S540TN-CAR - Anybody know much about them?

[vaijem777]

I've got a Sabre Twin Neck in Candy Apple Red. *I've also had a black one and a white one in the past couple of years. *I've seen several black and white models for sale on EBay over the years, but never a single Candy Apple Red one. *I know that they're relatively obscure, and the only other one that I've seen is in the Hard Rock Cafe in New York (formerly at a Hard Rock in Canada). *That one was supposedly used by Vai (though I seriously doubt it!). *I'm considering possibly selling it, but would like to gather as much info as I can before I start thinking about doing so. *

Thanks!
Chris

[kirk]

6/7? *6/12? *Hardware? *Details man, details! *

[nuno]

Pics man, pics!

[vaijem777]

Hey!

If you've got a copy of the 1991-1992 Ibanez catalog, the 540STN is on page 15. *It's a 6/12 configuration. *There is an Original Edge (not a LoPro) on the 6-string neck, and a standard 12-string bridge on the 12-string neck. * The hardware is all black (not Cosmo Black). *The body is mahogany (like most "S" models), and both necks are maple with 22-fret rosewood boards (dot inlays). *The correct color of mine looks to be "Ruby Red" (RR according to the catalog). *As I've said, I've also owned a black and a white one as well-both identical to this one. *

Pickups are all IBZ/USA:
6-string: F2 (bridge/C3 (middle)/ F1 (neck)
12-string: F2 (bridge/F1 (neck)

Controls:

6-string: 5-way switch, volume, tone
12-string: 3-way neck selector switch, 3-way mini-switch to select pickups, volume.

The only thing that is missing from the guitar is the TopLock locking nut pads. *Other than that, the thing looks brand new!

Here's a pic:

http://jemsiteforum.com/sharefiles/i...S540TN-CAR.jpg

[butch]

They were listed in the '91-'92 catalog. The guitar in the picture was black as was most of the production run. Red was listed as an available color, but I have never seen one in person. I have my suspicions that the pearl white doubleneck that has appeared on ebay twice is a refin.

The color listed in the catalog is Ruby Red.

Specs:
Mahogany doubleneck S body
Maple 6/12 necks with rosewood boards
6 string lo-pro, 12 string custom Gotoh
6 string H-S-H (F1-C3-F2)
12 string H-H (F1-F2)

These guitars are relatively scarce. I have a black one, and although these guitars were listed in the catalog, very few know about them. Unfortunately, they also don't retain too much resale value. Like most doublenecks, they are a fringe instrument that doen't carry universal appeal.

Cheers,
Butch

[vaijem777]

I do know that they were actually offered in a Pearl White as well. *I've had one, and it was as original as can be. *I'd actually asked the local Ibanez rep about it, and he confirmed that black was the most common color, and that red and white were also produced, but primarily for Japanese and European distribution. *I sold my Black one for $1500 and traded the white one for an '89 77FP and $500, so there is some value there. *But with the more recent 6/7 Sabre Twin neck being available in only black, the colors seem to be a bit more intresting I guess.