The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Barklessdog on May 13, 2009, 03:44:21 PM

Title: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Barklessdog on May 13, 2009, 03:44:21 PM
Does not say if he put the contours in when he did the paint, which is nice (needs chrome)

http://cgi.ebay.com/1993-Gibson-les-Paul-Bass-Studio-CUSTOM-PAINT_W0QQitemZ180356547557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item29fe1683e5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50

Not quite a Flat Top or a standard?
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: uwe on May 13, 2009, 03:46:43 PM
Does look more elegant than the slab originals and more modernistic (think Bongo!) than a carved top Standard. Ich mag es.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Dark Storm on May 13, 2009, 03:54:41 PM
Woah, sweet bass. :o
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Dave W on May 13, 2009, 04:38:12 PM
There was no Studio, could be a Special (the all mahogany lowest priced model) or Deluxe that was contoured. Barts were stock on the Deluxe, but they had mounting rings. These don't, so I'm guessing this is a Special with TB Plus and the Bart preamp.

Looks like a nice paint job but I don't care for that color.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: uwe on May 13, 2009, 04:55:33 PM
Only the standards were contoured, the DeLuxe were flat top too, they just had a maple top.

Special - all maho slab body
Deluxe - maho body with maple top slab body
Standard - maho body with carved maple top

People unwittingly mistake the Special's electronics (TB Plus soaps with Bart TCT active circuit) all the time with the Deluxe's electronics (guitar-size Bart humbuckers with "Bartolini" embossed on them plus the same Bart TCT active circuit). And the Standard had TB Plus pups again, but in the chrome guitar size humbucker guise, plus the unavoidable Bart TCT active circuit. Until 1997 or so when they turned the Standard line passive and faded the Special line out (the Deluxe line had already departed by then).
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Dave W on May 13, 2009, 04:57:46 PM
I'm saying this was not a factory contour. Sure doesn't look like one.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: uwe on May 13, 2009, 05:01:43 PM
Oh yes, definitely no factory contour, but the seller isn't stating that either.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Freuds_Cat on May 13, 2009, 06:09:42 PM
Be interesting to hear it but that colour is not doing anything for me.

Although the comment  "The paint that is on this bass is used on multi-million dollar sport yachts." did make me feel better about it, especially when I got to see a real Yacht with that paint on it.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: SKATE RAT on May 13, 2009, 07:06:58 PM
Only the standards were contoured, the DeLuxe were flat top too, they just had a maple top.

Special - all maho slab body
Deluxe - maho body with maple top slab body
Standard - maho body with carved maple top

People unwittingly mistake the Special's electronics (TB Plus soaps with Bart TCT active circuit) all the time with the Deluxe's electronics (guitar-size Bart humbuckers with "Bartolini" embossed on them plus the same Bart TCT active circuit). And the Standard had TB Plus pups again, but in the chrome guitar size humbucker guise, plus the unavoidable Bart TCT active circuit. Until 1997 or so when they turned the Standard line passive and faded the Special line out (the Deluxe line had already departed by then).
my Special is passive. TB's and 3 knobs in a row.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Nocturnal on May 13, 2009, 08:38:03 PM
Yeah, but there was another version of the Special with the TB's and 4 knobs. Don't think it had the Bart preamp tho.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Dave W on May 13, 2009, 09:34:34 PM
The 92 Specials were passive with 3 knobs. Starting sometime in 93 they switched to the Bartolini TCT preamp and 4 knobs (volume, treble, bass, blend).

The Deluxe models had the same preamp but with Bart pickups instead of TB Plus.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 13, 2009, 10:38:59 PM
I love the conrours and the colour! I love copper Les Paul guitars too and this one's great. A bit orange, our Dutch national colour!
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: uwe on May 13, 2009, 10:50:55 PM
Oooops, I forgot the first version of the Specials before the dreaded TCT electronics invaded its innocent entrails! Those early Specials are actually more desireable.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: doombass on May 14, 2009, 01:34:51 AM
Oooops, I forgot the first version of the Specials before the dreaded TCT electronics invaded its innocent entrails! Those early Specials are actually more desireable.

They also have the bigger more traditional headstock shape with flaming cup inlay.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Barklessdog on May 14, 2009, 04:41:47 AM
You mean Ice Cream Cup!
 ;)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/DSC04815.jpg)
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Barklessdog on May 14, 2009, 04:43:03 AM
Jules really needs to document all this as it's pretty confusing and a lot of variations.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: uwe on May 14, 2009, 04:52:44 AM
Jules doesn't do nineties basses unless they are remakes of vintage stuff, hence his blatant omission of the legendary 20/20!!!
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: gearHed289 on May 14, 2009, 07:50:07 AM
I e-mailed the seller asking if the yacht was included in the auction.  ;) OK, maybe I didn't....

The contours aren't working for me at all. Looks like a Yamaha.
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 14, 2009, 07:53:55 AM
I know which Yamahas you mean and I like 'm too :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: Highlander on May 14, 2009, 04:04:09 PM
Where can I get a can...?
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: pamlicojack on May 14, 2009, 07:31:45 PM
I'd own it. 

I can't play with binding on a bass anymore as they make my forearms numb...
Title: Re: Strange contoured LP bass
Post by: SKATE RAT on May 14, 2009, 08:41:59 PM
i think he means those Yamaha's that the dude from King's X plays.