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Well a little heart failure when I noticed the box had a huge gash in it, made the UPS driver wait while I ripped it open and inspected the case and guitar, no worries, all intact.
Doggone fellas, it is quite nice. The quality of laminated woods used is very striking. Reminds me of a Jim Hutchins L5 or Byrdland with the cross patterns. All the woods, back and sides are this nice. Nice 3 piece neck with the typical Ibanez shape and volute. Tuners look just like the Velves used on the GB10, pick guard has that decal that feels like it would peel right off (I'm not initially crazy about it), tailpiece is very pretty in person. Whoever did the shaping and polishing on that wood worked hard. It's got a dead copy of a GB10 case and overall its really very nice.
Because of the gashed up box I rushed opening it, it's 40 here and damp - the case and guitar were pretty cold. So I have it laying on the bed in the office (not the warmest room) resting and shot these photos. Overall observations is they really did jack up the spec they wanted out of the Chinese factory. Of course later when I can tune it to pitch I'll give you the sonic report. Aside from the different tailpiece and pick guard and GB100 inlays it's a dead wringer for a Japanese GB10 but with prettier wood than anything I've seen out of Japan (unless Mr. Benson was holding it).
I'd give the BigMike Buy Recommendation.
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-23-2017 at 06:23 PM.
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And no, it's no some ugly banana yellow or that orange stain that Washburn used on some of the J-10 Orleans models.
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Maybe after doing a couple Hail Mary's and Our Fathers this BB software will let me add these last couple. Grrrr
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?A couple of comparison shots - Japan meets China at the George Benson Shrine.
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Hey Big~
You are the 'Quick-draw McGraw' of the Ibanez GB fan club! 
Are the p-guard and bail tail both Ebony? I see you said that they are wood, but man, they're are so shiny, they appear to be plastic or synthetic.
I like that they gave it the brass/bone nut. Nice touch.
What is the neck profile like?
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That's for sure some major snazz, there, Big! Congratulations, and play it in good health! 
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Aaah Tim, they are wood. Maybe treated with an epoxy or ebonized like some of the ebonized rosewood was back in the day. I double checked the specs too and it says wood.
Ok, so now that we have the wood/plastic discussion tabled I DID plug it into my Sebago Sound Texas Flood and the doggone pickups sound pretty nice. As usual I always make the first song I play on a guitar an old hymn - and in this case I played Open My Eyes, one of the convalescent home staples I played 18 years. Neck feels pretty good - it's like the neck on my GB100 - my '79 GB10 has a heftier neck than any other GB10 I ever owned (and I had a few over the years). The way I have the Texas Flood dialed up I turn the volume knobs on the guitar all the way off and gradually bring them up until I get sound and then turn it more until that sparkly pick dynamic thing happens with this amp. Whoosh it's nice... Right away I went for an old setting I like: pickup selector at middle position, neck volume at about 5 and bridge volume at 3 1/2 - so you get some neck pickup sparkle too (keep in mind I have the Texas Flood at 7 and it's a 50 watt amp so it's a LOUD 7). It's sweet...
I stand by my Buy Recomendation. But let me temper that by saying WAIT and find one someplace to handle yourself and play plugged in. See what YOU THINK. Don't take my word for it - being it is a new item it would help if a lot of cats took it for a spin first. That's smart money, take if for a spin yourself. They'll be showing up in stores pretty soon.
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-23-2017 at 09:46 PM.
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Here's some after dinner music shots with flash
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Nice new fiddle! Nice 'old' fiddle, too!
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Congratulations on a fantastic NGD. Play and enjoy in good health!!!
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Great pictures and beautiful instrument. I don't know which tailpiece I prefer, I'd like it better without the ornemantarions I think.
A question if you compare the original GB10 with the GB40, how do you feel the solid top differs in the overall sound? Is the playability on pare with the MIJ ?
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Congrats Mike - That is one fine looking guitar! 
So how does it compare with a japan GB10? ... Would you recommend it or would you recommend getting the japaneese version to someone only looking for one of them?
Also have you tried the GB10se and have an option? They are currently on sale, so I suspect they will be replaced by the GB40II
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You work fassst, Big Mike. I had no idea these are shipping...These MICs are tough so don't worry about opening it up in this weather.
Looks good. Not too wild about the tailpiece though but different strokes and that.
Congrats! Now, plug it in!
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The pick guard that is on my '79 GB10nt surely needs no replacing. It's a bound ebony guard, it's very nice - no chance of it ever outgassing. As for the GB40 II, I kinda like it, feel no need to change anything but where I'm sitting - trading the computer chair for my playing chair for a couple days.
I will say this to anyone considering one. Go check it out. It's pretty damn nice for the money. Plug it in and play it. That'll tell ya if it will work for you. I'm just a fella, maybe what I like wouldn't be your cup of espresso (quadruple, lots of cream, lots of sugar).
Ya'll play nice while I'm off - my eyes have been bugging me of late and today they actually sting. So I'm taking a timeout from posting. Max, you know my digits...
Big
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Hang in there bigheartmikeformerlyofnjnowchi.
ill be checking on ya..
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A big Congrats ! Mikey and George thanks you too for the royalty 
. I hope your eyes feel better bro.
I have a question I have been wanting to ask you for a very loooooong time.
If you had to pick 1 what is your favorite axe ? I know a hard choice but everyone has a favorite.
Unity, Super Patrick, Byrdland, GB.....?....? We are not worthy King Archtop.
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For overall sound (arch top) one of the Unity's, either. Or the American Eagle, that thing is amazing.
If an dread that would be my Alvarez Yairi DY96, that thing has the swirly sound like the above mentioned guitars. They're all over the top gorgeous cosmetically too. For dinking around quietly, this little nylon string K. Yairi GL600, it's smaller than a parlor guitar but is so sweet sounding.
I've been worrying about you Vincenzo. Praying too. Stay safe bro...
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-24-2017 at 09:53 PM.
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Nice ! Oops I forgot about the SP AE trade. Thank you my friend.......getting better.
Enjoy your new GB Big guy.
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Found this NAMM video on YouTube this morning. Around the 6:30 minute mark GB holds up the new GB40th, the upscale version MIJ... It appears to be fatter than the GB100 and GB12... Anyway check it out.
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Here's a guy demoing the GB40 II model, far sight better player than me.
And then there's this guy playing the GB40th...
And in this introducing video guys from AMS say the models are only available in 2017.
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