Gibson Les Paul Bass, 50 Years!

[Grog]

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.

[Basvarken]

Lovely family! They still look quite young and in shape. 

[Grog]

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.....

[Basvarken]

Here's my take on the Les Paul Bass, next to the real thing from 1969

[Grog]

Nice! Does the Decade control make any difference on a bass? Or did you bypass it?

[ajkula66]

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.

[Basvarken]

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.

[FrankieTbird]

Is the body of the early LP bass exactly the same size as the Triumph?

[Basvarken]

No, it is about 5 mm thinner.
The outline is the same.

[Grog]

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

[Basvarken]

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.

[Grog]

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”.

[Basvarken]

Thank you for measuring them up.
Guess I didn't do it properly, or my memory plays tricks on me (Alzheimer Light?)

[TBird1958]

 

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


 Official Subaru pic
 

[slinkp]

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.