I Have an Unidentified Ibanez S540fm, NEED HELP on ID

umpteen · #1 08-03-2003, 04:59 PM

I bought this guitar new and it has had the most amazing tone. It was described as an Ibanez S540fm "tt" (transparent turquoise). It is a '97.

I checked the catalogs for 96,97,98 and could not find this guitar. The '97 Transparent Turquise in the catalog looks completely differnt, is a sunburst pattern and has gold hardware. As you see, this guitar is quite a bit differnt.

The serial number is F9731001, if that means anything to anyone.

Is this a rare guitar? I dont think is is a J-custom because the headstock has the typical "S-Series" insignia.

Will post link to pic once uploaded. ...

umpteen · #2 08-03-2003, 05:03 PM

Here is the link to the picture. . .

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...hreadid=392586

umpteen · #3 08-03-2003, 05:05 PM

BTW, the hardware and lo-pro are "gunmetal". In the pic they look black.

the.godfather · #4 08-03-2003, 05:42 PM

Havent got a clue - looks bloody nice though!

Ibanez Junkie · #5 08-03-2003, 06:02 PM

damn she's so beutiful! and it's got those weird inlays!

i'm kinda sure it's a prototype or smth..

umpteen · #6 08-03-2003, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanez Junkie

damn she's so beutiful! and it's got those weird inlays!

i'm kinda sure it's a prototype or smth..

Maybe. Because the serial# end with 001, leads me to believe it is the first of something. Or it may just be a J-custom, but the newr j-customs ive seen all have that written on the headstock. Maybe in 97 they had the same headstock????

gkelm · #7 08-03-2003, 06:54 PM

Looks more like an S540QS (quilted sapele), which came in "tk" (black stain) which sometimes looked greenish.

They're in the 98 catalog:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1998/98017.jpg
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1998/98016.jpg

(courtesy of Ibanez Rules)

I guess since it's a 97 per the serial it must be a quilty flame. Not much a a chance it's a JC. Either way, it's a great guitar!
Greg

umpteen · #8 08-03-2003, 07:15 PM

The thing which is interesting is that this guitar is not in any of the catalogs. I had always assumed it was a "tt" until recently when I saw the pictures of the "tt" and realized it looks nothing like that.

Why is there no chance its a J-custom? (Not that that matters to me.) I have seen recent J-customs and they have alot more color options. It masy be a 97 J-custom or japanese market S540. That could help explain it better that to say its a one-off or a prototype. Anyway, the serial number 001 leads me to believe theres something special about it. Maybe it was one of the first they painted in the line that year that never made it to production for whatever reason.

Rich · #9 08-03-2003, 09:03 PM

It's absolutely not a JC, it's not even a Prestige. The serial # is not 001, it's 31001. Which is late enough in the year to be a 98' model. Only problem with the QS desigantion is it doesn't have the QMpickups. If you really want to know what it is, pull the neck.

umpteen · #10 08-03-2003, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

It's absolutely not a JC, it's not even a Prestige. The serial # is not 001, it's 31001. Which is late enough in the year to be a 98' model. Only problem with the QS desigantion is it doesn't have the QMpickups. If you really want to know what it is, pull the neck.

I replaced the QM pickups with Dimarzios *******.

There wasnt a "Presteige" line until 98, *******.

Go rain on someone elses parade *******.

umpteen · #11 08-03-2003, 09:39 PM

BANNED

umpteen · #12 08-03-2003, 09:39 PM

Rich · #13 08-03-2003, 09:42 PM

Yea, we're all sure you are by now. Go back to HC as I believe you're about to be Suspended.

Can't even answer the guys question without him showing his true colors. I won't miss ya'.

What did you want, more fantasy? Or fact?