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Indeed, it sounds great to me. It’s just that I’ve seen comments saying it was one of the least liked of the GB guitars - a statement I find incredulous. To my mind, the AF2000 is getting close to being the same guitar, and I was happy to shell out my money for it. But I’ll know better in a few days’ time. Your own GB200 is gorgeous!
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10-01-2021 03:12 PM
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Despite having had my GB10 for 35 years now, I have never played around much with the tailpiece other than as a way to make some minor adjustment in the string feel. I probably haven't adjusted those screws in 20 years. So yesterday I tried cranking down the movable string anchors and, lo and behold, the tone does indeed change. I think what happens is that as the break angle over the bridge gets more acute, overtones are reduced and the fundamental becomes more prominent. I'm liking what I'm hearing so far. Thanks for mentioning this!
Originally Posted by gitman
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Interesting. Have loved my GB10 (2002) since I got it and yes, it can be bright, but so easy to dial it to a warmer classic tone. Almost hate to mess with the tailpiece, as it plays and sounds so good. If they just made a 16 or 17” version of the standard GB10, cutaway, neck and all, I would likely not need another arch top. Rob, have fun with your new guitar, but if it doesn’t blow your skirt up, a Japanese GB10 just might! Originally Posted by Cunamara
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The late 70's GB20 came close to the guitar you describe. However, it had a single floating pickup, but otherwise very similar design to the GB10. Add a second floating pickup and the design would be complete...as well as a fatter/thicker jazz tone. Originally Posted by yebdox
GB20 specs: Body size at lower bout: 16 3/4" Body depth: 3" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"
I think Big Mike has a photo of one of Benson's buddies playing a dual pickup GB20, likely an Ibanez one-off. Maybe he'll spot this thread and post it.
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My AF2000 is scheduled to arrive today, but at a fairly unpropitious time: I accidentally bashed my left-hand index finger, and pressing down with it is very painful; I have done something bad with my right arm, maybe sleeping in a bad position, requiring ibuprofen gel and paracetamol pills every four hours; and having not used an amp since moving here a year ago, I can’t find its power cable, so will have to order one!
So…I’ll do what I can with the guitar, and hopefully be able to give a proper review in a week or two.
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Wish you a quick recovery, Rob !
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I'll be fine, thanks. I just have to be patient.
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Rob - Sorry to hear of your plight, and hope you find relief soon. Please take care of those fingers, hands, and arms that we all benefit from so much in all of your recordings!
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Thanks, but that involves not being stupid, and I can't promise that!
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Aw Rob, and that happens next to the NGD?
Really sorry to hear, be a patient patient)
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I've been getting good results with topical Voltaren 1% gel. I hope you have a swift recovery! Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
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Well, the AF2000 arrived safely. It's a beautiful guitar to look at, but it also feels great too. Perfect neck - can't imagine a better one. I replaced the strings with TI flats 12s - as heavy as I dare go at the moment. The stock strings are 11s, but I see people claiming this and others like it really sing with 14s. As an electric guitar with flats, the acoustic sound is actually not bad at all. But I couldn't play for long. I even had to postpone my teaching, just not feeling up to it.
I'll give it a proper NGD in a week or two, but first impressions are very favourable.
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Rob. I."ve had a GB200, which I hated, heavy and with an inferior tone for me ,recently I acquired the AF200 ,vastly superior IMO Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
which I'm sure you will prefer.
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Cheers, Alan. Everyone's different. I've been playing it unplugged, and really enjoying it! Hopefully I'll get it plugged in soon, and if that passes the test, I'll be very happy.
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Hi Rob, hope you're well again soon. I happen to have a GB10 and GB200 which - apart from decoration – looks very similar to your AF200. Both are wonderful guitars that can be bright or warm depending on the EQ. I wouldn't say one is better than the other – they are .. different. With the fullsize body and built-in humbuckers the 200 is indeed the more traditional model – closer to an ES175 (laminated woods) or even an L5 (spruce top) than the very unique and agile GB10.
But warm tones can be made with each – get the right strings, pick and amp setting and you'll be happy.
Edit: With the GB200 I had a problem with the pickups rattling in their frames when playing unplugged. Putting surgical tubing over the screws that hold the pickups inside the frames solved that.
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It’s the 2000 I have, though I doubt it is ten times better than the 200! It’s very good, though, though I’ve still to plug it in! New power cable arriving early this week.
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Why should the sound change? The more angle there is, the more or less harmonics? Originally Posted by Cunamara
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With the break angle shallower, the strings feel a bit looser and the tone is more overtone-y; with the break angle being more acute, the strings feel tighter and the fundamental seems more prominent. Best guess is that the more acute string angle increases pressure to the top.
After a few months of taking my ES-175 to rehearsals, I recently took my GB10 and instantly the pianist said "man, I really like that guitar- it sounds so full and rich." Same guitarist, same amp, same cable. Both guitars sit well in the mix and there is something about the ES-175's ergonomics that I like. But the GB10 has just a little more punch.
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Hi, sorry it's been a while. I would like to buy a lgb 300 or af 2000. You've had both, can I know your opinions? Neck, sound.. Etc. I'm interested in a nice warm jazz sound. Thanks Originally Posted by jazzkritter
Rob kudos and enjoy!!!
Had a GB10. I never could get to sound like anything but a small body floating pickup guitar. Sold.
My AF200 is my go to #1 for quite for sound plus comfy playing. IF i could ever get back to playing out its first call.Any questions please let me know!
The AF200 can be sensitive to its pickups as they are not 3.25” but a bit narrow. Makes it comfy as can be to play. The stock MIJs are a bit hot, i tried several and a Fralin Modern PAF really mellowed her out. im sure over there you have nice low output sweeties to try. TI JS with 14/17 on top, the upper register sings.
The current model IMHO thats darkest and most trad jazz sounding is the LGB300 (had the LGB30 too bright, Sold it.). So the ‘other woman/home wrecker’ the LGB300 ‘fell’ into my lap a month or so ago. We are becoming quite serious and we building a ménage a trois with me and the AF200). I got the impression from his interviews GB wanted the GB line to have a perfect reminder of his earliest guitars. The LGB300 sure seems like a 175.
But expensive. My current Ibanez corral:
LGB300; AF200; PM200 (all ‘seconds’ as they were show guitars)
AF95FM, AG75, AF151
Again Rob good choice i think you’ll love it!
jk
still interned and being held by the Virginia Medical Center
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Stiffer strings have less overtones too, which is probably the reason why guitars with a longer scale length sound brighter (keeping string tension more or less equal; a longer length of string has more "freedom to vibrate as it wants" too). If there is enough length behind the saddle that reducing the break angle makes the strings feel less stiff (and bends more difficult) they are probably just that in terms of their vibrational behaviour too. So, more overtones. Originally Posted by Cunamara
An increase in pressure on the top should just make the transmission of string vibration to the PU more efficient and thus create a richer tone with more overtones. (In principle that's what increasing the break angle does on an acoustic.)
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Big fan of the GB200. The one I had was a winner. Great looking guitar too!
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None of them. At least none of their current offerings.
I have had every single one of the GB models below.. and got rid of them. I have also been through a bunch of their semi-hollows as well.. same story.
I found the tone on all of them flat, one-dimensional, rigid, lacking in any resonance whatsoever and certainly no real warmth. If I could sum them up in one word it would be: Sterile.
The pickups on all Ibanez guitars are wound or possibly overwound to be too hot and that produces a hard cutting attack and that in combination with that heavy yacht deck laminate top kills all life dead in these guitars.
Did I say they were cold? They are COLD..
The only one I left is the LGB30 and even that is on borrowed time.
And the only reason that's still here it's because Kent Armstrong's son is hand-making me a set of pick ups exactly like Gibson 57 Classics to try out and see if see if that improves the situation in any way. If not that one probably end up being launched out the window.
The sad thing is these guitars are look so beautiful and the neck feel and play so amazingly.
I actually began to doubt my own ears and feelings, and then I went and bought a Gibson semi-hollow that was beautifully warm from the very start.
And realised the problem wasn't me or my ears. They are built this way by design and according to Mr. GB's specifications.
Last edited by Maxxx; 11-06-2024 at 04:13 PM.
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