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To The OP,
I have a lot of experience, I know guys that worked at Chesbro Music, a facility in Pennsylvania - everything Ibanez, no matter where made, that comes into the U.S. goes thru that facility and is opened, inspected, totally checked out electronically and a thorough setup is done, THEN and only then is it released for distribution. Period. I know a number of guys that work there and they say the pickups on the SE are NOT, repeat NOT what was used on the Japan GB10s.
KFC !! (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Do your homework... A Japan made GB10nt from a dealer in Japan, these guys ship all over the world EMS, which means you pay and 4-7 days later you have your guitar. Save your money and go with a Japan made GB10.
The one I got, jeez, that was such a score. Yeah it's been around, a early 1979 and it's got changed tuners, changed pickups and a new pick guard - it's a players guitar, not a collectors guitar - but with the original release sized body and larger cutaway (Ibanez was using up bodies) and it's literally been around the world, the previous owner was Dr. John's guitar player and it was all over the world on tour. The neck pickup was swapped out for a Bartolini 5J, the outgassed pick guard was scrapped and a solid ebony pick guard was bound and installed. It's sweet, got that GB10 tone. I got it for $1500.00. THAT is a score. Those kind of deals are still out there because the market is F L A T as my old high school girlfriends' chest was.
Have a look on eBay or Reverb or GBase. Many established dealers will gladly ship overseas, and also consider going with a large deposit and time payments. Most shops will let you go 90 days - the money you could spend on a MIC GB10se could be your down payment, and in 90 days pay the rest. What you get is one of The Primere gigging jazz guitars. George Benson is celebrating his 40th Anniversary with Ibanez this year.
Ibanez GB-10 / NT George Benson Signature model 606559001712 | eBay
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-12-2017 at 04:39 PM.
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Ok BigMike. Was just asking a question, you answered the second time.
Regarding the fact I'm a "kid" and your agressive speaking, I'm 45, have been playing for 30 years, have owned a couple of dozen of guitars (if that even matters), have a few skills in lutherie work, and for my own respect quite a bit of knowledge on guitars and their history.
So calm down and smooth the way you talk to people! My question was never out of respect, I just wanted to know where you got your sources, that's all.
Last edited by Jx30510; 01-12-2017 at 01:22 AM.
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And since I don't totally master all the subtilities of the english language, I find it constructive to ask questions, other members very kindly answer with a good deal of humour, thanks.
And by the way Big Mike, what does your "KFC" mean? Hope it's not a rude thing?
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Originally Posted by
BigMikeinNJ
I run the ICW group on Facebook. I know Ibanez
I spent the last 15 years hanging at the IbanezCollectorsWorldForum.
I've been to a few hayrides. Lately the info on the Ibanez websites is sorely misleading, at best.
Whats your common sense tell you ??
Attachment 38682
And, have you looked on Reverb or been on eBay like I suggested ?? For what you'd pay for an SE there's a couple of gorgeous GB10nts for $400.00 or so more.
Wish I had a penny for every time someone told me the pickups were the same.
Don't listen to me...
Love that guitar Big Mike, an absolute beauty. I've had a bit of a thing for blondes ever since I saw Joni Mitchell playing a GB10 like that on the tour she did with Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorious - that includes the guitar and Joni! 
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Yes it's beautiful.
I didn't the older ones had a different cutaway shape
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Meggy, on the Shadows and Light tour she had about 11 GB10s, mostly all blondes - Joni had all those weird tunings she used and each guitar had a small set list taped to it to aid the tech handing her her next guitar to use based on the songs she was going to use. How do I know this, back in 2002 all of them were offered for sale on eBay by a store in Los Angeles that handled instruments for stars...
As for being "rude" to someone, sometimes you know things and can share them but you are not at liberty to share the sources of your info. So you try to be helpful, but you have to respect your sources too. Capicse ?? I'll stop trying to help people here...
Also I asked you to use your Common Sense... I don't get it with younger players. Simple logic should tell you if Ibanez sells a pickup for $150.00 EACH and they go on a guitar that retails for $3000.00 why would they include that pickup on a guitar that retails for $1200.00 ??? Really, I have stated this countless times.
You do not get anything for free. There is no way Ibanez is going to put a pair of pickups costing $150.00 a piece on a $1200.00 guitar. It is just common sense. If they DID they would dilute greatly the value of their upper tier guitars. YES ?? NO ???
Meggy, that Shadows and Light tour pretty much gave Pat the mainstream exposure he needed to put him in the limelight. You see that special custom made fat bodied double cutaway blonde guitar he had on the stage, "In France They Kiss On Main Street" you get a glimpse of it. I include the video, it's where I learned that Pat uses the SIDE of his pick - check it out about 2:15 into the song Pat rips into his solo, a fat leather strap hangs over the treble cutaway. Ibanez made that for him special, it got stolen and never recovered. How do I know that, Guitar Player cover article. Sometimes being older ya learn stuff. Yes ??
As an old chef taught me "I teach you this so you'll be smart. Besides, it makes interesting cocktail chatter"
Big
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-12-2017 at 12:36 PM.
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Big Mike - I thank you for the interesting information about Joni Mitchell and the Ibanez GB10 model.
Forgive me, but I do feel I have to say I find the way you are continuing to address the OP unpleasant - for example aggresively bellowing "Capicse ??" and "YES ?? NO ???" as if you think he's stupid and you have to talk down to him, just doesn't seem to be on to me - I've read through the thread, and I can't see that he's done anything to deserve this. And surely you understand that talking to someone like this is unlikely to make them any more inclined to listen to your advice?
I just felt I had to say this, rather than just respond to just the parts of your post addressed to me, and then perhaps I'd appear complicit in your manner towards the OP, which I don't want. Please, I implore you, think about this - personally I'm not someone who welcomes conflict, and that's not my intention here I promise.
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Meggy
I appreciate your candid remarks.
The topic of pickups is a real sore spot for me.
For years folks wanted to think the cheaper guitars use the pickups out of the high end models
And Ibanez did some crafty renaming of the pickups and altered the info on their websites so it's really vague what you get. Which further encourages less experienced players to think they're getting the really good ones. When in fact they are not.
I still stand by my best advice, I don't know the OP's first name or I'd call him that when repeating:
Save your money for just a bit longer, and while you are saving - go find that Japan made GB10. Many music stores will gladly do time payments. Lay down a sizeable deposit, then pay it off. I have a particular fondness for the GB10, I gigged with one at convalescent home for 18 years. I found a '77 nt with no case at Guitar Showcase for $700.00 - it needed a lot of work but wow what a beast. From all I know the older pickups from the '77-'79s are a wee bit hotter. Also the body thickness in the original release changed a wee bit, as did the shape of the cutaway. My example here has that slightly fatter body and wider cutaway. Like a lot of guitar companies they use up older parts when making models with a slightly newer year designation - I have seen this countless times on Fender and Gibson also, especially in using up old pots, trems and other items sometimes used to help date a guitars birth year.
To me the GB10 is really the Tuxedo of Jazz Guitars... It's great looking and so smart: smaller body just a tad larger than a Les Paul, light enough you could stand playing for a long time. A great neck and man the tone out of that small body just makes you go WOW !!
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-12-2017 at 04:32 PM.
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Thanks for that Big Mike, and indeed the extra pictures of that terrific blonde GB10 of yours - I envy you that guitar! I certainly wouldn't want to question your obvious deep knowledge about Ibanez guitars past and present, and do also appreciate what you're saying re the issues with lack of clarity that can occur in regard to the pickups Ibanez fit to guitars.
I was looking into the GB10 models Joni used, and apparently she had some made for her, which had JONI MITCHELL on the inlay at the 21st fret, instead of GEORGE BENSON - I'm sure you already know this. But as a big Joni fan and jazz guitarist, I would love to own one of those! Out of my reach of course - I'll have to live with that, but if I ever see a nice Japan-made original blonde GB10 going at a good price, I may have to jump on that one. 
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I've updated my earlier comments and expanded on them also. I'll stay out of these conversations in the future, its just better I do.
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Everyone has better knowledge on one subject than others, I'm not going to go in any kind of conflict or whatosever, and I don't really care when guys get authoritive on forums, claiming they know everything. I certainly speak english better than you speak french?
You seem to be in a bad mood, and if you can't stand when people ask questions, what's the point discussing?
I'm not here to have bad vibes, but for pleasure and to inform myself.
If you think I'm not aware that 80's MIJ Ibanez are better guitars, I'll just tell you my number one guitar is an 81' AS200, and it's the only Ibanez I'll keep.
And to come back to the subject of pickups on mid level priced guitars, I feel my question is valuable whatever you think. Don't they put 300$ of value Gibson Classic 57' pickups on the 799$ Epiphone Es 175 Premium?
Peace
Last edited by Jx30510; 01-12-2017 at 04:49 PM.
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Meggy
When those Joni owned guitars were for sale the store was asking pretty current prices. I couldn't believe it that there were so many. I called the store and talked to the owner a lot, I bought a Deluxe Reverb from them in '77 so I halfway knew the owner.
Ya know I didn't know that they said Joni Mitchell on them but why not ??? Ya learn something every day. That year a number of really amazing guitars were sold on eBay, before they got so greedy... I remember the Joe Pass owned JP20 and a George Benson owed GB10, both guitars were signed by the artists and the listings had photos of the seller backstage with each artist, many photos. He was GIVEN those guitars so wow that cat was traveling in pretty interesting company. The unusual thing about the JP20 was the seller had added a Johnny Smith floater attached to the end of the neck (think like a GB10 would) and painted it black, it sort of lurked there almost undetectable in the darker burst used on the JP20...
I'm absolutely crazy about Ibanez. I got my first exposure to Ibanez in 1965, wandering around a trade show at the original McCormick Place with my folks, just bored out of my brains. I come upon this booth selling guitars and BAM my first gotta have it GAS attack. A vaguely strat shape with toggle switches and probably a sen body with trem. $100.00 - oh man. My buddies and I drove from Oak Park clear down to the like 120 south numbered streets to a store selling them, no case, just the cardboard box it came in. My first electric. And I have a deep fondness for the late 70s Ibanez copy guitars - Johnny Smith nt, Byrdland nt, 345s, 355s, ES175 copies. Serious jones for those.
Anyway I digress...
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Montroller,
I don't have any experience with the SS300 so can't advise.
And Jx30510, as I said in the future I will stay out of the conversations in which pickups are in what, I read your comments on the Gibson Classic 57s, have a look on eBay and see what used sets sell for. Even if you have to search Completed Items listings: you will see the cheaper priced ones are out of Epiphone LPs...
My Mom taught me to be an eagle eye bargain hunter, but also knowing what is a bargain and what is being passed off as something it is not...
Save for the Japan made GB10. That's the best advice I can give. I'll go hunt down the I think is the best GB10 in NT. I truly think you would be SO GLAD you paid more for so much more of a guitar. That's my final contribution on this topic...
BigMike
This one is in Japan and is the best price I could find for a MIJ nt in good shape. Also if you look at older ones be careful: many times the guitars were stored for extended periods of time in their cases and the pick guards outgassed like crazy, usually pitting the plated pickups, tailpiece, and even tuners. Also scrunging up the case. And many have had those parts changed but you see another remnant: the finish has an odd cast to it near the binding (which probably outgassed). So cracked bindings, an odd off color outer color are all signs of a previously outgassed pick guard... Here's the "deal of the day".
Ibanez GB-10 George Benson Signature | Reverb
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You know, not to roil calm waters here (honestly), but I've been a moderator on an Ibanez forum for 15 years, been playing them almost exclusively since '80, and I'd bet Mike has forgotten more about Ibanez than I know. In my humble opinion, if you get advice or insight on an Ibanez from Mike you should consider yourself lucky that someone as knowledgeable about Ibbys is here to discuss them. Maybe he says "capiche' a bit, but it's easier to type than "do you understand the knowledge that I am trying to impart here?" Try it yourself and see
Now it's true, that if you don't know him at all or have read many of his posts (and I am not claiming to know him here) you wouldn't know that, but I felt like I should just point out, knowing what I do about Ibanezes, ( which I consider to be quite a lot thank you very much) that he is a bonafide top notch resource and absolutely a credit to any group or forum in which he posts. You can trust what he says without getting a second opinion.
So, off my soapbox, that is all
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So Bigmike you are saying that pickups in Epiphones that are said to be US Classic 57, aren't really the real thing?
That tends to let us think that Epiphone are lying on the products they're selling?
So the ES175 Premium would have fake US Gibson 57 Classic pickups?
Ummmm . Sorry but I think you just don't want to admit you can be wrong sometimes, and a very hard guy to discuss with, being as knowledgable as you are or not.
Giving advice to people doesn't mean talking to them as they where stupid, or treating them like "kids".
So you can keep your good advice on Ibbys, maybe you should work your way to good manners.
I'm leaving this forum.
thanks
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Good luck finding a nice guitar Jx30510 - sorry this thread went the way it did, and if you are leaving us.
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Jx30510,
Well good luck finding what I hope will be a very long term friend in a GB10.
And if you want to really learn the truth about Ibanez, this is only an ok place to start.
May I suggest you sign up for an search on the IbanezCollectorsWorld online forum.
Their SEARCH tool will find you countless threads where knowledgable owners of these guitars have shared their pictures and real players info.
It does seem like you like to debate, I'm not into that. I tried to share what I know with you and you disagreed on almost every point.
Have a nice life.
BigMike
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No problem.
Sometimes we can all be a little too "à fleur de peau"
My quest for my perfect jazzbox is harder than I would think. And I don't want it to be a hit or miss.
All the best
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I have an original issue 1978 GB10 that I bought new. It is an amazing guitar and I am disappointed that the current values are not up to the level of the instrument. I can't speak to later years, but mine stood up very well to a Custom Shop L-5 Wes Montgomery that I used to own.
I would look for a used MIJ GB10.
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Watch this thread where the authenticity of the Epi 175 premium pickups is prooved :
Gibson & Epiphone ES175 Compared
Last edited by Jx30510; 01-18-2017 at 03:25 AM.
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Ibanez LGB30 vs GB10SE? Lots of talk about the Japanese models, but I was following this thread in particular about these two Chinese models. Thanks.
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Well, I finally made the decision - the Ibby GB10SE and I love it! Plays like butter, the pups are awesome and it's a great companion to my much bigger ES-175 w/ USA Gibson pups. If any of you are wondering if a Chinese guitar like the GB10SE can be great, rest assured - it is. Tone, playability, feel, build, everything. Unless you have an extra grand (or more) to toss, buy the GB10SE and play it. You'll be quite surprised! It's awesome!
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Originally Posted by
BigMikeinNJ
I run the ICW group on Facebook. I know Ibanez
I spent the last 15 years hanging at the IbanezCollectorsWorldForum.
I've been to a few hayrides. Lately the info on the Ibanez websites is sorely misleading, at best.
Whats your common sense tell you ??
Attachment 38682
And, have you looked on Reverb or been on eBay like I suggested ?? For what you'd pay for an SE there's a couple of gorgeous GB10nts for $400.00 or so more.
Wish I had a penny for every time someone told me the pickups were the same.
Don't listen to me...
That is a stunner! Just checked the used price on those in my corner of the world, the MIJs hold their value well. Even new ($2.4 locally) they are a great value. I too have mixed feelings about MIC Ibanezes, having not too long ago replaced an AM93 with an Eastman T386 that is simply in a different league. But there seems to be a great deal of variance among the Ibanez Chinese models. I saw (but didn't play) a used AF104 in a store that definitely looked superior in quality to the 93 - it looked equal to a MIJ or very very close. I've never seen or played any of the new Chinese GBs.
BigMike your input on Ibanez has always been extremely valuable to me.
Last edited by m_d; 04-07-2017 at 05:02 AM.
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