The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: stiles72 on January 02, 2015, 09:41:51 AM
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Just saw this... It's not the EB2 reissue, but I bet it sounds really nice...
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015-Memphis/ES-Les-Paul-Bass.aspx
(http://images.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015-Memphis/ES-Les-Paul-Bass/BALP15GTNH1_FINISHES_FAMILY.jpg)
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As a semi-hollow, maybe it wouldn't be as heavy as many are in that Les Paul style.
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Cool, wonder how those new pickups sound.
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Not for me, looks too crowded with the small body and F holes, short scale's not for me either. Looks like 2015 will be a quiet year for me, as far as new Gibson acquisitions go anyway ;)
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At least it's a third bass in the lineup for this year.
An updated short scale semi-hollow with classic styling. I like the looks of it.
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Oh boy........I'm really liking this one!
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Not for me, looks too crowded with the small body and F holes
+1
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Christ on a bike. $3.2K.
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Christ on a bike. $3.2K.
Haha, nice one!
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I'm not a fan of the F holes nor the price. I do, however, like the bridge ;D
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I actually kind of like it. I agree the body looks cramped and small at first glance but the longer I look the more I like it. I was horribly disappointed with the 335 when I tried it out. Maybe this one will be more impressive.
And my aching back will love it I'm sure :-\
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I like it the more I look at it. I also have a 335 and I'm very happy with it.
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Looks like it comes with D'Ad Chrome Flatwounds
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Got the boys at HOG looking into it for me. I agree the f-holes are a bit large. You'd think they could do a new hole template rather than use stuff off the shelf from the ES line. But, it is Gibson, so no surprise there. Frankly ,I'm stunned it has a short scale neck!
I still think they should consider a reissue of the Triumph with a lighter chambered body (that's the only improvement I'd suggest). They did the guitar already, how hard could the bass be?
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I kinda like it, but I think I would like a version without "F" holes..........
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Who could afford to gig something that cost that much money...nobody who actually plays
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I kinda like it, but I think I would like a version without "F" holes..........
With the reissue of the Les Paul Recording guitar I figured a shortscale Les Paul Bass wouldn't be too far fetched.
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Who could afford to gig something that cost that much money...nobody who actually plays
Very few whose primary income comes from playing could afford to. I'm sure there are a few who don't rely on gig income to live who would buy it.
Considering the huge price increases in the guitar line this year, I think collectors must be Gibson's target market now.
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I gig pretty steadily, but make about the same money I made 30 years ago...I'm a CPA, gigging is certainly not my primary income. I treat gigging as a business, though, with any gear that I buy being financed by the proceeds of gigging. "Personal" money does not enter into it.
The $3200 that bass costs is more like 2/3 of a year's musical hard work for me. I could never justify it.
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Yes, it's expensive but it's not as bad as the current $6,600 Les Paul Supreme guitar. Maybe Gibson is figuring if they can get guitards to spend up to and over 6k for a LP guitar, it's not unreasonable for bassists to get used to the idea of spending over 3k for a bass. If I had the bread, I'd pick up one of these new Memphis LP basses over any highfalutin kind of Fodera, Alembic or Ken Smith.
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Looking at what a LP-12 cost, with 1969 money, this is cheap!
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I still think they should consider a reissue of the Triumph with a lighter chambered body (that's the only improvement I'd suggest). They did the guitar already, how hard could the bass be?
Yeah, and they couldn't have F@*%ed up that "true to Les' specifications" "reissue" more if they tried.
An actual proper reissue would be priced well beyond the reach of most players, the geetar one was like, what, 6K? ... and that was with them skimping on the pups (but paradoxically, going whole hog on the transformer, a glorified built in DI). The original had no expense spared for the pups and the transformer was a $5 cheapie afterthought (vs a $70 Jensen). Get the balance right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1_9WYllhiQ
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Who could afford to gig something that cost that much money...nobody who actually plays
It's a big country, lots of pro bassists could afford it as well as Gibson fanatics. I do agree it's overpriced but few dealers will sell it at that price IMO.
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Very few whose primary income comes from playing could afford to. I'm sure there are a few who don't rely on gig income to live who would buy it.
Considering the huge price increases in the guitar line this year, I think collectors must be Gibson's target market now.
I agree. If they only make 400 like other recent basses, they are catering to collectors.
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Love the styling.
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Seems like I remember a Triumph going for $800-900 bucks in the day.
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Seems like I remember a Triumph going for $800-900 bucks in the day.
And a cheeseburger for 69 cents.
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I got my white one (faded to pee pee yellow) used 7ish years ago for $800. Worked perfectly; some finish mojo (more now). That was a steal at the time (thanks George for letting me have that one; she has been well-loved.... though she was on my turf ;P).
A week after that a mint white one went for 4K on ebay. I felt awesome about the whole thing, but to be fair a few white ones have come up since and I don't think any went for much, if at all, over 2K, which seems about right considering the price the natural ones go for.
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Yes, it's expensive but it's not as bad as the current $6,600 Les Paul Supreme guitar. Maybe Gibson is figuring if they can get guitards to spend up to and over 6k for a LP guitar, it's not unreasonable for bassists to get used to the idea of spending over 3k for a bass.
I think it's pretty relative. If I were a touring bassist who played 3-5 nights a week, then a $3K bass would make some sense. But there's a reason that Fender sells so many MIM and Squier basses...those are affordable and accessible to the vast majority of bass players, who are involved in music as an avocation or hobby. For those folks, unless they're a successful lawyer or doctor by day so they have a (presumably) six-figure income, I can't see spending the money. I can't see any justification for spending that much when there are so many good instruments for a third of the price.
For me, spending more than $1000 on the Gretsch Thunderjet was probably a once-in-a-lifetime bass purchase, and I'm not a minimum wage worker by a long shot.
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I paid UK list for my RD in '79. I dread to think what that would be today. Took a loan out to buy her and paid it off over the next 9 months. Most I've ever paid for anything outside of family costs...
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I think it's pretty relative. If I were a touring bassist who played 3-5 nights a week, then a $3K bass would make some sense. But there's a reason that Fender sells so many MIM and Squier basses...those are affordable and accessible to the vast majority of bass players, who are involved in music as an avocation or hobby. For those folks, unless they're a successful lawyer or doctor by day so they have a (presumably) six-figure income, I can't see spending the money. I can't see any justification for spending that much when there are so many good instruments for a third of the price.
.....
Reminds me of this little known Bottle Rockets track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXAOHCzihWM
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For me, spending more than $1000 on the Gretsch Thunderjet was probably a once-in-a-lifetime bass purchase, and I'm not a minimum wage worker by a long shot.
Funny you should mention the TJ bass. I think those are overpriced for a new one and this Gibson ES LP leads it by a mile. I checked on the selling price and it's even a bit rich for my tastes. I'm selling and buying all the time, but I'd have to give up something significant to hook one of these. I'm not so sure it would be worth it. Heck, it costs more than the custom Hofner Club I had built a few years ago. Geez!
In fact, think I'd rather spend $800- 1000 less and get a new Gretsch Broadkaster.
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I talked to the HOG sales guy and he told me that there would be a limited number of these available and they are not in stock yet. He did say that they have been selling the ES LP guitars and the folks buying those Memphis-made instruments are crazy about them. Seems the build, finish and tonal qualities are excellent based on owner feedback.
I'd love to get one to play but the new Gibson policy is any guitar or bass the store gets, they are stuck with. They are a little shy about a bass this expensive and worry about being able to sell it. If I ask for one, it's mine no matter what. Not a good scenario. That's a lot of bucks for a bass I haven't seen or played.
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I do collect for holes. Mark has opened my perspective.
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I do collect for holes. Mark has opened my perspective.
;)
You're welcome!
BTW I should be getting your sparkly cutie off to you next week - would have sooner but between Christmas at the Post Office, the band being somewhat busy and work it had to wait.
Have you arranged for the new 'Bird and this lovely?
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It's at the shop, haven't gotten round to picking it up yet!
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I wasn't thrilled with the 335 either. I liked the feel and construction, but the pickups just sounded way too bright and mid rangey- quite different than they sounded in the OS Les Paul. I actually like the Midtown much better. This being a short scale, hollow body, with a neck pickup should sound superb. Does look a little cluttered but could be worse.
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I like the position of the neck pup too - ram it all the way up until the little f...er booms!
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It's not a neck pup if it ain't :P
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SO, just out of curiosity, which of the two finishes would you prefer on one of these?
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Normally I don't like sunburst finishes, especially tobacco sunburst finishes...but in this case I think the burst a lot better with the body style.
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SO, just out of curiosity, which of the two finishes would you prefer on one of these?
No particular taste for gold in any shape or form. Sunburst is kind of boring (women never seem to like it), but also a classic. I think this one has turned out nice.
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Yeah, I like the look of the burst. I think this one is particularly nice. I think my 335 burst from the Memphis factory is really well done too. the short scale and hollow body are right up my alley.
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Saw this today for those interested...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm-0bY0GhjQ
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Maybe Gibson figures that anybody who is tight on money has a million other choices in the affordable instruments market, so they might as well charge a premium just for being Gibson. It might be a sensible business decision, though it might leave a lot of Gibson fans out in the cold.
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When he flips it, I noticed it has a flat top (and back), like the Midtown. That's a turnoff. Otherwise, real nice.
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When he flips it, I noticed it has a flat top (and back), like the Midtown. That's a turnoff. Otherwise, real nice.
I think a curved top would be nicer, too. But I can live with a flat top if that's all there is. Although, I do know they have the steam presses at Memphis to do curved tops like on the 335 bass. Be interesting to see what they do when in production.
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Found out today that the ES LP bass should be out by mid-May. Saw one of the ES LP guitars and they are beautiful and sound really different, and cool, with the hollow body. And light, compared to the typical LP guitar. I really liked the look and feel of it.
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When he flips it, I noticed it has a flat top (and back), like the Midtown. That's a turnoff.
Yyyyyyep.
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Yyyyyyep.
That might be true on a prototype. however, I'm betting the actual ES bass models will have the same curved tops as the 335 basses they made in Memphis. All of the flat top models, like the Midtowns, were made in Nashville. The process in Memphis, as far as I could see, is focused on curved top guitars and basses. I watched their giant steam boxes and presses making the curved tops for 335 guitars when I toured the plant and it was impressive to see. If it has a flat top, I'll be surprised. BTW, I'm pretty sure the ES LP guitar I saw yesterday had a curved top. Hard to say for sure with chemo brain! :P
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Just checked with Curt at the HOG, the geetard version has an arched top. So..............maybe the bass will too. ;D
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I sure don't see what you guys are seeing. It doesn't have a flat top. In the video you can tell by the light reflecting off the top, and the rep says it's the same body as the ES-Les Paul, which definitely has an arched top.
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I didn't say I thought it did; just seconding that it would be a turnoff. That's some European ho style shit IMHO (I mean, they do have the tooling, right). It's the main reason I have zero interest in the Midtown.
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This coming from the Memphis plant, I'd be surprised if it didn't feature an arch top. On an upmarket hollowbody LP body bass, a flat top would be self-defeating.
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It's gotta be an arched top.
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A - very slightly - arched top it is, you have to squint your eyes to see it!
I got mine on Friday. It sounds nice, is flawlessly made (as you might expect from a EUR 2.800 instrument, a king's ransom) and looks almost too pretty and petite - the kind of bass where you are gonna be deeply distraught about the first scratch. Comes with flatwounds (which have a nice click to them on it) - Gibson hasn't done that in a long time. I'll post better pics in due course. The sunburst is the best one I have yet witnessed on a Gibson bass (doesn't really come across in the pic, but the luster is real deep without being glossy-cheap).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/Gibson%201_zpsbgjrift8.jpg)
Lightweight tuners to make it balance better - they obviously put some thought into it. Has a sustain block, but not of the size to totally deaden it. It's extremely light, pleasantly resonant and has - for lack of a better word - a beautiful tone, mellow but not in any way dull, Jazz Bassish even. Have to hear on Thurs at the rehearsal how it acquits itself in a band setting.
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Have to hear on Thurs at the rehearsal how it acquits itself in a band setting.
Well?
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It had a trial by
fire sweat! One of the few - if any - benefits of old age with me is that I hardly ever sweat playing bass anymore (unlike my son who emits some alien monster type acid which turns any finish flat pronto!), but on Sunday we had 104°F and we were pouring sweat collectively in the rehearsal space, the bass was wet with sweat dripping from its top and neck.
I can solemnly confirm that the finish witheld (up to now) and that - surprise - the ES Les Paul sounds more like a Höfner 500/1 than an EB-2 (with which it shares scale, maho neck, laminated maple body and sustain block) or its Memphis long scale sibling ES-335 bass. It has a nice musical plonk, but one with sustain. I plonks first and then carries the note a while. It's not an agressively assertive sound that you will be able to use in your Stranglers tribute band,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoIclrvsPQ
but it's no shrinking violet either, it gets itself heard in a musical way (even the bridge pup on its own sounds nice and full). They should give one to Macca, he would love the tone and it would look better on him than on me, the bass is just too petite -like a miniature prop almost - for me to wield it like the axes I'm used to, but I thorougly enjoyed playing it. It has its place among the top hollow-body basses Gibson ever made, i.e. LP Signature and EB-650, but stands out for its short scale (crucify me, EB-2 lovers, but your bass is not in that pantheon for me!).
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Does the world really need another non-Höfner that sounds a lot like a Höfner?
Still, props to Gibson for issuing it.
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The bass is absolutely unnecessary, I agree, but given how it's a ltd. ed. with hardly any advertising behind it, it is more of a collectors' piece for the selected few anyway. Most will probably end up with guitarists that have some type of ES/Gibson Memphis hollow-body attachment. It sure almost looks like a guitar sizewise.
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Thanks for the review. I don't need another Hofner, I've got a beauty already. This one is nice looking but I'm not paying confiscatory prices any more for new Gibsons. Just not my mindset right now.
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... but given how it's a ltd. ed. with hardly any advertising behind it, it is more of a collectors' piece for the selected few anyway...
Can't see why you would want one really... ;)
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Can't see why you would want one really... ;)
Nice tease Kenny! But I'm thinking about building my own anyway. 8)
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Nice tease Kenny! But I'm thinking about building my own anyway. 8)
As soon as you get done with the BillyBo. :mrgreen:
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I'd rise to this but Biblical level karmic-backlash may take place, considering what's lurking in the shed... :mrgreen:
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Ah, the haunting Billy Bo. I just might dust that off and finish it just to irritate you guys!
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Ah, the haunting Billy Bo. I just might dust that off and finish it just to irritate you guys!
Neener, neener...we're waiting. ;)
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Got one at home now. Our sister magazine ordered it for a review. Curious!
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Poor thing - now in the hands of a Warwick minion ...
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:mrgreen:
At the moment I have more Höfners than Warwicks, so I should change my name here :)
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Chris, you are a most despicable brand floozy. :-\
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Yeah.... need more Gibsons;)
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Brand floozy, I like that! :mrgreen:
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I think I'm either a Gretsch Floozy or a Gretsch Wretch.
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Brand floozy, I like that! :mrgreen:
I sleep with other women, but in my mind I'm always faithful to my Gibsons. All +100 of them. :mrgreen:
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Does that make my parts bass Frankenhooker (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099611/)?
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Does that make my parts bass Frankenhooker (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099611/)?
How did that ever get overlooked by the Oscar selection committee?
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Head and shoulders above the competition... should have it sewn up...! :mrgreen:
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How did that ever get overlooked by the Oscar selection committee?
I know cinematic art when I see it.
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I had forgotten about that movie!! Guess I am going to make some time to watch that classic piece of cinema :mrgreen: