Ibanez GB40THII

[Derek Domino]

I grabbed up one of these when they first came out, right during NAMM, a dealer had one on eBay and I contacted them and bought it direct to save a few shekels. I think it is a fantastic design, using a solid (I believe pressed) spruce top. The cosmetics, fret work and all are amazing. My only complaint, and it is minor, is I wish the finish was a tad less yellow. But plugged in it is breathy and alive, unplugged loud enough to play at night without bothering anyone.

Congratulations on your score !!

Big

Attachment 42239

Nice to see them side by side. What do you think the difference is in tone and feedback?

[miguelnight]

The GB10 is from '79 and it was a road weary guitar used by the guitar player for Doctor John, toured with him 17 years. So it came perfectly setup. The GB40th II was great right out of the case. I am doubly impressed by the spec they gave the Chinese factories... Fantastic value.

BM,

I picked up one of the GB40II’s. I absolutely love that ax. It plays great, looks beautiful, and very durable. I’ll also add that I changed the strings to “10’s” and had my guitar tech lower the action and set the neck. I paid attention to your recommendation and so glad I did.


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[TH]

though I'm still hemming and hawing about replacing the neck pup. Something less overwound if possible.

I had Seymour Duncan custom wind me one to the specs of their 59. SWEEET! And it warmed up the sound, gave it a very classic well defined big jazz box sound when plugged in. I talked to MJ there, and they were happy to do it. Looks exactly like the Ibanez PU but it sounds more like a Johnny at this point.
To each their own; this did it for me. Did this and put a wood JP20 tailpiece on it.

David

[Derek Domino]

I had Seymour Duncan custom wind me one to the specs of their 59. SWEEET! And it warmed up the sound, gave it a very classic well defined big jazz box sound when plugged in. I talked to MJ there, and they were happy to do it. Looks exactly like the Ibanez PU but it sounds more like a Johnny at this point.
To each their own; this did it for me. Did this and put a wood JP20 tailpiece on it.

David

The tailpiece on the GB40 looks bulky. I haven't played one yet, I've just seen the pics online. D.G. said it appears to be a plastic cover over the tailpiece. That seems to be an odd production choice. Since you replaced it, can you describe what the original tailpiece and cover looks like? Thanks.

[BigMikeinNJ]

The overlay on the tailpiece is wood, may be epoxy injected or heavily lacquered but it's wood.
Good guitar for the money, yet if you saved just a little while longer and shopped carefully you could find an older blonde GB10 that would really rock your world... I bought the GB40 II because I was on kind of a George Benson roll last year... (kind of.... lol !!).

[Derek Domino]

Great. Thanks for the info BigMikeinNJ.

[D.G.]

[QUOTE=BigMikeinNJ;880024]The overlay on the tailpiece is wood, may be epoxy injected or heavily lacquered but it's wood.
Good guitar for the money, yet if you saved just a little while longer and shopped carefully you could find an older blonde GB10 that would really rock your world... I bought the GB40 II because I was on kind of a George Benson roll last year... (kind of.... lol !!).

[/QUOTE

I just scraped mine and you’re right, it’s a very heavily lacquered wood that looks like molded black plastic. Weird.

[Derek Domino]

Does anyone here use a gig bag with the GB40? I'm assuming the GB10 would be the same dimensions. I just bought one and I'm not crazy about the case that came with it. The plastic covering over the body of the case is lifting off. It's kind of bubbling up. I thought I might get a nice heavy duty gig bag with shoulder straps. Any suggestions?

[miguelnight]

Does anyone here use a gig bag with the GB40? I'm assuming the GB10 would be the same dimensions. I just bought one and I'm not crazy about the case that came with it. The plastic covering over the body of the case is lifting off. It's kind of bubbling up. I thought I might get a nice heavy duty gig bag with shoulder straps. Any suggestions?

Hard shell case Derek. A great guitar deserves it.


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[Derek Domino]

Hard shell case Derek. A great guitar deserves it.


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Thanks, Miguelnight. I don't disagree, but the key words here are heavy duty. For instance, the Mono case is as good as most hard cases, if not better.

Most of my gigs are within 20 minutes of my house. I like to make the walk from my car to the venue in one trip. Something with shoulder straps would be necessary. I've considered putting straps on the case that came with it, but the case is junk.

[BigMikeinNJ]

The tailpiece of the GB40thII mimics the general shape of the GB10 with the overlays from the inserts of the GB12 and GB100... The wood overlay is something so many builders use Ibanez joined in. It's not perfect but at that price point it is a well thought out and extremely well executed guitar.

As for ditching the case for a gig bag, fuggetaboutit... Use the case, I have never see a gig bagged guitar that didn't take some undeserved hits. The case is NOT junk... I've got almost the entire range of GB models and they case they supply with the GB40thII is very close in every detail to the cases for the other models... BUT, it's your guitar so do as you see fit...

Big

[coltranetime]

For anyone who has played/owned both the GB40thii and a nice vintage or very good GB10 how does the GB40th feel in terms of built quality.
I had a 78 GB10 and a GB15 for a while and am looking for a less expensive GB.
I know it won't be the same as a really good Japan model but I'm wondering if the difference is huge...if the Chinese model feels cheap in comparison.

Thanks,
Trane.

[coltranetime]

A couple of more questions if anyone happens to respond (see above)
How is the neck profile...super thin, toward medium?
How does the GB40thii compare to the SE version?

Thanks!