Ibanez JS Y2K Crystal Planet Joe Satriani Art

The Ibanez JS Y2K—often listed as the JS2K Crystal Planet—is one of the most striking artist-model guitars ever made. Conceived with Joe Satriani at the turn of the millennium, this clear-bodied, museum-worthy instrument sits at the intersection of industrial art and high-performance electric guitar design. For appraisers, collectors, and conservators, it presents a rare combination of limited production, celebrity association, unconventional materials, and a specialized condition profile with real value implications.

Below is a focused guide to identification, authenticity, condition grading, value, and care—geared for appraisal enthusiasts who need reliable, practical detail.

What Exactly Is the JS Y2K “Crystal Planet”?

• Model and nickname: Commonly referred to as the Ibanez JS Y2K or JS2K “Crystal Planet,” acknowledging Satriani’s 1998 album and the year-2000 release.
• Production period: 2000 only.
• Intended market: Global, limited run.
• Body concept: Transparent acrylic (often described as lucite/plexi), showcasing embedded and/or etched “Crystal Planet” thematic artwork. This elevates the model from mere signature guitar to a conceptual art piece.
• Collectability drivers:
  • Limited quantity (widely cited as around 200 pieces worldwide; verify on documentation).
  • Clear material/visual presentation unlike standard JS models.
  • Direct Joe Satriani association and period-correct components from Ibanez’s high-water-mark Japanese production.

Compared with mainstream JS models (JS1000, JS1200), the Y2K’s acrylic architecture, weight, and art-forward visuals place it closer to “art guitar” territory, with correspondingly strong interest from design-conscious collectors and music memorabilia buyers.

Specifications and Identifying Features

Because authenticity and correctness drive value, knowing the expected spec set is critical. Variances may occur; document what you see.

• Country of manufacture: Japan (FujiGen factory is standard for top-tier JS models of this era).
• Body: Clear acrylic/lucite. Heavier than wood; typical examples are approximately 4.5–5.0 kg (10–11 lb). Look for laser-etched or embedded Crystal Planet motifs; the art treatment is integral to the model’s identity.
• Neck: JS-profile bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale, 22 frets. Dot inlays (often abalone or pearloid, depending on the batch/era norms). Neck heel contour typical of JS line for upper-fret access.
• Hardware: Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge in chrome or similar finish, locking nut, Gotoh-style tuners (Japan). Metal components mount into threaded inserts designed for acrylic.
• Pickups and electronics (period-correct):
  • DiMarzio humbuckers typical to late-1990s/2000 JS spec—commonly PAF Pro (neck) and Fred (bridge).
  • 5-way selector with coil-combination options.
  • Push-pull functions often include: high-pass filter (HPF) on volume and coil tap on tone (verify on the instrument; wiring should be neat and factory-consistent).
  • Miniature components and shielding are cleanly installed from the factory; inconsistent soldering or non-standard parts are red flags.
• Finish/marking nuances:
  • Headstock: Standard Ibanez logo with “Made in Japan” and a serial number format consistent with FujiGen in 2000 (check for a leading “F0…” or other year-consistent schema).
  • Limited numbering: Look for model-specific numbering and Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Numbering and COA details vary by market; document where the number appears (rear plaque, control cover, or certificate).
• Case and case candy: High-quality hard case, COA, trem arm, tools. Some examples include special marketing materials; completeness boosts value.

Note on variants: The JS Y2K (JS2K) Crystal Planet should not be confused with later clear-bodied anniversary models or the separate “Chrome Boy/JS10th” mirrored guitars. Artwork, materials, and production years differ and each has a distinct market profile.

Authenticity: Documentation and Red Flags

High prices incentivize clever replicas. Appraise with a system.

• Paper trail:
  • Certificate of Authenticity (ideally matching the instrument’s limited-number notation).
  • Original sales invoice or dealer paperwork from 2000.
  • History of ownership. A well-documented chain of custody adds confidence and value.
• Serial and factory cues:
  • Serial should align with a 2000 build and be placed where Ibanez marked JS-series at the time (usually the rear of the headstock).
  • “Made in Japan” imprint should be crisp; fuzzy silkscreens or odd fonts are suspect.
• Body and art execution:
  • The acrylic should present factory-level machining: clean neck pocket, properly counterbored hardware holes, consistent polishing.
  • Artwork is integral and consistently executed; crude etching, foggy prints, or different motif sizes are red flags.
• Electronics and hardware:
  • Lo-Pro Edge bridge: Check for correct dimensions, finish, and stamping. Off-brand bridges or modern Edge Pro units suggest swaps.
  • DiMarzio pickups with period-correct leads and baseplates. Handwritten labels or mismatched leads can indicate replacements.
  • Wiring harness: Factory work is tidy; cold solder joints or mixed-brand pots often signal alterations.
• Fit and finish:
  • Acrylic/neck joint should be clean with no gaps. Ill-fitting necks or modified pockets imply parts guitars.
  • Be wary of JS100/JS1000 necks retrofitted to aftermarket acrylic bodies; the overall fit, logo placement, and serial timeline usually betray the build.

When in doubt, compare to multiple known-original examples. Consistency across dimensions, hardware, and visual details is the hallmark of authenticity.

Condition Grading Nuances for Acrylic-Body Guitars

Conservators and appraisers must adapt grading to the material. Acrylic behaves differently from lacquered wood.

• Common wear patterns:
  • Micro-scratching and swirls across the surface—especially on the back and forearm contour—are typical even with light use.
  • Stress cracks: Watch the neck pocket corners, tremolo posts, pickguard screw holes (if present), and strap button areas. Even hairline crazing materially affects value.
  • Clouding/haze: Residue from silicone-based polishes or incompatible cleaners can create semi-permanent haze.
  • Discoloration/contact marks: Rubber or foam from stands and straps may react with acrylic, leaving dark or melted impressions.
• Fretboard and frets:
  • Standard JS fretwire; light play wear is common. Excessive leveling or replacement reduces originality.
• Hardware aging:
  • Chrome pitting, saddle wear, and trem knife-edge erosion. Original, clean Lo-Pro Edge parts are valued highly.
• Electronics:
  • Scratchy pots are common with age; retain originals where feasible, service rather than replace if possible.
• Grading tips:
  • Excellent: Clear acrylic with minimal swirling, no stress cracks, complete case/COA, original hardware and electronics, fully functional trem system.
  • Very Good: Light swirling, tiny nicks, possibly minor chrome wear, no structural cracks, mostly original parts.
  • Good: Notable swirls, small stress lines at screw holes, moderate hardware wear, minor electronic servicing or reversible mods.
  • Fair/Poor: Fractures at neck pocket or trem posts, significant haze/discoloration, non-original pickups/bridge, missing COA.

Be explicit in reports: photograph high-risk zones and note whether marks are superficial scratches or structural cracks.

Market Values and Comparables in 2025

The JS Y2K Crystal Planet occupies a stable, thinly traded niche. Supply is low, and many examples sit in long-term collections.

• Typical private sale range (2025):
  • USD 9,000–16,000 for clean, original examples with case and COA.
  • Exceptional, near-mint, fully documented pieces can command USD 16,000–20,000+.
  • Instruments with stress cracking, missing documentation, or changed hardware often fall to USD 7,000–10,000.
• Market dynamics:
  • Celebrity provenance (stage use, signed COA) increases demand.
  • Regional scarcity matters: Europe and Japan can show stronger premiums for very clean pieces.
  • Economic cycles influence discretionary art-guitar purchases; listings may linger, but realized prices hold if the piece is top-grade.
• Comparables:
  • Ibanez JS10th “Chrome Boy” (1998): Similar collector appeal; condition-sensitive due to mirrored finish issues; broadly overlapping values.
  • Ibanez JS20th (clear-bodied anniversary model, later): Also collectible, but different art treatment; generally similar or slightly lower prices depending on condition and documentation.
  • High-end artist “art guitars” from the same era (e.g., limited JEMs, anniversary PRS or Fender artist runs) help triangulate price if direct comps are scarce.

For insurance, write coverage at current replacement cost for an equivalent-condition example, not original purchase price. Reassess annually.

Care, Conservation, and Storage

Treat it like both a fine instrument and a display-grade acrylic sculpture.

• Cleaning:
  • Use acrylic-safe polishes and microfiber cloths only. Avoid alcohol, ammonia, acetone, or silicone-based products that cause haze or micro-cracking.
  • Dust frequently; dry grit is the enemy of clear finishes.
• Handling:
  • Wash hands first; fingerprints and skin oils etch into acrylic over time.
  • Support the neck and body evenly; don’t torque the neck joint.
• Storage and environment:
  • Temperature: stable, moderate. Avoid heat that can induce crazing or warping.
  • Humidity: mid-range stability is ideal for the neck; acrylic itself isn’t hygroscopic, but the wood neck is.
  • Stands/hangers: Use cotton or inert coverings. Avoid rubber/foam that reacts with acrylic.
  • Case storage: Store with a soft, non-abrasive cloth barrier to prevent imprinting and reduce scuffing.
• Setup and service:
  • If servicing electronics, preserve originals; if parts must be replaced, bag and label originals for provenance.
  • For tremolo maintenance, lubricate knife edges appropriately and check studs; avoid overtightening into acrylic inserts.
• Shipping:
  • De-tension strings slightly to reduce neck-joint stress.
  • Double-box with rigid foam around the case; avoid direct pressure on horns or trem area.

Practical Appraisal Checklist

• Confirm year and serial align with 2000 Japan production; document serial placement and font.
• Verify limited numbering and match COA details to the instrument.
• Inspect acrylic for stress cracks at neck pocket, trem posts, and screw holes; differentiate from surface scratches.
• Check artwork: consistent, factory-quality etching/embedding—no shortcuts or mismatched motifs.
• Assess hardware: original Lo-Pro Edge bridge, correct tuners, and locking nut; note any swaps.
• Test electronics: 5-way switching, push-pull functions, noise levels; inspect wiring quality without disturbing factory work.
• Weigh the instrument; unusually light/heavy pieces warrant closer inspection.
• Photograph comprehensively: serial, neck pocket, trem cavity, control layout, stress-prone areas, case/COA.
• Note completeness: case, COA, tools, trem arm; completeness premium can be significant.
• Establish comparables and set value with condition and provenance adjustments.

FAQ

Q: How many Ibanez JS Y2K (JS2K) Crystal Planet guitars were made? A: Production is widely reported as a limited run around 200 pieces worldwide. Always verify the instrument’s number and COA when appraising.

Q: What do they typically weigh? A: Most examples fall near 10–11 lb (4.5–5.0 kg). The acrylic body is substantially heavier than typical wooden JS models.

Q: Which pickups are correct for 2000? A: Period-correct DiMarzios are commonly PAF Pro (neck) and Fred (bridge), with 5-way switching and push-pull functions (HPF and coil tap). Confirm on the instrument; tidy factory wiring is expected.

Q: What cleaning products are safe? A: Use acrylic-safe polishes and microfiber cloths. Avoid alcohol, ammonia, acetone, and silicone-based products that cause haze or crazing.

Q: Is the JS Y2K a good investment? A: It’s a thin-market, high-desirability art guitar with steady long-term demand. Values depend heavily on originality, condition (especially absence of stress cracks), and complete documentation.

By approaching the JS Y2K Crystal Planet as both a limited art object and a high-spec instrument—documenting authenticity, grading acrylic-specific condition with care, and understanding current comparables—you’ll produce reliable appraisals and preserve value for the next custodian.