That's what I call a "hotrod" guitar. single pickup, floyd rose trem and it's meant to do one thing and that is ROCK! and Michael did just that. Cool guitar and as always great playing Michael Lemmo, thank you and thank you Jen!
I bought one in 1986, white with humbuckers at the bridge and in the middle (a bit weird). I still own that guitar to this day; it's a great piece and stays in tune for decades. Love it!
Ahhhh, they let out the Ayatola of Rock-n-Rolla! Rip it Lemmo! Rip It! Get this boy a set of Stacked Marshalls! Come on Norm, you got to turn this dog loose so he can hunt!
I used to own a different version Ibanez Roadstar II, same color, same year, it had binding on the front of the body and two humbuckers. I loved that guitar!!! Makes me want to buy another one. It kicked ass like this one. It was fun to play, very easy neck to fret up and down. I miss that guitar.
I have the "82" Roadstar 2 flat top 25.5 scale. It's one of my favorite guitars I own from my childhood. Had it since 87 and I will never get rid of it. Most comfortable neck.
It's not guitar. It's a music weapon. Simply built for one purpose and it's nailing it! I'm renewing my passion for electric guitars and I'm glad I found you people and your channel (:
I love frankenstiening old 80s guitars like this !!!! and maybe because of Eddie but always looking for the out of the box sound ,but was a crazy late teens kid when van Halen came on the radio and it changed everything !! RIP Eddie you were the best at getting the sound alot of us chase to this day
I still have my original 84 Japanese Roadstar 2. it plays great and actually has a nice wide flat neck profile. Great for shredding. Bought it for 275 🇬🇧 GBP back in the summer of 1984 and have no intentions of ever selling it. Moved on to Fender, Gibson and PRS throughout the years and have spent good money on Custom shops, but recently found new love with my first ever axe. It rocks
My first REAL guitar (the very first being a POS from Sears) was a brand new 1986 (could have been an '85, I don't remember the exact year I bought it) Roadstar II (RS-440). I was really into Brad Gillis of Night Ranger and all the stuff he was doing with the tremolo bar. So I wanted a red guitar with a tremolo. Saw it hanging on the wall at Sam Ash in White Plains, NY. Told the salesman I wanted it. He pulled it down and rang me up. ($435 I believe) He didn't tell me about the Push/Push pot for splitting the humbucker. The pickups (HSS) seemed weak, but man that tremolo took a beating and always stayed in tune. The guitar and neck were dark red and it had a black pickguard. I kind of miss that guitar. Especially the V shaped strap buttons. There's no way in hell your strap was coming off accidentally.
wow 😮 at $599 that’s a steal! for a vintage 80’s shred machine i’d buy it even tho i’m left handed just flip it upside down 🤘🏼🤘🏼🎸🎶 great guitar whoever buys it
I have a roadstar 2. But it has a humbucker pickup, and it's pink. (Cherry ice) Also, the pick up seems to be different, as it has two metal bands. Not sure if it's just missing a cover or not. And the last owner removed the tone knob, and put in a mystery switch. It sounds three dimensional. Very clear and crisp. It's amazing.
I had a '61 ES-345 and a '58 LP 3 pickup in the early 80's and what did I play at the shows AN IBANEZ ROADSTAR II S/H White (no lock nut) 22 frets 12' radius T/V and every newspaper critic thought it was a Strat! It gave the single coil for rhythm and H for leads played GREAT and didn't weigh 9+ pounds. Good pick Lemmo!
Oooh yeah, them Japanese Roadstars!! I had one w/carved top highly figured curly maple cap, on a mahogany body, double cutaway, five ply binding, dual humbuckers, two volumes one tone. A real sweet neck. I got her at a pawnshop in Portland, Or. Mid 90s for 395. Was set up well. All I did was play the heck out of it for almost 10years, then she was stolen. I think about that guitar often, I miss her still today.
Michael you are totally amazing. From the killer Van Halen playing. To what you can do with a looper pedal. And your overall playing in general. Keep it up.
I just picked up an MIJ RG440 two days ago!! It was recently outfitted with brand new EMGs and all black hardware. I'm absolutely in love with the guitar 😍
1986 is when Ibanez put the Edge Floyd Rose trem. Then in 1987, they went to the pointy headstock, so that's a 1986. I own about 10-12 Ibanez Roadstar II guitars, all from 1983-1986. They are fantastic, well built and easy to play.
@@uncleremus64 I'm about to pick up a rs440 with Kirk Hammett pups installed for $300 but am weary about the tremolo not staying in tune. Seller says the guitar is great but I will find out in time. I think it's a good deal at that price it comes with a case and cheap amp
@@druskee2380 That is a good deal. If it's an original case, it's a steal. If it's a 1986 RS440, it should have an Edge (Floyd), and the tremolo on the 84/85 RS440 isn't that bad. If you want to dive bomb, you could always put an Edge or Floyd on it. These guitars have the best neck's I've ever played. Even Lemmo says something about the neck in this video. Just take your time and set it up right.
I have a 1985 Roadstar II RS525 in Purple Haze finish, which was pretty hard to come by. Same body shape but the edges of the body are more rounded. 2 humbuckers with coil splits (push pull pots) that sound fantastic, and 24 frets. This red one is later than the 85 since it has the Floyd Rose. My first "serious" electric guitar, and I'll never part with it.
I had one that had HSS pickups in black about 25 years ago. Really didn’t care for the locking nut tremolo, but it was a well made guitar. They aren’t super collectible, though.
Not the typical guitar you would think of as a NRG GOTD, but that was pretty cool! Great job Michael- like someone brought a dragster to a classic car show
I used to have one if these guitars years ago and got rid of it before I knew how cool it really was. You made thar guitar flat out rip.. thx Mr lemmo and plz come up to Oregon and play a show.. ill buy the first ticket
Just started getting into the Japanese made guitars and basses, Ibanez, Westone, Aria Pro and I have been playing much doe over 40 years. I don't need anymore Gibsons or Fenders. I had a old 1980 Westbury Standard that I had since 1985 that I bought for $50 from an old band mate and all other came stock with Dimarzio super distortion pups, just as good as a Les Paul.
this is almost my first real guitar, 1985 Ibanez road star II 440 candy red hss mij (with the string lock and a separate nut 👎, but it worked) honestly the guitar stayed in tune for days on end.
My favorite guitar store I've never been to! But love listening to your playing Mr. Lemmo! But remember, without Jen your just another guy😎😎😎😎🎸🎸🎸 much love from Colorado Michael and Jen!
I bought two Roadstar II necks a few years ago, and bolted them to Ibanez S bodies, awesome playing guitars. It's more of a rounded strat type neck than the Wizard necks they usually put on the S.
i've got ibanez RG-550 vintage made in Japan. its incredible clean for solid Rock n slow Rock! one of the best guitar i collected after Fender strats std 1957 model. i kept it like my baby.😂
That is the original Ibanez Edge locking tremolo, every bit as good as any German Floyd Rose, annnnd....the very same trem that Steve Vai and Joe Satriani still use to this day.....amazing MIJ guitars, i still have my Roadster from 1978!
Team Normans, you never fail to satisfy as I watch daily after working at the house. You really get my evening started. Lemmo, I really enjoy you shredding on the "different" axes like today's offering. One question though, donde esta' Roberto Valley?
I was young and playing when Ibanez came out with the Roadstar 2 series. What great guitars they were....and still are.
I own 5 Roadsters. They are amazing guitars. My RS315 is insane.
That's what I call a "hotrod" guitar. single pickup, floyd rose trem and it's meant to do one thing and that is ROCK! and Michael did just that. Cool guitar and as always great playing Michael Lemmo, thank you and thank you Jen!
I bought one in 1986, white with humbuckers at the bridge and in the middle (a bit weird). I still own that guitar to this day; it's a great piece and stays in tune for decades. Love it!
Ahhhh, they let out the Ayatola of Rock-n-Rolla! Rip it Lemmo! Rip It! Get this boy a set of Stacked Marshalls! Come on Norm, you got to turn this dog loose so he can hunt!
The “ding-ga-da-ding” at the end was very cool! Outstanding as usual! Thanks guys and gal!
More guitars like this please 🤘🤘
I used to own a different version Ibanez Roadstar II, same color, same year, it had binding on the front of the body and two humbuckers. I loved that guitar!!! Makes me want to buy another one. It kicked ass like this one. It was fun to play, very easy neck to fret up and down. I miss that guitar.
I have the "82" Roadstar 2 flat top 25.5 scale. It's one of my favorite guitars I own from my childhood. Had it since 87 and I will never get rid of it. Most comfortable neck.
Norm not only hit a home run when he hired you Michael, he hit a grand slam and beat every music store in the world.
Well put!
Mike and Jen you both earned a day off after killing it at the 818 festival! I’ll have a word with Norm :)
That was AWESOME Michael. Jen, you’re always awesome.
Love guitar of the day all the way from south Fremantle Western Australia is there nothing Michael Lemmo can’t play all good things to you all c😇🙏🎶©️
Nice work on the Van Halen songs, Michael. I almost expected to hear David Lee Roth to pop into the video and start singing lead for ya'!
My first time seeing an Ibanez here in Normans. Really cool!
Back to the future guitar!
wow this was my first guitar way back in 1985 and im still hooked
Mine as well!
It's not guitar. It's a music weapon. Simply built for one purpose and it's nailing it!
I'm renewing my passion for electric guitars and I'm glad I found you people and your channel (:
I own a 440 from 86 as well, same guitar just HSS, and the neck on it is one of my favorites.
Great playing as usually!Hope to see more old ibanez on the show. They deserve some attention imho.
WHEW! Leaving it all on the table! Sweet!
ALWAYS watch to the very end!
STILL have my Roadstar II series! Thanks for bringing it out.
Dude, Michael was flying with those notes. Wow!
That headstock instantly makes me think of the black Back To The Future Ibanez Marty played in the audition at his high school.
Re-living my youth vicariously via Mike and the red shredder!
Cheers!!
Wonderful tribute to EVH, great job Michael and the NRG team!!
I love frankenstiening old 80s guitars like this !!!! and maybe because of Eddie but always looking for the out of the box sound ,but was a crazy late teens kid when van Halen came on the radio and it changed everything !! RIP Eddie you were the best at getting the sound alot of us chase to this day
I still have my original 84 Japanese Roadstar 2. it plays great and actually has a nice wide flat neck profile. Great for shredding. Bought it for 275 🇬🇧 GBP back in the summer of 1984 and have no intentions of ever selling it. Moved on to Fender, Gibson and PRS throughout the years and have spent good money on Custom shops, but recently found new love with my first ever axe. It rocks
My first REAL guitar (the very first being a POS from Sears) was a brand new 1986 (could have been an '85, I don't remember the exact year I bought it) Roadstar II (RS-440). I was really into Brad Gillis of Night Ranger and all the stuff he was doing with the tremolo bar. So I wanted a red guitar with a tremolo. Saw it hanging on the wall at Sam Ash in White Plains, NY. Told the salesman I wanted it. He pulled it down and rang me up. ($435 I believe) He didn't tell me about the Push/Push pot for splitting the humbucker. The pickups (HSS) seemed weak, but man that tremolo took a beating and always stayed in tune. The guitar and neck were dark red and it had a black pickguard. I kind of miss that guitar. Especially the V shaped strap buttons. There's no way in hell your strap was coming off accidentally.
wow 😮 at $599 that’s a steal! for a vintage 80’s shred machine i’d buy it even tho i’m left handed just flip it upside down 🤘🏼🤘🏼🎸🎶 great guitar whoever buys it
Man y’all really enjoyed this one and so did I 🔥🔥🔥🤙
Yo!!! Amazing there’s any leather left on the couch after that shred session! I am ‘talkin’ bout love for that Ibanez roller!
I have a roadstar 2. But it has a humbucker pickup, and it's pink. (Cherry ice) Also, the pick up seems to be different, as it has two metal bands. Not sure if it's just missing a cover or not. And the last owner removed the tone knob, and put in a mystery switch. It sounds three dimensional. Very clear and crisp. It's amazing.
I had a '61 ES-345 and a '58 LP 3 pickup in the early 80's and what did I play at the shows AN IBANEZ ROADSTAR II S/H White (no lock nut) 22 frets 12' radius T/V and every newspaper critic thought it was a Strat! It gave the single coil for rhythm and H for leads played GREAT and didn't weigh 9+ pounds. Good pick Lemmo!
I have a 1984 model, but it's dual humbucks and 24 frets with a Pro Rock'r bridge. I Still play it to this day.
So good to see all the appreciation for Michael in the Comments!
Positive people lead good lives
Absolutely ❤💪🤟
Awesome guitar. Awesome playing. Love my 84 roadstar 2 rb650 bass.
Oooh yeah, them Japanese Roadstars!! I had one w/carved top highly figured curly maple cap, on a mahogany body, double cutaway, five ply binding, dual humbuckers, two volumes one tone. A real sweet neck. I got her at a pawnshop in Portland, Or. Mid 90s for 395. Was set up well. All I did was play the heck out of it for almost 10years, then she was stolen. I think about that guitar often, I miss her still today.
Love the Satriani-like red - not to mention the Eddie licks . Rock on!
That may be the best bang for the buck guitars ever , Wow , that thing just screams Rock and Roll ! Thank you 🙏
Killer shredding Lemmo 🤘
A real ripper, and a steal at this price point. Clearly shows that great guitars do not have to be expensive. An d the sound is to die for !
Iconic pieces that always sell fast!
I had two Roadstar (and one Roadster) japanese basses. Great instruments. I had three Musician basses also. Superb!
Ibanez Roadstar had the perfect setup...1 pickup, 1 knob, 1 Floyd and locking nut...who needs more?
Jen is the Best!!! She really makes the videos fun!!
MVH, man that's a beautiful guitar, sounds great too
Always loved these roadstars!
Michael you are totally amazing. From the killer Van Halen playing. To what you can do with a looper pedal. And your overall playing in general. Keep it up.
I just picked up an MIJ RG440 two days ago!! It was recently outfitted with brand new EMGs and all black hardware. I'm absolutely in love with the guitar 😍
Yeah, I like those, those are incredibly awesome guitars!🤟
Is it a 24 frets? HSS?
Thank you, Michael
I own one of these! Bought new in 1987.
That's a fair price for the roadstar🙂
Thank you Norm Lemo Jen Nick and everyone at Norms Rare Guitar
More than Music🤟✨🗽🕊️
☮️kevin
1986 is when Ibanez put the Edge Floyd Rose trem. Then in 1987, they went to the pointy headstock, so that's a 1986. I own about 10-12 Ibanez Roadstar II guitars, all from 1983-1986. They are fantastic, well built and easy to play.
What is your favorite year out of all the roadstars you own?
@@druskee2380 1986 with the Edge tremolo. The RG525 is similar to this but has two humbuckers.
@@uncleremus64 I'm about to pick up a rs440 with Kirk Hammett pups installed for $300 but am weary about the tremolo not staying in tune. Seller says the guitar is great but I will find out in time. I think it's a good deal at that price it comes with a case and cheap amp
@@druskee2380 That is a good deal. If it's an original case, it's a steal. If it's a 1986 RS440, it should have an Edge (Floyd), and the tremolo on the 84/85 RS440 isn't that bad. If you want to dive bomb, you could always put an Edge or Floyd on it. These guitars have the best neck's I've ever played. Even Lemmo says something about the neck in this video. Just take your time and set it up right.
@@uncleremus64 thanks for the info.. it's an 84 rs440 and yes comes with the case too. Guitar looks pristine from the pictures so far..
Great episode. Thanks. It was refreshing to see something different. Good job.
I owned that exact guitar!! Where’s your whammy bar!? I loved that guitar. Never had to tune it😀
I have a 1985 Roadstar II RS525 in Purple Haze finish, which was pretty hard to come by. Same body shape but the edges of the body are more rounded. 2 humbuckers with coil splits (push pull pots) that sound fantastic, and 24 frets. This red one is later than the 85 since it has the Floyd Rose. My first "serious" electric guitar, and I'll never part with it.
I always love when you get your hands on some Japan 🇯🇵 guitars… you know how to work them .. awesome playing on this Ibanez
Very cool axe Lemmo ... you slayed with it !!! Thanks Jen !!!
I had one that had HSS pickups in black about 25 years ago. Really didn’t care for the locking nut tremolo, but it was a well made guitar. They aren’t super collectible, though.
Not the typical guitar you would think of as a NRG GOTD, but that was pretty cool! Great job Michael- like someone brought a dragster to a classic car show
Very cool. I could never make it sound that good.
Still got mine great guitar
... can't but think that EVH is smiling from his sky in guitar heaven right now :-)
Roadstars and Blazers were the bomb!!
Really nice guitar for a fantastic price and if I could I would grab it.
I always had my eye on those Roadstars back in the 80's, but at least I kept my MIJ Squier Tele from back then.
KILLIN IT!!!! as usual!
I used to have one if these guitars years ago and got rid of it before I knew how cool it really was. You made thar guitar flat out rip.. thx Mr lemmo and plz come up to Oregon and play a show.. ill buy the first ticket
Just started getting into the Japanese made guitars and basses, Ibanez, Westone, Aria Pro and I have been playing much doe over 40 years. I don't need anymore Gibsons or Fenders. I had a old 1980 Westbury Standard that I had since 1985 that I bought for $50 from an old band mate and all other came stock with Dimarzio super distortion pups, just as good as a Les Paul.
this is almost my first real guitar, 1985 Ibanez road star II 440 candy red hss mij (with the string lock and a separate nut 👎, but it worked) honestly the guitar stayed in tune for days on end.
Just goes to show that it doesn't matter much the guitar costs, you can't buy talent.....Awesome indeed!!
I freaking love Roadstars.
Cool. Thanks for sharing.
My favorite guitar store I've never been to! But love listening to your playing Mr. Lemmo! But remember, without Jen your just another guy😎😎😎😎🎸🎸🎸 much love from Colorado Michael and Jen!
The shred machine lemmo your a rock star jen you maken it happen. Sweet GOTD this is why we watch. Ps love the green shoes
Do you remember what you were playing through? Love the tone.
I bought two Roadstar II necks a few years ago, and bolted them to Ibanez S bodies, awesome playing guitars. It's more of a rounded strat type neck than the Wizard necks they usually put on the S.
Great vibe!
At that price, it's a no brainer! I would definitely snatch it if I lived in the US.
I still have my black 530 bought in 86. Added a floyd also.
😎 Thanks Jen Mike ⚓️
Awesome sound
About damn time an Ibanez was on here
Michael KILLED Van Halen sound and you should be playing professionally so smooth!!!
i've got ibanez RG-550
vintage made in Japan.
its incredible clean for solid Rock n slow Rock! one of the best guitar i collected after Fender strats std 1957 model. i kept it like my baby.😂
I love these, i've always wanted one in black like the one used in back to the future, You should try doing Icemans too
I got a beautiful birdseye maple rg. Carved top it so sweet.
Bloody hell!! Blimey! Crikey! Love from the UK.
That sounds amazing, incredible tone,
I love the body and headstock shape.
Yeah baby, take to da 80's!
Reach between my knees... Ease the seat back 🎸
That is the original Ibanez Edge locking tremolo, every bit as good as any German Floyd Rose, annnnd....the very same trem that Steve Vai and Joe Satriani still use to this day.....amazing MIJ guitars, i still have my Roadster from 1978!
Finally some pure shred. That was savage. Although that Ibanez headstock is bleugh
Fantastic video
Team Normans, you never fail to satisfy as I watch daily after working at the house. You really get my evening started. Lemmo, I really enjoy you shredding on the "different" axes like today's offering. One question though, donde esta' Roberto Valley?
Best neck ever! I cannot find this profile on any other guitar! Can you help me find specs on the profile?
Wonderful Job & No Bar !
What effect boxes were you using, sounds great ..!