Many thanks to Björn Albertus of Sweden for sharing his lovely 524 with IbanezMandolin.com. Björn’s mandolin is in fine condition with quite vivid color that seems to be a bit more red (at least in the photographs) than we typically see on Ibanez Mandolins.

1976 Ibanez Mandolin 524
Serial Number: K768003
Model Number: 524
Finish Color: Rich Cremona Brown Sunburst
Headstock Inlay: Bug
Truss Rod Cover: angled corners
Signed Label: Y, Kosakabe
Case Interior Color: Blue
Notes: owned by mandolin collector and musician Björn Albertus of Sweden.
More pictures are available in the serial number database picture gallery.

Further details to follow, but here are some initial pictures of a 1977 Ibanez Mandolin mode 527. I am looking for other owners of Ibanez 527 mandolins who may be out there. Email 527@ibanezmandolin.com.

View the first collector’s article published on IbanezMandolin.com. We are featuring an interview with Dan Cole about buying an Ibanez 524 Mandolin new in 1977. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
I thought it was a great dollar value and was a beautiful instrument. Honestly, I really wanted a Gibson. After all that was what Bill Monroe played, but a Gibson was simply out of my budget. I did find a poster of Bill playing an Ibanez. I still have it somewhere and I guess that legitimized my new mando. …

The inlay on the peghead of Ibanez Mandolins was the subject of some variation over the years they were produced. This pictures shows some of the variations, some common, and some very rare.
Click the image to view the full picture.

More information and details to follow…

Here’s a teaser picture of some images that have been sent in of a 1978 524CW (Cherry Wine) Ibanez Mandolin. It looks like a beauty with the original case and pickguard.

Welcome to everyone visiting here from mandolincafe.com discussion forums. As you can see, we don’t have much content here yet, just the domain name and a dream.
So I’m hoping to hear from anyone with an interest in vintage Ibanez Mandolins from the 1970′s. Email 527@ibanezmandolin.com with anything you think might be helpful.

Welcome to a new project for gathering information about vintage Ibanez mandolins.
We have retained a UK design firm to style the site and more information will be coming soon about how to submit your pictures, stories, and sound clips…
Email 527@ibanezmandolin.com for more info.