George Benson

"And so they (Fender), changed the tube. They gave me more headroom. You could turn it up to five or six, and the sound got bigger. It ain't gonna go no where. It ain't gonna run out and distort on you." - George Benson

George Benson’s tasteful tone, phrasing and incomparable sense of swing has ensured his place in the history of jazz guitar. Ibanez is extremely proud of our long and fruitful relationship, now celebrating over 30 years of collaboration. George's newest model, LGB300, features a large body and a wider neck profile for effortless playability.

http://www.ibanez.com/HollowBodyGuitars/model-LGB300

This Gibson L5-CES is owned by George Benson

His first break was in the Jack McDuff Quartet. He performed with them in Antibes in 1964 using a 1960 Les Paul with a Bigsby through some form of a Fender amp (probably a Bassman).

This Gibson Johnny Smith "Breezin" guitar is owned by George Benson

This is THE guitar that was used to record George's hit song Breezin. An absolute piece of music history.

From a Premiere guitar Article about George : Guitars Ibanez LGB prototype, Ibanez GB30, Yamaha nylon-string, Cordoba nylon-string Amps Two Fender 1965 Twin Reverb reissues Strings, Picks, and Accessories Thomastik-Infeld George Benson Signature .012s (live) and .014s (studio), Ibanez George Benson mediums picks, Monster Cable, Radial JDI Passive Direct Box

At the Newport Jazz Festival in 2006, George Benson is seen playing an Ibanez GB100, as captured in a video by Ted Somerville on YouTube. The GB100, crafted between 1993 and 1996, is a special edition from the Ibanez George Benson Series. It shares many features with the GB12 anniversary model, such as a flamed maple top, inlaid tailpiece, and distinctive GB100 inlays on the fingerboard and bridge. The guitar's design includes a small, comfortable body slightly thicker than the GB10, equipped with floating IBZ GB pickups for enhanced warmth and reduced feedback. Notably, the GB100 was exclusively sold overseas, making it a rare find in the USA.

They are listed on the manufacturer's site and an article by Premier Guitar.

This Ibanez GB10 "Tour Guitar" is owned by George Benson

This guitar has been George's main touring guitar for the better part of the last decade.

This Ibanez LGB-300 is owned by George Benson

Serial: F1230649

in the whole video for the Musical Instrument Museum exposition "The Electric Guitar -Inventing An American Idol", Benson plays using a GIBSON EH-150 amp.

This Ibanez Kimono GB30 is owned by George Benson

Used on duet w/ Norman Brown on his single. This is GB’s prototype only 40 of these in exists.

Inspired by one of the world’s foremost jazz guitarists, George Benson, the all-tube GB Twin Reverb amp produces rich, punchy tone with smooth attack and singing sustain.

This is a signature model on the Ibanez site

Developed in collaboration with Benson. This Ibanez GB10EM-AA 5B-02 is owned by George Benson

Developed in collaboration with Benson.

A singlecut New Yorker with a neck pickup is visible in this photo of Benson and in this other ca. 2008 photo of Benson. The latter photo was taken by Vincent J. Ricardel for Rudy Pensa's Archtop Guitars: The Journey from Cremona to New York and is included on this web page from the MET Museum's 2011 "Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York" exhibit. The web page notes that the guitar was used on Benson's cover of "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams".

Related Audio

“Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams,” by Johnny Mandel, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman

Performed on a John D’Angelico New Yorker model guitar (serial number 2049) by George Benson (1974).

Song Credits

George Benson, “Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams,” by Johnny Mandel, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman (1973), from the movie Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams. George Benson, CTI 1974. Recording provided courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment.

As documented in this July 4, 2010 Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue forum post by Telarkaster, Benson's New Yorker was exhibited at the 2010 Montreal Guitar Show. Telarkaster shared that the guitar was dated to 1958 and no longer under Benson's ownership:

Me and an old band mate checked out the Montreal Guitar Show yesterday. Of interest that I thought I'd share was a 1958 D'Angelico New Yorker that was on display but not for sale. One of the builders had brought it as show piece and performed with it during one of the mini-concerts. It was apparently once owned by George Benson, who is also in town for the Jazz fest. I've only ever seen these in photos in a book so it was really cool to be in the presence of one.

George Benson is shown in a photograph with Josh Smith, who gifted him the Ibanez FlatV1 signature model, as seen on Josh Smith's Instagram account.

This D'Aquisto New Yorker Special is owned by George Benson

Serial: 1162 3/4/82

This Ibanez GB15 is owned by George Benson

George Benson is confirmed to own a Gretsch G6128TEE Elliot Easton with Bigsby, as evidenced by a listing on Reverb.com. The guitar, with serial number 002123-2066, features a distinctive Cadillac green finish, which is the signature model of Elliot Easton, guitarist for "The Cars."

This Lanikai LU22CGC Concert Ukulele is owned by George Benson

The ESP LTD TL-6N guitar, serial number IW15050768, is confirmed to be owned by George Benson, as documented by a listing on Reverb.

George Benson is confirmed to own an Ibanez Artist Model 2622, with the serial number H784644. This information is validated by a listing on Reverb, which details the ownership of this specific instrument by the artist.

George Benson is confirmed to own a Larson Bros OM Style guitar, with the serial number A606223, as verified by the listing on Reverb.

George Benson is confirmed to own a Fender Billie Eilish Signature Concert Ukulele, as evidenced by its listing on Reverb.com.

George Benson used a Gibson ES-330TD, as confirmed by information on Reverb.com, which notes that this guitar was owned by George's guitar technician for many years. Although it was never played live, Benson did play and appreciate this guitar.

George Benson owns a PRS McCarty Archtop guitar, which was a gift from Paul Reed Smith himself. The instrument's serial number is 0 47001, as confirmed by the listing on Reverb.com.

The Ibanez GB20 George Benson Signature guitar, with serial number G797203, is confirmed to be owned by George Benson. This unique instrument was specifically designed for him, and its ownership is verified by a listing on Reverb.com.

This Felipe Conde FP16N is owned by George Benson