Hate to admit it but my GB10 is my favorite axe.

**jzucker** · 10-12-2023, 08:26 PM

Just got it back from the shop. Still trying to get the tone control placed in the right frequency but I have to admit it fits me like a glove and I love the tone. I love my kessel and 175 but the GB10 just feels like home.

**Max405** · 10-12-2023, 10:29 PM

Jack,
I have to say, I get what you are saying.
I can say, I played my absolute best, when I played my GB. It was just perfect. It’s like driving a Cayman or even a Miata. Very easy to let it become an extension of yourself.
It’s a really great guitar.
JD

**Cunamara** · 10-12-2023, 11:40 PM

Jack, I have had an '81 GB10 since 1986. If you made me pick one guitar at gunpoint, that'd be the one. The shape, the neck, the sound are wonderful. So comfortable to play and practical on stage. Really amazing instruments with a ton of tones in 'em once you learn the nuances of the knobs and the value of those hot pickups.

But I also like variety, so I have two nylon strings, a 17" archtop, Tele, Stratishcaster, flattop, semi-hollow...

And a tweed Deluxe, Pro Reverb, Polytone and an Acoustic Image with RE 12" cab. Cuz you know how it goes...

On any given day, any one of those guitars can be my favorite.

**orri** · 10-12-2023, 11:49 PM

Why do you hate to admit it?

As far as I can see it's a perfectly valid favourite guitar?

**jzucker** · 10-13-2023, 06:45 AM

one other thing to add. FOR MY TASTES, switching to the metal bridge made a huge, positive impact. It's much more resonant now and of course the intonation is better.

**jzucker** · 10-13-2023, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note

I have a Fujigen GB10 and a Korean GB10JS which I love even more. Something about the rosewood fingerboard and bridge has a very melodic resonance. Same perfect body size, neck that plays forever and that voice.

i know i'm in the minority but I hate wooden bridges. I swapped the GB10 ebony bridge out for the tuneamatic and it sounds so much better to me...

**jads57** · 10-13-2023, 11:44 AM

Guitars are tools but each person has their preferences. I’m glad you found your home!

**Jim Soloway** · 10-13-2023, 01:00 PM

In all the years I've know you Jack, you've gone through at least as many guitars as I have but you always seem to return to the GB10. I've reached a point in my life where I feel like I no longer have the will to keep trying more guitars ... and yet there is (as always) one more that I have an eye on

**lawson-stone** · 10-13-2023, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

i know i'm in the minority but I hate wooden bridges. I swapped the GB10 ebony bridge out for the tuneamatic and it sounds so much better to me...

I get that. I like the wooden bridge on my 1959 VOS ES175, but on the L5ces I came back to the tuneomatic bridge as the best. More thunk with the wood on the ES175, but the metal bridge sings better on the L5.

**yebdox** · 10-13-2023, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

I get that. I like the wooden bridge on my 1959 VOS ES175, but on the L5ces I came back to the tuneomatic bridge as the best. More thunk with the wood on the ES175, but the metal bridge sings better on the L5.

For me, depends on the guitar. My GB10 has the original ebony bridge, great tone that I would never mess with, but my 175 came alive with a TOM bridge. L5 came with the TOM, also not interested in messing with that tone, either. (plus, would have to sacrifice a couple of sets of TI's in the process.) But, always appreciate the results of others willing to explore, so carry on, gentlemen.

**pingu** · 10-13-2023, 04:43 PM

A good Ibanez neck is a thing
of wonder ….

comfort and precision

**yebdox** · 10-13-2023, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

Just got it back from the shop. Still trying to get the tone control placed in the right frequency but I have to admit it fits me like a glove and I love the tone. I love my kessel and 175 but the GB10 just feels like home.

Jack, what did you finally decide about pickups?

**Archie** · 10-13-2023, 08:53 PM

Try getting your hands on a Gb100

I think the slightly deeper body just pips the 10.

**skiboyny** · 10-14-2023, 01:11 PM

If it's in your tone wheelhouse, you can't go wrong with a GB-10 or any of the japan built GBs. Price and quality is unmatched. Hard to believe really.

**deacon Mark** · 10-14-2023, 01:22 PM

Jack we are definitely all different and the ears we have personal. Just in listening I like the sound of the 175 and the Kessel better at least on the recordings. The GB tone is a bit duller and to my ears not as much bite. That said I don't like a biting treble sound either and the 175 seems to be the sweet spot. The GB10's a guitar I have never heard anything but good about them. I my case I am in completely in the minority as they are fine, but I have never been taken by them. To me that just are not fun guitars to play. I don't why exactly but that is me.

**Gitfiddler** · 10-14-2023, 03:05 PM

What I love about the MIJ GB series (GB10, GB12, GB100, GB15 & GB200, etc.) are the amazing high quality and build consistency.

Each guitarist has their own desired tone (thunk, bright, mellow, Wes-like, etc.), but one can't go wrong with at least trying one of these marques.

**Archie** · 10-14-2023, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

Jack we are definitely all different and the ears we have personal. Just in listening I like the sound of the 175 and the Kessel better at least on the recordings. The GB tone is a bit duller and to my ears not as much bite. That said I don't like a biting treble sound either and the 175 seems to be the sweet spot. The GB10's a guitar I have never heard anything but good about them. I my case I am in completely in the minority as they are fine, but I have never been taken by them. To me that just are not fun guitars to play. I don't why exactly but that is me.

I've never bonded with them either but I note that every time I see the neck heal on a Gibson 175, I'm reminded of how big and obnoxious it is. 175's are great but they are crude as hell and the necks are all over the place. Gibson and mahogany have a love hate relationship.
Sometimes you have to wonder how people successfully play them.
I don't like GB10's as much as I want to but in comparison to a 175 (for playability), it's like a Lotus Elan V:S a Lada

**yebdox** · 10-14-2023, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Archie

I've never bonded with them either but I note that every time I see the neck heal on a Gibson 175, I'm reminded of how big and obnoxious it is. 175's are great but they are crude as hell and the necks are all over the place. Gibson and mahogany have a love hate relationship.
Sometimes you have to wonder how people successfully play them.
I don't like GB10's as much as I want to but in comparison to a 175 (for playability), it's like a Lotus Elan V:S a Lada

I think they are somewhat character-less, in a good way. They don't sound great plugging right in, you have to mess with strings, picks, amp settings, etc. With thumbs, a 1.5 pro-plec, 14 TI's and a fender blackface EQ curve, they sound awfully close to an L5, with less bottom end, slightly less sparkle. Add a medium gauge pick, boost the treble and mids slightly, pick cleanly, and you have the classic Benson tone, which is lots of fun. Dial the tone down a little, back off on the bass, add some light delay, and you get a nice approximation of many modern players' tones.

Having said that, I have yet to find a use for the bridge pickup, but it's not bothering anything, so I just ignore it. Not a fan of mixing them, either.

But, it's not like an L5 or a good 175, where the tone is often immediately at your fingertips when you plug in. It's not perfect at anything, but what a great neck and so much fun to play. But, if you've tried all that and still find it lacking, I totally understand. So many people offer opinions that are NOT based on experience. The fun is in the exploration!

**Oscar67** · 10-15-2023, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by orri

Why do you hate to admit it?

Why indeed?

I bought one recently and it’s very special. Fits me like a glove. While I appreciate different guitars and will never be a one-guitar guy, my GB10 is my grail.

**pingu** · 11-04-2023, 02:35 PM

just tried a newish japanese GB10 at a jam session ….

really , really nice guitar,
great sound , a bit brighter
and less bass than
my AF2000 (but not by much)

very comfy to play standing up
didn’t feel too small
I’m 6’2” with long arms ….

hot pickups not a problem , just
turned it down a bit

**Oscar67** · 11-05-2023, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by yebdox

They don't sound great plugging right in, you have to mess with strings, picks, amp settings, etc. … Having said that, I have yet to find a use for the bridge pickup, but it's not bothering anything, so I just ignore it. Not a fan of mixing them, either.

Interesting. My experience is that it’s totally fuss-free. I plug it in, amp EQ all at noon, and it’s immediately right in the bull’s eye both with the neck pickup as well as both pickups. I use both pickups for funk and pop stuff.

**DawgBone** · 11-05-2023, 06:56 PM

Jack, I've thought you sounded your best on the GB the whole time to be honest I just didn't want to tone-crap on your other guitars by opening my yap about it at the time. I do like the Kessel sound you have going on quite a bit but the GB to my ears is overall the best tone I've heard you post.

**yebdox** · 12-23-2023, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Oscar67

Interesting. My experience is that it’s totally fuss-free. I plug it in, amp EQ all at noon, and it’s immediately right in the bull’s eye both with the neck pickup as well as both pickups. I use both pickups for funk and pop stuff.

I suppose I meant that the straight, unadulterated tone does not hit any of my targets, the way a 175 or L5 does. The GB takes some tweaking, no matter what I’m looking for, which maybe explains its versatility. But your post is more confirmation of how great a tool the GB is for so many styles!