The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Chris P. on August 25, 2016, 11:38:21 PM
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I can't post a pic yet, but Basvarken and Uwe have seen it too. Around this week Gibson will announce a new bass in 4 and 5 string.It's a set neck Tobias kinda bass with two DeCola humbuckers and, as said, with the 'modern' Tobias looks. It's available in natural and sunburst and the retail price in Europwe will be around 900 euros.
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I think it looks a lot like a modern Epi Embassy.
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In a sense that the Embassy tried to look modern for its time and this new model does as well. The usual traditional suspects here will be aghast, I'm looking forward to our discussion!
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Rob, do you mean the more recent Embassy (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/epiphone-embassy-standard-iv-4-string-bass)?
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Yes. That's the one I meant. I wrote modern because I didn't want to confuse it with the old Embassy, the ones from the sixties with the batwing headstock. ;-)
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That's what I thought. Uwe seemed to be thinking of the 60s Embassy, maybe he's not aware of the newer model with the Embassy name.
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I am, but the new Gibson is not nearly as ugly as that!
Thinking about it, it has a bit of the Q-80/90's angular'ness of an otherwise rather traditional shape. Kind of bass that will look good on someone tall. I don't think its a disaster at all, actually prefer it to the EB(-13)s of a few years ago, it's their elongated, sleeker sibling, not as stunted in look.
I'm also faintly reminded of my Status Shark (now don't wet your panties about the chrome pup, the Gibson won't have one!).
(http://www.statii.com/status_cats/reviews/32/shark_guitarist_feb_1996_1.jpg)
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Watch this:
http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass.aspx?ModelYear=2017
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Okay here we go:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/gibson-new-eb-bass-5-string-t-2017-electric-bass
(http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/New-EB-Bass-5-String-T-2017-Electric-Bass-Natural-Satin/J44982000001000-00-500x500.jpg)
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And here, for the 4-string: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/gibson-2017-eb-bass-t
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You know, it's not my bag, but I dig that they're doing it. I think this is something they need in their bass line up, instead of mucking about with the established designs of say the Thunderbird as they did in 2015. It's different, but has some distinct Gibson features (thunderbird headstock), and has a pretty nice price point ($999 for the 4 string version). Good for them for trying something different in the bass department. Now just release a properly spec'd Thunderbird or EB-2 or something to make both sides of the equation (those who want modern, and those who want reissue).
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Nice looking burst. The ash grain is telegraphing through the satin black on the back. This doesn't look like a neck diver but I'm sure the Fender crowd will find reasons to pick on it.
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Oh yes they do. Talkbass is already slashing it. People over there seem to be sure it looks like a G&L :o :mrgreen:
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Looks more like a Carvin than a G&L to me. Either way its not really my bag, And not really sure what to make of the TB NR headstock on it.
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I actually think the head fits in pretty cohesively. I dislike pretty much all "elongated skinny upper horn" b bodies, but I like the sunburst one. And I'm glad they're doing it, though pessimistic as ever that Gibson has any idea how to get people to buy a new bass design.
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Looks fine to me and I like the 4-in-line headstock. IMHO it won't be mistaken for a Carvin or a G&L.
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It looks a bit generic. There are various off-brand also-ran basses on Ebay that look like that.
Case in point: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOUNDSATION-SNB600-N-Electric-bass-with-2-humbuckers-/151828212863?hash=item2359aaac7f:g:llYAAOSwuMFUbgu6 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOUNDSATION-SNB600-N-Electric-bass-with-2-humbuckers-/151828212863?hash=item2359aaac7f:g:llYAAOSwuMFUbgu6)
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Eh, if I want a well balanced ash bass with an inline headstock, I'll buy a Jazz Bass. Wait, I already have one! (not ash though)
+1 on the Carvin/generic look.
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Whatever Gibson does, it never pleases anyone. 8) It's another attempt at cracking the market of the not-already-converted.
Double-octave necks are always a good thing! :mrgreen:
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Whatever Gibson does, it never pleases anyone. 8) It's another attempt at cracking the market of the not-already-converted.
Double-octave necks are always a good thing! :mrgreen:
Right. Gibson tried an unconventional look for the EB (13) Bass and it didn't sell well enough for them. Now Gibson is coming out with a more conventional looking version of the same essential bass, with a headstock that works well with the extended upper horn and should be identifiable to any Gibson bass fan, and it's already being blasted as too generic looking.
The world doesn't need more J and P clones.
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Amen!
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Oh yes they do. Talkbass is already slashing it. People over there seem to be sure it looks like a G&L :o :mrgreen:
The pack has spoken- all that can save it now is a tort guard and an old set of flats.
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I like it.
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Another point to consider: at $999 MAP (for the 4-string) it's noticeably less expensive than the lowest priced USA Fender, USA G&L, Ric or Musicman basses. Yes, it has a matte finish and the others are gloss, but it's a Gibson at a great price.
It's even less expensive than pricing out a Carvin LB-70 with swamp ash, And that Carvin on the headstock means poor resale value.
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Good point Dave.
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Some imbecile has posted a 1-star review of the new 4-string EB at MF because MF's description doesn't match the photo. I reported it since it's not a product review.
Wonder if it's from one of the TB Gibson haters or just some random lobotomy patient.
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Another point to consider: at $999 MAP (for the 4-string) it's noticeably less expensive than the lowest priced USA Fender, USA G&L, Ric or Musicman basses. Yes, it has a matte finish and the others are gloss, but it's a Gibson at a great price.
It doesn't really appeal to me but I totally agree with this, and the one thing I do like is the headstock. :mrgreen:
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To keep the cost lower, they are only offering it in a Gig Bag. I've never been a big Gig Bag fan. My 2014 came in a nice rectangular hard-shell case.
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Did Gibson ever sell off the Tobias name? I know squat about Tobias but just realized how similar the shape is to the new EB. Guess thats what the T stands for?
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I don't hate it but there is nothing iconic looking about it. It looks like an amalgamation of many modern basses that, frankly, have little market share. Even at 1K, I think this will be another failed Gibson experiment with no resale value.
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Did Gibson ever sell off the Tobias name? I know squat about Tobias but just realized how similar the shape is to the new EB. Guess thats what the T stands for?
The T stands for Traditional (no G-Force or zero fret nut)
Gibson still makes Tobias, in China, in the Epiphone factory. You'll find them on Epiphone's site, like this one (http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Toby-Deluxe-IV.aspx). IMHO the new Gibson EB doesn't look much like a Tobias.
I don't hate it but there is nothing iconic looking about it. It looks like an amalgamation of many modern basses that, frankly, have little market share. Even at 1K, I think this will be another failed Gibson experiment with no resale value.
Gibson on the headstock will be iconic enough for some Gibson fans.
Gibson has failed using shapes that are different than the usual, they can hardly do worse with a shape like this. But unless they promote it, it will probably go the way of other failed models.
I haven't noticed Gibson basses having poorer than average resale value. Harder to sell than more popular brands, true, and most vintage models don't bring as much as vintage Fenders, but aside from Rickenbacker, the bass resale market isn't all that good for anyone.
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Looks like a circumcised Cort Curbow. Yuck. :puke:
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...Gibson on the headstock will be iconic enough for some Gibson fans Uwe...
;)
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Got to admit- the juices are not flowing. :bored:
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I bet it sounds good, and balances nicely, but it looks like someone cut (or butchered!) a Tbird's wings and glued something more mainstream/boring in their place. What do you call a bird without wings? :P
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T-Bomb?
It's not any less Gibson than the Victory basses were - and I always liked the look of those, long before I collected Gibson basses.
Almost all traditional Gibson bass body shapes are guitar shape rip-offs with the Ripper/Grabber/G-3 shape being a noteworthy exception, but that was always a divisive look too. It took a long time for me to grow on - I thought it incredibly clumsy at first.
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IMHO Victory was much more balanced (oh, look, theres a pun :P ) visually, sorry but that super extended upper horn on a Gibson just screams "I try too much to be modern but I look goofy instead". The previous EB model was much more interesting.
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.....The previous EB model was much more interesting.
Just about everyone here who has one of the previous model likes it just fine. But the look wasn't interesting enough to enough prospective buyers for Gibson to continue producing it.
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"Prospective buyers for Gibson (basses)" are much like the legendary Bigfoot - elusive!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/10jOyd7c2iGv1S/giphy.gif)
I don't really exist either.
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Maybe thats your second chance to get a modern-looking Gibson Uwe! :P
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There's now a 4 and a 5 at my local BestBuy here in Nova Scotia, but I didn't think they were worth asking for assistance to give a test drive.
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Wait, since when did BestBuy start to instruments/become a hock shop as the case may be?
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Wait, since when did BestBuy start to instruments/become a hock shop as the case may be?
US BestBuy stores were carrying a full line back about 10 years ago. Closed them out in most stores about 5 years later. You can still order from a small selection online.
I want this one (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/warwick-artist-series-bootsy-collins-4-string-full-size-electric-bass-guitar-black-star/4964466.p?skuId=4964466) but it's sold out. :mrgreen:
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Dave, a man your handsome age ... I'd worry about thumb arthritis with that thing, better not ... :-X
(http://handtoelbow.com/images/photos/x-ray-of-thumb-mp-joint.jpg)
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Dave, a man your handsome age ... I'd worry about thumb arthritis with that thing, better not ... :-X
I wouldn't be thumbing any bass.
It's actually a decent body shape, especially for a Warwick.
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He actually plays it too, but then most Warwick endorsers play their stuff. Jack Bruce during the Cream reunion was an exception from the rule though he played his signature thumb quite a bit too - but never the Jack Bruce model with the mock SG look.