Lending his singular style to a special Ibanez hollowbody electric guitar, the George Benson Signature GB10SE offers an approachable take on the jazzer's custom guitar. This all-maple jazz box boasts the traditional clear, bell-like tone that jazz guitarists at Music Experience adore, and it comes equipped with a host of premium appointments, including a sparkling set of GB Special mini humbuckers and Benson's unique half-bone/half-brass nut. To complete the package, Ibanez outfitted the George Benson Signature GB10SE with an ultra-stable 3-piece maple neck, a bound ebony fretboard with medium frets, and an adjustable GB10 ebony tailpiece.

Designed to the legendary guitarist's exacting specs

George Benson was heavily involved in the design of the GB10SE hollowbody electric guitar. His input extends from the compact body dimensions to the finer details, adding up to a supremely playable instrument. The guitar's tension-adjustable ebony tailpiece tailors the instrument’s feel to your preferences. Plus, the multiple Grammy winner specified a hybrid half-bone/half-brass nut for a rounder sound, increased sustain, and enhanced stability.

Flawless Ibanez craftsmanship

The fit and finish on this guitar are top notch, with stunning attention to detail all around. The binding around the body, fretboard, headstock, and F-holes is flawless. The frets are smooth, polished to a mirror-like shine. And the acrylic and abalone fretboard and headstock inlays are immaculate. The quality and craftsmanship Ibanez applied to the GB10SE reflect the care and passion Benson puts into every performance.

Classic jazz tones and beyond

The Ibanez GB10SE is superb for that lived-in jazz sound that has propelled George Benson's biggest hits. The custom-wound GB Special humbucking pickups deliver a classic woody tone while remaining articulate and clear. Switch to the bridge humbucker and you'll find that the GB10SE is capable of a lot more than traditional jazz tone. The distinctive construction of the guitar's hollow body also plays a major role in its voice; the maple top, back, and sides enhance clarity while the compact dimensions heighten focus and fend off unwanted feedback.

Ibanez: a brief history

Ibanez began its life in 1908 as the Hoshino Gakki company in Nagoya, Japan. However, the company didn’t get into the guitar business until 1929, when they started importing Salvador Ibanez guitars from Spain. In 1935, Hoshino Gakki began building Spanish acoustic guitars under the Ibanez Salvador name, which was later shortened to Ibanez. Although Ibanez began manufacturing electric guitars in 1957, the company was relatively unknown in the West until the 1960s, when they started producing guitars based on American designs. By the late 1970s, Ibanez had stopped producing derivative guitars and had begun manufacturing the original designs that the company is now known for. Ibanez is also famous for their effects pedals (most notably the Tube Screamer) and guitar amplifiers.