1990 Ibanez GB12 George Benson 12th Anniversary Limited Edition No. 076 – Signed by George Benson

A remarkable and exceptionally rare Ibanez GB12 George Benson 12th Anniversary Limited Edition, made in Japan by FujiGen. Introduced in 1990 to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the legendary Ibanez George Benson signature series, the GB12 was conceived as a special tribute to one of the great living masters of jazz guitar. Ibanez itself presented the model in its 1990 catalogue as the “George Benson GB12 Twelfth Anniversary Model, a fitting tribute to a living master of the Jazz guitar.” This particular instrument carries factory serial number H008281 on the rear of the headstock. Even more significantly, its original internal commemorative label identifies it as: GB12 — 12th Anniversary — A Tribute to a Jazz Legend Serial No. 076 Japan The label also bears George Benson’s personal signature. Period specifications and surviving examples confirm that GB12 instruments were individually numbered and personally autographed by Benson. This is therefore not simply a surviving GB12, but an individually numbered No. 076 example with its original signed commemorative label intact. The guitar is in exceptionally well-preserved condition and has spent most of its life carefully stored in a horizontal display case. Features • Genuine GB12 12th Anniversary Limited Edition • Individually numbered No. 076 • Original commemorative “A Tribute to a Jazz Legend” label • Personally signed by George Benson • Factory serial number H008281 • Made in Japan by FujiGen • Brown Sunburst finish • Full hollow-body construction • Laminated flamed maple top, back and sides • Exceptionally attractive flame figuring • Multi-layer body and f-hole binding • Set-in three-piece maple/mahogany neck • 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard • Special GB12 anniversary fingerboard inlays • Special “12th Anniversary” headstock inlay • Two original floating Ibanez GB Special humbucking pickups • Height-adjustable ebony bridge • Original GB12 split trapeze tailpiece with decorative inlays • Gold hardware • Original Gotoh tuners with pearloid buttons • Four individual volume/tone controls and three-way pickup selector These specifications correspond with surviving period documentation for the GB12. The model was produced from 1990 to 1992 and discontinued thereafter. Condition The instrument is in exceptionally well-preserved, collector-grade condition and shows the characteristics of a guitar that has been carefully preserved rather than regularly played. It remains original and has never been modified or restored. The only notable cosmetic issue is some fading/wear to the gold plating on part of the original tailpiece. This occurred years ago during cleaning, when the gold plating was inadvertently polished more aggressively than intended. The tailpiece itself is completely original and has not been replated, refinished or replaced. I have deliberately left it untouched rather than cosmetically restoring it, preserving the originality of the instrument. Apart from this detail, the extraordinary condition of the guitar can be clearly appreciated in the photographs. A very rare George Benson collectible The GB12 occupies a particularly interesting position in the history of the George Benson/Ibanez collaboration. Compared with the GB10, it featured a deeper body and considerably more elaborate appointments, including the highly figured maple body, anniversary inlays and unique decorative bridge and tailpiece. Examples appear only rarely on the international market, particularly in highly original condition. Surviving examples with their original numbered and George Benson-signed labels are especially desirable to collectors of high-end Japanese Ibanez instruments and George Benson memorabilia. This particular No. 076 / H008281 example combines rarity, provenance, originality and an unusually high level of preservation. Collection piece from the personal collection of Enrique Mateu. Made in Japan. GB12 12th Anniversary Limited Edition. No. 076. Personally signed by George Benson. Factory serial H008281. Original finish. Original hardware. Collector-grade condition. Exceptionally difficult to find in this condition. Shipping Worldwide shipping available at buyer’s expense. The guitar will be professionally packed, fully insured and shipped with tracking. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer. Any import taxes, customs duties, VAT or other destination-related charges are also the responsibility of the buyer. Shipping costs may vary depending on destination, insurance requirements and current carrier rates. The instrument will be carefully packed to ensure safe international transport and delivery.