The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Grog on February 29, 2020, 01:39:00 PM

Title: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Grog on February 29, 2020, 01:39:00 PM
After purchasing the Les Paul Jr DC Bass, it dawned on me that the Les Paul Bass was approx 50 years old. My six examples cover quite a bit of the span, even though the time between 1974 & 2011 are missing. Until the last two models, a short scale Les Paul Bass wasn’t in production since 1979.

(https://i.imgur.com/9rqA5MC.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on February 29, 2020, 01:50:00 PM
Lovely family! They still look quite young and in shape.  :toast:
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Grog on February 29, 2020, 02:27:51 PM
My beater Hobbit gets most of the love these days. It has a slight headstock crack repair, a Badass bridge & plays great! The Jr will get some good use being the new kid in town.....
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on February 29, 2020, 02:50:06 PM
Here's my take on the Les Paul Bass, next to the real thing from 1969

(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/3369686_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/8304846_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Grog on February 29, 2020, 03:10:32 PM
Nice! Does the Decade control make any difference on a bass? Or did you bypass it?
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: ajkula66 on February 29, 2020, 09:26:30 PM
My first Gibson bass was a '69 Les Paul Bass, bought used in '83. I'd love to have it back, repaired headstock and all.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2020, 12:11:48 AM
Nice! Does the Decade control make any difference on a bass? Or did you bypass it?
Oh yes it does. Subtle steps, but it sure makes a difference.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: FrankieTbird on March 01, 2020, 11:55:34 AM
Is the body of the early LP bass exactly the same size as the Triumph?
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2020, 11:59:04 AM
No, it is about 5 mm thinner.
The outline is the same.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Grog on March 01, 2020, 01:53:49 PM
I thought that the Triumph was in between the original LP Bass & the standard Les Paul body size. If you look at them in my picture side by side, you can see it on the horn by the cutaway. The entire out line of the body was increased in size proportionally. Also, the Triumph has a body relief on the back. That helps lighten some of them a bit
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2020, 02:17:43 PM
Are you sure? I measured them back in the day when I still had the Triumph. Mine had the exact same outline. The double binding with the outer black makes it look smaller though.
The 1969 Les Paul Bass has the white (yellowed over time) binding which makes it look slightly bigger.

You’re right about the belly cut of course.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Grog on March 01, 2020, 04:33:27 PM
I wasn’t sure where I read it, so I measured them. The original Les Paul Bass was 14” wide at the widest part of the body, The Triumph measured 13.5” at the same point. So it is .25 bigger around the entire contour. (Sorry dimensions are in inch).
P.S.... A normal Les Paul body measures an even 13”.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2020, 11:51:47 PM
Thank you for measuring them up.
Guess I didn't do it properly, or my memory plays tricks on me (Alzheimer Light?)
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: TBird1958 on March 02, 2020, 10:14:17 AM
 

As I'm a recent owner of this fellow I have to say it def kicks some ass - I love it!


 Official Subaru pic
 (https://i.imgur.com/09kuuts.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: slinkp on March 02, 2020, 10:37:12 AM
Is that a 90s Standard model?
I've never played one, always was curious how the sound differs (or doesn't) from my beloved LPB1 with the black TB plus pickups.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: TBird1958 on March 02, 2020, 10:42:15 AM
Is that a 90s Standard model?
I've never played one, always was curious how the sound differs (or doesn't) from my beloved LPB1 with the black TB plus pickups.

 Mine?? No, it's an Oversize (bigger body for a big gurl!) 2014 IIRC.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Pilgrim on March 02, 2020, 10:52:06 AM
Beautiful bass, Mark!!

And as you say, t'aint o-fficial until we seez the Subaru shot.
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: clankenstein on March 02, 2020, 04:06:30 PM
Cool! How is the weight?
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: amptech on March 03, 2020, 12:16:31 AM
Cool! How is the weight?

You don't ask big girls about their weight :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: uwe on March 03, 2020, 06:28:21 AM
Mark isn't big, he's tall!
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: TBird1958 on March 03, 2020, 09:39:21 AM
Mark isn't big, he's tall!
 

 The struggle is real! I've actually taken up exercise............ I know  :puke:
At 61 a girl has to do some pretty drastic stuff to keep in shape, so 4 times a week I'm doing some pretty good Cardio and weights - the horror!
Playing that Les Paul Oversize takes a little doing, I don't know what it weighs but a Bird almost feels like a toy after I play a set with it.

Happy Thunderbird Girl.

 (https://i.imgur.com/CauR0Fq.jpg) 
Title: Re: Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!
Post by: Ken on March 03, 2020, 01:25:57 PM


As I'm a recent owner of this fellow I have to say it def kicks some ass - I love it!


 Official Subaru pic
 (https://i.imgur.com/09kuuts.jpg)
Who's the redhead hiding in your garage?