Ibanez George Benson 10 Guitar Thoughts on it

[Wildcat]

Hey guys,

I have a lead on a 1978 Ibanez George Benson 10 GB10 guitar. Any thoughts or impression on the guitar would be great. This guitar has a very unqiue design. I love the small size, ebony fretboard, and floating mini humbuckers. But how does guitar sound with this design ? I would imagine it has its own personallity which is the draw to it for myself. I have not had a chance to play it yet, but even then I find that I don't really get a feel for the guitar until I play in my home environment.

Background:
I'm a novice player who's owned many semi-hollow and hollow body type guitars. Mostly imports and Heritage H575 and H535. I came to realize that an expensive guitar does not make you a better player and really as I mature as a player, I am still developing my ear and the tone I like.

I have dropped down to one guitar, "2000" Epiphone 335, made in Korea, with a Big D varitone switch added. I have about $600 in it with upgrades. I love this guitar!! With the Big D varitone switch I get the big box jazz sound without the feedback and the louder acoustic volume that tends to throw me off when I listening to my amp. With the upgrade Duncan pickups, PAF and JB, I can get allow differnt tones out of this guy.

Thanks again.

Rich

[PTChristopher]

Random opinion items:

- It sounds great. Does exactly what is was designed to do.
- Man, that is a bunch of big screws in the pickguard.
- By todays standards it is a bit of a quirky design in quite a few ways.
- It is a little odd to go with floater PU's yet have a thick top with 4 pots mounted on it.
- The tailpiece is a little ornate and the adjustment makes little to no difference (others may truly feel that the adjustment is important).
- It's a cool classic.
- Try it in your normal playing position. It is an unusual shape (small but thick for its overall size).

They are great guitars, and a definite contrast to today's idea of a small archtop. But of course in 25 years players may all laugh at Sadowsky and Benedetto "bland little plywood boxes" and think the GB10 is the height of fashion.

(I like both the GB-10 and the small Sadowsky and Benedetto designs. They sound great and a little variety is always a good thing.)

All in my opinion.

[Wildcat]

Thanks for the good thoughts. Also your spot on about the smaller archtops being made today by the Sadowsky and Benedetto folks. I took a very hard look at both and back away. Mainly for the cost, but also the opportunity to look at and play one is some what limited outside of Benedetto's are or were being sold on Musicans Friends. With the 45 day return period you could try them out and get a feel for the guitar. But its difficult for me as a novice to drop that kind of money even if I had it.

[PTChristopher]

Tough situation for Benedetto in my opinion.

Great product line (I have a Bravo, great guitar), but the classic distribution conundrum for a higher end product:

- Dealer takes a significant margin and you (as the builder) still do the real "sale" via ads, telephone calls with customers, road trips, etc..

OR

- You sell them direct and keep the margin to pay for your actual effort. But, how many players will never handle the guitar who would if they were accessible?

Makes you wonder how much the internet and online opinion/review affects any of this.

Anyway, I'd be very happy to play the GB-10, Bambino, Bruno, Bravo, or the Hall.

Man, you'd think they could get the letter "B" into the Jim Hall guitar name somehow.

[EddieLastra]

I've owned a couple of GB-10's in the past. They're a very versatile guitar and comfortable to play on long gigs. Are you buying the 1978 GB10 as a player guitar or as an investment? Is it all original, no mods? Since it is a vintage guitar the worth and resale value should be considered, should you end up having to let it go later.

Also given it's age, the thing to check out is if the pickguard has started to "gas out". The plastic material they used back then does deteriorate over time, the gas fumes that it emits will usually cause fogging on the guitar's finish and on the metal parts, especially if the guitar has been in it's case for a very long time. The potential problem is finding an exact factory pickguard replacement. The pickguard is unique in that the bracket for the floating pickups is mounted onto it. I've heard on one of the Ibanez owners forums that the pickguards on current production models aren't exactly the same, can't recall specifically what. I think it has some to do with the newer GB10's being built in Korea while all the vintage ones were all built in Japan. Hope this info is helpful

[TruthHertz]

I worked at Ibanez and it was my pride and joy to have a Benson to memorialize that time. It's a very fine guitar, built to very high standards, built like a tank to remain in tune and work to the same standard for the life of the instrument. They are made in Japan. For a few years they made a version in Korea but they're designated differently, they have rosewood fingerboards and no inlay on the bridge base. Some people, myself included, found them to actually be livelier acoustically. The pickups have the distinctive George Benson sound. I had Duncan custom wind me a set of Johnny Smith jazz floaters and they put the guitar firmly into the "perfect working guitar" category for me. The size, is phenomenal. SO comfortable.
It's not loud. It's not really woody the way my Joe Pass is, but it's a delight to play. As a player's instrument, they are serious professional tools and I love mine. But I still gotta wonder: Why didn't Ibanez ever use lacquer? Their love affair with poly is a mystery, especially for something like the GB. Know too, that the wood is beautiful but it's laminate. Very stable. Very playable. But it will not have the delicacy of a solid wood guitar. Plug it in and it makes it a better electric.
David

[fws6]

I personally am into playing acoustic archtops; or only with little amplification. A friend of mine has a GB10 so I tried it out. Very nice neck, but I didnt care for the sound much at first
Plugged in it sounded great though !
I guess this is exactly what it was designed for. George Benson plays big body acoustic archtops at home and on the records. But live he needed a versatile instrument that had a hollowbody sound, but smaller body so easier to handle and no feedback issues.
So I guess for you it should depend what you want to do. If your main thing is to be able to get a good jazz sound, playing live, with considerable amplification, the GB10 would be an excellnt choice.
If it is for private / home / practice use I would have other favorites. An early GB10 is a $ 2000-3000 instrument so you can also buy a lot of other very good guitars in that price range

[NSJ]

Originally Posted by fws6

I personally am into playing acoustic archtops; or only with little amplification. A friend of mine has a GB10 so I tried it out. Very nice neck, but I didnt care for the sound much at first
Plugged in it sounded great though !
I guess this is exactly what it was designed for. George Benson plays big body acoustic archtops at home and on the records. But live he needed a versatile instrument that had a hollowbody sound, but smaller body so easier to handle and no feedback issues.
So I guess for you it should depend what you want to do. If your main thing is to be able to get a good jazz sound, playing live, with considerable amplification, the GB10 would be an excellnt choice.
If it is for private / home / practice use I would have other favorites. An early GB10 is a $ 2000-3000 instrument so you can also buy a lot of other very good guitars in that price range

I got a 1978 GB10, the first year of production, for much less than that, recently. I call it my beater guitar that I leave in the office--plays great, but the pick guard came apart and was gerryrigged together, and the binding needs to be fixed, sealed.

Its small sized, which is great. But....It's one heavy guitar!!! Are the newere models lighter??? I love the size, though. I have no idea why there is two floating pickups on a plywood guitar, though.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by EddieLastra

I've owned a couple of GB-10's in the past. They're a very versatile guitar and comfortable to play on long gigs. Are you buying the 1978 GB10 as a player guitar or as an investment? Is it all original, no mods? Since it is a vintage guitar the worth and resale value should be considered, should you end up having to let it go later.

Also given it's age, the thing to check out is if the pickguard has started to "gas out". The plastic material they used back then does deteriorate over time, the gas fumes that it emits will usually cause fogging on the guitar's finish and on the metal parts, especially if the guitar has been in it's case for a very long time. The potential problem is finding an exact factory pickguard replacement. The pickguard is unique in that the bracket for the floating pickups is mounted onto it. I've heard on one of the Ibanez owners forums that the pickguards on current production models aren't exactly the same, can't recall specifically what. I think it has some to do with the newer GB10's being built in Korea while all the vintage ones were all built in Japan. Hope this info is helpful

Thanks for the pickguard warning. I read a bit about it along the way.

The guitar is all original for a "78". But the production number is 4356 for that month or year? So I'm not sure how it would hold its value. It would be an everyday player for me. I held on to guitars in the past thinking I would keep them for investment, but after a few years I just could not let them sit in storage.

I'm all about the size aspect with this guitar. I had an Ibanez 15" hollowbody that I loved. AG95 model. Sort of a poor man's GB10. $275 used. But I sold it because I just didn't think the versatilty that I was looking for.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by fws6

I personally am into playing acoustic archtops; or only with little amplification. A friend of mine has a GB10 so I tried it out. Very nice neck, but I didnt care for the sound much at first
Plugged in it sounded great though !
I guess this is exactly what it was designed for. George Benson plays big body acoustic archtops at home and on the records. But live he needed a versatile instrument that had a hollowbody sound, but smaller body so easier to handle and no feedback issues.
So I guess for you it should depend what you want to do. If your main thing is to be able to get a good jazz sound, playing live, with considerable amplification, the GB10 would be an excellnt choice.
If it is for private / home / practice use I would have other favorites. An early GB10 is a $ 2000-3000 instrument so you can also buy a lot of other very good guitars in that price range

Thats the thing as you are absolutly correct about this price range and the great guitar in it. $2000-$2500 which why I did this post to find out if this guitar can cover alot of ground with a great jazz tone, but also blues and rock all with the size for it.

I am further away from the acoustic side of thing and closer to the amplification side of things. My amp selection and set up is very critical to the tone I play for, and if I can turn the boost or gain up a bit and have lighter strings to still bend, thats perfect for me. I guess as close as a jazz guitar thats an all rounder.

In that price range I'm not sure if you can find a vintage "jazz" guitar with this versatility and size. As I said its a very unquie design on paper.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I worked at Ibanez and it was my pride and joy to have a Benson to memorialize that time. It's a very fine guitar, built to very high standards, built like a tank to remain in tune and work to the same standard for the life of the instrument. They are made in Japan. For a few years they made a version in Korea but they're designated differently, they have rosewood fingerboards and no inlay on the bridge base. Some people, myself included, found them to actually be livelier acoustically. The pickups have the distinctive George Benson sound. I had Duncan custom wind me a set of Johnny Smith jazz floaters and they put the guitar firmly into the "perfect working guitar" category for me. The size, is phenomenal. SO comfortable.
It's not loud. It's not really woody the way my Joe Pass is, but it's a delight to play. As a player's instrument, they are serious professional tools and I love mine. But I still gotta wonder: Why didn't Ibanez ever use lacquer? Their love affair with poly is a mystery, especially for something like the GB. Know too, that the wood is beautiful but it's laminate. Very stable. Very playable. But it will not have the delicacy of a solid wood guitar. Plug it in and it makes it a better electric.
David

At one time I looked down on a laminated gutiar. But heck Gibson has been selling them for years and continues to and not many people complain about it. My friend plays his Gibson 82 335 laminate and make her sing.

I was looking at the newer ES-137 custom model, laminated curly maple for $2700. Not hating, just saying. As to poly, after all these years, I have no idea. Laquer makes sense and guitar sellers says it steals tone.

[Wildcat]

Bought the 1978 Benson GB10 today.
Played it. Very nice.
The pickups with the woods are quite impressive.
The bridge pickup really blew my mind. Quite mid-ranged for a bridge pickup. Quite impressive.
Final cost $2200.

[EddieLastra]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Bought the 197
Con8 Benson GB10 today.
Played it. Very nice.
The pickups with the woods are quite impressive.
The bridge pickup really blew my mind. Quite mid-ranged for a bridge pickup. Quite impressive.
Final cost $2200.

Congrats! Forgot to ask is she blond or sunburst? Those guitars have really held
up their value.. I sold my 1982 sunburst a few years ago for $1800. You're gonna love that thing

[Pierrot]

Originally Posted by EddieLastra

Congrats! ..... You're gonna love that thing

+1

[Philco]

Originally Posted by EddieLastra

Congrats! Forgot to ask is she blond or sunburst? Those guitars have really held
up their value.. I sold my 1982 sunburst a few years ago for $1800. You're gonna love that thing

I sold my 82 burst GB10 late last year on Ebay for only $1700. The guitar was in pristine condition. Only one bidder. I think I ran the auction 3 times in a row before I got a sale.

[EddieLastra]

Originally Posted by Philco

I sold my 82 burst GB10 late last year on Ebay for only $1700. The guitar was in pristine condition. Only one bidder. I think I ran the auction 3 times in a row before I got a sale.

I put my GB10 up on craigslist and sold it within a week, sometimes it's just the timing of things. BTW, were you original owner? I bought mine new in 1981 for $1100, that was a big chunk of money back then. I traded my white 1973 Les Paul custom for $700 to pay for part of it. I cringe when I think about what that '73 LP custom would have been worth today. Oh, and a double cringe and triple butt kick that I traded in my olympic white 1965 Strat to buy that LP custom. I've seen '65 strats sell on ebay for $15,000+. My parents bought me that strat for $500 in 1968. Just a couple of the dumb things I did when I was young

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by EddieLastra

Congrats! Forgot to ask is she blond or sunburst? Those guitars have really held
up their value.. I sold my 1982 sunburst a few years ago for $1800. You're gonna love that thing

The sunburst model.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Philco

I sold my 82 burst GB10 late last year on Ebay for only $1700. The guitar was in pristine condition. Only one bidder. I think I ran the auction 3 times in a row before I got a sale.

The sale for me was a local guy that deals in guitars extensively for a hobby. Also part of the deal he gave me a great price on a Gibson Les Paul. Also the I know the history of the guitar as the seller is a well known jazz guy in my area. One thing with the 1978 models also is that the prices seem to be higher. First year models tend to sell higher at 20% more.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

The sale for me was a local guy that deals in guitars extensively for a hobby. Also part of the deal he gave me a great price on a Gibson Les Paul. Also the I know the history of the guitar as the seller is a well known jazz guy in my area. One thing with the 1978 models also is that the prices seem to be higher. First year models tend to sell higher at 20% more.

The best part was that I played the guitar when I got there Sunday morning at 11:00 am. Then he pulled out a several vintage guitars such as a Gibson 335 and I got the chance to A/B to these other guitars. I lost track of time and when I left it was 3:00 pm. Time flys when your have fun!!!

[Philco]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

The sale for me was a local guy that deals in guitars extensively for a hobby. Also part of the deal he gave me a great price on a Gibson Les Paul. Also the I know the history of the guitar as the seller is a well known jazz guy in my area. One thing with the 1978 models also is that the prices seem to be higher. First year models tend to sell higher at 20% more.

This is true.
I think my timing of the sale was bad and in truth it is a small market with few buyers. The economic woes of the world also contributed.
I bought it a couple of years ago in a pawn shop and paid exactly what I sold it for.

Someone had put round wound gauge .008 strings on it and they were rusty.
With a visit to a repairer she came up very nicely.
I had a hankering for a Gibson though.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Philco

This is true.
I think my timing of the sale was bad and in truth it is a small market with few buyers. The economic woes of the world also contributed.
I bought it a couple of years ago in a pawn shop and paid exactly what I sold it for.

Someone had put round wound gauge .008 strings on it and they were rusty.
With a visit to a repairer she came up very nicely.
I had a hankering for a Gibson though.

I know that hankering feeling all to well. After some years of G.A.S.ing I would like to think Iam in recovery. But as with other (addicitions can we call it that ??) things there the chance I will fall off the wagon sometime in the future. Hi my name is Rich and I am a recovering G.A.S.er.