Vintage '82 Ibanez Blazer Series BL-550FR Fire Red Guitar With OHSC

Ibanez's BL500, part of the Blazer series, is a solid body electric guitar model made in Japan by Dyna Gakki.  It came out in 1981, a great year that also saw the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman II and The Evil Dead.  More musically speaking, we got Moving Pictures by Rush, Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne and Face Value by Phil Collins.  Yes, the album with In the Air Tonight and it's famous drum sound.

By 1982, the BL500 was discontinued along with the rest of the Blazer series, but before that happened, the Japanese factory put out this great instrument that we now have in our hands.  This one is in great condition, especially considering it is over 40 years old - there are a few dings but nothing major (see photos for details).  It's quite the looker too - the Candy Apple Red finish is striking, and the matching headstock is a nice touch.

Drawing inspiration from the Strat, the BL500 packs an ash body, rock maple neck with 22 frets and black dot position markers. It also has 3 Ibanez Super Tap 6 single coil pickups, coil-tap toggle, phase switch, brass Accu-Cast fixed bridge, Smooth Tuner II machine heads, and white pickguard and pickup covers.  The switching is interesting - to us, the two switches seem to operate as quick tone controls that can be used to get a variety of sounds.

The neck is smooth, slim and seems to encourage fast playing.  It's quite comfortable, and the guitar has been setup to play perfectly by the techs in our shop.  The original hardshell case is included as well.

We haven't had many, if any of these in, and don't expect to see many more.  So, if you're into this, get it before it's gone!

Serial # B823470