The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Dave W on December 09, 2015, 11:56:00 AM

Title: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Dave W on December 09, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
WTF happened here? (https://reverb.com/item/1315039-gibson-les-paul-bass-2006-walnut)  :o
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Basvarken on December 09, 2015, 12:13:55 PM
Looks like a Zemaitis sans artwork
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 09, 2015, 12:45:52 PM
I kinda like it, but not for that price (that's more than an all original one is worth, right?). 

Reminds me of a geetar hack job I did for a bud back in high school.  Cut the arched top off of a Univox LP body (not a carved solid piece but shaped plywood - leaving about a 3/4" ring of it where it was flat to the main body slab, and then made a stainless full body pickguard like that.  The air gap remained so you could play it acoustically for bedroom practice.  Bolted on an El Degas tele neck to that monster - another bud took the tune o matic and neck from the LP to put ion his (apparently real) Tele Custom that the El Degas neck came off of (he got a good deal on it in a pawn shop because everyone thought it was a ho vs a Febnder with replacement neck).  I am a criminal, I know.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: veebass on December 09, 2015, 01:34:02 PM
Add more brass- these weren't heavy enough.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: uwe on December 09, 2015, 01:52:12 PM
We need a PETA for sodomized Gibson basses.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: chromium on December 09, 2015, 03:32:05 PM
Surprised we don't have a long running "mutants" thread after all this time!  ;D

Here's another top contender (70? EB-3L) that I stumbled across recently...

"This bass was damaged in the 70s and "fixed" by trimming the treble side horn.  Very good quality work, looks like a factory mod"

 :o

(https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/a_exif,c_limit,f_auto,fl_progressive,h_620,q_75,w_620/v1405372637/ppftuwuqlqvn3minm8mr.jpg)

https://reverb.com/item/202606-gibson-eb-3l-1968
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: patman on December 09, 2015, 04:29:39 PM
Someone with woodworking skills needs to restore that one.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 09, 2015, 04:31:57 PM
That's a rare(ish) early L version too, judging by the bridge's proximity to the butt end.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Dave W on December 09, 2015, 05:45:01 PM
Back to my original post, is this even a Gibson body? It looks more like stripped and dark-stained mahogany to me rather than real walnut, but if it's walnut, then that's not a Gibson body. And any LP-shaped bass Gibson made circa 2006 had a carved maple top -- what happened to that? Who would buy an expensive bass and cut off the top?

Also, Gibson didn't use that tune-o-matic style bridge in the LP series that ended in 2006 -- they still had the Warwick bridge, and they had Schallers, not Grovers.

I wouldn't be shocked if this turned out to be a converted Epi.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 09, 2015, 06:12:58 PM
We need a PETA for sodomized Gibson basses.

Again the Germans with their anal fixations; what part of the bass is the anus anyway (rhetorical, don't actually answer that)?
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Nocturnal on December 09, 2015, 06:48:43 PM
Back to my original post, is this even a Gibson body? It looks more like stripped and dark-stained mahogany to me rather than real walnut, but if it's walnut, then that's not a Gibson body. And any LP-shaped bass Gibson made circa 2006 had a carved maple top -- what happened to that? Who would buy an expensive bass and cut off the top?

Also, Gibson didn't use that tune-o-matic style bridge in the LP series that ended in 2006 -- they still had the Warwick bridge, and they had Schallers, not Grovers.

I wouldn't be shocked if this turned out to be a converted Epi.

I think this was a limited Gibson model that had the raw or almost no finish when they started marketing that rough finish a while back. This bass has been around and I could swear it was in the used site of GC for a while. Didn't someone here buy one of these (minus the brass)?
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Dave W on December 09, 2015, 07:49:22 PM
I think this was a limited Gibson model that had the raw or almost no finish when they started marketing that rough finish a while back. This bass has been around and I could swear it was in the used site of GC for a while. Didn't someone here buy one of these (minus the brass)?

You mean the BFG Bass (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/BFG-Bass.aspx)? That makes sense, it did come with a t-o-m bridge and Grovers, and the grain wasn't filled. But it came out in 2010, not 2006.

Still, what a waste. If you mod a bass that much, don't expect to recover even the original cost.

Uwe did buy a BFG.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Highlander on December 09, 2015, 10:37:25 PM
Uwe did buy a BFG.

Somewhat akin to saying any day with a "Y" in it... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Basvarken on December 09, 2015, 11:52:59 PM
Maybe the seller just has the date wrong. If it said 1994 it could be a LPB1 Special with a different bridge. The brass plate could obscure the old bridge holes.

(http://www.bass-guitar-museum.com/uploads/bass/999/17482-1.jpg)
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: uwe on December 10, 2015, 05:27:05 AM
You mean the BFG Bass (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/BFG-Bass.aspx)? That makes sense, it did come with a t-o-m bridge and Grovers, and the grain wasn't filled. But it came out in 2010, not 2006.

Still, what a waste. If you mod a bass that much, don't expect to recover even the original cost.

Uwe did buy a BFG.

Yuup, I do, and it's among the finest Gibson basses, but much too thick a body to have been used as a platform for this monstrosity (unless they shaved off huge amounts of maho material amd also the maple top of the BFG). Another possibility would be the Special Faded series from 2004 (you had one, Dave, and were so appalled about the workmanship you sent it back), that had a 4-controls-configuration too.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Basvarken on December 10, 2015, 05:39:41 AM
 A bass you mean? I've never seen a Gibson special faded LP Bass (with classic LP shape)  :o
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 10, 2015, 06:19:19 AM
I totally missed the BFG when it came out.  Looks nice.  Extra thick body Uwe says.  Brass hardware.  Faux snakeskin fin (my mom would love it).  How's that Neck humbucker Uwe? 
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Basvarken on December 10, 2015, 06:33:26 AM
It is more than just a faux snake skin fin.

It is actually carved. So you feel the ribbles. And the finish is superficially sanded down. On the upper parts there is no colour.
Which gives it sort of a snake skin or crocodile skin effect.


(https://richboromusic.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/img_7338.jpg)
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 10, 2015, 07:00:38 AM
You couldn't leave me to my blissful ignorance could you.  Good thing those are likely rather pricey and long scale or I'd have a problem.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: gearHed289 on December 10, 2015, 08:25:30 AM
They did do a faded LP a few years ago in cherry or walnut finish, but it had the Monkey Bass style bridge. The one on Reverb is OK, but totally over-priced.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/gibson-les-paul-faded-limited-edition-flattop-bass-guitar
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Basvarken on December 10, 2015, 08:45:52 AM
That must be the one then. In that case he's only two years off.
The brass plate conceals the location of the original ABM bridge.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: uwe on December 10, 2015, 10:27:09 AM
My hunch too. That faded issue also had the pups repositioned slightly (closer to the neck) which seems more in line with the abomination that is is the unsavoury topic of this thread.

Not even a faded flat top with bad workmanship deserved a fate like this.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Pilgrim on December 10, 2015, 10:53:22 AM
It is more than just a faux snake skin fin.

It is actually carved. So you feel the ribbles. And the finish is superficially sanded down. On the upper parts there is no colour.
Which gives it sort of a snake skin or crocodile skin effect.


(https://richboromusic.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/img_7338.jpg)

As they say in the trades, "Ribbed for your pleasure..."
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Dave W on December 10, 2015, 12:22:33 PM
Wow, I had forgotten all about the flattop Faded, and I even owned one (very briefly)! That may well be what this is, considering the pickup placement and the unfilled grain. And the date, for that matter, assuming the seller is using a serial number dater.

I found my invoice in my old email file, bought it Sept. 6, 2007 from Music123 and it had been reduced from $1199 to $799 on clearance. So the 2006 date would fit.

Mine sounded fine, I remember the neck profile being comfy, it was the workmanship and finish that were awful. One of Peter Gabriel's monkeys probably could have done as well.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Rob on December 10, 2015, 05:43:43 PM
Peter Gabriel's monkeys probably could have done as well.

Maybe...... Google 100th monkey
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Nocturnal on December 10, 2015, 06:25:22 PM
Yuup, I do, and it's among the finest Gibson basses, but much too thick a body to have been used as a platform for this monstrosity (unless they shaved off huge amounts of maho material amd also the maple top of the BFG). Another possibility would be the Special Faded series from 2004 (you had one, Dave, and were so appalled about the workmanship you sent it back), that had a 4-controls-configuration too.

The Special Faded was the one I was thinking of. Pretty sure that is what this was before the "improvements".

And I would love one of those BFG basses!!!
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Dave W on December 10, 2015, 08:46:27 PM
Maybe...... Google 100th monkey

No, the Tale of Five Monkeys probably explains it better.

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result -- all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here.

And that, my friends, is how company policy begins.

Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: uwe on December 11, 2015, 06:10:07 AM
Too true.
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: Klondike on December 16, 2015, 08:26:26 AM
No, the Tale of Five Monkeys probably explains it better.

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result -- all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here.

And that, my friends, is how company policy begins.



Sorta explains Government policy too and what to do with isis. :-\
Title: Re: " lots of great improvements!"
Post by: TBird1958 on December 16, 2015, 06:42:19 PM
No, the Tale of Five Monkeys probably explains it better.

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result -- all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here.

And that, my friends, is how company policy begins.




 Sounds like working at Seattle Lighting to me!