Ibanez GB-20 17" (Reverb)

[Woody Sound]

Here is a fairly rare Ibanez GB-20, 17" full size version of the GB-10.

Ibanez GB-20 George Benson Signature 1982 Sunburst | Reverb

[gitman]

For an Ibanez collector this is surely an interesting piece but the two specimen I've owned taught me that they are def. not for me : way overbuilt, heavy and therefor lacking in tonal depth and dynamic response, I'm sorry to say. Playability was top notch as with ALL 6 GB models I've owned over the past 45 years (and maybe 6 other types) . YMMV

[deacon Mark]

Is it a solid spruce top or laminated?

[Doug B]

Are these GBs of this vintage normally this expensive?
You can get some pretty nice archtops for around $5k.

[Jimmy blue note]

Is it a solid spruce top or laminated?

Laminated, and apparently not the same ply nor thinner top construction used on the JP20 (which I DO like). Personally, I don't know what they were thinking, but it seems this is maybe a GB10 modeled guitar with a more standard dimensions design?
The GB10 is a thing unto itself and it was designed NOT to be a larger jazz box and in that design, it was brilliantly unique and holds its own. I don't get why anyone would want to scale up an instrument that was designed NOT to be a scaled down version of a more traditional design.
It doesn't quack like a duck. And if you want something like a duck, there are SO many good ducks out there. Gotta say though, it's got a Fujigen neck on it and it's really nice to play. I've just never managed to get sonic satisfaction from one.
Maybe if you're a GB10 player, loved it for its sound and wanted those pickups and neck on a guitar that is physically bigger...

It's a little like you live in a residential neighborhood. Everybody owns a house. One day your neighbor gets an airstream, or an RV. WOW! Great idea, a little home that goes places. Brilliant. So you think "Heeeeey... why don't I take that idea and make a big one like all the other houses in the neighborhood. Only it's got wheels like the Johnson's little mobile home, but bigger!"

And no, it's not even solid wood.