Was this John Scofield Ibanez ever produced?

[cbgrey]

I've noticed a guitar on the cover of an old John Scofield album (Flat Out 1989) that looks like some kind of Ibanez prototype. Semi-hollow with a tremolo. George Benson headstock decoration. Unique fret markers and John Scofield's name inlayed. Anyone know any details about this guitar?

[TheGrandWazoo]

I had a George Benson model just like that but without the tremolo.

[Jimmy blue note]

It was a body design that was never associated with Scofield despite the fact that a photo cover has him holding one. John is an endorser for Ibanez and in that capacity he could get a half dozen freebies every year. George Benson gets his perks in the form of any new GB models.
Fujigen made a number of designs and sent them to different places for evaluation, and endorsees were recipients of these guitars. Some agreed to attaching their names in some capacity, others graciously received them and for some those benefits were nice but not needed and just piled up in the basement until it might come out for a photo op or something.
When I worked for Ibanez I asked John if there was anything I could make him, or why I never saw his endorsement list for guitars at the end of each year. He said he didn't play them-no need for unnecessary gifts, they just piled up downstairs and he didn't need or want anything but the guitar he took on the road. Player vs Collector...guess we know what camp he is in.

[cbgrey]

@jimmy blue note: Thanks for the inside info. Very interesting. Must have been a cool job.

@TheGrandWazoo: Looks like a modified GB30. GB30 | Ibanez Wiki | Fandom

[Average Joe]

Apparently he still had it some years back. Here's a blog from a Luther who worked on it
Guitar Specialist - Guitar repair and restoration services - John Scofield Guitar Repairs

But I don't know that scofield ever used it in public

[Litterick]

He appears to be holding it down, to prevent it floating away.

[Jimmy blue note]

He appears to be holding it down, to prevent it floating away.

He's not used to playing with light strings.

[cbgrey]

Apparently he still had it some years back. Here's a blog from a Luther who worked on it
Guitar Specialist - Guitar repair and restoration services - John Scofield Guitar Repairs

But I don't know that scofield ever used it in public

That is one "uniquely designed" site! Thank you for pointing it out. Great content.

[Average Joe]

That is one "uniquely designed" site! Thank you for pointing it out. Great content.

The page layout looks late 90s to me, and all the Sco albums mentioned under his profile were released before the turn of the century. So it's a safe bet that the page isn't up to date....