though. almost feels like a good slim fender neck.
Ibanez also made an own design LP look alike the "Custom Agent" but with a mandolin headstock but with another older Gibson logo - this had a hollow ply top top just like the Gretch Round-up they did not have to carve the tops
I used to own an Ibanez RS900VT (identical to the one Philo used in the early 80's). My friend also had one. He got talking to a chap who had done a lot of work on Phils house in Kew, and was given a signed scratchplate from his RS900. He got a template made from it (they didnt come with scratchplates so Phil Lynott had one made to fit) and we both ended up with mirrored perspex copies on our Roadsters. Sad I sold it a few years ago it was an awesome if heavy bass.
That’s a nice format
Tokai also had/have the 'Open Book' headstock and 'Bell' truss rod cover. I have a 'Love Rock' from 1985.
Saw Mammas Boys a couple of times, at festivals and if I remember correctly, supporting the Scorpions in the early - mid 80's.
Lovely guitar.. I have a 1971 2351 Gold top, a few battle scars and not as clean as yours. Your guitar is a 1973 model, that year they squared off the bottom of the fretboard as it was rounded for 1971 and 1972. Its a keeper and plays just as nice as any of the Gibsons I have, in fact has a solid feeling in the neck the Gibsons just dont do... I love mine and will will go to the grave with me.
I had one exactly like that! I loved it! It was burgled from my house in '98,........I've still got that case, though! Hehe (I wired a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, the neck pickup sounded great)
I know nothing about guitars and guitar history but this is really interesting. I will look forward to more episodes.
The algorithm is wild but also looking out for me, apparently.
I have a white Custom version & the SG twin neck both a great sounding. I ended up buying a brand new Iceman in 79 as well.
I´ve had the exact same guitar Model for about 25 years. It was pretty good. But I changed a lot, damaged it, gave her a new finish and et the end sold it. She still lives hopefully anywhere. These guitars are great! The Ibanez copys from the 70 pre Lawsuit ära are very good intruments. I also have an Black Beauty Paula and a Stratocaster of that time period. Great Models too!
The Ibanez catalogue shots you showed remind me very much of the Antoria catalogue I had back in the '70's.
I have a Futura that I reckon was made in '74 as it has no serial No. That's the Korina Moderne copy for those of you that are taking notes.
Very cool guitar with a super thick sound.