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i think these are the two best laminate construction pro-jazz guitars out there (roughly - maybe the right es 150 is even better than the 175 - but lets pretend the issue is simpler than that)
can i get the views of those players who have used both?
(my deal is that i've got a gb 10 - i think i want a 175 - and i don't know if i'd be mad to sell the gb 10 to get the 175 or not. but that's just full disclosure - i doesn't impact on the issue)
in general i can't believe - given its dimensions - that the gb 10 could compete at all. but as people who have used them know - they have qualities you would never imagine possible just by looking at them.
thanks everyone!
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07-23-2016 11:45 AM
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The GB-10 is a marvelous jazz guitar. It sounds and plays differently than the ES-175, but it's a real winner.
The ES-175 is iconic.
I have had both. It's subjective, but for me it would be a no brainer: I would sell the Ibanez and find the right Gibson. You can play _anything_ on the 175. The 10 is sort of a one-trick pony, IMO. Great trick, but sort of one trick.
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i'm a one trick pony too
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In that case, you may want to stick with the GB-10. On the neck pickup you can play some badass jazz with the GB. And, it is SO comfortable. Great, solid-feeling neck. Perfect action. First time I picked one up...in '79 IIRC, I was blown away.
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A comparison here :
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Both quite different in tone, playability, feel.etc. GB10 tries to emulate a larger actop w/ floating p/up, so it's much brighter. You really need to play both before buying either. For me I have a Benedetto Bambino Std. which is more in the ES-175 camp. Although it has a thinner smaller body, 25" scale length, ebony fingerboard. These are definitly improvements that I like!
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Vinlander's clip is classic--it really shows the sounds of the two guitars. You could pick them out of a lineup blindfolded. Both guitars sound great. It comes down to preference in tone and playability. Both guitars are exceedingly playable, by the way.
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really helpful clip
i think the gb10 might even sound bassier - or thicker - or fuller etc.
it certainly sounds as full etc. - which is pretty incredible given that it is so much smaller and uses floaters
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I've had both, a few of each over the years. I only have one ES 175 at present and it's a very good one, but I'll swap with anyone for a nice GB-10.
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Originally Posted by John Link
that's very interesting - listening to that clip a second time i'm pretty sure the gb 10 has a fatter thicker sound
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I'm no expert on both of these but:
If you can afford it i'd suggest you to buy a ES175 and decide later if you want to sell it again or sell the GB10.
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I have both. My vote would go to the ES 175 - but both are excellent. the GB10 is obviouy smaller and more comfortable if you play a gig standing. On the flipside i find it not too comfortable seated. My es 175 has a fatter neck and i like it a bit better butvthe gb10 has a nice fast neck too. The gb10 does not feed back less than the es 175, rather more imho. The gb 10 is brighter and overall i find it less well balanced. I love the wound strings on the gb10 but the high b and e can be overwhelming or a bit plinly respectively. With a floater, a carved top is nicer than a laminate For my taste. For setin pickups it is less clearcut.
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Nice video with good playing but I think if you are going to post a music video on YT you should wear a nice shirt and pants and not include your crotch in the picture. JMO.
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I REALLY like Ibanez gits but lose my 175 for one? Nah. The best solution is have one of each :-)
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I finally got a VOS ES 175 last month, love it (although it took a truss rod adjustment and had to raise th bridge quite a bit.)
Have had a GB10 for the last 10 years, would never get rid of it, either. I think the GB10 can get pretty close to the warmth of the 175, but definitely has a bit sharper attack and definitely is the ticket to the Benson vibe and tone.
I like the fatter neck on the VOS, similar to the 59 335 re-issues and 57 gold tops (and 52 Tele RI) - I just like thicker necks, but in general, I still think the GB10 has my favorite neck of all time and is absolutely the easiest to play of any of my guitars.... rock solid tuning and stability.
As many have noted over the years, the bridge pickup is pretty useless for the most part, whereas the bridge on the 175 can get you into Kreisberg territory with pedals and without having to swap string gauges.
I'm tall, so I like holding the 175 better, but the GB10 is a winner. Not really an either/or for me, and I'm lucky to have completed my archtop dreams for now: L5, GB10, Sadowsky JH and now a 175. I would probably get rid of the sadowsky, if I had to at this point, having the 175, but will try a pickup swap and cap change on the tone control before I make that decision.
Get both, if you can!
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Dude sounds more fluid on the ES but I prefer the tone of the GB. Originally Posted by vinlander
The GB has a better all round tone. Could be microphone flim flam or amplifier floy floy but IMO the GB is best.
Caveat, I have only played ES, never enjoyed the experience.
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You have a gb-10? Want a 175? Find a good one. They run the spectrum. Find a good one, live with both for a while.
Then sell one. It doesn't matter which. You'll miss it and then you'll regret it. They're both so different, and in different ways for different people. Nobody here is going to tell you what you like in a guitar.
It's not a matter of what guitar you have, it comes down to what guitar you regret not having. Well you're half way there.
David
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Or if your crotch is going to take the spotlight, let it join in the music: Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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I've owned several of each. My feeling is that the GB10 is a great gigging guitar but for me, it's unsatisfying to practice on. The 175 sounds great acoustically, low volume practicing and high volume gigging.
GB10s seem to be more consistent and very rarely need things like fingerboard planing, refretting, etc., wereas the 175s are all over the place. However, I personally prefer the 175 to the GB10.
There are also intangibles such as the GB10 bridge pickup mount being a bit sketchy and because of the design, it's hard to get the middle switch position balanced.
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Not a performing pro. Can't justify a Gibson ES-175. Did not care for any of the various Epi 175s that float through the local GC. Neither can I justify a GB10 but I love the GB10SE! Thank you Ibanez.
I'll keep my eye out for a knockoff 175. Someone has what they claim to be a 2014 Korean Epi 175 Premium in the local Craig's list but they want the full new price.
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i wouldn't bother with the EPI 175. It's junk. You'd be better off getting one of the cheaper ibanez archtops though they seem to favor maple necks which makes for a brighter tone. Unfortunately, nobody makes a good 175 copy. The eastman 371/372 don't sound like 175s at all and neither do the various peerless guitars nor the d'aquisto jazzline. Originally Posted by TedBPhx
I see true-blue gibson 175s in the $2k range though if you are patient.
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I have one of these. I recommend it highly. Originally Posted by TedBPhx
David
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Got the GB10SE two months ago. A 175(ish) will have to wait until next year.
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I have both. I personally prefer the 175. I got the Ibanez GB10 in a trade with a guitar that I wanted to get rid of and that was difficult to sell. Had it not been for that case I would have never thought about buying an Ibanez GB10.
From time to time I think about selling the GB10.
However, after playing the Gb10 for a while I find myself admitting that it is a great guitar.
But there are some features that really do not fit with my tastes.
The neck floating pickup is great but I prefer the regular humbucker. The bridge pickup is a mistery to me.
If you want to balance the volume of the brige pickup with the neck's one you have to raise the pickguard until it gets in the way if you play fingerstyle.
Also, unlike what others have said, I don't find the neck so comfortable. It's kind of tiring. What shape is that? Seems to me like a V shape.
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When I was in the Marine Corps in the late 70's. I saved up with the intent of buying a ES 175. I played one but mentioned that I'd like a flight case because I was in the Marine Band and we flew to gigs quite a bit. The salesman said I might want to check out the Ibanez GB 10 because it's similar and comes in a flight case. It had a large silver case. Not as nice as an Anvil but better than your average guitar case.
I was young and impressionable. The guitar was nice and cost less than the Gibson AND had the case I wanted. Fast forward a few years and I am no longer digging the guitar. As someone mentioned about, I found it to be a one trick pony kind of thing. Now granted, it did that one thing really well but I needed more versatility. By then I was working with a show band doing lots of large venues and the GB 10 wasn't versatile enough. I sold it and bought an Ibanez AS 200. Problem solved.
If I had a 175, I'd never think of selling it to buy an Ibanez GB 10.Last edited by rkettner; 07-31-2016 at 11:17 PM. Reason: misspelled word
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