Looking for info re: 89 Ibanez S540 with a fabric covering.

jl9184 · #1 11-02-2002, 06:59 PM

I just purchased a beautiful 1989 S540 with a fabric top just like the Jem FP, only in a totally different pattern. The entire top portion including the headstock are covered and then clear coated. The serial # begins with F9 and it says made in Japan. I have been trying to find out how many others were produced if any. I have done some thorough searches and have not been able to find any info at all. Does anyone have any knowledge about this most unusual Saber? Thanks

vaijem777 · #2 11-02-2002, 10:16 PM

Gotta be an aftermarket re-finish. '89 was prior to the J Custom Shop, and there weren't any USA Custom "S" models. The JEM77FP was the only fabric-covered production Ibanez that I know of.

darren wilson · #3 11-02-2002, 10:53 PM

In 1991 the USA Custom line offered a "Metal design" series that had fabric finishes.

Maybe the fabric-covered S is a foreign-market equivalent? There are probably zillions of guitars available overseas that we never saw in North America. Though it does seem odd that a fabric-finished production Ibanez would appear before the JEM 77FP, so maybe it is a refinished body.

spacenuke · #4 11-03-2002, 01:04 AM

yeah, it's probably a refinish. I'm pretty sure such a guitar was not marketed in Asia either since I had an Asian version of the 1989 catalog and there wasn't a fabric-covered S540 in it.

Addicted To Guitar · #5 11-03-2002, 08:05 AM

Can you upload a picture?

horstausmforst · #6 11-03-2002, 09:25 AM

Just a dumb comment: Maybe your guitar isn't a '89 model?? Between 1997 and 1999, EVERY serial number begins with 9, due to their introduction of that 2-digit-numbering system in '97.

Does it have the all access neck joint or the square joint?

jl9184 · #7 11-03-2002, 01:01 PM

I just noticed that I made a mistake in the serial #. It begins with F89, not, F9. I read on one website that during that time period Ibanez would supposedly customize any Ibanez guitar at the buyers request going through the selling dealer. If memory serves me correctly the service was available for either 2 or 3 years. I will upload some pictures in the next few days. I am out of town at the moment. I appreciate all of the input thus far.

vaijem777 · #8 11-03-2002, 01:59 PM

There's plenty of info on the Ibanez USA Custom Shop at this link:

http://www.jemsite.com/usa/usa.htm

At no time would Ibanez customize ANY model a customer wanted-the USA Custom Shop only dealt with RG bodies, and the customization was pretty much limited to necks, pickups and finishes. However, there was a set list of finishes offered (none of which were floral patterns). I suppose that there is an off chance that it could have been a Hoshino or Chesbro employee guitar (like Kevan's doubleneck FP).

As far as I know, the (3) MetalDesign finishes were the only USA Custom fabric finishes, and none of them were fabric.

The best thing would be to have some pictures of your guitar though

I'm sure that that would greatly help in determining exactly what it is.