NGD ! S experts wanted !

[Agent540]

Hi guys,

I've just got this '91 540S in a pretty good shape








AFAIK, seen here :

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1991/s.jpg
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1991/s_2.jpg

the 540SFM has dot inlays as mine (the noFM has oval inlays)
But like you can see, mine have stickers ( don't know the word in English for french "placage", if someone can help )
So i cannot see if there is a visible flamed mapple top !!! what a shame ! lol (It's barely visible on the square picture/detail of the red 540SFM on the second pic of the catalog)

I know I can unstick that stuff, but it's worse under, I prefer let it like this

your comments are welcome !

[stratoskier]

I'm a little confused -- It looks to me like someone sanded off the original finish (which may have been gloss black, judging from edges in the pics) to expose the wood grain underneath and then stained the top and back black. Are you saying that what appears to be stained wood is actually some type of decal?

[Agent540]

it's just something like that : http://www.cifbois.com/pdf/1.pdf sticked on the body

[stratoskier]

Oh, now I get it. That explains why the grain doesn't look at all like mahogany, which all S's are.

You're correct that according to the US catalog the FM's had dot inlays and the solid colors had ovals, but there were a lot of inconsistencies during those years as far as what was shown in the catalogs and what they actually sold. Plus there's lots of variation between what was sold in Europe vs the US.

Probably only one way to find out what's under there (peel and pray), but I kind of like the way it looks now.

[Agent540]

you are surely right Strato, thanx!