1980 Ibanez Musician Vintage Bass MC-940 Fretless Neck Thru Japan w/ohc, MC-924

Up for sale, a 1980 Ibanez Musician MC-940DS vintage fretless electric bass in exceptional, 100% original condition and perfect working order. Built from 1979-1987, the Ibanez Musician basses were known for their use by artists ranging from Sting of The Police and Adam Clayton of U2, to John McVie of Fleetwood Mac. Essentially a fretless version of the MC-924, the MC-940DS features a full 34" scale and neck through body design, with a neck made from three pieces of maple reinforced with strips of walnut. The dark stained ash on the top and back has very prominent grain, sandwiching a core of mahogany for a very complex and rich tone. Weighing in at 10lbs, 6oz, this bass has a healthy natural sustain with focused bass response and smooth but very present treble, helping the fretless "Muah" speak clearly when played acoustically and translating well through the Ibanez "Super 4" single coil pickups. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with a set of groundwound strings, this bass plays well with low action.

The C shaped neck profile is decidedly in the "medium" camp with a healthy amount of shoulder while never feeling too bulky. The unlined ebony fretboard boasts small cream side dot position markers and the board is a very thick slab of ebony that's essential to the smooth, articulate note attack that this bass can deliver. The nut measures 1 9/16" in width and is a combination of bone and brass, marrying the tonal properties of the two for a bit of snap in the top end and great clarity. The headstock features a dark stained ash veneer to match the body, along with the original gold "Musician" truss rod cover and stock "Velvet Tune" chrome tuning machines that, as the name would suggest, turn very smoothly and hold pitch well.

The electronics work exactly as intended and are 100% stock, with both Super 4 single coils wired to a three way pickup selector, master volume, passive tone, boost/cut, and treble, mid, and bass knobs, and a toggle switch that activates the active preamp/three-band EQ.

Cosmetically, this is a particularly clean and well cared for example of a notably rare vintage Musician Bass model. There's a tiny bit of surface patina on the edges of the bridge and truss rod cover, as well as a few stray faint finish scratches in the clear coat mostly relegated to the back of the bass, and a couple nicks around the contoured edges of the body. As the photos show, this bass is in remarkable shape and 100% stock right down to the last screw.

The original hardshell case is included.