Ibanez LGB30 George Benson Signature

The great George agreed:
"OK, I want to sign a made in China and accessible price level guitar, but doing something right!"
This is essentially what George Benson said in the short video presentation he turned to promote this new guitar ... (video seen on the website of the brand)

It is therefore on this GB model made in China, a spruce top, the sides and a maple back, a round 3-piece mahogany / maple, ebony fingerboard, an electronic supported by the excellent Super 58 Custom pickups, mechanical oil bath standards and effective ... in fact all the Ibanez Artstar series offers ...

Most of the signature:
Yellow Vintage Sunburst finish
A beautiful wooden tailpiece GB inlaid pearl and abalone
A head with mother of pearl inlay "GB"

The finishes are as usual Ibanez very, very good (even without fault, quality polishing frets is unique in that range).

Beauty is delivered scratched Ibanez case. He and good quality.

UTILIZATION

The size of 16 inches and a moderate thickness of the body (about 80mm) make extremely fun to play guitar. Both sitting and standing. The weight is moderate, not mild, but tolerable.
The neck profile is a success for me. Between a profile and a standard Gibson ES (close enough) profile Ibanez. Hence too the finesse one side and too thick on the other is a fine balance here ... But all this is subjective.
The pots fall properly on hand, mechanical react properly and keep the agreement.
In summary, the ergonomics of a hollow-body 16-inch ...

SOUNDS

Connected to lamp or acoustic amp, this guitar sounds immediately. Ibanez Super 58 pickups are really level (compared to the Gibson or Seymour).
The violin meets the handle allows quick and supported Thurs
In detail:
The neck position distills his jazz standard with beautiful harmonics, playing the tone changing from "smooth" to "Bebop".
The bridge position offers his frank without being garish. Harmonics are articulate well.
In the intermediate position, the possible combinations together the overall quality of the two microphones
A real good guitar and jazz ...

OVERALL OPINION

I had gone to invest in big ticket LGB300 release ... then this is LGB30 output. Having been there ten years as well as a AKJ AF two years ago. Entry / mid-range who had greatly pleased me (except micro) models, I decided to keep some of my money and try the LGB "consumer" model ...
No regrets. Exemplary finish, aesthetics flattering, this Ibanez is no shame in G.Benson. Very far from it. It can be (re) make the skin with the little note that he will bring his signature ... sacred George, I like it, what scratch!
With experience, I consider largely at an ES-175 in that you know, better finished!
The only gripe I have to do is in the choice of lifts. They are certainly correct but have deserved to be a bit above the level range (with a 1:18 ratio) ...
Finally, if your budget is a little tight, opt for the Artstar series, the same level of finish without the extras GB. I think the Artcore series with Expressionist Super 58 should be fine for an even smaller budget.
In short ... The prodution Ibanez Hollow-body is absolutely recommendable.