TC530
The TC530 debuted in 1994 as one of the Talman series launch models! It was the very first TC body shape (production model) Talman, and was offered in a wide array of colors/finishes. All TC530 models have faux birdseye gravure necks, lipstick pickups (designed by Kent Armstrong) and a Resoncast body that features a "sound cavity" route under the pickguard.
These guitars were made in Japan at the legendary Fujigen factory. The debut Talmans (TC530, TV650, TV750) were also the first Ibanez® guitars to feature Korean hardware. The pickups and entire pickguard assemblies were built in Korea, then shipped to Japan to be dropped into the guitar bodies.
Early serial numbers show that production of the TC530 started sometime in mid to late 1993 (same as the TV650 and TV750).
Ibanez's catalogs and marketing materials from this era compare the debut Talmans to Danelectro® guitars because of their similar composite bodies and unique funky tone. It's important to note, Ibanez made some of the design decisions (Resoncast bodies, gravure finishes, Korean hardware) to keep the prices of these Japanese made guitars competitive as the US dollar's value decreased rapidly against the Yen.
The TC530 was replaced after one model year by the TC630. They are nearly identical guitars, but there are differences. Most notable are the TC630's dramatic reduction in finish choices, Ibanez TT50 tremolo bridge, pearloid pickguard, metal knobs, and non-gravure neck.
- model years 1994, 1995
- made in Japan (Fujigen)
- sold in AA, EU, JP, NA, USA
- finishes
- Azure Blue Burst (ABB)
- Black (BK)
- Cedar Brown Sunburst (CBB)
- Dark Green Burst (DGB)
- Gravure Flame Amber (GFA)
- Gravure Flame Green (GFG)
- Gravure Flame Smoke Grey (GFS)
- Ivory (IV)
- Pale Blue (PB)
- Pale White (PH)
- Royal Orangeburst (ROB)
- original list prices (USA)
- $659.95 (GFA) ⇒ $1,332.24 (in 2023)
- $599.95 (ABB, ROB) ⇒ $1,211.11 (in 2023)
- $549.95 (BK, PB) ⇒ $1,110.18 (in 2023)
- original list prices (JP)
- ¥50,000 (GFA, GFG)
- ¥45,000 (BK, CBB, PB)
- Highlights
- Specs
- Diagrams
- Parts
Resoncast body
All TC530 bodies are made of a composite wood material Ibanez marketed as "Resoncast". It's a compressed mixture of resin and alder sawdust, better known as MDF.
Lipstick pickups
Designed by Kent Armstrong. "Sky" lipstick pickups are potted and sealed in epoxy. They avoid the problems of vintage lipsticks (microphonic, noisy and inconsistent) while beautifully recreating their unique voice.
Gravure birdseye neck
The "Birdseye" neck and headstock is actually a printed finish applied over the real wood (non-birdseye maple). Ibanez did this to make the early Talman guitars look more upscale and remain affordable.
Gotoh® tuners
A lot of Talman guitars likely have tuners made by Gotoh (for Ibanez, unbranded), but the TC530 actually came with tuners that have the Gotoh brand stamped into the back!
Single ply pickguard
The 1-ply, ivory pickguard is a unique feature only found on TC530 models (out of all electric Talmans made thus far). If you see it, that's a pretty good indication you've found a TC530!
Amazing finish options
One of the largest and best collections of available finishes for a Talman! Includes solid painted colors, bursts, and gravure finishes (printed, simulated high-end wood texture). Shown (left to right): ABB, ROB, IV.
