The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Dave W on February 16, 2015, 06:38:09 PM

Title: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Dave W on February 16, 2015, 06:38:09 PM
You should be able to view this page even if you're not on Facebook: Oddball Gibsons 1973-1983 And Beyond (https://www.facebook.com/OddballGibsons19731983)

Mostly guitars, but some basses too, including a link to a Gibson electric bass from the late '30s (https://www.facebook.com/NationalMusicMuseumUSA/photos/a.430913520319337.1073741826.113424355401590/648712221872798/?type=1) -- have we seen this one before?

Some oddball styles, some prototypes including a '54 Junior prototype with a solid maple body, and some players not usually associated with gibson.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Grog on February 16, 2015, 07:43:53 PM
Odd????? They all look normal to me...........  :P :P :P :P
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: chromium on February 16, 2015, 08:30:10 PM
Cool stuff!

I like this tenor guitar... video of which was buried in the comments on a LP-jr-style tenor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-LiS9SDcys#t=28
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Basvarken on February 17, 2015, 12:14:27 AM

Mostly guitars, but some basses too, including a link to a Gibson electric bass from the late '30s (https://www.facebook.com/NationalMusicMuseumUSA/photos/a.430913520319337.1073741826.113424355401590/648712221872798/?type=1) -- have we seen this one before?


Yes we've discussed this bass before.
I've been trying to get in touch with the museum for high resolution pics (for the Gibson Bass book). But they've never replied.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Granny Gremlin on February 17, 2015, 11:45:58 AM
This looks interesting - LP Personal Prototype (mislabelled as LP Custom prototype):

https://www.facebook.com/OddballGibsons19731983/photos/a.133021273534443.26338.132999666869937/393537110816190/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-xpf1%2Ft31.0-8%2F10924175_393537110816190_2341278723980583953_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-xfa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F10930863_393537110816190_2341278723980583953_n.jpg%3Foh%3Dd032a64495d77368b839b774ade2396b%26oe%3D555205E4&size=1000%2C750&fbid=393537110816190

ETA: LOL, some of those are hos, not even real Gibsons.  Most of the rest are merely aftermarket customizations.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Rob on February 17, 2015, 12:57:47 PM
Yes we've discussed this bass before.
I've been trying to get in touch with the museum for high resolution pics (for the Gibson Bass book). But they've never replied.

That's the big Momma with an end pin isn't it?
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: uwe on February 17, 2015, 01:13:31 PM
It's even got Ritchie in it!!! A good link then, doubleplusgood.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Aussie Mark on February 17, 2015, 03:13:25 PM
It ain't oddball unless it's a reverse flying vee.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Dave W on February 17, 2015, 06:24:37 PM
...

ETA: LOL, some of those are hos, not even real Gibsons.  Most of the rest are merely aftermarket customizations.

They don't claim all of these are factory short runs and custom orders, although many of them are. Even so, they still consider the ones that are customized to be oddball Gibsons. I agree.

Cool stuff!

I like this tenor guitar... video of which was buried in the comments on a LP-jr-style tenor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-LiS9SDcys#t=28

I hadn't seen that one before, but Neko Case has an SG Tenor with a conventional headstock, P-90s and a Maestro vibrola. She bought it from Elderly: http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/80U-1773.htm She tunes it like the lower four strings of a guitar, and the one in the video sounds like it is too. Conventional tenor tuning is in fifths.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: amptech on February 18, 2015, 01:46:48 AM
I have this 'SG history' book from late 80's- early 90's. The tenor SG is featured in the book, a 1962 model with normal headstock (2+2).
It is described in the book as the only one made, but maybe they mean only one made in 1962.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Grog on February 18, 2015, 07:53:48 AM
Dave Rogers has a SG Jr Tenor in his colection............

http://davesguitar.com/collection/sg-junior-tenor-66/
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: gearHed289 on February 18, 2015, 09:53:06 AM
That thing sounds great.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Highlander on February 18, 2015, 04:17:54 PM
Nice pic of Chris Squire playing an NR T'Bird, but they are inferring it's pre Yes...? He doesn't look that young to me in the pic...?
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: Denis on February 19, 2015, 05:59:41 AM
If I remember correctly, I read someone that Squire used that NR for a short time while playing with Yes. Not sure if it was a temporary replacement if his Ric was out of action or just a different bass to fit a specific song or series of songs.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: amptech on February 19, 2015, 06:36:54 AM
I remember his tech said in an interview that squire used to strip down his rick and paint it or cover it with foil or whatever. So he used other instruments from time to time.

He also explained that the special tone this ricky´s got, was because the finish/wood was so damaged by squires tinkering that the whole instrument was sanded/planed a couple of times - so the body is very thin.
Title: Re: Oddball Gibsons
Post by: gearHed289 on February 19, 2015, 09:19:55 AM
Squire played the NR on Tormato and Drama for sure. Maybe elsewhere... Fish Out of Water? He typically uses at least 3-4 different basses in concert, including the Ric. The last time the Ric was stripped, before the cream finish, the guy in Soho doing the work shaved the top a little bit to get all the contact paper and flower stickers or whatever off of it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/convair/yestbird-2.jpg)