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, …

Thanks to everyone who has sent in pictures and questions regarding Ibanez Mandolins. A long overdue update to the site is underway. We’ll start with some new additions to the serial number database… stay tuned.

Just added to the IbanezMandolin.com website, an entire section devoted to the specs and detals for every model of Ibanez Mandolin. The specs will be taken from scans of Ibanez Mandolin catalogs, with added details and editorial comments.
View the Ibanez Mandolin Models page.

A website reader has written in to share information on his Ibanez 527 mandolin, serial F778027. He says:
I am the third and proudest owner of Ibanez 527 #F778027. It has a crack on the top, one on the head stock,and a repaired crack in the neck. But it tunes up and sounds better than any mando I’ve had. I’ve been playing bluegrass mandolin since 2002, and I love this mandolin!

Pictures of a 1977 model 524 mandolin serial number H778014 are now in the serial number database. This is a one owner mandolin discussed in the interview with Dan Cole.

The second pre-serial number model 523 mandolin has been added to the serial number database.
It has the typical pre-serial number features of a torch inlay, bell shaped truss rod cover, and no label. The original owner says about it “No number, no paper or info inside. Nice mandolin, used to be mine before I bought a used 526. I bought this one new in the Netherlands after phoning all major and lesser musik shops in Holland. Found just one! was late 70′s, non original case when I bought it.”
This …

The 525 model was Ibanez’s F-4 style mandolin and featured an oval soundhole, no headstock binding, and a single ply truss rod cover.

Kevin has shared pictures of his early Ibanez 525 mandolin, which have been posted in the serial number database.

Kevin purchased this mandolin in about 2002 from Cripple Creek Music in Ashaland, Oregon, USA. There is no serial number and no label inside, dating it to about 1975, although the angled corner truss rod cover is normally seen on mandolins with serial numbers. The headstock inlay is also more …

We’ve just published another exclusive article about the Ibanez mandolin auctioned by Monroe’s estate in 2001, complete with pictures and interviews. Read the details here. Credit to “f5loar” for generously supplying documents and memories from the auction day. We still need more pictures of this mandolin, and information on the current owner.

The articles section has been updated with a new interview with original owner Raul Blacksten. Raul was kind enough to share his story and pictures of his 1978 Ibanez 524 mandolin that he bought from McCabe’s in Santa Monica. He’s even still got the warranty card and receipt with it!
Here is an excerpt from the interview:

I’ve had it 29 years according to the receipt. I like the mando as an instrument and I like the Ibanez as a mando. I also own a 1953 Martin A-style that I bought a …

Thanks to Trevor for sharing some great shots of his Ibanez 524, serial number F768038. View the gallery.