The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: planetgaffnet on June 06, 2018, 09:45:29 AM
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This has come up on an auction site here in the UK, not eBay et al - a proper auction where people bid and there a live auctioneer! Anyone know anything about these? There's an estimate of £1500-2000GBP ($2K-$3K near as dammit). Never seen one before.
(https://guitar-auctions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lot0183.jpg)
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Uwe has one. drbassman had one, I presume his family still does.
The EB-650 was more-or-less a bass version of the Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe guitar. The only actual connection to Trini that I'm aware of is that Art Greenhaw (http://www.artgreenhaw.com/collectiblesarchive/collectibles2007.htm) of the Light Crust Doughboys has one, and Art did sessions with Trini.
Rob's book says 1989-92, that sounds right.
That price range seems fair for 2018. They don't come up often. I never saw one go for over $2600 and that was maybe 10 years ago. A couple of years later, Kevin Borden had one listed for something like $4500 for quite a long time; no idea if he ever sold it or at what price.
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Most of the ones I've seen has been made in '91-'92. They are maple neck, ebony fretboard, maple body and sustain block construction. The pickups are the same TB Plus that they used in the Les Paul basses (LPB-3 model). One sold on Reverb for 1200$ but that's the cheapest I've ever seen. They are usually 2000$+. They also made the even rarer EB-750 with thicker body and mahogany neck IIRC and Bartolini pickups (as used in the LPB-2 model).
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Very nice... 8)
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WANT!
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I doubt I'll be bidding on it as my company let me go yesterday. Fools.
Anyhow, the site is Gardiner Houlgate; https://guitar-auctions.co.uk - they're a regular auction house, none of this eBay tomfoolery. If you check online, I think they still stream the auction live every time and they rip through the lots.
US listeners/watchers, remember that $134 will buy you £100GBP. Gasp in horror/excitement as you see US-made instruments for sale over there for $500 sell for double/triple that over here. It's no wonder bands would buy up instruments when they toured the US and sell them for profit when they got back here.
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The EB-650 was more-or-less a bass version of the Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe guitar.
Wasn't the Trini Lopez always a double cutaway?
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Wasn't the Trini Lopez always a double cutaway?
I thought so with pointy horns and a reverse 6 per side headstock.
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Wasn't the Trini Lopez always a double cutaway?
I thought so with pointy horns and a reverse 6 per side headstock.
That's why I said more-or-less. The Trini Lopez was an ES-335 variant with double florentine cutaways, diamond shaped holes rather than f-holes, wooden bridge base and a trapeze tailpiece. The EB-650 has one florentine cutaway and the rest of the same features. It's more like a Trini than an ES-335.
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I doubt I'll be bidding on it as my company let me go yesterday. Fools.
Sorry to hear that, Paul.
Anyhow, the site is Gardiner Houlgate; https://guitar-auctions.co.uk - they're a regular auction house, none of this eBay tomfoolery. If you check online, I think they still stream the auction live every time and they rip through the lots.
US listeners/watchers, remember that $134 will buy you £100GBP. Gasp in horror/excitement as you see US-made instruments for sale over there for $500 sell for double/triple that over here. It's no wonder bands would buy up instruments when they toured the US and sell them for profit when they got back here.
Plus there's a 24% buyers premium including 20% VAT, which they would probably insist on colllecting even from the US, which has no VAT.
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That's why I said more-or-less. The Trini Lopez was an ES-335 variant with double florentine cutaways, diamond shaped holes rather than f-holes, wooden bridge base and a trapeze tailpiece. The EB-650 has one florentine cutaway and the rest of the same features. It's more like a Trini than an ES-335.
Looks closer to an ES-175 or Byrdland Florentine (but with diamond f-holes) - or if you're running with the doublecut thing, a Barney Kessel. That six/side headstock is a huge feature. Just my .02...
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Most assertive hollow-body bass ever, cuts like a knife.
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Looks closer to an ES-175 or Byrdland Florentine (but with diamond f-holes) - or if you're running with the doublecut thing, a Barney Kessel. That six/side headstock is a huge feature. Just my .02...
It's been so long since we originally discussed it at the Pit, I can't remember what was said or if a real connection was ever established. Phil Jones designed it, he would know, maybe Uwe could write him again. I can't imagine any other reason for the diamond holes, which were designed by Trini himself in the 60s. Or Art Greenhaw might know.
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Most assertive hollow-body bass ever, cuts like a knife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZhSkREYBc
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As long as we're tipping friends off to rare models of Gibson basses here, there's a nice LPB-1 with the two tone burst for sale down under.
http://www.wildhorseguitars.com.au/shoponline/tabid/94/pid/1258/Gibson---1991-LPB-1-Les-Paul-Special-Bass.aspx
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That's the exact one!!!!!! Same finish as my LBP-1. Best / easiest recording bass I have ever owned, and I have always loved this look ... not normally a fan of black hardware but it just seems to work perfectly on the yellow + black burst with the ebony board.
I got mine on ebay for $665 USD in 2006 (about $875 AUD at current exchange rates, or would be about $1085 AUD at current rates after adjusting for US inflation?) . I didn't realize they had appreciated that much over 12 years, or maybe US basses in AU are just always expensive?
Might also be some differences in condition too ... that's a pretty photo, and mine came to me with its share of dings... not a lot of detail visible there though.
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Aren't these very similar to the EB-750, albeit with Trini-style holes?
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Lots of similarities, yes.
But the EB-750 is an active bass with Bartolini humbuckers. Those sound quite different.
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Aren't these very similar to the EB-750, albeit with Trini-style holes?
Lots of similarities, yes.
But the EB-750 is an active bass with Bartolini humbuckers. Those sound quite different.
Rob has seen Uwe's and I've never seen either in person, but IIRC the 650 is a thinline and the 750 is full depth. Also, the 750 has a mahogany neck.
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That's the exact one!!!!!! Same finish as my LBP-1. Best / easiest recording bass I have ever owned, and I have always loved this look ... not normally a fan of black hardware but it just seems to work perfectly on the yellow + black burst with the ebony board.
I got mine on ebay for $665 USD in 2006 (about $875 AUD at current exchange rates, or would be about $1085 AUD at current rates after adjusting for US inflation?) . I didn't realize they had appreciated that much over 12 years, or maybe US basses in AU are just always expensive?
Might also be some differences in condition too ... that's a pretty photo, and mine came to me with its share of dings... not a lot of detail visible there though.
They haven't appreciated that much here, that price is probably typical for Australia based on what I've seen posted over the years.
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They haven't appreciated that much here, that price is probably typical for Australia based on what I've seen posted over the years.
I payed a pretty penny for a TV yellow one. That would make me a statistical outlier. Admitedly, I was impulsive and didn't want to haggle or have to worry about being outbid. At least it seemed to be in excellent condition. I'll know for sure by Thursday when it arrives.
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I payed a pretty penny for a TV yellow one. That would make me a statistical outlier. Admitedly, I was impulsive and didn't want to haggle or have to worry about being outbid. At least it seemed to be in excellent condition. I'll know for sure by Thursday when it arrives.
Nice move. About 10 years ago I was outbid on a TV yellow which had a reasonable starting price (735$ and favorable exchange rate in Swedish Crowns). Auction end was during night hours and I went cheap and laid a maximum bid of 760$. It ended close to 900$. Still a bit bugged about that since the TV yellows are quite rare. You see two tone sunbursts more often which are nice as well but if I ever buy one I'd prefer the yellow.
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I payed a pretty penny for a TV yellow one. That would make me a statistical outlier. Admitedly, I was impulsive and didn't want to haggle or have to worry about being outbid. At least it seemed to be in excellent condition. I'll know for sure by Thursday when it arrives.
Nice move. About 10 years ago I was outbid on a TV yellow which had a reasonable starting price (735$ and favorable exchange rate in Swedish Crowns). Auction end was during night hours and I went cheap and laid a maximum bid of 760$. It ended close to 900$. Still a bit bugged about that since the TV yellows are quite rare. You see two tone sunbursts more often which are nice as well but if I ever buy one I'd prefer the yellow.
That's understandable. You want it and you're willing to pay for it. The downside is that some sellers who don't have rarer colors (or a rarer edition, like the early passive LPB-1) think they can get as much.
And yet Chicago Music Exchange has had a cherry '94 LPB-1 in VG condition at $995 for a very long time. The latest Reverb listing is four months old but it's been much longer than that. It has a Make Offer button and it's always been included in their frequent 15% off sales. How is it that this one hasn't sold?
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And yet Chicago Music Exchange has had a cherry '94 LPB-1 in VG condition at $995 for a very long time. The latest Reverb listing is four months old but it's been much longer than that. It has a Make Offer button and it's always been included in their frequent 15% off sales. How is it that this one hasn't sold?
That's just like mine (also a '94) before I bling-ed it out. The finish has seen better days, but looks good overall.
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--OXjyjBm7--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1517611238/atr2cdttqe2kacqjbf79.jpg)
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^^^
That's normal looking wear for nitro over mahogany bass that's been gigged. Honest wear.
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Now that Dave mentions it, a 25 or more year old bass with no blemishes does make me wonder. How did it survive unscathed for so long? And speaking of nitro, do people here think the modern Gibsons finished in Pelham blue will age into the same shade of green as the old ones did? The EB-650 still looks a very vivid shade of blue for it's age. Gear head, what kind of bling does your LPB have?
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Now that Dave mentions it, a 25 or more year old bass with no blemishes does make me wonder. How did it survive unscathed for so long? And speaking of nitro, do people here think the modern Gibsons finished in Pelham blue will age into the same shade of green as the old ones did? The EB-650 still looks a very vivid shade of blue for it's age. Gear head, what kind of bling does your LPB have?
You never know. My '63 P spent 23 years in a closet at my parents' house. If I had sold it when I retrieved it in 1997, the condition would have been as good or better. It still has no blemishes, because I'm pretty careful with my basses.
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Hard to say b/c nitro lacquer formulations have changed over the years. At least some of that is due to environmental regulations. 90s Gibsons that aren't exposed to direct sunlight haven't faded much if at all. That's probably due to UV inhibitors that no one thought about 50 or 60 years ago.
There would never have been a Fender butterscotch blond if Leo had used today's UV inhibitors. The original color was a much lighter blond.
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^^^
That's normal looking wear for nitro over mahogany bass that's been gigged. Honest wear.
It looks better then mine, I can say that for sure! ;D Played probably a couple hundred cover band gigs with it after my old band Ivory Wire split. (That bass was paid for via IW's Budweiser sponsorship actually).
Gear head, what kind of bling does your LPB have?
Chrome bridge and tuners, reflector knobs, T-bird style pickup rings, and metal output jack plate.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/1053452_10200538157194934_909875009_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=83049d9a8cb6699623a024732e122601&oe=5BBA8CE7)
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Well the bass arrived safe and sound. There is some playing wear on the frets but the rest of the bass is fairly pristine. Can't plug it in at work but everything else checks out. The neck has what I call an acceptable amount of relief but I'll probably have it set up to get the action a little lower. In addition to the Levy's gig bag, the seller threw in a nice road case that fits well. Interestingly, even though the finish appears opaque in pictures; it is certainly semi transparent after all, like it's namesake TV yellow finish color should be. I captured some grain on the back of the bass.
(http://i.imgur.com/3vmSWOQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/3vmSWOQ)
(http://i.imgur.com/19SKlDx.jpg) (https://imgur.com/19SKlDx)
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That's just like mine (also a '94) before I bling-ed it out. The finish has seen better days, but looks good overall.
I love these. I settled for one of the trans black Epi LP Special basses, which is pretty decent in its own right - much to my surprise when I initially picked it up..
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Cool bass! The TV yellow/3 knob combo works nicely.
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Thanks Tom. Bass sounds great too. The bling on yours is a nice touch.
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I have a story to tell about TV yellow!!!
(http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdreviews25/a%20ultimetscifi/Classic_Sci-Fi_Tarantula_04308.jpg)
(http://gooddigital.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/yellow-and-white-wallpaper-yellow-polka-dot-wallpaper-dots-yellow-white-wallpaper-borders-and-wall-decals-for-pink-and-yellow-polka-dot-wallpaper-yellow-and-white-wallpaper-hd.jpg)
(https://pk.daraz.io/_4QFDbfUL1V2T24Jr_It4J78VYg=/fit-in/680x680/filters:fill(white):sharpen(1,0,false):quality(80)/product/48/14977/3.jpg)
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I have a story myth to tell about TV yellow!!!
Fixed it for you! :mrgreen:
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Just getting back to the auction, the bass went for £1.4K, or $1,850, plus the additional fees (about half the results are showing at the moment: https://guitar-auctions.co.uk/catalogue-preview-thursday-14th-june-2018/).
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To paraphrase Carson, that's some weird wild stuff for sale there. Nice Corvus and love the bridge and tremolo on the SG100.
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That's a reasonable final price.