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.

I totally agree with you chas. Smooth jazz is a favorite of mine, it is simply jazz that has an infectious musical style, and that is not a bad thing at all. George Benson, The Rippingtons, Four Play, Spyra Gyra, Acoustic Alchemy and so many others are incredible artists. And seeing bands like Snarky Puppy starting to appear gives me hope in the future of jazz.

Hey guys .. Thanks for all the compliments really appreciate the feedback .. Like to say hi to Russ & Chas :-)

Thanks Nigel for getting me on board ..

Frank's tracks can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/smooth-jazz-touch-chill-musical/id946188519

Amen.

chas

Snarky Puppy....the future is BRIGHT!


R.

Russ, it is your contributions to music education that helps to create new musicians. You must be proud.

And by the way taylamusic is Frank who composed and plays the GB-30 on that smooth jazz track.

Thanks, Nigel. the schools I'm working with are in the most needy areas....lots of crime and poverty.

The programs now include 80 kids a semester....three classes with 20 guitars, cases, tuners, Zoom recorders, etc, in each classroom and one class that is bussed into the original school to utilize the equipment. I give away a guitar to the best student in each class at the end of the semester.

My goals are very simple. If I get one kid to realize that there is a world out there of beautiful music, art, graphics...anything in the creative and/or intellectual fields...anything other than what many have known to this point I'll be one happy old man.


Russ

That's really cool, Russ. I've tried to do something similar with 'disadvantaged' kids in the field of aviation through some of the organizations that I belong to (OBAP, BPA, TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, EAA, AOPA). I no longer own a private plane so no more 'Intro to flight' free rides at the airport on the weekends (I miss that), but I (We) still go into some of the inner-city schools to talk about job opportunities in the field of aviation (they all want to be fighter pilots although most couldn't pass a 3rd grade math test - ironically, they don't see that as an obstacle ).

Keep up the good work. Still hoping we can go on our pilgrimage to New Orleans (Musicians Village). I've heard some disturbing news lately about the (poor) quality of some of the HH housing being built there (rotting wood, etc.). I've been in touch with the director there but I want to go check it out for myself.

Take care of yourself and don't spread yourself too thin.

chas

BTW, I have a little angel named Angela Hardin in Louisville, who started this program, with garage sale instruments and a husband as her maintenance man. She just had a 2nd baby and will return to Kendrick school soon.


SHE and many other dedicated teachers, who go way out of their way and pay out of their pockets for materials are the ones we should really be proud of.


Russ

Nigel, the client who gets me to go to Dubai wants me to go to Melbourne for a month late this year. He has a 6,000 acre horse operation and property all around.


I can't go for a month, but would be willing to go for two weeks
(a week, return home for two weeks and back for a final week of his stay).


I may be able to meet Frank then!


Russ

I will contact Frank. He could certainly cover the 2 weeks you can't do and he would love to meet you.

The dining room job is acoustic grand piano single, and there are some major political considerations. I'll certainly ask, but I have to ask my contact. This guy won't talk to infidels.

R.

Didn't realize it was an acoustic grand job. I was thinking jazz guitar cos of this GB-30 thread. But you should still catch up with Frank. You both would have a lot in common.

But I gotta wonder about people that consider other people to be infidels.

Been working for this guy for 5 years and he has never looked my way. The guy I deal with is the son of my guitar tech.

As long as the checks are good....


R.