Collect Bass Guitars? Have You Considered An Ibanez Black Eagle?

The Ibanez Black Eagle bass is a cult classic, not only for its classic tone and feel, but also for its unique design and looks. It was 1975 when the first Black Eagle bass was manufactured and put on sale for the public and the legend was instantly created. Many will attest that this is merely a Jazz bass copy at its roots, which could be true, but it looks and sounds different enough to have solidified its own place in bass guitar history.

What gives the Ibanez Eagle bass its uniqueness? The asymmetrical hip and curled-in horns give it a look like no other guitar (bass or 6-string) in history. Another feature that makes the Black Eagle bass stand out is how deep it resonates. Many other Ibanez bass guitar models are much brighter in their tone.

The construction of the body is exclusively a dense grade of top mahogany. Known for its weight as well, mahogany bodied guitars can be a little fatiguing to play foe extended sessions but only in the beginning. You’ll soon get used to the weight of the Ibanez Black Eagle and trust me; the rewarding tone it produces is well worth its extra weight.

The neck on the Black Eagle bass from Ibanez is all maple with an unfinished maple fretboard. The scale length is 33”, which is pretty average for a bass guitar. The head-stock on the black eagle can be prone to breaking, as this was the only real flaw in the design of the guitar. Be sure to inspect the neck and stock thoroughly if you’ve found one you might purchase. You want to make sure the neck isn’t twisted and the head-stock is not cracked or worse, broken with a band-aid repair. Another thing to remember, cross-reference the serial number with Ibanez Guitars as there seem to be a lot of fakes floating around these days.

A lot of people are asking about what an Ibanez Black Eagle bass price typically is. For one that is in good to great shape, you could expect to pay $500 - $700. For one that needs some work, such as refinishing, new electronics or fret/neck work, you might find one for $150 - $500 (it’s a broad range, but that’s the best I can give you). If you’re looking for an Ibanez Black Eagle for sale online, there are several sites that see them come and go periodically, otherwise your best bet is to keep an eye out in your local pawn and guitar shops, or any business that sells new and used guitar instruments.