GB12/100 comparison

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Author Message   Callistabb Username: Callistabb Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:58 am:    Not much going on in this section for a couple of days so, here's the long promised and very subjective comparison of my GB12 and GB100. The first thing that strikes you when looking at the two side by side is that the tiger stripes are much more accentuated on the GB12 and of course the difference in color tone, with the 12 being the darker one. On the 12 you can feel the stripes trough the finish. The second thing is the shape of the cut-away with the 100 being the more ••••• one (oops, is that ok to say, apparently not since I was censored ). The shape of the horn on the 100 is like on a regular GB10 or 15 so, the 12 is the one deviating. I had noticed this on pictures of other 12's on the web, but always thought it had to do with the angle the photo was taken in or with shadows in the picture. The headstock inlays are different and, less noticeable, the truss rod cover. On the 12 the cover attaches with three screws. Another, for a collector presumably imported diff, is that the inside label of the 12 really is hand signed by George. When picking the 12 up, you immediately notice the difference in weight. The 12 is considerably lighter than the 100 or any standard 10. I'm sorry that I haven't got a suitable scale to weigh them, but you would notice the diff immediately. The necks feel and are the same, both extremely fast and with a possibility of really low buzz free action. Acoustically, the 12 sounds a lot better than any of my other GB's including the 20 and definitely the 200. Plugged in, only small differences can be heard between the two. Both guitars have a deeper sound than a 10 and not as percussive, more towards a regular L5 sized jazz box or the GB200. The 100 being the one least like a 10 and closest to the 200. The one and only thing I really dislike about the 12 is the truss rod adjustment. It is done with an Allen wrench and not with a standard wrench like on other GB's and most other Ibanez guitars I've seen. The construction feels a lot less robust. The specs are much the same. The 1990 catalogue says that the top on the 12 is flamed maple on solid spruce, the -93 catalogue simply says flamed maple top/sides/back about the 100. Nothing there that obviously explains the difference acoustically or in weight, or could it be that the tops really are from different materials, i.e. maple on laminated spruce on the 100 versus on solid spruce on the 12? Just short regarding the third deep bodied GB, the GB15. Feels like a completely different animal. Neck is a bit wider, 1 mm at the nut, something that might please some of my fatfingered friends who tends to get a little claustrophobic playing an ordinary GB neck. Plugged in, it is one of my best sounding guitars, but the acoustic sound is simply terrible, again all impressions subjective. Yes, and a picture showing the GB's and a 2619 since I freed up some floor space and had them climb the wall. /Bjorn.   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 2-2001 Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:10 am:    Bjorn: Thanks for some really excellent information! The photo leaves me speechless. Aside from GB himself, you may be the only other person on the planet that has enough of these beauties to provide a side-by-side comparison. Thanks again for the great post!   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:06 am:    Bjorn, I am stunned and amazed by your collection. Envious, jealous and bitter also come to mind. Gosh, you are a fortunate man! Congratulations on such a fantastic collection of fine instruments. Thanks for taking the time to compare the GB12 to the GB100. I didn't realize there was such a dramatic difference. I once owned a GB100 and thought it was basically the same as a GB12 except for the peghead inlay. Guess I was mistaken. I am especially interested to try a GB12 since you mention it is significantly lighter. I wonder how the construction differs to achieve the lightness. You mentioned the catalog notes maple on spruce. That is an interesting lamination and perhaps explains the lighter weight. At any rate, it is great to read your post and to view your fine collection. Thank you very much. Darryl   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:43 am:    Indeed, an awesome collection. Is the one on the bottom right w/ the wood tailpiece a GB? Did you buy some of them new? Stu   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 7:23 pm:    OH MY GOD! What an incredible collection!!!!!!!   Callistabb Username: Callistabb Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 2:50 am:    Thanks for the compliments guys! Stu, the one on the bottom right w/ the wood tailpiece is a GB200 and yes, I bought the GB15 new. /Bjorn   Sabeking Username: Sabeking Registered: 6-2006 Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 7:30 am:    Bjorn, The GB100 in the first picture, what color and year is it? Although, the GB12 is outstanding looking, I really like the GB100 color (not as dark as the G10's). Stacey   Callistabb Username: Callistabb Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 8:33 am:    Stacey, the color according to the catalogues is bs (brown sunburst), which is the only color the GB100 has been available in, but I would say that the burst is more towards yellow -> red than it is brown. Year is 2002. /Bjorn   Jonas2107 Username: Jonas2107 Registered: 6-2006 Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 8:30 am:    wowwww veryy nicee, i like, i got a question for you which is one the nicest one to play ??? cos im looking to buy GB, but i dont know which one..can you pleasse give me some tipss thankss....jonass

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