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2am Sunday morning I return from my middle of the night p#ss and grab my iPad. I do a generic Ibanez George Benson search and sort by highest price first... Up pops this about half way down the list... I practically jump outta bed. Getting a closer look I realize it's a GB100NT body but.... wait, yeah it's got a GB5 neck... What the heck is that Big ?? So I look real hard for other sellers selling it on eBay, none. THEN I see the watermark on all the photos and enter the web address for the store in my browser. I'm rewarded with 16 photos. I run down the hall trying to figure out how to buy it from the store but can't navigate the japanese only text, can't find the PayPal button when I try to buy it (for $1600.00 on their webpage, plus shipping). SO I go back to eBay and do a BIN on her at $2049.00 including shipping. The waiting game begins, I contact the seller a day later and ask him to send me the tracking number, hoping for a positive response... Well he replied 10 hours later he's got it packed and will send me the tracking once he posts it... Sure enough the next day I get tracking info... DOGGONE !! So the waiting game begins... And this morning about 09:30 she arrives...
It's all it's cracked up to be. GB100 body with a GB5 neck, really clean, amazingly sweet. Tuned up nicely, had that GB100/GB12 neck that's fast but not too skinny. Just right. Really happy with her... The only GB100 I ever saw in Blonde was George Benson playing it. It is some one off Ibanez made him. Lacquer finish, not poly like it should be for the GB100... But it's so clean... What can I say I'm glad I got it...
?Big
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 05-18-2019 at 07:47 PM.
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Damn that's gorgeous!
I have to say, Big, that as I've gotten older (I'm 37 now), GB has become my favorite guitar player. For a long time it was Martino (and on some days it still is) and McLaughlin, but Benson has taken over my listening life the last few years. Everything from New Boss Guitar to Breezin.
Not to mention he's one of the only jazz players that my wife also digs. That helps! I put on Mahavishnu once in the car and she said it was giving her anxiety. Hahaha.
(Note: My wife has incredible taste in music, she's just not super into the kind of out there jazz I generally enjoy.)
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It really is gorgeous.
I like abalone inlays in the binding area. It’s not practical. But the workmanship and patience required to do it right is incredible. And these George Benson guitars wears the bling very well.
Mike you did well on this one.
Im happy for ya bud.
Joe D
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Fab, Big!
I think a family portrait of your GB guitars in order!
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Hey Big~ Man, you have a nose for Benson gits! I see it has no serial number on the rear of the headstock, but there appears to be one on the label. (see below). That might help identify her...IF you can reach anyone from Hoshino/Ibanez. Maybe a local sales rep can help.
Either way, that is one more cool GB for your harem. Play it in good health.
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Another stunning catch, Big. 
I wonder what the story is behind that body/neck combination? (Love the fretboard inlays).
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The guitar is a timeless design and beautifully executed.
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You have an amazing collection of George Benson guitars and I can see why that particular specimen captured your attention. Well done BigMike.
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What a cool guitar! Congratulations, Big, and play it in good health! 
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Thanks to everyone for the kind words on this BEAST...
I remember while I was in chef school in San Francisco that Love Remembers came out and there is GB holding what was probably his blonde GB12 on the cover, a better shot was on the back of the cd insert. Talk about love at first lust... Wasn't long after that I had to sell my Deluxe Reverb and my '78 GB10 just to put food on the table. Talk about starving student.
This guitar is ridiculously easy to play. The wood tops any of the GB12s or my GB100 that I have. And the neck is the standard GB12/GB100/GB5 configuration of mahogany, maple, mahogany - just in this case it's got a brown stain and of course the inlays are that of a GB5/GB200. I showed the pictures to Peter Farrell (currently teaching at a university in India) and he flipped out. He said "leave that to me in your testament" (I think that's Brazilian for will). I took this couple out for lunch yesterday. They make their living doing estate sales and such - they helped me unpack it. So I was telling my buddy Ed all about it and this morning he said "now I see why you do this", to which I said you see because you live to score comparable coins or clocks in your business... This wild scores are what makes it so fun. When you least expect them. I remember my Mom and Grandma were into estate and garage sales. My grandmother had as huge house over on Jackson, massive basement. They had rows of tables wall to wall that filled the basement. All this china, cut glass, collectible pottery. They had everything marked, they had a ledger that describes each piece, what they paid for it and what it was worth. They were brilliant. I think I got a little bit of their GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) in me.
So I'm gonna try to take a break until the next great GB piece comes along. I am sure many of you are going jesus h Big, when are you gonna stop buying and leave some of this stuff for us... (rolls eyes). I know...
Big
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Hey Big~ Your latest GB100NT (NaTural) reminds me of the GB12NT that Mr. Benson gave to Prince back in the day.
Now all you need is a pink suit to go with it. 
Enjoy!
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Mike you probably have nicer GB models than George himself. Prince had a nice one too. I was saddened when he died. Though not my style the man did have major talent. Another great talent like Elvis snuffed by drugs. Enjoy the new lady in your harem.
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Congrats BigMike- a beautiful guitar with outstanding design proportions and interesting details . I’ve always liked the tail pc on these GB guitars.
You have quite the collection - do enjoy.
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This might be the best thing that's ever happened due to an enlarged prostrate.
That's a sweet guitar, congrats.
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