My George Benson Prototype

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Author Message Robertbbw Username: Robertbbw Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:57 am:    Hey Captain,I talked to you on the Vintage Board when I bought the Benson Prtotype on Ebay. My ebay seller has not responded and I really am worried about my favorite guitar in my collection. I talked to you on the Ibanez collectors board and you said it was the real deal and to chill but I would really like to not worry about this. Anything from the Benson side that could help would REALLY be appreiciated. thank you for helping, Bob Winegard Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 8:19 pm:    Hi Robert, I think as I had may said to you in another thread, that this guitar is the real deal. I recall discussions some months ago with one of GB's personal friends down here and he spoke to him on the phone one morning about the guitar you bought from the store in Arizona , and it in fact was one of his prototypes that he had off loaded to sell to make his collection smaller, basically George had run out of storage room for all his guitars. So trust me it is the real deal,but I would not expect to get a formal letter from GB...if you know what I mean. Captain Ibanez Bigmike Username: Bigmike Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 7:13 pm:    George is consistently selling more of his instruments thru a 2nd party on eBay. Did you see the recent Gibson Johnny Smith he had up ??? Last weekend I was in a rather nice restaurant for the first time in Berkeley and midway through dinner the table behind us emptied. As they left the balcony on their way for the main floor I realized I had been sitting right behind Carlos Santana. Of course the urge is to wave hello, say somthing, tell them how much you like them and so on. But (as with these auctions) these good artists have NO privacy and cherish moments where they can slip out do normal things and not be "bothered" by well meaning fans. The same goes for this auction. George has chosen someone to handle the sales, he is gracious enough to post a photo of himself in most of the ads holding said instrument, but alas would like to keep it to that only. Print the ad and if you choose to sell it later you can mention the ad - or give a copy of it to the new buyer... By the way in all this I have not heard you say at all what you think of the guitar... Give us a review when you have time. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 10:45 am:    Bigmike: Cool story about Carlos! Back to the topic: I sympathize with Robert. A long-standing practice for selling a guitar owned and played by a famous artist is a letter of authenticity, a well as a picture. After all, a picture can be of any sunburst GB200 or blonde L5. But a letter with a serial number and signature are the proofs needed to substantiate a claim that will certainly increase the price of a guitar significantly. How much privacy could providing such a letter invade? In the end what does Robert have to pass on if he sells the guitar? The seller said so, and a distributor from Australia said a mutual friend of GB's said so? I'd hate to go on Judge Judy with that kind of evidence. Aaron Username: Aaron Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 8:33 pm:    Also in support of Robert...I rememember the add for the GB20 he now owns - and while the add did have a pic of George holding the guitar the seller stated quite clearly that he would also provide written authentication from G.B himself. As anyone would know this is a massive incentive to buy a guitar from such an esteemed player!!!! The subsequent GB Johnny Smith doesn't offer the same authentication. Robert has every right to pursue what was promised!!!! and I would be very dissapointed if it was me regardless of how good the guitar is? Here's hoping you can get a favourable result soon Robert! Cheers! Aaron. Bigmike Username: Bigmike Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 1:11 pm:    You guys are right - if the ad offerred a letter of authenticity Robert surely does have it coming... Now I gotta go look at this GB12 I saw a thread title on... Happy Holidays... Robert, how is that guitar ??? Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 8:21 pm:    Shame on you Johns, You doubt the "truth "from the Captain ? I'll set my Belief ray to stun! I was in the room at the time when the phone conversation with GB was taking place ! When GB, comes to Australia next year, I'll have a chat about this issue and see if I can get his signature on paper. Would this calm all and sundry ? Captain Ibanez Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 12:29 pm:    Captain: You know I would never doubt you! It's the rest of the world that's saying you're a couple of shrimps shy of a full BBQ. Robertbbw Username: Robertbbw Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 12:28 am:    To answer a few of the issues brought up: I did pay over $4000 dollars for this GB prototype, If GB is selling them at a premium since they're out of his personal collection, then he should at least assist in the verification of the validity. I was promised a picture and a written decsription from Mr. Benson about the history of he guitar which would be great. Capt, if you do talk to GB, I would just like him to understand that this part is critical to a fan and a collector. As a kid who grew up playing along with every song on "Breezin", this guitar means a lot to me. So Capt, anything you can get in writing would be great. To answer the other question, it is an awesome instrument, great action and a much better sound than my Gibson jazz guitars. Anyway, thank you Capt for offering to help. Let me know if you get with Mr Benson. thanks, Bob

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