Steve has written in from the UK to share details of his original owner 523 model. Pictures are now in the serial number database. Here is what he has to say about his particular 1976 mandolin:

I have owned, since new a 523 serial no. J768023 in sunburst with the bug ( I think) headstock inlay , the truss rod cover is sharp. It does not have an inside label at all and the case interior was blue (case now long gone). I bought it new from Ivor Mairantes Music shop,London, in the early eighties but cannot remember how much it cost me. Originally I used a Barcus Berry bug on it but had a Fishman pick up fitted in Nashville in 1990. I play with The Kursaal Flyers and their Country Rock alter egos The Ugly Guy’s and now use a Breedlove, having retired the Ibanez a year or so ago. I had my portrait painted by Kursaal’s front man Paul Shuttleworth a few years back and it features me with my Ibanez.

You can find out more about Steve’s music by visiting The Ugly Guys and Kursaal Flyers.