Discussion:
Ibanez Johnny Smith 2461 BS
(too old to reply)
D.Onstenk
2004-07-15 08:38:52 UTC
Permalink
Dudes,

I own this gorgeous 1977 Ibanez Johnny Smith. It was built by Ibanez' master
luthier M. Sugihara. Inside the label says:

2461 BS

I have always assumed that it had a laminate top. Still, the ending BS still
has me wondering. Might this be one of the solid top versions? Should it not
say only 2461 for the laminate versions?

Or does BS refer to the color? (which is sunburst)

It is a pretty loud guitar, acoustically. It has two floating pick-ups and
all controls are mounted on the pickguard so there is no telling really
since the F holes are bound.

TIA,

#####
D.Onstenk
2004-07-15 08:46:33 UTC
Permalink
According to the info on the Vintage Ibanez Site
(http://www.comcat.com/~alnico5/copies2.html) it has a laminated spruce
top, curley maple sides and back.
According to the '77 Price list on that site it was 1 of the 5 most
2461 - Johnny Smith, 2 Floating Pickups: $650.00
2471 - L5, Non Electric Jazz Model, Spruce Top: $650.00
Considering the asking price today, the 2461 was a great investment.
The only solid top model, I can think of was the L5 copy, model 2470. There
is no price listing for the 2470, but it must >have been more than the $650
price of the 2471, shown above.
L. Fiorillo
2004-07-15 10:17:47 UTC
Permalink
I have a 1977 2471 BS, and was told by a vintage Ibanez expert that the BS
meant Brown Sunburst. These are great guitars in my opinion. I still want
an L5 though!
Post by D.Onstenk
According to the info on the Vintage Ibanez Site
(http://www.comcat.com/~alnico5/copies2.html) it has a laminated spruce
top, curley maple sides and back.
According to the '77 Price list on that site it was 1 of the 5 most
2461 - Johnny Smith, 2 Floating Pickups: $650.00
2471 - L5, Non Electric Jazz Model, Spruce Top: $650.00
Considering the asking price today, the 2461 was a great investment.
The only solid top model, I can think of was the L5 copy, model 2470. There
is no price listing for the 2470, but it must >have been more than the $650
price of the 2471, shown above.
D.Onstenk
2004-07-15 16:15:27 UTC
Permalink
Thanks Lou. I guess it's a laminate after all ...

Greetz,

#####
Post by L. Fiorillo
I have a 1977 2471 BS, and was told by a vintage Ibanez expert that the BS
meant Brown Sunburst. These are great guitars in my opinion. I still want
an L5 though!
Post by D.Onstenk
According to the info on the Vintage Ibanez Site
(http://www.comcat.com/~alnico5/copies2.html) it has a laminated spruce
top, curley maple sides and back.
According to the '77 Price list on that site it was 1 of the 5 most
2461 - Johnny Smith, 2 Floating Pickups: $650.00
2471 - L5, Non Electric Jazz Model, Spruce Top: $650.00
Considering the asking price today, the 2461 was a great investment.
The only solid top model, I can think of was the L5 copy, model 2470.
There
Post by D.Onstenk
is no price listing for the 2470, but it must >have been more than the
$650
Post by D.Onstenk
price of the 2471, shown above.
Peter Grey
2004-07-15 16:39:46 UTC
Permalink
Dick,

I've owned and seen a number of Ibanez archtops including a couple of JSs.
FWIW, all of the guitars I've seen with a verifiably solid top had a much
thinner front plate than the laminated guitars. If the top is thick (1/4"
or so), it's almost certainly laminated. The solid tops that I've seen are
pretty thin (1/8"-ish).

I've always understood the "BS" appellation to denote a sunburst finish.

Regards,

Peter
Post by D.Onstenk
Thanks Lou. I guess it's a laminate after all ...
Greetz,
#####
Post by L. Fiorillo
I have a 1977 2471 BS, and was told by a vintage Ibanez expert that the BS
meant Brown Sunburst. These are great guitars in my opinion. I still
want
Post by L. Fiorillo
an L5 though!
Post by D.Onstenk
According to the info on the Vintage Ibanez Site
(http://www.comcat.com/~alnico5/copies2.html) it has a laminated spruce
top, curley maple sides and back.
According to the '77 Price list on that site it was 1 of the 5 most
2461 - Johnny Smith, 2 Floating Pickups: $650.00
2471 - L5, Non Electric Jazz Model, Spruce Top: $650.00
Considering the asking price today, the 2461 was a great investment.
The only solid top model, I can think of was the L5 copy, model 2470.
There
Post by D.Onstenk
is no price listing for the 2470, but it must >have been more than the
$650
Post by D.Onstenk
price of the 2471, shown above.
D.Onstenk
2004-07-16 11:55:32 UTC
Permalink
Thanks Peter.

#####
Post by Peter Grey
Dick,
I've owned and seen a number of Ibanez archtops including a couple of JSs.
FWIW, all of the guitars I've seen with a verifiably solid top had a much
thinner front plate than the laminated guitars. If the top is thick (1/4"
or so), it's almost certainly laminated. The solid tops that I've seen are
pretty thin (1/8"-ish).
I've always understood the "BS" appellation to denote a sunburst finish.
Regards,
Peter
Post by D.Onstenk
Thanks Lou. I guess it's a laminate after all ...
Greetz,
#####
Post by L. Fiorillo
I have a 1977 2471 BS, and was told by a vintage Ibanez expert that
the
Post by Peter Grey
BS
Post by D.Onstenk
Post by L. Fiorillo
meant Brown Sunburst. These are great guitars in my opinion. I still
want
Post by L. Fiorillo
an L5 though!
Post by D.Onstenk
According to the info on the Vintage Ibanez Site
(http://www.comcat.com/~alnico5/copies2.html) it has a laminated
spruce
Post by D.Onstenk
Post by L. Fiorillo
Post by D.Onstenk
top, curley maple sides and back.
According to the '77 Price list on that site it was 1 of the 5 most
2461 - Johnny Smith, 2 Floating Pickups: $650.00
2471 - L5, Non Electric Jazz Model, Spruce Top: $650.00
Considering the asking price today, the 2461 was a great investment.
The only solid top model, I can think of was the L5 copy, model 2470.
There
Post by D.Onstenk
is no price listing for the 2470, but it must >have been more than the
$650
Post by D.Onstenk
price of the 2471, shown above.
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