George Benson GB5 and GB30

[seth]

 Hello Folks,

I recently purchased a used George Benson GB10.  It is a lovely guitars, and it sounds great, but I can't stop wondering what it would sound like with a pair of Super 58 humbuckers...

The Ibanez Vintage Page describes two George Benson models with 58s: the GB5 and the GB30.  Does anyone here own one of these models?  I'd love to know a bit more about them.

Thanks,
Seth

[Harold]

 Seth,
I happen to have both models you're referring to, GB5 and GB30.
However, I believe the GB10 is in a class of its own. The GB10 is Ibanez's longest running guitar. Ibanez starting producing GB10's in 1977 and continue to make the same guitar today. The GB10 deserves the popularity and fame of this day and age.
The "GB30" is an all together different experience. I find the GB30 to not be like any other Ibanez semi-hollowbody guitar. They are fairly mellow guitars unlike the AS200 or AM200/205 models which can be mellow and scream. I have yet to take one of my GB30's to a Blues Jam to see if it has the kind of response and sound simular to the AS200 or AM200/205. I'm really hoping I can get a simular kind of response. The GB30 is warm and you can get a pretty good Jazz sound from it's semi-hollowbody.

The GB5 is to Ibanez what the L5CES is to Gibson.
George Benson wanted a bigger, fuller, and warmer sound so Ibanez issued the GB5 to fulfill Georges request. I have not played my GB5 on any gigs yet mainly because I have no Jazz gigs. So I can't really tell you how it sounds. I use gigs to determine the true make and sound of my guitars. They all sound great here at home in my living room. But the real test in on a gig. if it sounds great on a gig then that's all that matters. No dought the Super 58 pickup is a great sounding. I wish I could tell you more but until I gig with the GB5 that all for now.
I hope this helps!

Harold

[seth]

 Harold,

Thanks for the information!  There's no shortage of GB10s out there (which makes sense if they've been in continuous production for the past 22 years), but the GB30 and the GB5 seem to be rare birds.  I'd love to get my hands on either model someday.

Harold, it sounds like you have a fairly extensive collection of hollow and semi-hollow Ibanez guitars (you mentioned owning a couple of LR10s a while back).  Have you been collecting for a long time?  Any models you're still after?

Seth

[Harold]

 Seth,

I have been collecting Ibanez guitars for a while. My interest is mainly in Hollowbody Archtops, Semi-hollowbody, Set-Neck LP copies, and the "Fancy" Tree of Life Inlayed Set-Neck solid body guitars. At this point I would like to get another Ibanez "Acoustic" Archtop guitar made during 1977 - 1981.  Collecting is still lots of Fun for me. But, if the Fun should ever cease, then I shall stop collecting.

Harold

[JohnS]

 Harold:

Considering some of the great guitars I know you have owned and sold, it makes me wonder: What guitar from '77-81 are you looking for?  

Another question: which semi-acoustic model is your favorite?

[Harold]

 John,
What I have in mind is an Ibanez Acoustic Archtop Model: FA800  or 2471NT....Gibson L5C style.
Ibanez Archtops With pickups: 2464NT / 2470NT / FA700NT....Gibson L5ces style.
Also the Ibanez Super 400 copy.
NT = Natural Finish

My favorite semi-hollow is the AS200!
I used to own 6 of them.

Harold

[Harold]

 Seth,
I took my Cherry finished 1986 Ibanez GB30
to a "Blues Jam" today.  I had put new strings on, D'Addario - Blues/Jazz Rock .011 - .049 gauge wires. The guitar responded well to my attack and picking technique. The guitar is very rich with bass response, I had to adjust the Bass control on the amp down to about "5" and the Treble control up to "8" on the dial. (I prefer an even balance between Bass and Treble response). Once I got going I kinda felt like George Benson meets BB King. Overall I loved the sound and feel of the guitar.  (I only played two songs tonight). Also, considering the guitars Bass response this is also a nice Jazz guitar. If I were playing Jazz I'd adjust the Amps EQ to allow for increased Bass response. One other important quality I noticed was that acoustically (unamplified)the guitars rich tones seemed to be missing but a "modest" amount of sustain was present. Amplified with the EQ properly adjusted the "sustain" was ever present along with atone to the Bone!  
Well, I was very pleased tonight with the overall performance of the GB30 as a Blues/Jazz guitar.  

Regards,
Harold

[seth]

 Harold,

Great review...  Do you ever play a GB10 at the blues jams?  My GB10 is currently set up for jazz (D'Aquisto Signature Jazz .012-.052), but I was considering putting on some different strings to make it a bit more versatile.  Do you use D'Addario Blues/Jazz/Rock on the GB10 as well?  If so, do you get sets with the wound 3rd?

And, if I haven't driven you nuts with all my questions Harold, could you tell me what kind of amp you typically use at your jams?

Thank You,
Seth

[Harold]

 Seth,
I have considered taking the GB10 to the Blues Jam but have not done so yet.  I know the GB10 would work well as long as the volume didn't get to loud. I have been using the D'Addario - Chromes .011 - .049 gague (Flatwound)on my Blond GB10. The Chromes have a Wound 3rd string. I prefer guitars that are versatile and lite gague strings addd to the versatility. I've seen a photo of Blues guitarist "Rico McFarland" (James Cotton Band)playing a GB10. Rico is some kinda guitarist, fast as they come.  

As far as Amplifiers, it depends on the gig.  I like using the Musicman RD50, 50 watt combo with 1-12" speaker (EV-Force); a Fender Blues Deluxe (Tweed) 30 watts with 1-12" stock speaker; a 1970's Fender Vibrolux 40 watts with 2-10" stock speakers; a 1980's Fender Concert (Riveria) also has Lee Jackson mods, 60 watts, 1-12" EV speaker. I prefer Tube Amplifiers any day!

Regards,
Harold

[Admir]

 I would greately appreciate if anybody can tell me  the difference in tone between AM 200 and AS 200 or ES 335. Thank you in advance.

[Harold]

 IBANEZ 2471NT ARCHED SPRUCE SOLID TOP:  WOW!!!

Well folks I recently had a George Benson mini-humbucking pickup attached to the end of the fingerboard of my model 2471NT.
I must say that I am now totally impressed with the TONE of the guitar.  
Before when I played the 2471 guitar acoustically using light gauge flat wound strings I was not impress. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the sound of the guitar but I WAS NOT IMPRESSED! As a result the guitar just remained in its case most of the time. But by adding the mini-humbucking pickup to the end of the fingerboard I must say, I AM BLOWN AWAY!  
The guitar and pickup combination worked out better than plan! Now I am able to hear the natural woody acoustic TONE produced by the guitar. I would have never of guest it! The guitar still has the same light gauge strings but now I’m looking at the guitar from a new perspective with might delight!

I have stated in the past that the best way for me to know the true tone and playability of a guitar is to take it to a gig or jam session.  Well, I’m on my way to a jam session!

Harold

[Harold]

 IBANEZ 2471NT ARCHED SPRUCE SOLID TOP: CONTINUED!

Folks,

During the past week I took my Ibanez 2471NT to  one Jam Session and one performance at the local Borders Books. Well much to my delight I am still BLOWN AWAY by the guitars natural Tonal quality! I enjoyed listening to the guitars tone coming through a Polytone amp with a 1-10" speaker.  

Also, I believe the George Benson mini-humbucking pickup attached to the end of the fingerboard is the way to go!

all the best,
Harold

[Garry]

 Sounds Great Harold! Are you able to put up a pic of it???

Garry

[Harold]

Guys,
I am attempting to post a picture of my Ibanez 2471NT. This is the 2471NT with the Arched Solid Pressed Spruce Top!




Harold

[Garry]

 Harold,

George B plays a Johnny Smith Ibanez in the video l've sent you with a very similar set-up to what you have here...Sounds Amazing!!

Cheers  Garry