Gibson IV Bass

[barend]

Thanks for the replies and info chaps. I should perhaps clear up the story behind the photo. It's definitely not me holding the bass. The photo was taken by a bass-playing pro photographer who can call upon various nice young ladies to make his photos look rather splendid.

too bad it ain't you  ...and the photographer did a great job...oeh la la...of course with an EB3 it would look even more splendid.

[the mojo hobo]

At the time, it was Gibson's attempt to do a Gibson interpretation of a P-bass-type shape.  It might have sold well if they had actually promoted it.

One thing that hurts it IMO is the combination of pointy headstock with a traditional F type body. If it had a 4 in line headstock it would be more acceptable to the masses. Heck, I probably would have kept the one I had that was finished in Heather Poly from the factory.

[Barklessdog]

The low price makes it a great inexpensive bass for those who want one.

[Basvarken]

Isn't it typical that nobody ever complains about other brands looking like a 7ender? But if Gibson makes a bass with a similar shape it's considered ugly or weird... (Which of course all 7ender shaped basses are. Let's be honest )

[Hutton]

I must be really weird. I like this bass a lot. I like the way it looks, sounds, and plays. There is no doubt that it is a good bass. If you don't like the look then that's ok. There are plenty other great basses without searching out the rare ones. I have been a P Bass player up until I got the IV and that's maybe why I like it. It feels so familiar and such a good compliment to my precisions. The headstock provides it with it's own character and look. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Barklessdog]

I really don't think it is offensive, just bland like a Honda- a great car/bass that does what it does well, but does not inspire or offend.

[PhilT]

I must be really weird. I like this bass a lot. I like the way it looks, sounds, and plays. There is no doubt that it is a good bass. If you don't like the look then that's ok. There are plenty other great basses without searching out the rare ones. I have been a P Bass player up until I got the IV and that's maybe why I like it. It feels so familiar and such a good compliment to my precisions. The headstock provides it with it's own character and look. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Caught in the right light I thought mine looked pretty cool, the neck with the ebony fretboard was wonderful and it sounded different, but not in a bad way. The problem I had was I couldn't get the rest of the band to accept it over my MIJ Precision. After a few months of "we prefer the Fender" looks whenever I brought the IV out, I took the hint. However, I've had the same problem with every other bass I've tried to foist on them, including 3 varieties of Jazz, an Elitist EB3 and a Spector, so I can't really blame the IV.

[n!k]

Well it's a good thing they're your bandmates and not mine. Nothing on earth sounds or looks more played-out than a P-bass and I can't say that I could be coerced to play one.

[JZumbro]

Welcome!

 I saw that post on TB, I *think* JZumbro may have this bass as well, hopefully he'll stop by and prove me right..........


 As for you!.................. 

Good memory, Mark! I do have one. I'm the one who directed him to this site (under my TB moniker "Showdown").

Here it is, I finally found a TB Plus to replace the Bart bridge pickup in the picture, so it sounds like it was intended to now:




In my new band I've been using one of my '76 Tbirds as my main bass, with this one as backup.

[Hutton]

Many thanks for directing me here JZumbro. This is obviously the right place to be for all things basswise.

[uwe]

I think IV/Vs are ugly as hell and I own three! But that doesn't make them bad basses nor a bad value for money investment. I prefer a well_sounding ugly to a bad-sounding beauty. And if you like your IV, so much the better

[Chris P.]

I prefer a bad sounding beautifull bass to a good sounding bad looker. You won't see me with a boutique bass.

Rock 'n roll is just about posing

[Dave W]

I prefer a bad sounding beautifull bass to a good sounding bad looker. You won't see me with a boutique bass.

Rock 'n roll is just about posing

Like posing with a 4005 when you're really playing a Thunderbird.

[Dave W]

I think IV/Vs are ugly as hell and I own three! But that doesn't make them bad basses nor a bad value for money investment. I prefer a well_sounding ugly to a bad-sounding beauty. And if you like your IV, so much the better

Come on, now. You have three of them. I'll bet you're just hiding your tats from us.

[Chris P.]

Like posing with a 4005 when you're really playing a Thunderbird.

Yep.