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Hi, I'm considering buying a new guitar, I would probably like an Ibanez. Could you explain the difference in sound and tone between the more expensive GB and PM models? Which models have the classic jazz sound? Warm, smooth, etc? Thanks
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10-19-2024 09:11 AM
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The PM model will get you a somewhat darker tone than the GB but it’s also a slightly larger guitar so you might want to try them out before buying- which one is the better fit for you ? Both sound and play absolutely fantastic, it’s a matter of preference !
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Another top end Ibanez is the AF2000... there is one now available from Thomann, if you're in Europo (just in case you want to jump on it before it goes... these take many months to come, after ordering!).
https://www.thomann.de/it/search_dir.html?sw=ibanez+af2000&smcs=5e9da8_6274
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I was also thinking about the af 2000.. Is it similar to the PM or GB?
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More similar to the PM (especially the previous model: the PM200, which has a neck humbucker)
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I’ve got an AF2000
yes it’s great , solidly built
well finished , plays great ,
sounds great
The important thing to get right is
what size body (ie lower bout width) you’re comfortable with
then go from there ….
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Thank you all, you are very helpful. I have a Yamaha SA 2200 now, I don't know what to expect from Ibanez compared to mine! Obviously I will try it.. I would hate to sell mine to finance the new purchase.
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At the risk of stating the obvious, listen to George Benson and to Pat Metheny. The GB’s are oriented toward sounding like GB (brighter,
more percussive/staccato) and the PM’s are oriented toward sounding like PM (darker, smoother/more legato attack).
The player, amp/effects, settings, etc. all have a big effect, and you can get the two guitars sounding pretty similar, but that’s the core difference.
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yes if at all possible financially ….
Originally Posted by Karlos
keep hold of the Yam 335 type
while you are searching out / getting a jazz box together ….
(strangely a 335 shape/thickness guitar
is uncomfortable for me)
again I emphasise the comfort factor
as primary ….
have fun with the search anyway
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Wow, you guys have given the best advice so far.
One thing I can say is a lot of people and factories make Ibanez guitars. These recent years, the quality for the money has been consistently excellent.
Since you're asking about PM and GB models, I'll add that my preference on all the signature models has always been the ones made in Japan at the Fujigen facility. They are the ones that are uncompromisingly constructed, consistent and have the best hardware and workmanship. They're the only ones from Japan and IMHO the guitars I would go after.
Pat Metheny PM-20 I'd also put in that family, long out of production, it was the first available Pat Metheny mass market guitar and a very serious Korean Peerless build.
There's a distinctive difference in the George Benson 15" GB models and the full hollow (Pat Metheny or Joe Pass models). George had played the finest hollow body guitars and specifically wanted something different. Less "acoustic" sounding, more evenly resistant to feedback and very comfortably small, it's a beautiful stage guitar. The hollows, on the other hand, have a "woody" acoustic sound AND FEEL and to me, have an inspiring liveliness to them, but could be more finicky when getting that same feel into the amped stage setup.
Try them. Seriously. You will pick up on the things that can only be described through prejudicial preferences. They are different. I kinda love them both in different ways.
The pickups can be changed too, and that's easier on a full hollow humbucker guitar.
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That's a great guitar, I think ...and can sound pretty jazzy, with flatwound strings. Originally Posted by Karlos
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It's kind of a subjective question, but in my opinion, Ibanez designed the PM models after the ES175, which Pat seem to prefer. It is a darker, warm, thick sound, which is more of a classic jazz tone/sound. The GB (depends which model) has more of a smooth jazz type of sound, not a thick or girthy as the PM models, due to the use of mini humbuckers and thinner bodies (talking about the GB10) If we're talking about the bigger GB models like the GB5, GB20, or the newer LGB models, those have a bigger tone, but are a bit brighter than most PM models. All of the aforementioned sound great in any jazz context, the difference is the construction. Your upper tier models have better construction, thicker tops etc...
The Japanese made models are for sure the better choice, but you'll be paying a bit more.
Cheers,
Arnie...
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Yes, you are right, the yammy is fantastic, everyone who sold it regretted it. I will do my best to keep it, also because the price was a real bargain!
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I have never played any of the PM models so I can't comment on those.
I have a 1981 GB10 that I've had for nearly 40 years. It's a wonderful guitar. I just had an interesting experience with it. Every week I get together to play with some older jazz musicians (in their late 70s) who have been professionals for decades. Usually, I play my Gibson ES-175 in that setting and get a lot of compliments on my tone (I use a Fender tweed Deluxe type amp, which is quite warm and rather bassy). Last Thursday on a whim I brought my GB10 and about six notes into the first song, the pianist looked at me and said "I really love the sound of that guitar, it is so full and rich."
Almost every demo you will find of the GB10 on YouTube results in the player trying to sound like George Benson on Affirmation. There are a lot more sounds available in that guitar. With the small body and rather stiff top, it's responsiveness is more like a snare drum compared to a larger archtop guitar, which are more like a tom-tom: The note is very immediate in the GB10 whereas with the larger guitars such as my 175 or my carved 17", it takes couple milliseconds to fully develop. The GB10 was my first electric guitar and I think, as such, I am pretty adapted to it and know how to get the sound I want; it leans more towards George Benson and Johnny Smith, but you can get dark, fat and smoky out of it with intelligent use of the knobs and touch.
Of all my electric guitars, if you came in at gunpoint and took all of them but a choice of one, that would be the one I'd keep. And I really like my other two archtops.
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The guitars you’re looking at are completely different from the SA2200. You can get an excellent tone from a LGB30, which sells brand new for $1300.
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I am listening with interest to your opinion. Could you tell me in a few words the difference in sound between yamaha sa2200 and lgb 30, ibanez af 2000? The sound in the video is very nice!
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The SA2200 is a semi hollow body, with a depth of 1.9”
The Ibanez is a full hollow body, with a depth of 3 5/8”, and possesses a typical hollow body guitar tone.
The weight of the SA2200 is 8.4 pounds.
The Ibanez weighs 6 5/8 pounds
It’s been well reviewed on this forum and elsewhere
Ibanez LGB30 - An Affordable George Benson Model
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Hi, maybe I explained myself badly. I meant the differences in sound, timbre, warmth.. Etc. The dimensions can be seen online. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
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I think, simply put, all three can play Jazz very well, tonewise. There might be just very slight differences/nuances between the three (in terms of warmth, fullness, brightness, attack etc.). Definitely with flatwound strings and a good jazz-amp (whether tube or solid state) and, of course, enough time spent dialing in/tweaking your favourite jazz-tone, that is. Originally Posted by Karlos
For me it would be more about how the guitar feels in my arms, hands and "under my fingers", how it's set up, its "playability", the action, etc.
Edit: by "all three" I mean Yamaha SA, Ibanez lgb30 ad GB10
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Hi, I'm also interested in the af 2000. Have you had a chance to compare the sound with GB/PM models of +-same price? Which one has the most traditional Jazz sound? Thanks Originally Posted by pingu
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Hi, do you have a yamaha sa2200? Originally Posted by frabarmus
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Hi , yes I did try out a GB10 one time Originally Posted by Karlos
briefly ,
the GB10 was livelier and a bit brighter
(note it had lighter strings on it)
the AF2000 has a bit more authority on the bottom end
both great tho
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my advice
the first thing to do is put
some 12 or 13 TI flats on your
yam 335 and see how that goes
it might be perfect for you
they’re great guitars after all
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No but I know someone who owns one. The main difference between SA 2200 and a jazzbox is that the SA2200 sustains more. Originally Posted by Karlos
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This is strange! Isn't it the other way around? Doesn't a hollowbody guitar vibrate the soundboard more? Originally Posted by frabarmus
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