July 2nd, 2008
Musician Maartin Allcock has been gracious enough to share pictures of his 1976 Ibanez 526 mandolin with the site. Four pictures are now featured in the gallery. This mandolin was a gift to Maartin from Dave Pegg from their Fairport Convention days. Maartin has created some legendary music and is currently producing and performing. Be sure to visit his website.
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July 1st, 2008
Ibanez Mandolin Pictures and Serial Numbers are being collected and catalogued in our online database and picture gallery.
The first version of the gallery is now online. Future plans include adding the pictures and serial numbers already submitted, and organizing the information.
All submissions of pictures and information are appreciated, and you will be credited on the site if you would like. Please email 527@ibanezmandolin.com for more details.
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July 1st, 2008
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.
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June 26th, 2008
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.


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June 23rd, 2008
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. If it was good enough for Bill Monroe, then it must be OK.
Read the full interview.
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June 21st, 2008
Serial Number: H778014
Model Number: 524
Finish Color: Standard Sunburst
Headstock Inlay: Flowers
Truss Rod Cover: angled corners
Signed Label: Kosakabe
Case interior color: Blue

Our first entry into the serial number database, made in August of 1977. Thanks Dan!
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June 21st, 2008
We are starting up a database of serial numbers and features to find trends in the dating and manufacturing of Ibanez Mandolins.
Submit your mandolin to be included in the database. Please add as much of the information below as you can:
- Serial Number
- Model Number
- Finish Color
- Headstock Inlay (torch, bug, flowers, fern…)
- Truss rod cover (Gibson Bell Shape or Sharp-cornered
- Signed Label? If yes, who signed it?
- Case interior color (blue, yellow, red, green)
Any pictures of the mandolin would be helpful as well. You can email info/pics to 527@ibanezmandolin.com.
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June 18th, 2008
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…
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June 18th, 2008
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.

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June 17th, 2008
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.
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