Ibanez GB10

[Skip Ellis]

Maybe getting close to pulling the trigger if I can find one that's decent without binding rot (newer - 90's and up?). Not sure which color I'd rather have - probably sunburst as the maple ones look a little bland to me but could go either way. There's a few on Reverb but thought I'd cast a wider net and see what I could find. Budget: lower $2K. Only interested in the Japanese version.

As an aside: has anyone imported a guitar from Japan and do you have to pay import duty on a Japanese built guitar into the US? I bought a new acoustic guitar last year made in the UK and had to pay 8.7% import duty into the US. Not sure on rules coming from Japan.

[SandChannel]

As an aside: has anyone imported a guitar from Japan and do you have to pay import duty on a Japanese built guitar into the US?

Yes. If you are importing a Japanese guitar into the US, you will pay duties. If you are buying a US-made guitar from Japan, you do not.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Duties can be highly dependent on how it is shipped. I’ve gotten several Japanese guitars from Japan. When they’ve shipped via EMS/USPS I’ve never paid any taxes. With other methods I’ve had to do so at times. Sometimes UPS has charged me brokerage fees up to 15% of the declared value, the last time more than double the tax for a total of about 22% on top.


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[Skip Ellis]

I'll definitely find one in the States.

[Cunamara]

Shouldn't be hard. There's lots of 'em. Great guitars.

[skiboyny]

Have you tried the indonisia model? Curious how they stack up to those who have played both.

[jazzshrink]

Have you tried the indonisia model? Curious how they stack up to those who have played both.

According to Ibanez Wiki, the GB10 has alway been made in Japan.

[Skip Ellis]

According to Ibanez Wiki, the GB10 has alway been made in Japan.

There is an Indonesian model that's $1300 +/-. I've heard that the woodwork is fairly decent but the hardware is cheaper looking/feeling. I've watched a couple of videos of guys praising them after a year of use but I'd rather go with the real deal.

[jazzshrink]

There is an Indonesian model that's $1300 +/-. I've heard that the woodwork is fairly decent but the hardware is cheaper looking/feeling. I've watched a couple of videos of guys praising them after a year of use but I'd rather go with the real deal.

That would be the GB10SE with a spruce top, not the GB10 (maple).

[Skip Ellis]

That would be the GB10SE with a spruce top, not the GB10 (maple).

You are correct - just didn't remember the number right off. Didn't realize they were spruce either.

[skiboyny]

That would be the GB10SE with a spruce top, not the GB10 (maple).

You have that backwards. The GB-10 Japan is spruce the GB-10SE is maple. They are both laminates. That in itself would create some sound difference. I did own a GB-12 at one time that was maple and I foolishly sold it. It sounded and played great.

[jazzshrink]

You have that backwards. The GB-10 Japan is spruce the GB-10SE is maple. They are both laminates. That in itself would create some sound difference. I did own a GB-12 at one time that was maple and I foolishly sold it. It sounded and played great.

Thanks for the correction. It didn't sound right to me either, but Ibanez Wiki has the two models reversed in this respect. Lesson learned: trust, but verify.