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Hi everyone,
Glad to join the forum!
I really like the sound and looks of the lgb30 and I'm thinking of getting one though i'll have to order it, as there aren't any in my country.
Someone on the web told me that after a while it didn't feel right, that it was too small almost like a toy guitar - do owners agree?
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04-08-2023 05:00 PM
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Body size is personal preference. I played one when they first came out and thought it played and felt wonderful, especially at its price point.
Originally Posted by Zouzouzou
- Ibanez LGB30 body width is 15.75 inches (40 cm)
- Gibson ES-175 of 16 in. (40.6 cm). I don't recall hearing that the ES-175 feels like a toy guitar due to size.
- Ibanez GB10 is 14.8 inches (37.47mm)... again, I don't recall reading that it feels like a toy.
- Gibson Les Paul body width is 13 inches (33 cm)
- Gibson ES-335 body width is 15 15/16 in. (40.5 cm)
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Thanks for an informed answer Steve!
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I've had my LGB30 since 2014. I love it. Will never sell it. it's not as deep as my PE-190 (traditional thick hollow body) which makes it very comfortable to play. They did have a problem with the tailpiece being made out of pot metal resulting in a lot of people (including myself) having to have a replacement made.
I would contact Ibanez to see if they have upgraded the tailpiece (the part that attaches to the end of the guitar with screws).
If not, I would pass.
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Regarding the tailpiece issue, I bought a 2014 LGB30 secondhand a year ago and quizzed the owner who said it was fine. When it arrived it had very obvious hairline cracks to the extent I did not dare play it. He was good about it though and bought in an Ibanez replacement part within a week (difficult to find in Europe). That seems to be fine - I've had JS112s on for 6 months or so. Ibanez said the issue only affected the first 2-3 years from memory, so a newer model or the replacement part should be fine.
Mine is an absolute cracker - plays and sounds way above its price point. I'm not keen on the gold fixtures or the pickguard, but the playability is fabulous and a low action is easy to achieve. I wonder if the more recent Indonesian ones are as good - only way is to try one out. Mine is also relatively light at 6.5lbs, have heard reports of much heavier ones, so again worth shopping around. Possibly the older ones benefit from ageing in use, but that's a guess.
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Not too small. It’s slightly thinner than an ES175. It fits just right and plays way above its pay grade. I’d recommend it as the perfect starter archtop. They’re available used everywhere.
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Welcome to the forum Zouzouzou!
i used to own an LGB30 in Natural. I also had an AKJV95. And apart from some finish differences they are the same guitar. If you can inspect before purchase, I would recommend. I found multiple flaws and imperfections in the finish and assembly of both guitars from the Indonesian production facility. Things may be better now (I sold both a few years ago).
These Indonesian Ibanezes play pretty well as is, but can benefit greatly from a few upgrades as you can get to them. I upgraded the tuners on my LGB30 to the Gotoh 510s and it made a big improvement to tuning stability. On both guitars, I carefully fitted the bridge base to perfectly fit the arch of the top and the richness of tone and sustain improved noticeably. The stock pickups were ok but I put Seth Lovers in both guitars and the improvement was well worth the expense.
In total, I feel like they are good guitars, and are comfortable to play, but look for one without dirt or scratches under the finish, poor joinery on the binding, etc. I often hear that something is “good for the price” but when you’re spending $1,200, you get to choose one that’s been put together right.
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Thank you all for the replies! I think I'm just gonna order one and hope for the best
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My LGB30 had the dreaded cracked tailpiece hinge. I replaced it with the fancier GB10 tailpiece and it made all the difference in the world. The adjustable tension is just a great design. It got rid of all the "behind the bridge" noise I had before. Mine is one of the older Chinese ones....not sure it that's better or worse than the Indonesian ones.
I find the stock tuners are fine for now...very smooth but may replace them later. Same for the bridge but it may have been replaced already from the looks of it. Also, I removed that HUGE ugly pickguard
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Was it easy to replace the tailpiece? Originally Posted by LoungeRat
My LGB30 had the dreaded cracked tailpiece hinge. I replaced it with the fancier GB10 tailpiece and it made all the difference in the world. The adjustable tension is just a great design. It got rid of all the "behind the bridge" noise I had before. Mine is one of the older Chinese ones....not sure it that's better or worse than the Indonesian ones.
I find the stock tuners are fine for now...very smooth but may replace them later. Same for the bridge but it may have been replaced already from the looks of it. Also, I removed that HUGE ugly pickguard
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Hey all. No sure if you need any further input but anyway....
I picked up a 10-year old LGB30 recently and was bowled over with how playable it is. Okay so it feels a little smaller than your typical archtop but for playing gigs the size actually is a real positive. The neck works real well if you like a low action and strung with flat 12s it is is real warm through an amp. Unplugged its a bit boxy, but so is my AF2000 to be honest. If it helps I have taken a picture of the two so you can see it isn't a 'toy' sized.
Am thinking of upgrading the neck pickup (I don't use the bridge) with a Seth Lover if anyone has any thoughts on this?
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I am probably really woke. Every time I read LGB my mind completes it to LGBTIQ+
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To me, it turned out to be a very useful guitar, I changed the tailpiece for a GB10 and the neck mic for an SD 59, I use it all the time live, I have guitars that cost 4 times more, but live, I don't hear them sound 4 times better, my 2 cents...
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Nice...does the Seymour Duncan '59 make a big difference? I was looking at the Seth Lover (for no other reason than I have heard some good reviews) but hand thought of the '59. Will have a read up.
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The Set Lover is also very good, it's a matter of taste, I particularly like the SD 59, but I think the differences are subtle, I didn't think the original Super 58 custom was bad either, but I find the SD 59 a bit more clear and articulate, as I said, it's a matter of taste, surely the Set Lover will be great!
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Another pic
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Hard to beat for $800!
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The LGB30 was my gateway into Hollowbody Land. I had it for about five years and then started to upgrade. Like most Ibanez guitars, the LGB30 was an easy player and that’s what attracted me to it. I’d spent the decade before mostly playing flat-top acoustic but eventually realized that a) I’d never, ever be Tommy Emmanuel, b) I’d grown to hate the sound of the plain strings on a flat-top, c) I don’t have strong hands and simply can’t play a flat-top with 12s (and thinner strings on an acoustic sound horrible to me). When I got hold of an LGB30 it was a revelation. I could play without struggling. The guitar worked for me instead of against me.
Acoustically, LGB30 wasn’t much to write home about. It sounded boxy with no dynamic range to speak of. Plugged in, anything other than hard strumming sounded really nice. Eventually I traded it for an Eastman 580CE (big step up) and finally for a GB10 (another big step up and the GB10 is a lifer).
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Ah, the GB10. I have looked at one of these seriously many times but never made the leap. I always feared the body would feel 'too small' for a jazz guitar if that makes sense? I really ought to play one. I opted for the AF2000 which is great, but i am really battling with getting it set up properly...bizarrely (and it is prob just me) the three Ibanez guitars I own do not work well with D'Addario flats...i have changed to Thomastik which makes a real difference and am hoping the AF2000 responds the same when i change the strings this weekend. At present the AF2000 isnt playing well at all...the LGB30 is far superior. Originally Posted by Oscar67
I should pop along to a shop and try the GB10...perhaps that is the answer!
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I’m not sure there is a clear-cut answer. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can be elusive. Anyway, the AF2000 and GB10 strike me as very different. The AF2000 is a fine guitar by any standard and a good set-up should make it play like a dream. Personally I prefer the GB10 but that’s just that: personal preference. Regarding size: the GB10 was designed from the ground up to be amplified and played loud. Personally I really like its dry, woody, somewhat primitive (in a good way) acoustic sound, especially with flatwounds. But unplugged a GB10 sounds nothing like a full-size archtop with a solid top, back and sides. Originally Posted by EmmersonD
If you like how your AF2000 sounds then get it set up properly. It’ll probably be great.
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Hi new here and have an LGB30 quick question I noticed in the case it came with an ebony bridge does any one use it (I see it on some photos being used) or is the fitted one better
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Hi, really the af 2000 doesn't sound good? Can you explain why? Originally Posted by EmmersonD
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I have the option on both too - and went for the brass bridge. Only really because of slightly better accuracy on intonation and a little brighter. My ebony bridge did sound warm but where the strings sat seems a little irregular and worn down too. Originally Posted by Paulnorri
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Karlos, hi. I am pleased to say after a good set-up, Thomastik 12 flats and a bit of playing in, the AF2000 does seem to have loosened up much more. I still remain of the opinion that unplugged it is just a bit flat and nasal, but once its hooked up to a tube amp the thing just flies. It has a really lovely tonal balance which I am really enjoying and whether its chord-melody-style solo performance or funky Grant Green-vibes the AF2000 is making me very happy at the moment. I hope it will continue to age well and become my 'go to' gigging guitar. Originally Posted by Karlos
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Tube amp?! My goodness, imagine that!!! Originally Posted by EmmersonD
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