Ibanez Unveils 40th Anniversary 2609B Black Eagle Bass

Ibanez has announced they will reissue the famed 2609B, also known as the Black Eagle bass. Admitting they are not apt to reissue many instruments, the company says the limited edition run marks the 40th anniversary of the classic model.

Ibanez 40th Anniversary 2609B Black Eagle Bass

The bass has several striking features, including its distinctly sculpted mahogany body, its f-hole shaped headstock, and custom position marker inlays. Of course, the most recognizable part of the bass is the abalone eagle set in its lower horn.

Ibanez chose a pair of alnico magnetic Super J pickups to give the bass a “bright, aggressive” tone. Finally, the headstock is inlaid with a mother-of-pearl classic Ibanez logo.

The Ibanez 40th Anniversary 2609B Black Eagle Bass Reissue will be available soon with a street price around $599.

Ibanez 40th Anniversary 2609B Black Eagle Bass Details:

Body:Mahogany
Neck:Maple
Fretboard:Maple
Inlays:Custom
Pickups:Super J
Bridge:Standard
Hardware:Chrome
Other:Flying Eagle Inlay, Classic Logo Headstock Inlay

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Share your thoughts

  1. Eric

    Wow! The last time I saw that bass Ronald LePred from the Commodores had one. That’s when they did that live album. I would love ibanez to reissue the musician series and the famous “lawsuit” Jazz bazz. Those basses were fun to play!?

    • Anthony

      My first bass was one of the “lawsuit” Jazz basses. I had no idea until after I let it go what it was or how unique it was.

      • Petey

        Yeah Anthony. The lawsuit Jazz bass had that sound. Fender’s were so expensive at that time because there was no competition. When the emergence of luthiers and companies started popping up with basses with cheaper price tags; fender HAD to dropped their prices. Ibanez was one of those companies that gave fender a run for the money. That’s why they called it the lawsuit basses. Mines was a sunburst jazz and a fellow classmate had a natural P-bass copy. Shoulda’ NEVER got rid of it. Young AND dumb! I loved that bass!?

  2. pete

    Why Mahogany body? I understand it the tone but it’ll be so heavy!!! I recall that they made them with different body wood.

    • Deny "Pops" Rowand

      Pete, I had one of the originals and it was heavy as hell. A real boat anchor, but killer cool. So when do they come out and where do I stand in line?

    • Wazza

      Yeah, the originals were a mahogany body

    • Ross

      Sorry Pete you are misinformed The Black eagle was only ever made from mahogany I know I’ve owned and 2 and still have an original 1978

  3. I really want to get one of these, but weight is a big issue… :-\
    Hypothetically it would still have the tone of the mahogany if it were chambered, right?

  4. James Slaughter

    I have two Black Eagles, One I got in the 80s. it was played hard for about fifteen years.I found another one about four or five years ago. My old bass was converted to a five string by Tim Lawson of Tims Guitars. The five sting is very heavy, but the four sting is a more comfortable and I still play it on gigs. I am looking forward to getting a reissue.

  5. Tom

    I own an original from 77. Bought it for 600 guilders d omewhere in the early90’s. It my favorite i’ll never sell it

  6. Tom

    Mahogany is a must.. it sounds so deep and agressive. I used to play it in my thrashmetalband in the 90’s. But it al s o is so superfunky! I really think it tops any fender jazz from the same era

  7. M J Rochner

    I remember seeing an Ibanez Eagle Bass in a little store in 1976. I thought it was horribly ugly at the time. Now I’m ready to stand in line for one! Tastes change!

  8. i had one of these in the early 80’s it was known as an Antoria before it was ibanez, the heaviest bass ive ever owned

  9. Deny "Pops" Rowand

    Any update on when these are coming out? No one seems to know about it.
    I even e-mailed Ibanez and got no response. Maybe it was just a teaser to see if was worth doing.

    • Tom

      haven’t heard about it except this article

    • Andy

      According to the dealer, through whom I ordered one today, I should see it at the end of May (Australia). I had one in the early ’80s, it was a great jazz bass. Heavy but worth it.

      • Deny "Pops" Rowand

        Andy
        Thanks for the information. Enjoy your bass. Are you near Adelaide ??? We have a guitar builder friend there. Builds great guitars out of aluminium.

  10. Romano Gonnella Jr.

    I tried one out today &,

    I’m getting it.

    It sound’s great &,

    It’s very light wich is,

    Amazing.

    • DCEEP

      I just bought one–8.6 lbs. At another store, they had a much heavier example, coming in at 10lbs.