Ibanez 540S-BC Standard 1987- Black Cherry

Hi, up for sale today is my 1987 Ibanez 540S (1st year produced). It was originally called the PRO540 Saber as part of the Roadstar II/Roadstar Pro series. The 540S was produced in Japan by FujiGen.
The 540S was the initial model in what would eventually come to be known as the S series. The series is distinguished by the sleek double cutaway body shape which is arched on the top and back resulting in a fairly light guitar with thin edges. This particular model is equiped with the 3-individual toggle switches to control each of the single coils and humbucker for the active EMG Pickups. The pickups in the neck and middle are EMG IA pickups are vintage 1980s active guitar pickups that feature a single-coil design housed inside a standard pickup configuration (similar to vintage Stratocaster or specialized setups) powered by an on-board pre-amplifier. The bridge humbucker is The EMG 89 Active Guitar Humbucker Pickup which in active dual-mode pickup featuring separate internal preamps and coils for both humbucking and single-coil sounds, the coil split is used by pulling up the volume knob for single and down for full humbucker. I put in a pic of the wiring job they did to show how beautiful of a job they did. These EMG's were huge back in the 80's and up to today with Zakk Wylde and many others who use them.

This is a players guitar. I put it as good condition because the guitar, besides the body, is in great shape for a guitar that's almost 40! Someone took some time and money to install these active EMG pickups because they require a 9 volt battery cavity which is located below the bridge plate and it was done very well as the pics show. In addition, they decided to Bedazzle the front of the guitar. Look it up but it's basically like these little fake jewels thet were done on the front of the body. A friend who's a luthier did some repairs to the body by removing the jewels since most were gone except the one that remains between the pickups in the photo. He did some wet sanding of those areas and did a drop fill on one of the edges of the body that was damaged. He also restrung and set her up with some really nice low action. Obviously, depending on where you live you may need to do some dialing in but I've played it and it's spot on. There are several areas on the body with lots of pick swirls, dents, scratches, etc. all over the body but the neck, other than the headstock which has it's share of nicks, etc. is in very nice condition with lots of life on the frets. This guitar is equiped with the Ibanez Lo-pro tremolo and the Ibanez Backstop feature which all work perfectly. You can play this thing with lots of whammy and it just stays in tune. The guitar plays and sounds great! You could easily part this thing out and make money but it would be a shame because it's such a great playing guitar with sonic capibilities galore! One could put in pickups of their choice, including active, or you could put in a booster because the 9 volt cavity is there.

It comes with your choice of the new case I bought for it a few months ago that is pictured OR the era correct Ibanez gigbag that is also posted. I'm only selling because I have too many 1987 guitars and I'd love to see someone else see and feel the potential of this guitar especially if you are an EMG fan. It also comes with the allen wrench for the lock nut and a tremolo bar. The bar is a brand new chrome bar that I lightly sanded the bushings so it's a tight fit and will stay in place for flutters or whatnot and if you work it in or sand it a little more you can make it the perfect tension that you like, even full free swing.

I tried to take a lot of pics and I'm more than happy to take questions or requests for pics of anything specific or that I missed. I am taking reasonable offers.

Thanks for your time in looking,

Tom