Guitar with signature

[Pukka-J]

Hi Everyone,

Today I bought a used blonde Ibanez GB10 in mint condition. Great guitar, but it has one ‘flaw’: it has a signature on it, made by mr. Benson himself. It even came with some pictures of him signing the instrument and he supposedly also played it on stage during North Sea Jazz 2008!

I love Mr. Benson’s playing, but I dislike a black spidery signature on my otherwise handsome guitar.

There must be ways to get rid of the ink, but is that wise, economically speaking? What if I want to resell it?
But then again: initially the guitar was priced even above its retail value, but that was obviously too expensive. I offered half the price, more or less tongue in cheek, but to my surprise the shop owner agreed and here I am with a new guitar! Apparently the signature is not worth that much?

What would you guys do?

[sgosnell]

It looks to have been done with a Sharpie. Alcohol will remove that. Get an alcohol prep pad, or just some rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) on a tissue or cotton ball, and rub gently. It should come off easily. The signature might be worth a lot, to the right person, but I've never been a fan of Benson, so I wouldn't want it. There are some here who are, though, and they might be willing to pay for it.

[GNAPPI]

I don't like sigs either, but IMO since it's a sig of a player of more than a little importance for the player that does like sigs, you may just want to sell it and get another one.

As far as trying to remove it, I wouldn't unless you'll be content with a crap job.

To that end, alcohol is a well known marker solvent / remover, but it also melts some finishes, other things like polishing compound will take some or most of it off, but if it's been there a while most likely you won't get it all.

I have a Gibson LP XLP (or is it XPL?) that some doofus had a third rate ENTIRE band sign (jeez don't these idiots know that's what Epiphones are for?) and I got it at a silly low price. I removed the majority of the signatures and I'm pretty happy with the outcome, what's left I can always "Alvin Lee" over with stupid stickers :-) if it bothered me enough or even just have the top refinished.

[BigMikeinNJ]

?`The signed guitar is worth something to a fellow like me, especially if it comes with photos of Mr Benson signing it. So contact me via PM here and we can try to do some business.

Also, if you choose not to sell it, but keep it and remove the signature (DON'T DO IT !!!!!) consult with a pro luthier. The finish on GB10s is poly, not lacquer, and might react violently if alcohol or other cleaners are used, leaving you a big mess where the signature was "cleaned". One member here who could give you priceless advice would be TruthHertz who worked for quite a while as a tech for Chesbro, the american distributor of Ibanez - all Ibanez guitars went through the Chesbro facility first for thorough inspection and setup. TruthHertz knows a lot about what to do or not do to that kind of finish.


Good luck whatever you do

BigMike

[Pukka-J]

PM sent.

[Pukka-J]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I decided not to remove the signature. Instead the guitar will be sent to a very friendly fellow forumite who is more appreciative of mr. Benson's signature than I am and I will try my luck with another instrument.

[Woody Sound]

I had to check my calendar to see if today isn't APRIL 1st. No, it really is December 1st.

[TedBPhx]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I decided not to remove the signature. Instead the guitar will be sent to a very friendly fellow forumite who is more appreciative of mr. Benson's signature than I am and I will try my luck with another instrument.

Gee. I wonder who that might be.

[BigMikeinNJ]

"I'll never tell, least not while the sun's shining"
Sgt. Gunny Highway
Heartbreak Ridge

[Doctor Jeff]

I think acetone removes Sharpie ink.

But I personally would never remove GB's autograph especially from a guitar he personally played. Glad to see things worked out.

The bigger question is...would you remove Joe Pass's signature from the pickguard of the Epi JP? I had one and couldn't bring myself to do that, out of respect to Joe, so I just got another pickguard from Ebay and kept the OEM in the guitar case til I sold it.

[Rufes]

Smash the guitar on the floor.

[BigMikeinNJ]

[Gitfiddler]

My all time favorite performance of "Affirmation" by Mr. Benson. The entire band is smokin'!

[Doctor Jeff]

Affirmation is a great song--I didn't know until today it was written by Jose Feliciano. Almost makes up for that insipid Feliz Navidad.

There are a lot of great highly technical players, but the soul and energy that George brings to the songs together with his awesome chops are a rare combination.

[Max405]

Wow I just got a chance to read this. A great guitar with a VERY happy ending.
George is a living legend. To jazz guitar players, he is basically like Elvis. And what makes him unique is that his voice is top notch. George got one of my best friends started playing jazz guitar and I have another great friend who has one of the preeminent Benson guitar collections in the world. This guitar is going where it belongs..
Its great when it all works out!

[Stringswinger]

Years ago I had a Gibson Pat Martino. I had Pat sign the pickguard at one of his shows. When I sold that guitar, it brought more money on EBay than any example I had seen without his autograph.

A signature guitar signed by the artist does, IMO, add value.

[Papawooly]

Glad the signature stays... I'm also going to play this video to my 10 year old Grandson
and tell him "This is a Guitar Player"... Take notes!!

[Max405]

Glad the signature stays... I'm also going to play this video to my 10 year old Grandson
and tell him "This is a Guitar Player"... Take notes!!

Ha! Good one Papa. 1000% true.
JD

[Robertkoa]

George Benson the funkiest most grooving R&B /Soul Virtuoso Guitarist who ever lived ..

I hear he's good at Jazz too....lol.

I love how much Groove and Soul and Blues he brings to everything he plays.