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Grinch
Username: Grinch

Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 9:48 pm:   

Today I was at my cousin's house and there was an estate sale next door to him. I walked inside, doubting to find anything, and I saw a guitar case inside the closet. I asked him if I could take a look at it, and he said, "Just take it, I don't want it." So, that was that. I hurried home and opened it. It's a George Benson Ibanez. I'd call this a new old stock "closet classic", literally! Aside from some dust, it was in perfect condition. The truss rod cover still had the original plastic film on it (though it was peeling). I took everything off the guitar, cleaned it, dusted it, polished it, etc. It's very beautiful and I thought I'd post some pictures here.

I'm also making this thread because I'd like some information on it. Does anybody know when these were made or how much they're worth? There's a signature reading "George Benson" on the label, seeming to be in ballpoint pen. Is it genuine? The only thing missing is one rubber grip the surrounds a knob. Since I only have three of them, I took them all off to make it look more even.

EDIT: I tried dating it on some Ibanez sites. Apparently it's from August of 1990. I thought it was a lot older.

Anyways, here it is:

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/1587/ibanez17fk.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1210/ibanez21ut.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3553/ibanez31li.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/4316/ibanez44bz.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4623/ibanez56rv.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5691/ibanez64je.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/7673/ibanez75ts.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/5567/ibanez82me.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8522/ibanez91bi.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7792/ibanez103dm.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3260/ibanez116as.jpg
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:06 pm:   

Grinch:

I'm flabbergasted! You're saying you got this minty 1989 GB30TR for NOTHING! You're killing me!

Here's the 1989 catalog page that decribes the GB30:

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1989/gb_jp.jpg

Now, I have to go and throw up. :-)
Grinch
Username: Grinch

Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 11:03 pm:   

Haha, well is it worth anything?
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 11:25 pm:   

Grinch:

Sure, it's worth quite a few hundred dollars. Do a search on GB30 and you'll come up with messages that discuss the guitar and it's desirability (or lack of) when compared to all the other GB models.

Your's is mint, (gotta get those knobs back on, first) so I'd say that if someone wants one, this would hold some premium value. The trick is finding the GB enthusiast/collector who really wants it.
Tsitra
Username: Tsitra

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:17 pm:   

I thought maybe it would have gone for a little more.
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7406791008
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:46 pm:   

Tsitra:

One ICW member said: "I thought these usually went for around $900.00 to $1100.00." Looks like he was pretty good evaluating this one.

I was thinking that a mint specimen would have brought more than the $915.00. But I suppose Grinch isn't crying too much, considering how much he got it for! :-)
Garyelcrrt
Username: Garyelcrrt

Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:08 pm:   

Now I know who got all my good luck...
Johns
Username: Johns

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 5:42 pm:   

Here's another Red GB30 on ebay:

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7408555887
Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:46 pm:   

If I remember correctly the BIN started out at $1900.00 !! I thought maybe GB actually owned this one...

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