An EXTREMLEY rare ‘1979’ Ibanez "George Benson" GB20 in Sunburst finish.

Presented in excellent condition and highly renowned as one of the finest guitars regardless of name, or price ever produced.

This Guitar features: 

Body size at lower bout: 16 3/4" Body depth: 3" Scale Length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

• Arched spruce top, arched birds-eye maple back and sides; solid three-piece maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard with split-block pearl, abalone, pearl inlays; distinctive ‘GB’ logo peghead inlay; 7-ply top binding, triple bound back and neck; Ibanez exclusive bone nut with brass zero fret; grained ‘ivoroid’ binding and heel-cap.
• Inlaid ebony adjustable bridge; Ibanez monogrammed Velve-tune gold/pearloid tuners; gold ‘GB’ Special design ‘Johnny Smith’ style floating humbucking pickup; upgraded with volume and tone controls; innovative tortoise inlaid gold die-cast split tailpiece, with individual adjuster knobs.

This spectacular highly crafted hollow body guitar is in excellent condition for its 45 years with no pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Lovingly cherished, maintained, and virtually un-played, save for some very minor handling marks and polishing swirls. Professionally upgraded at some point in its musical journey with the addition of the accepted standard volume and tone controls for greater player tonal control and the original pickguard replaced with a high quality cosmetically spec’d replacement.

The gold hardware shows the expected patina consummate with its age; the original 22 medium jumbo frets are in near pristine condition, with the bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished!

A smooth low action over a gentle ‘D’ profile neck and a warm rich; out of this world, sound and tone from the combination of the floating humbucker pickup and carved spruce top working flawlessly together coupled with great acoustic projection from the larger body and longer scale.

This instrument is currently strung with medium gauge 'Be-Bop' Thomastik-Infeld (.011-.049) strings, and will accommodate lighter or heavier round wound or flat wound gauge strings, according to preference. Playability settings are with a moderate relief with a comfortable action (that can be lowered or raised using the adjustable bridge) for chord voicings and articulated lead lines, exuding a rich mature well-rounded tone.

To complete, this guitar comes with its equally rare factory fitted flight case, with its clean green baize interior, and externally in excellent condition, all clasps working.

Please review all photos carefully as they form a major part of the description. We can provide additional photos on request.

An extremely rare opportunity to purchase; new to market in over 45 years, a fine, high quality “Made in Japan” classic with impeccable fit and finish, and superb playability!

With so very few examples ever made by the artisans at Ibanez; over its short production period, and rarely seen on the vintage market, this spectacular instrument has now become a highly sought after classic by Collectors, Investors and discerning stage players.

Not just a stellar and extremely rare vintage guitar but a real piece of history, and a very sound investment piece!

Delivery Conditions: This guitar will be carefully packed before being despatched using the best couriers and shall be fully insured by a separate dedicated transit insurance policy for the purchase amount.  Please contact us for specific courier / insurance rates to your destination. No Returns