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Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 11:17 pm:   

I was sent some pictures of a GB10 by one of the ICW members. The guitar has some unique features and I was wondering whether anyone else has seen anything similar:

First off, it has a paper label with the number 109 handwritten on it. Anybody have one with a number near this?
GB10label

Next it has only 21 frets. This is something I've never heard of. But sure enough, take a look at the '78 catalog and count the frets. I also have a Dec. 1977 brochure that maybe one of the first to show the GB models and they all (GB10 & GB20) have 21 frets. The difference is easy to spot: 21 fret models have only one fret below the GB inlay; 22 fret models have 2 frets below. My March '79 GB10 has 22 frets. What about the rest of you GB10 owners?
Frets

Finally, this guitar has the binding tabs at the end of each fret. (I'll post a picture of this tomorrow.) I have not seen this on any GB10s. How about the rest of you?
Acetan
Username: Acetan

Registered: 09-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 4:52 pm:   

My friend's 22 fret '82 GB10 that I have access to has this label in it. Judging by the "GB10NT", it appears to be written by the same person. The "serial#" is 4790, compare to 109. I would think the 21 frets models must be made during the earliest production run.

Ace

1
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 6:04 pm:   

Thanks Acetan.

Here's the picture of the binding and fret ends.
GB10Fretends
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 6:19 pm:   

Checked my '79 GB10nt: 22 bounded frettles!

Never saw one with only 21 before, but with early Ibanez anything's possible. 21 is more like traditioinal classic archtop fret count.

GB said he asked for a number of subtle changes to his signature model over the years. Looks like we spotted one of them.

I saw a prototype Pat Metheney archtop once in a shop with only a single cutaway ala ES175. Said 'Prototype' on the rear of the headstock and had no serial number. Cool guitar, but a little heavy.

I wonder what's on the back of the headstock on the GB10 pictured? We need to know..."The rest of the story..." with that one.
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 7:42 pm:   

GuitarTim:

Can you post your stamped serial number and written number? Also a picture of your paper label would be great. I'm trying to correlate what date these features changed and see if there's any proof to the legend that GB signed some labels by hand.

The headstock on this particular guitar is what started this whole mystery, it has no serial number!
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 10:27 am:   

Sure, I'll check it this weekend and advise.

How about other early GB10 owners out there. What's on your labels?

Tim
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 04-2001
Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 4:43 pm:   

Johns:

Checked my '79's label with a flashlight and adjusted my bi-focals.

First thing I noticed is that the George Benson signature is much smaller than the '97 model signature. The '79 has the hand written 'GB10NT' and S/N 2357 as well as another number #794473 that is also inlayed on the reverse of the headstock. Does that mean that there were 2357 GB10's produced to that date?
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 10:01 pm:   

The ICW member that owns the GB10 at the top of this thread has it on ebay. Please use the ICW-friendly URL to place bids, if possible:

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7410245207

Item #7410245207
Erudite1
Username: Erudite1

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:27 am:   

Johns,
Nice GB10 you got there.
I have an earlier model of the the GB10 than yours and the signatures, while printed in slightly different postions, are clearly identical printed signatures. As my GB10 is serial #36 also from 1978, also 21-fret (with bound fret ends) I think we can put the "Benson's actual signature" myth to bed. I have superimposed the signatures on my label and yours in Photoshop in the final pic.

/image{Picture 34.jpg}
/image{Picture 35.jpg}
/image{Picture 36.jpg}
/image{Picture 37.jpg}
Erudite1
Username: Erudite1

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:30 am:   

OOooops! Here are the pics for above post

Picture 34.jpg
Picture 35.jpg
Picture 36.jpg
Picture 37.jpg
Petruz
Username: Petruz

Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 7:10 pm:   

quoting from ibanez usa site:

"The GB10 debuted in the U.S.A. in Chicago on June 11, 1977."

that means that only a buch of them were made in the first year of
production?
Aaron
Username: Aaron

Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 7:20 am:   

Hi Guys,

My Blonde 78 GB10 is No:0475 and has 21 frets bound fingerboard as above.
I also own the 3rd made for sale GB12 in Mint Condition with the most stunning woods.
I will be posting pics on my website real soon of all my Ibanez guitars...Keep an eye out as I'm currently making the agonizing decision of which ones to sell!!
including
Original
78 Artist with dot neck and 24 frets
Roadster with curly maple top
78 Artist EQ model
AM205 near mint
79 AS200 with jack on the side
PF200 Blonde Mint
PF200 Burst Mint
Ibanez 175 Blonde
Ibanez 175 Tobacco Burst
among others!

Cheers! www.aaron-benson.com
Bluesmeister
Username: Bluesmeister

Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:49 pm:   

Aaron, where in Australia are you? If that AM205 of yours comes up for sale, I'd be *very* interested. I'm in Kalamunda, WA.
Aaron
Username: Aaron

Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 8:58 am:   

Hi B....,
I'm in Melb - should have pics of my Ibanez guitars this weekend!!!!

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