I don't need another guitar.......but...... how good is an Ibanez GB10?

[christianm77]

Yeah I dunno. Guitars are tools for musical expression at the end of the day. The AF85 made a good enough sound and stood up pretty well to a lot of playing over the years. And it was what I could afford at the time. I learned to play on that thing really. (FWIW haha.)

I don’t have any videos of it I want to share haha.

[Marcel_A]

I changed the PU because I wanted to try if that would improve the guitar.

What was there to improve?

I get the experiment. I did experiment a lot, but at one point i stopped fooling myself that i was improving anything.

[Lobomov]

What was there to improve?

How about just being curious .. How about experimentation .. How about if you don't try stuff then you'll never know?



You never know until you tried it .. I practically never do mods these days, but years I spent swapping was well spent in forming my knowledge of what matters and does not matter

[Leonardo Figueiredo]

Hi!

I'm a relative newbie at jazz guitar and have a very nice Eastman AR810 and an extremely competent Ibanez AG85 (pictured) as well as a few other guitars (Strat / Epi Casino Coupe / Gretsch 5129).

My eyes and ears are drawn to the Ibanez GB range and the 10 in particular but I'm pretty sure that it's just a bad case of GAS and that splurging on a new/used GB10 is unlikely to offer me anything radically new to what I have already.

I keep thinking of the law of diminishing returns and how, just because it has a famous endorsee, the GB is unlikely to play or sound much better than my AG85. Especially in my novice hands. I'm also aware that mine is a highly figured Bubinga wood whereas the newer GB10SE are made from Linden (or bass wood) which some luthiers think is only fit for making internal bracing etc.

Despite the above the GB10 sure is a pretty thing. I'm unlikely to be able to play one in the next few months and have plenty of jazz homework to be getting on with but thought folk might chime in and offer their views especially as to whether the GB range is 'better' than the Artcore £ for £ or $ for $ ( or € for € for my European friends).

Happy Christmas!

- No guitar sounds good in novice hands.
- Eastman AR810 and GB/AG/artcores are totally different guitars. The AR810 is a full hollow full solid wood very acoustic instrument, it does not have the bright tone from Ibanez and the feeling is totally different, I would say they are not the same king of instrument.

AF85 and GBs are very similar, main diference is pickup and frets quality. I goth both upgraded in my AF 85 at https://www.musicmaker.com.br/ one of the best guitar makers in Brazil and the improve is amazing. I got an 810 4 years ago, it took me 4 years to adapt my playing and now I can play both with the same fluency. Keep in mind that a smal laminated Ibanez and a solid full hollow are totally diferent animals. In some point you kinf of have to make a choice.

Today the "this guitar souns better" is a strange saying. I have 9 amazing archtops. The one I like most to play is a Greg Bennet La Salle JZ-2 I got from $300. I love it better than my D'aquisto. This JZ is amazing feeling, amazing sound, everything original, no mod, I sound amazing with this guitar, I can compose better, play better. "Officially" my d'aquisto or a Benedetto should be better and sound better but I don't think or hear like that... my JZ sounds better in my ears and it make me play better. JZ is a L5 copy and to me they both sound great with differences.

The second one I like most is the 810 because its feel good and the dynamics and response range (due to solid wood) is amazing, stunning, you play soft to hard and the difference is big, it shapes your playing, a solid wood archtop shape your playing.

Just forget about how others sound or what they play, instead focus on how they DO play and how you do play - its all about fluency. I can entertain people for hours just playin some chords and single lines when I do that fluently. Grab your pick (or fingers) and make they play the guitar with confidence, make they do exactly what you want, dominate them, even if you know just a few chords and licks, master them own them.

- Play them without hit no wanted strings,
- Record yourself and listen and improve,
- Play along with the metronome (beats 2 and 4 for jazz),
- Listen;

It takes decades to master an archtop, it's different from a solid body. Give no matter what archtop to benson and he is gonna soud awesome - the gear it's not the secret.
Forget about the gear you don't have and master the gear you already have - this is make you play well. Don't listen to the anxious mins that keep your worryng about the infinite possibilities while keep you from master the guitar playing.

[citizenk74]

- No guitar sounds good in novice hands.
- Eastman AR810 and GB/AG/artcores are totally different guitars. The AR810 is a full hollow full solid wood very acoustic instrument, it does not have the bright tone from Ibanez and the feeling is totally different, I would say they are not the same king of instrument.

AF85 and GBs are very similar, main diference is pickup and frets quality. I goth both upgraded in my AF 85 at https://www.musicmaker.com.br/ one of the best guitar makers in Brazil and the improve is amazing. I got an 810 4 years ago, it took me 4 years to adapt my playing and now I can play both with the same fluency. Keep in mind that a smal laminated Ibanez and a solid full hollow are totally diferent animals. In some point you kinf of have to make a choice.

Today the "this guitar souns better" is a strange saying. I have 9 amazing archtops. The one I like most to play is a Greg Bennet La Salle JZ-2 I got from $300. I love it better than my D'aquisto. This JZ is amazing feeling, amazing sound, everything original, no mod, I sound amazing with this guitar, I can compose better, play better. "Officially" my d'aquisto or a Benedetto should be better and sound better but I don't think or hear like that... my JZ sounds better in my ears and it make me play better. JZ is a L5 copy and to me they both sound great with differences.

The second one I like most is the 810 because its feel good and the dynamics and response range (due to solid wood) is amazing, stunning, you play soft to hard and the difference is big, it shapes your playing, a solid wood archtop shape your playing.

Just forget about how others sound or what they play, instead focus on how they DO play and how you do play - its all about fluency. I can entertain people for hours just playin some chords and single lines when I do that fluently. Grab your pick (or fingers) and make they play the guitar with confidence, make they do exactly what you want, dominate them, even if you know just a few chords and licks, master them own them.

- Play them without hit no wanted strings,
- Record yourself and listen and improve,
- Play along with the metronome (beats 2 and 4 for jazz),
- Listen;

It takes decades to master an archtop, it's different from a solid body. Give no matter what archtop to benson and he is gonna soud awesome - the gear it's not the secret.
Forget about the gear you don't have and master the gear you already have - this is make you play well. Don't listen to the anxious mins that keep your worryng about the infinite possibilities while keep you from master the guitar playing.

[Crm114]

I don’t know who you are Leonardo but what you say is some of the best advice I have read on this forum in many years

kudos

BigMike

- No guitar sounds good in novice hands.
- Eastman AR810 and GB/AG/artcores are totally different guitars. The AR810 is a full hollow full solid wood very acoustic instrument, it does not have the bright tone from Ibanez and the feeling is totally different, I would say they are not the same king of instrument.

AF85 and GBs are very similar, main diference is pickup and frets quality. I goth both upgraded in my AF 85 at https://www.musicmaker.com.br/ one of the best guitar makers in Brazil and the improve is amazing. I got an 810 4 years ago, it took me 4 years to adapt my playing and now I can play both with the same fluency. Keep in mind that a smal laminated Ibanez and a solid full hollow are totally diferent animals. In some point you kinf of have to make a choice.

Today the "this guitar souns better" is a strange saying. I have 9 amazing archtops. The one I like most to play is a Greg Bennet La Salle JZ-2 I got from $300. I love it better than my D'aquisto. This JZ is amazing feeling, amazing sound, everything original, no mod, I sound amazing with this guitar, I can compose better, play better. "Officially" my d'aquisto or a Benedetto should be better and sound better but I don't think or hear like that... my JZ sounds better in my ears and it make me play better. JZ is a L5 copy and to me they both sound great with differences.

The second one I like most is the 810 because its feel good and the dynamics and response range (due to solid wood) is amazing, stunning, you play soft to hard and the difference is big, it shapes your playing, a solid wood archtop shape your playing.

Just forget about how others sound or what they play, instead focus on how they DO play and how you do play - its all about fluency. I can entertain people for hours just playin some chords and single lines when I do that fluently. Grab your pick (or fingers) and make they play the guitar with confidence, make they do exactly what you want, dominate them, even if you know just a few chords and licks, master them own them.

- Play them without hit no wanted strings,
- Record yourself and listen and improve,
- Play along with the metronome (beats 2 and 4 for jazz),
- Listen;

It takes decades to master an archtop, it's different from a solid body. Give no matter what archtop to benson and he is gonna soud awesome - the gear it's not the secret.
Forget about the gear you don't have and master the gear you already have - this is make you play well. Don't listen to the anxious mins that keep your worryng about the infinite possibilities while keep you from master the guitar playing.

[Benson-GB10]

I can't comment on the difference between the two guitars but I bought my 2015 GB10 a little over a year ago.

New, they are about $3,700 here in the US. Used ones were hard to find here but plentiful in Japan. I was patient and kept checking Reverb and Ebay to find one in this country that wasn't almost $3,000. I finally found one for $2,000 and got it for $1,850. It was in mint condition although the strings were really bad. They were 10s and I wanted 11s anyway.

Don't know if the OP bought one or not since the thread was in 2020.

[Cunamara]

US$1850 for a MIJ GB10 is a good price IMHO.

[Maxxx]

Hi!

I keep thinking of the law of diminishing returns and how, just because it has a famous endorsee, the GB is unlikely to play or sound much better than my AG85. Especially in my novice hands. I'm also aware that mine is a highly figured Bubinga wood whereas the newer GB10SE are made from Linden (or bass wood) which some luthiers think is only fit for making internal bracing etc.

Happy Christmas!

I know this is an older thread but where did you hear the GB10 is made of (Linden or basswood)

The Ibanez site says: "Spruce top Maple back Maple sides"

GB10SE | GB | HOLLOW BODIES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

[SteveJ]

Just to return to this thread that I started a couple of years ago with an update.

This week I bought a 1983 GB10. It's in lovely condition and sounds great. I'm very happy with it and I think it'll become my main gigging guitar for the near future.

It was a private sale from a chap who'd had it for at least 20 years and the price was fair at £1800 (I thought).

I've given it a clean and set-up with Thomastik 12's flatwound and it sounds fabulous through my Fender Hot Rod amp.

Thanks for all the advice and support.

Steve

[jazzkritter]

Stevej enjoy and welcome to the GB10 club) I have have to imagine that ‘83 year wood sounds great. Its a really comfortable guitar to play, isnt it?
pictures?). Blond or sunburst?
jk

[SteveJ]

Stevej enjoy and welcome to the GB10 club) I have have to imagine that ‘83 year wood sounds great. Its a really comfortable guitar to play, isnt it?
pictures?). Blond or sunburst?
jk

Yes, great guitar, really pleased with it!

[Oscar67]

I have a 1981 Ibanez GB10 (made in Japan) which I bought used in 1986. Every time we have one of these threads, I pull it out and play it for a while and I'm reminded that it (1) has the perfect neck, (2) is extremely comfortable to play, (3) sounds absolutely fabulous plugged in, (4) even has a respectable acoustic tone.

Well, (3) depends on what sound you want. If you want the dead plywood thunk of an ES-175, this won't do it for you. if you want the more resonant thunk of an ES350 or Tal Farlow model, this probably won't do that either. If you want a guitar that can go from clear and articulate to smoky and articulate, this will do it. If you want to approximate George Benson's tone, this is probably the only tool that will do that. You can also use the adjustable tailpiece to increase or decrease the break angle over the bridge, which to my ears can make the guitar to sound very tight or very soft and loose. Lately I have been playing it with 11-50 RWs and the tailpiece screwed up so that the feel is quite loose. I'm liking the sound I get with that. There is an amazing range of sound available in this instrument. … Those really hot pickups are the secret sauce for the instrument's sound. If you want a bright, poppy Bensonesque tone run the volume on the guitar at 7–8; if you want a softer, darker sound, run the volume much lower and compensate with the amp's volume. If you want to get into shred territory, dime the controls.

Well said and very recognisable!

I’ve now joined the GB10 family. Guitar is a constant learning curve and I’m getting better and better at recognising what works, what doesn’t and what inspires me. Yesterday I plugged in a GB10 and time stopped. An hour passed like a minute. It’s exactly the archtop tone I’m personally looking for. No compromises, no trade-off’s. Impeccable workmanship, built to outlast me, very comfortable to play, equally inspiring for some non-jazz styles, comes with an indestructible case, etc. I let go of one rare, high-end archtop and could buy the GB10 plus two other wonderful guitars from the proceeds. Couldn’t be happier!

[Cunamara]

Congratulations and welcome to the family! I have now had my '81 for 37 years, the second guitar I've ever owned. It's out on the guitar stand in my living room in line of sight even as I type this. If you pointed a gun at me and said that I could only keep one of my guitars, that would be the one. Don't let my wife hear that or she might go buy a gun!