A rare and distinctive 1987 Ibanez RB830 Roadstar II Bass, made in Japan and finished in Caiman Green (CG) — a colour offered on the RB830 only for the 1987 model year.

This particular instrument is even more unusual because it carries original SAMPLE factory markings, indicating that it was likely produced as a pre-production or approval sample rather than as a standard production example.

Together with the RB830 / RB830B and matching CG / C.G. markings found on the neck heel and neck pocket, these provide unusually good factory documentation of the instrument's identity, original finish and SAMPLE status.

Caiman Green – nearly four decades of natural ageing

One of the most fascinating features of this bass is its original Caiman Green finish. Over nearly four decades, the exposed areas have naturally shifted towards the beautiful olive / yellow-green colour seen today. The protected area inside the neck pocket retains a noticeably different shade of the original Caiman Green, providing a fascinating visual record of how dramatically the finish has aged.

Factory markings & SAMPLE status

The neck heel is marked:

RB830B
SAMPLE
CG

The neck pocket carries C.G., additional factory markings and an original Ibanez label.

The SAMPLE marking distinguishes this bass from a normal production RB830 and most likely identifies it as a pre-production or approval sample, although its exact original purpose within Ibanez cannot be established with certainty.

Hardware & electronics

The RB830 combines the familiar PJ pickup configuration with distinctly 1980s Japanese Ibanez design and hardware.

It features an Ibanez Accu-Cast BII bridge, bolt-on neck, 24-fret fingerboard, black hardware and three-control layout. The electronics and hardware present as period-correct for the instrument.

The Accu-Cast BII is a particularly characteristic piece of Ibanez engineering from this era — substantial, highly adjustable and unmistakably Japanese 1980s hardware.

Those strap pins...

One of my favourite details is much smaller: the original Ibanez strap pins.

Instead of conventional round strap buttons, Ibanez used these wonderfully over-engineered, sculpted metal strap retainers. They are functional, unusual and visually fantastic — exactly the kind of tiny design detail that reminds you that this instrument came from an era when Japanese manufacturers apparently looked at an ordinary strap button and thought:

"No. We can engineer this much harder."

Both are present and add a surprising amount of character to the bass.

Condition

For an instrument approaching four decades of age, the bass remains in excellent vintage condition. There are only a few minor signs of use, including small finish chips and marks on the headstock and a couple of small marks on the body and neck, all clearly shown in the photographs. There are no major dents, cracks or structural issues.

The bass comes with its vintage Ibanez gig bag, a great period companion that also shows age and use of its own.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Ibanez
Model: RB830 Roadstar II Bass
Country of manufacture: Japan (FujiGen Gakki)
Year: 1986 (1987 model year)
Serial number: L861816
Factory status: SAMPLE – likely pre-production / approval sample
Original finish: Caiman Green (CG)
Pickup configuration: PJ
Bridge: Ibanez Accu-Cast BII
Frets: 24
Nut width: approx. 41 mm
Weight: approx. 3.9 kg
Construction: Bolt-on neck
Hardware: Black

Why this one is special

There are plenty of old Japanese basses. This one has a little more going on.

A 1987 RB830, in the one-model-year Caiman Green finish, with matching factory colour markings, unusual SAMPLE / likely pre-production or approval sample status, beautifully aged original finish, classic Japanese Ibanez hardware, those fantastic original strap pins and its vintage Ibanez bag.

The hidden original colour inside the neck pocket lets you literally see nearly four decades of the instrument's history in the difference between the protected and exposed finish.

Not a museum piece pretending it has never been played. A proper vintage Japanese bass that has actually lived.

Shipping

Ships from the European Union (Estonia). No import duties for EU buyers.

The instrument will be carefully packed to ensure safe transit and shipped via a tracked courier service.

Fully insured and/or express shipping options (DHL, UPS or FedEx) are available upon request.

Minor setup adjustments may be required after transportation and climate adaptation.

Additional Information

Please feel free to message me if you have any questions or would like additional photographs.

More soul-approved vintage Japanese and carefully handpicked basses are available through Gruuvik Chamber — no hype, just the good ones. 👊