Another new submission to the Ibanez Mandolin serial number database comes from Raul Blacksten, who is the original owner of a model 524 from February 1978.

1978 Ibanez Mandolin 524
Serial Number: B788045
Model Number: 524
Finish Color: Rich Cremona Brown Sunburst
Headstock Inlay: Flowers
Truss Rod Cover: angled corners
Signed Label: Kosakabe
Case Interior Color: Yellow
Notes: owned by Raul Blacksten of USA. Some binding yellowing is present & some gilding rubbed off the tail piece cover.

Interesting to note that Raul’s case is yellow-lined. Typically the Ibanez mandolin cases have royal blue (and more rarely olive green) interior. Alvarez and Aria made similar mandolins that had yellow lined cases and occasionally an Ibanez shows up with an original yellow case interior.

It’s also now entered in the serial number database. Just one picture so far, but more will be added.