The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: neepheid on October 30, 2015, 03:17:13 AM
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I realise they haven't thought of us bassists as particularly important (profitable) at the best of times, but is that it? Game over? It bothers me.
I know this has been brought up in a previous thread, I just felt like having a gripe about it :P
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They just don't care....I played one of those NEW Thunderbirds with the Babicz Bridge and New styled pickups...I had to put it down after 2 minutes... What a DOG. An apostasy. Gibson REALLY doesn't care about bass players.
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Good news. Since Gibson isn't making their bass designs anymore, now everyone else can.
I'd like to so some enterprising company take up the Gibson bass mantle and make them accessible to the masses again.
RD artists, EB-0,1,2,3s with mudbuckers again, Thunderbirds, Grabbers, Rippers, Victorys, 20/20s, Les Pauls (Hobbits and Deluxe burst long scales also available as 5 strings again) Somebody make it happen already!
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Good news. Since Gibson isn't making their bass designs anymore, now everyone else can.
I'd like to so some enterprising company take up the Gibson bass mantle and make them accessible to the masses again.
RD artists, EB-0,1,2,3s with mudbuckers again, Thunderbirds, Grabbers, Rippers, Victorys, 20/20s, Les Pauls (Hobbits and Deluxe burst long scales also available as 5 strings again) Somebody make it happen already!
:toast:
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Perhaps Eastwood will pick a couple of interesting designs and produce them. Explorer, anyone?
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They just don't care....I played one of those NEW Thunderbirds with the Babicz Bridge and New styled pickups...I had to put it down after 2 minutes... What a DOG. An apostasy. Gibson REALLY doesn't care about bass players.
Would you elaborate? Mine has an excellent fret job and fin, the bridge - while unnecessary if you (like me!) can comprehend the intricacies of the Holy Immaculate Trinity bridge - works fine too, the DeCola pups offer a more nuanced sound (if that is what you are after), perhaps less ballsy than TB Plus, but much tidier in frequency separation. It really is a TBird for those people who never liked TBirds before. As gentle modernisations go, I think this is as good as the SG Reissue Bass was when it came out almost 10 years ago.
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They just don't care....I played one of those NEW Thunderbirds with the Babicz Bridge and New styled pickups...I had to put it down after 2 minutes... What a DOG. An apostasy. Gibson REALLY doesn't care about bass players.
I was impressed with the same pickups and bridge on the EB Bass and so are the other owners here. Can't imagine it would be much different on a Thunderbird body. Of course if you were expecting it to sound like vintage 60s, you'll be disappointed, but that wasn't Gibson's intention.
Good news. Since Gibson isn't making their bass designs anymore, now everyone else can.
I'd like to so some enterprising company take up the Gibson bass mantle and make them accessible to the masses again.
RD artists, EB-0,1,2,3s with mudbuckers again, Thunderbirds, Grabbers, Rippers, Victorys, 20/20s, Les Pauls (Hobbits and Deluxe burst long scales also available as 5 strings again) Somebody make it happen already!
Not a chance Gibson will let anyone else make a clone using the SG, Les Paul or Firebird/TBird shapes.
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From what I understand, Gibson stopped 2015 production entirely last spring in the face of disastrous sales (Gibson USA, but maybe not Gibson Custom or Memphis). Considering the price increases on guitars and basses, there weren't that many ordered after initial sales fell flat. None of the major online outlets seem to have either of the 2015 basses left in stock anymore.
Now it looks like Gibson has really expanded its new guitar offerings beyond what was announced at first. Judging by GC's website, they're offering a lot of the sub-$1000 basic and faded models again. No year is given on most of these so my guess is that they're newly-made reissues of pre-2015 models. And I see that a Thunderbird is coming December 6 (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Thunderbird-IV-Bass-Guitar.gc) at $1599, with the pre-2015 design. As with the guitars, probably a reissue of the 2013, not old stock.
In addition to the 2014 and 2015 basses still shown on Gibson's website (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA.aspx), now there are also familiar models shown without a model year designation. Considering the TBird coming soon to GC and the other guitar reissues, can more basses be far behind?
Gibson isn't doing anything new with guitars after this year's disaster, so we can't expect any new bass designs either. But there's hope we'll at least see something.
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Wot?! :o :o :o They are bringing back the old "new" Thunderbird, giving up the Babicz bridge, the plekked fretboard and the DeCola pups?
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/3b907abfd8794df4a202d611a364d2f9/tumblr_inline_n7kzj8NCgk1sfejhk.jpg)
Now that makes no sense at all. The Babicz/DeCola TB was a fine gentle modernisation. And will now probably become collectible very soon. :mrgreen: I wasn't asking for a mordernized TBird at the time, but I was nontheless happy with the result.
Shouldn't they revert to the Holy Immaculate Trinity with the SG bass now as well or is that asking for too much product coherence? :rolleyes:
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Aside from the pre-2015 TBird coming to GC, hard to tell yet what's going to happen.
Gibson's website does now have the EB Bass without a model year, along with the 2014 EB Bass, so if this is actually reissued, it will have the Babicz/DeCola combination. I doubt we'll see it on the TB though. Just a guess at this point.
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So vee are not going to zee ze V-Waffe effer?!!!!
(http://c1.zzounds.com/media/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/rotate,45/BAV4NABC1_front_HighResolution-fe06a66d549f07c0fe2b8723012e2566.jpg)
Sehr schade. Like Stalingrad, Kursk, D-Day and the Ardennes rolled into one.
I feel depressed now.
(http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/image_files/WWii-prisoners-of-war-articles_555.jpg)
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So vee are not going to zee ze V-Waffe effer?!!!!
(http://c1.zzounds.com/media/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/rotate,45/BAV4NABC1_front_HighResolution-fe06a66d549f07c0fe2b8723012e2566.jpg)
Sehr schade. Like Stalingrad, Kursk, D-Day and the Ardennes rolled into one.
I feel depressed now.
(http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/image_files/WWii-prisoners-of-war-articles_555.jpg)
ROFL ;D
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How about the EB-1??????
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I feel depressed now.
(http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/image_files/WWii-prisoners-of-war-articles_555.jpg)
What is that, short arm inspection??
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What is that, short arm inspection??
Stick 'em up!!!!! :-X :o :-X
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One losers conflicted ramblings on The Big Three:
We really are a complaining people. I mean this sincerely, I feel like I get neglected by the marketing gurus and design department at Gibson....but, if you think about it....in the last 10 years Gibson has offered the following: Thunderbird, SG, NR TBird, Flying V, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Oversized, Les Paul DC, EB, ES 335, Midtown, Midtown Signature, ES Les Paul, The Bass V (in spirit anyway), Krist Nov Sig, Explorer, babicz bridges, new pickup designs..what did I miss?
And in the same time frame Rickenbacker has offered multiple colors of the same bass. Fender sells billions of color variations of 2 basses (mostly imports) with a couple of one-off designs here and there.
It almost seems like Gibson is trying too hard and still failing. Maybe giving up on basses and selling multiple colors of the same guitar (Les Paul) makes a lot more sense.
But I hope they don't. If for no other reason than it gives me something to complain about ;D
At any rate I can understand the need for some sensible shoes.
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Gibson posted a pic on Facebook of an unfinished headstock back with a 2016 date, and the message "Tomorrow" so I take it that the 2016 line will be announced sometime Wednesday. Of course some have already been in the stores for awhile but maybe we'll have something official about the basses. Maybe.
So vee are not going to zee ze V-Waffe effer?!!!!
Sehr schade. Like Stalingrad, Kursk, D-Day and the Ardennes rolled into one.
I feel depressed now.
Cheer up. Take the money you were going to spend on it and make a worthwhile investment instead. I hear there are many lending opportunities in Greece. :mrgreen:
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One losers conflicted ramblings on The Big Three:
We really are a complaining people. I mean this sincerely, I feel like I get neglected by the marketing gurus and design department at Gibson....but, if you think about it....in the last 10 years Gibson has offered the following: Thunderbird, SG, NR TBird, Flying V, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Oversized, Les Paul DC, EB, ES 335, Midtown, Midtown Signature, ES Les Paul, The Bass V (in spirit anyway), Krist Nov Sig, Explorer, babicz bridges, new pickup designs..what did I miss?
And in the same time frame Rickenbacker has offered multiple colors of the same bass. Fender sells billions of color variations of 2 basses (mostly imports) with a couple of one-off designs here and there.
It almost seems like Gibson is trying too hard and still failing. Maybe giving up on basses and selling multiple colors of the same guitar (Les Paul) makes a lot more sense.
But I hope they don't. If for no other reason than it gives me something to complain about ;D
At any rate I can understand the need for some sensible shoes.
That's Gibson's secret recipe: Constant and eternal failure breeds desperate creativity! And they never give up!
(http://www.hornbach.de/data/shop/D04/001/780/491/740/23/DV_8_8327505_01_4c_DE_20120328154116.jpg)
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One losers conflicted ramblings on The Big Three:
We really are a complaining people. I mean this sincerely, I feel like I get neglected by the marketing gurus and design department at Gibson....but, if you think about it....in the last 10 years Gibson has offered the following: Thunderbird, SG, NR TBird, Flying V, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Oversized, Les Paul DC, EB, ES 335, Midtown, Midtown Signature, ES Les Paul, The Bass V (in spirit anyway), Krist Nov Sig, Explorer, babicz bridges, new pickup designs..what did I miss?
And in the same time frame Rickenbacker has offered multiple colors of the same bass. Fender sells billions of color variations of 2 basses (mostly imports) with a couple of one-off designs here and there.
It almost seems like Gibson is trying too hard and still failing. Maybe giving up on basses and selling multiple colors of the same guitar (Les Paul) makes a lot more sense.
But I hope they don't. If for no other reason than it gives me something to complain about ;D
At any rate I can understand the need for some sensible shoes.
The G-3 re issue may not have been an accurate was super nice :)
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Well, guys, the news is out and it's not good. No basses in the 2016 line announced today: http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars.aspx?ModelYear=2016
A Thunderbird is still coming to GC, obviously a reissue of earlier specs, and maybe we'll see more previously discontinued models in that vein.
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2016: GIBSON'S BEST YEAR EVER
Unless you're a bass player..... :-\
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What I said earlier in the 'No basses in 2016'-thread: No basses in 2016 :mrgreen: However Nashville might come up with something in spring.
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What I said earlier in the 'No basses in 2016'-thread: No basses in 2016 :mrgreen: However Nashville might come up with something in spring.
Yes, you did. I saw no reason to doubt your source, and I still believe it. But when GC showed a pre-2015 TBird coming, and some other discontinued models reappeared on Gibson's website without model year designations, I had reason to believe we might see something reissued, even though it won't be part of the official 2016 lineup. I still think it's a possibility, even though the stock might have been sitting in Gibson's warehouses.
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Dave, I think the pre-2015 models are just that. New old stock. I like that Sweetwater shows pictures of each instrument and identifies each by serial number. They have the pre-2015 Thunderbirds and Midtowns too, and all the serial numbers start with 14.
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According to my source there's enugh in stock, yes. And I was trying to be funny with my remark. Not trying to be a smart ass;)
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Dave, I think the pre-2015 models are just that. New old stock. I like that Sweetwater shows pictures of each instrument and identifies each by serial number. They have the pre-2015 Thunderbirds and Midtowns too, and all the serial numbers start with 14.
Those are definitely NOS but they're at 2014 prices. The Thunderbird that was shown on GC's website as coming in December was at the 2013 price. That's what made me think Gibson might be reissuing some older versions.
But now my link to the GC 'Bird shows "We're sorry—we no longer carry this item." So it was obviously a mistake.
According to my source there's enugh in stock, yes. And I was trying to be funny with my remark. Not trying to be a smart ass;)
I didn't think you were being a smart ass. But now I doubt there's much if anything in their bass warehouse (which is probably the size of a small closet). After all, they sent me a 2015 SG Standard Bass after my SG Faded Special split along the seam b/c they had no Fadeds left.
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I found out why no new basses: Henry is introducing a new game! :mrgreen:
(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv55/paruwi6172/guitar-anti-hero-flickr-shannonpatrick17-631_zpsoqkwuz9u.jpg)
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So vee are not going to zee ze V-Waffe effer?!!!!
(http://c1.zzounds.com/media/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/rotate,45/BAV4NABC1_front_HighResolution-fe06a66d549f07c0fe2b8723012e2566.jpg)
I really like the shape of this guitar and I think it could be the basis for a whole line of basses from Gibson.
Version 1 would be plain solid wings and passive electronics with an economy finish like the EB basses and in the same price range.
Version 2 would be upgraded to a high gloss finish and some new custom colors and priced like the 2014 Thunderbirds.
Version 3 would add active electronics and more dollars to the price.
Version 4 would add the pretty wood layers and many more dollars to the price.
All would use the same CNC program, and the same hardware except for electronics. And lose the confusing V moniker; call it the Thunder EB or something.
That's my 2 cents.
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Yeah, except for the awfully cluttered controls, I really liked it too. It was sleek.
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Definitely too many knobs.
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That proboscis of an upper horn - ugh.
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That proboscis of an upper horn - ugh.
Yep. Reminiscent of the extended horn on the early 90s American Jazz Plus (a/k/a the Boner Bass).
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I liked the EB better...vaguely retro Mosrite-ish
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Yep. Reminiscent of the extended horn on the early 90s American Jazz Plus (a/k/a the Boner Bass).
...or the anteater-inspired Curbow.
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It's just me thinking out loud that they'll have something to say at Winter NAMM
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It's just me thinking out loud that they'll have something to say at Winter NAMM
It wouldn't surprise me. However, I'd be astonished if they offer anything new. Reintroducing the 2015 models, reviving some form of the Les Paul Bass or the recent NR Bird, something like that could happen. A new design like they did with the EB Bass (or the non-existent V-Bass)? Nah. Not unless Henry has another bout of temporary insanity.
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:toast: Here's to insanity!
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It wouldn't surprise me. However, I'd be astonished if they offer anything new. Reintroducing the 2015 models, reviving some form of the Les Paul Bass or the recent NR Bird, something like that could happen. A new design like they did with the EB Bass (or the non-existent V-Bass)? Nah. Not unless Henry has another bout of temporary insanity.
Temporary??? I think he's got several lifetime's worth stored up!
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If they don't want to do basses anymore, maybe they'll let Epiphone run with the designs. My Alpine white T-bird Classic IV is a great bass. I'd love to see a true to form Ripper in Epi's lineup with the same attention to detail, maybe a Victory,,Les Paul,,ect..
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If they don't want to do basses anymore, maybe they'll let Epiphone run with the designs. My Alpine white T-bird Classic IV is a great bass. I'd love to see a true to form Ripper in Epi's lineup with the same attention to detail, maybe a Victory,,Les Paul,,ect..
They may do that, and it would be good so long as the hardware and electronics are first rate, like the TBird Classic IV Pro. Problem is, the lowest end of the Epi line is pretty crappy and that tarnishes the name for some buyers. Others will not buy Chinese instruments on principle. So there will always be a market for US-made, Gibson branded basses.
They will return. This isn't the first time there have been no basses in their lineup.
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I've been sitting on the sidelines thinking the same thing about Epiphone basses. They make some pretty good ones, and it may be that Gibson is going to do more in that line and less in the Gibson line. Fender is sure selling their less expensive instruments, and getting good reviews about them.
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I'll agree with the quality parts and components. My T-Bird literally shocked the hell out of me with its quality. One of my happier bass purchases.
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If they don't want to do basses anymore, maybe they'll let Epiphone run with the designs. My Alpine white T-bird Classic IV is a great bass.
I have one of these also, along with a few other Epi basses. I love all of them, but Dave's point about the lower end of the line rings true - especially with guitars. I haven't found that any of my Epi basses needed anything more than a good quality setup.
I hate the idea of buying overseas product, but the US manufacturers have priced some of us out of the market. I try to buy used whenever possible.
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I feel like I'm being watched.
So vee are not going to zee ze V-Waffe effer?!!!!
(http://c1.zzounds.com/media/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/rotate,45/BAV4NABC1_front_HighResolution-fe06a66d549f07c0fe2b8723012e2566.jpg)
I really like the shape of this guitar and I think it could be the basis for a whole line of basses from Gibson.
Version 1 would be plain solid wings and passive electronics with an economy finish like the EB basses and in the same price range.
Version 2 would be upgraded to a high gloss finish and some new custom colors and priced like the 2014 Thunderbirds.
Version 3 would add active electronics and more dollars to the price.
Version 4 would add the pretty wood layers and many more dollars to the price.
All would use the same CNC program, and the same hardware except for electronics. And lose the confusing V moniker; call it the Thunder EB or something. EB T maybe?
That's my 2 cents.
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Is that the new EB bass?
I like it.
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No. That's the Holy Grail. The Continental. The bass they never built. The one Uwe ordered. But never received...
And it looks like the new EB, yes. :-)
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Some wounds just don't heal. :-\
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Not that we'd ever poke the wounds... :mrgreen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh5u5dmeABI
Incredibly, its spec still shows up on Gibson's Archive pages (http://archive.gibson.com/Files/USA_PDFs/Data_ContinentalV_bass.pdf)... go figure...
IIRC, Uwe actually saw one at a show...
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No. That's the Holy Grail. The Continental. The bass they never built. The one Uwe ordered. But never received...
And it looks like the new EB, yes. :-)
Interesting...the Continental V I found looks very different:
http://archive.gibson.com/Files/USA_PDFs/Data_ContinentalV_bass.pdf
(http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/9356-gibson-continental-v-5-string-oil-finish-maple-neck-large.jpg)
...vs. the Gibson BAV4NABC1 V Series 4-String Bass Guitar - Natural
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gibson-BAV4NABC1-4-String-Bass-Guitar/dp/B00NAVUWEK
(http://c1.zzounds.com/media/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/rotate,45/BAV4NABC1_front_HighResolution-fe06a66d549f07c0fe2b8723012e2566.jpg)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gibson-BAV4NABC1-4-String-Bass-Guitar/dp/B00NAVUWEK
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Oops. Must have had a brain fart!
I stand corrected :-[
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Ah, how could we forget the ill-fated 2015 Gibson V-Bass that apparently never got past the modeling stage. It got dumped with the rest of the 2015 Gibson sales fiasco. Lucky for Gibson that it did, Uwe would probably have been the only buyer at the announced $4K price.
Its body shape does look close to the new 2017 EB Bass.
In case anyone doesn't already know, the T notation of the new bass (2017 Gibson EB Bass T) means Traditional. After the 2015 fiasco, the 2015 Gibson USA guitar line was divided into T and HP models. The HP stands for high performance, meaning it includes the widely hated G-Force tuner and so-called zero fret nut. I notice that none of the 2017 Gibsons on Guitar Center's site (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-2017.gc?icid=406892) are HP models.
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Ah, how could we forget the ill-fated 2015 Gibson V-Bass that apparently never got past the modeling stage. It got dumped with the rest of the 2015 Gibson sales fiasco. Lucky for Gibson that it did, Uwe would probably have been the only buyer at the announced $4K price.
Its body shape does look close to the new 2017 EB Bass.
In case anyone doesn't already know, the T notation of the new bass (2017 Gibson EB Bass T) means Traditional. After the 2015 fiasco, the 2015 Gibson USA guitar line was divided into T and HP models. The HP stands for high performance, meaning it includes the widely hated G-Force tuner and so-called zero fret nut. I notice that none of the 2017 Gibsons on Guitar Center's site (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-2017.gc?icid=406892) are HP models.
Dave, you're wrong. HP means higher priced.
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I had never seen either.
The Gibson BAV4NABC1 looked like a new model, so I was very curious.
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This thread about my missed chances of enlarging Ze Köllekshün is getting increasingly burdensome for me to read! :-\
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Dave, you're wrong. HP means higher priced.
That too!
I had never seen either.
The Gibson BAV4NABC1 looked like a new model, so I was very curious.
The Continental V was actually built in 2006, Uwe saw one at Musikmesse and held it in his hands (unless he was hallucinating). It's possible that Gibson made more than one, but AFAIK no store actually had one in stock and available to buy. Uwe is still sad over this.
The BAV4NABC1 was announced as the 2015 V-Bass, although no one outside Gibson seems to know why. No evidence it ever went beyond a photo mockup.
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I had a hun(ch) even back then something might go wrong. I actually asked them at the booth whether they would sell it after the fair - of course they wouldn't, claiming they still needed it at other fairs. Bullenscheiße, I know where it went ...
(https://media.giphy.com/media/MMFdc8FArE7ba/giphy.gif)
I should have confiscated it then and there - German style. Hesitation at the wrong moment always h(a)un(t)s you ...
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This thread about my missed chances of enlarging Ze Köllekshün is getting increasingly burdensome for me to read! :-\
Look at the bright side. You now have 2 chances to add to Ze Köllekshün, a 4 string and a 5 string. :mrgreen:
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Having a "complete-set" would be the breaking of Herr Hornung... nothing to do but wander the halls wailing, "I haff nothing to live for...!" :mrgreen:
We must have challenges to make life worth living...
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I spoke with a couple of the Gibson reps the other week their line of BS was due to a over stock of existing models there would be no new models until 2017.
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I spoke with a couple of the Gibson reps the other week their line of BS was due to a over stock of existing models there would be no new models until 2017.
I doubt that it's BS. They may not have that many 2013-2015 basses but from what I hear they still have excess inventory from the 2015 sales disaster. Gibson being Gibson, that probably means basses would be low priority.
Besides, the new EB Basses are 2017 models. Like the other announced 2017 models, they should be in stock next month.