This is a sharp little Korean made George Benson model. He's playing it on tour right now. Ibanez is making pretty good low end stuff these days.

It is a full hollow, 16 1/2" bout, with a body depth somewhere between a 335 and a 175. That will help with feedback.

It's got that GB "bite". Has gold hardware, which I may change out...doesn't hold up too well on a daily player.
Won't gain much value (read ANY), but at a map of $1099.99, it
s a real winner.

I'm playing it thru a Hendrickson Jazz amp tonight. George Benson is currently using a GB Fender, which is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with some minor refinements. I'll play it through a 70's bassman head with a custom 2 x 12" cabinet (two Black Widow speakers).


Also picked up an Orange tiny terror, a 2 lb little monster. Needed it for a recording project and left it in my office with a 10" speaker. At $149.00 it's a killer!




Take a look! These are my daily players, for right now!


Russ

Great choice Russ. I have an old buddy Frank Sablotny who got one of these and he is recording smooth jazz originals in very much a George Benson style. The guitar sounds great and Frank's playing is perfection. Here is one of his new tracks with the GB-30. Apart from the guitar playing the backing track also shines.

Hey Nigel, that stuff is cool, I could listen to that all day.
Hey Russ, if you can play like that, I want you to gig my 90th birthday and I will fly you across.
Bring Nigel with you if you are both still around in 10 years time
Ray. lol
(just drooling)!!!!

Be careful Ray, because he CAN play like that!

Ray, glad you liked Frank's playing. He is Melbourne based. Now if we could get Russ and Frank to meet up sometime that would really be something.

Nigel, you sent me some of this before...FANTASTIC!

Did not know it was the GB model he was playing. I wanted the GB "bite" and that's sure what Frank is getting.

Just got back from a 24 hour straight session, and I used the GB, but haven't heard the final results.

I demoed for Guild with Benson in the late 70's. He deserves all the recognition he gets. He's part of the reason I started to sing. Played from 53 to 68 before I opened my mouth on stage.


Frank deserves appreciation and success.


Russ

Nigel, I REALLY want Frank's album! Could you ask about availability? I'll take it in whatever form it is available and will gladly pay the going rate, plus shipping if it is in hard product form.

Please let me know.

The guitar sounds GREAT, and the playing and writing is outstanding!


R.

Interesting thread. Talented folks and wish I could play like that.

Found this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpKfxqpilf8

Nigel, loved it. A lot of so-called 'purist' put down 'smooth jazz', 'jazz fusion', and the like, but I think that's bull. Just because it's more 'accessible' and possibly more commercially appealing than say, 'straight-ahead', 'bop', or more traditional jazz forms, doesn't mean it can't be GOOD. GOOD or BAD should only be applied to the QUALITY of the music, not the form or genre'. JMO, of course.

chas

Russ I let Frank know on Facebook and I know he will get back to me.