Ibanez George Benson model turns 30

The original George Benson GB10 guitar was the first real acknowledgement that the nature of jazz performance had changed significantly from the conditions that had created the first jazz boxes. Benson’s design featured a thicker top with floating pickups to reject feedback — a very useful feature at the increasingly higher dB levels of modern music. Not only did the smaller body allow Benson, a stellar vocalist in his own right, to perform standing up, it also allowed the guitar to ride in the safer airplane overhead compartment to gigs. Plus the guitar was much more stable than traditional jazz boxes so it arrived at the gig as playable as it was at departure. During the rare times adjustments were needed, the guitarist could do many of them without tools, even on stage. But most important was the sound. “The notes don’t melt together like on softer guitars,” says Benson in the guitar history, Ibanez — the Untold Story. "It maintains the tone while articulating each note. No other guitar gets that sound." This limited edition model also commemorates one of the earliest, longest and most significant artist endorsements in the musical instrument industry.

Only 30 of these collectible small-bodied jazz guitars will be available worldwide, including 16 slated for the U.S.A.
List price is $13,333.32.