The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 27, 2015, 09:29:49 AM

Title: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 27, 2015, 09:29:49 AM: This cemented it for me! After some major positive life changes, I also finally get to indulge my curiosity about Gibson's aborted stab at innovation:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid?src=3TP5DNC&&noPopup=true&src=3TP5DNC

...it's even the color I wanted most!

I finally will get to say that I have an actual Gibson to fight with my Fenders! C'mon people, we forum members have a DUTY to rescue these orphans.

Too late!!! It goes to a Schecter now. The link originally went to a white 2013 EB for $599.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 27, 2015, 10:16:13 AM: Aborted stab at innovation? This is something Schecter initially developed for Gibson or what? Je suis confüsed!!!
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 27, 2015, 10:53:15 AM: That's quite a deal. The one I bought for Uwe was $999 in 2012.

Quote from: uwe on July 27, 2015, 10:16:13 AM
Aborted stab at innovation? This is something Schecter initially developed for Gibson or what? Je suis confüsed!!!

:mrgreen: :P
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 27, 2015, 11:15:53 AM: But I've never even played, much less owned a Schecter in my life!!!

Confusion mounts.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 27, 2015, 12:22:48 PM: Quote from: uwe on July 27, 2015, 11:15:53 AM
But I've never even played, much less owned a Schecter in my life!!!

You already have a 2015 T-Bird, right? Same thing. :vader: :o ;) :mrgreen:

Ahhh Uwe, It must have sold out! The link originally went to a 2013 EB for $599.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 28, 2015, 04:41:15 AM: Now I geddit!

For the record, I think on those 2015 SG basses, the bridge overpowers the body of the bass, it's all too much. No issue on the TB, but on those little EBs it looks crowded.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 28, 2015, 07:57:44 PM: Quote from: uwe on July 28, 2015, 04:41:15 AM
Now I geddit!

For the record, I think on those 2015 SG basses, the bridge overpowers the body of the bass, it's all too much. No issue on the TB, but on those little EBs it looks crowded.

You might possibly think otherwise if you saw them side by side. I haven't, but the Babicz isn't ungainly looking and isn't angled. Although its base is slightly larger by the front point than your beloved 3-point, it looks to me like it belongs on the bass.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 29, 2015, 03:35:15 AM: I've seen one at my dealer, even had it in my hands and played it unplugged. We both agreed that it looks more like a bridge with a bass than a bass with a bridge! The bridge itself is fine though as regards functionality and looks good on larger basses.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 29, 2015, 11:43:23 AM: Fair enough.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 29, 2015, 12:19:57 PM: I paid the $5 for expedited shipping and my EB arrived today. The fit and finish are flawless, nothing like the new stuff I've seen in Guitar Center. The infamous grain telegraphing through the finish is present, but for what I paid, I don't care. Picking it up, it is also VERY obvious why it is so named: it has the light weight and feel (but not neck) of Gibson's earlier thin slab-bodied basses. The neck is satin-finished and feels very much like the profile of my Epi Les Paul Standard but slightly thinner, probably because of the satin finish vs the Epi's heavy poly. Speaking of heavy, it weighs in at about half what I am used to with ash bodied Fenders and my faux-hogany Epiphone. I had to shim the stripped strap button on the Epi and mahogany doesn't produce the pale whitish dust that came out of the hole when I removed the button. Epi says it's mahogany, but it looks and sounds like maple to me.

Soundwise, puzzlingly, the EB sounds much more like a Thunderbird than the ACTUAL 2015 Thunderbird with the same bridge and pickups. With the pull volume knobs down, it's every other Jazz Bass copy out there, but when you start playing with the taps, it REALLY comes to life with a nasty snarl and a ton of low end. The stock strings are nice: clearly new, but not clanky. The setup is probably too high for Ox fans, but it's perfect for me with plenty of room to dig in.

I'm leaving the plastic on the pickguard for now. The EB reminds me VERY much of a G&L L-2000 but with lighter weight. I don't have an L-2000, but for that price, I could score a used one and have more options with the same basic tone. Even with the Gibson name and great price, I'm going to seriously put it through its paces before I declare it a keeper. Unlike what seems to be the majority of the bass world, I LIKE heavy instruments and the light weight freaks me out a bit. I'm used to more inertia in my playing.

Where was the review thread for this one? Searching "EB bass" here is like looking up "Asian porn" on Google.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Basvarken on July 29, 2015, 02:15:23 PM: I think the Babicz is a lot better than that Hipshot monstrosity.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: slinkp on July 29, 2015, 02:32:58 PM: That sounds like quite a good deal. The lowest price I see currently is $799 US at Zzounds... Other places have them at over $1k for some reason.

I did not know they made a lefty:
http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-USA-BAEBLE5CH1-4-String-Electric/dp/B00BFN59T8/ref=sr_1_12
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 29, 2015, 08:10:03 PM: Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on July 29, 2015, 12:19:57 PM

Where was the review thread for this one? Searching "EB bass" here is like looking up "Asian porn" on Google.

Is this the thread you were looking for? http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=7624
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Basvarken on July 29, 2015, 11:42:05 PM: As if that is gonna help any. Try to find it between Deep Purple/Ritchie Blackmore, WWII aircraft, Model trains and anal sex
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Highlander on July 29, 2015, 11:43:40 PM: :mrgreen:
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 30, 2015, 03:17:36 AM: Quote from: Basvarken on July 29, 2015, 11:42:05 PM
As if that is gonna help any. Try to find it between Deep Purple/Ritchie Blackmore, WWII aircraft, Model trains and anal sex

Hey, no complaints, 'tis always been this way here!
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: leftybass on July 30, 2015, 06:11:03 AM: Quote from: slinkp on July 29, 2015, 02:32:58 PM
That sounds like quite a good deal. The lowest price I see currently is $799 US at Zzounds... Other places have them at over $1k for some reason.

I did not know they made a lefty:
http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-USA-BAEBLE5CH1-4-String-Electric/dp/B00BFN59T8/ref=sr_1_12

I love mine!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/photo18_zpsfd45034b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/iamthebassman/media/photo18_zpsfd45034b.jpg.html)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 30, 2015, 06:41:39 AM: Like mine, except that from your point of view mine is "the wrong way round". :mrgreen:

It's a pity that these have already been discontinued since - after a sluggish start - those models were beginning to make some headway. On the new Lynyrd Skynyrd double CD with everyone and his brother tributing them (and strangely: they nearly all sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd in the process too) there are even two EBs of different players featured in the inlay booklet - the Blackberry Smoke guy and someone else I didn't know. That doesn't happen too often with any Gibson bass model.

Everyone who has one or has played one seems to be happy with it. I still don't think it is much of a looker (I prefer outlandish shapes), but my brethren seem to think otherwise and let's face it: The day knock off Fender bass shapes don't sell anymore is the day the earth stands still.

Mysteries of Gibson marketing!
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: leftybass on July 30, 2015, 09:01:13 AM: My only issue with mine is the jack is mounted to the flimsy pickguard. The next year they moved the jack to the side of the bass.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 30, 2015, 09:06:20 AM: Ah, I didn't know jack about that!

Note to self:

I do absolutely not collect for jack positions!!!

Much like ~~Swedish~~ finish, they do not influence sound. Unless they are torn out with all the guts of course.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: leftybass on July 30, 2015, 10:58:05 AM: And it wouldn't be a big deal if the pickguard was sturdier.
Yeah, with the 2014 model they moved the jack.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 02:05:08 PM: Quote from: uwe on July 30, 2015, 09:06:20 AM

Note to self:

I do absolutely not collect for jack positions!!!

You should. It matters where you stick your male plug.

Quote from: Basvarken on July 29, 2015, 11:42:05 PM
As if that is gonna help any. Try to find it between Deep Purple/Ritchie Blackmore, WWII aircraft, Model trains and anal sex

I saw this posted (on a humor blog) as "Best engagement photo ever."

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/davepix/humor/engagement_zpsw1kf7apo.jpg)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Highlander on July 30, 2015, 03:05:23 PM: I've posted this before... a singer I worked with in the 80's had a habit of bursting into a tune based on no business like show business, but with the lyrics There's no entry like rear entry there's no entry I know... :o
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: slinkp on July 30, 2015, 04:39:30 PM: I have never vandalized a street sign, but this one is really tempting:
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Grog on July 30, 2015, 06:02:05 PM: Quote from: uwe on July 30, 2015, 09:06:20 AM
Note to self:
I do absolutely not collect for jack positions!!!

One would think that the Les Paul Signature bass would have been more popular. It has two points of entry for the jack. One on the front & one on the side.

(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/input-impedance-blogview_zpsf0px0sxd.png) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/Grog_03/media/input-impedance-blogview_zpsf0px0sxd.png.html)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 30, 2015, 07:09:24 PM: A wonderful cold on top of a simmering sinus infection has given me some unplanned time to spend with my new bass. Notice how I put that? Tuned up and properly tested, this sucker is pretty much exactly everything I was hoping, lack of mass aside. It will do the RHCP Wal-faux Stringray tone with ease with all the smooth growl one could ask for: front pickup in HB mode, rear in single and volumes adjusted to amount of growl needed. That tone alone is so incredibly hard to attain and then the bass has even more options on top. I have played a Wal once and heft aside, the EB reminds me of the tones of that bass so much right down to the refined complexity of the midrange growl but with just enough Gibson boom to keep its identity firmly up front. This bass sounds, out of the box, like what I wished my Epi Les Paul could do: the tone of the US-made LP standards of the 90's era while morphing to a super Stingray with ease.

It's a keeper and while I wish the ash body had been grain filled, I understand the price prohibited that. I love the cream color. It really was my first choice for colors, though in cream, it almost passes for a Mosrite. Prior, I had a couple of natural, a few bursts, and mostly green and blue basses. Cream rounds out my color wheel nicely. The neck is very clearly Gibson while still being VERY playable. Lots of second and third position notes that get lost in the mud on Fender necks bloom with harmonic complexity and authority on the EB. I also could not make the volume drop on bends no matter how hard I tried and I bend the shit out of my strings.

I am not surprised that Uwe likes this bass; its articulate growl was a quantum leap forward for Gibson. Too bad it was axed. I'll just have to get famous and make it my signature instrument. ;) I like it THAT much. I would LOVE to have one with a mahogany body and a better finish just to hear what those excellent pickups would do with it. The delicacy of the finish means that it will probably only see church gigs. I love aggravating the praise team guys with NOT having a Fender and the finish feels eggshell fragile even moreso than an aged lacquer on a 50's or 60's Fender which likes to shed as a matter of course. I'm spoiled by modern polyester. Still, that is minor and the bass' tone probably benefits from it. ;) Another niggle: Gibson case candy included neither a cable nor a strap, something that is standard with any US-made Fender. At the original pricepoint of $1299, why Gibson couldn't have included a cable and strap that would have added about a dollar to the cost of the bass is beyond me.

In conclusion, I love it. It's a keeper.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 09:04:28 PM: I'm glad it's a keeper The finish might be hardier than you think. They skimped on the steps to make it glossy but it ought to be just as durable.

I've bought two new Fenders in the past ten years, a Tele and the Rascal Bass, neither had a cable or a strap in the case candy.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 30, 2015, 10:41:42 PM: Quote from: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 09:04:28 PM
I've bought two new Fenders in the past ten years, a Tele and the Rascal Bass, neither had a cable or a strap in the case candy.

Those were both import models, Japan and Mexico respectively. MIA Fenders have straps and cables (and a saddle and trussrod wrench.) I don't want the cable, but a strap would be nice, especially since I favor cheap ones anyway. I try to keep straps on all my basses so that I can play them standing easily and the end tabs don't wear from being swapped around. I don't like strap locks. I'll hit eBay and get a strap. The 99 cent Ernie Ball extra long woven nylon straps are wonderful for me.

The Rascal is on my wishlist too, BTW.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 11:55:02 PM: Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on July 30, 2015, 10:41:42 PM
Those were both import models, Japan and Mexico respectively. MIA Fenders have straps and cables (and a saddle and trussrod wrench.) I don't want the cable, but a strap would be nice, especially since I favor cheap ones anyway. I try to keep straps on all my basses so that I can play them standing easily and the end tabs don't wear from being swapped around. I don't like strap locks. I'll hit eBay and get a strap. The 99 cent Ernie Ball extra long woven nylon straps are wonderful for me.

The Rascal is on my wishlist too, BTW.

My Tele is American. It was new in box. It didn't come with a strap or cable. It did have the polishing cloth, which the Rascal didn't have.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Basvarken on July 31, 2015, 12:33:59 AM: Quote from: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 02:05:08 PM
You should. It matters where you stick your male plug.
I saw this posted (on a humor blog) as "Best engagement photo ever."

Here's a funny one I saw last week

(https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11811500_874021252647345_7375701871670838047_n.jpg?oh=f51647fed0de4397ba1cdccd1ec4e413&oe=565BF6E6)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 31, 2015, 03:13:39 AM: Quote from: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 02:05:08 PM
You should. It matters where you stick your male plug.

Now I'm confused. Since when? Hasn't Mark been preaching to us that it doesn't in a roundabout way? Doesn't any of that trickle down on you? You're so incredibly set in your ways, Dave.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on July 31, 2015, 01:35:25 PM: Quote from: Dave W on July 30, 2015, 11:55:02 PM
My Tele is American. It was new in box. It didn't come with a strap or cable. It did have the polishing cloth, which the Rascal didn't have.

I'm stuck in bass-mode and forgot that you play Tele 6 strings. It's been a few years since I bought a new instrument, (I never thought I would ever be buying another instrument, new or used anyway) and that is one of the costs that manufacturers have saved by not including cables and straps in case candy that wasn't that way when I was still buying before. That stuff turns a hefty profit as a music store add-on. I hate having to buy something really cool, like a new bass, and then having to buy something else to use it. It's minor and since FMIC stopped including straps and cables to save a buck, you know that Gibson is working on a way to leverage the idea as a feature into some kind of upcharge for Les Paul guitars: the new Gibson Signature Les Paul Monster Cable Edition, yours for only $5k.

I got a fantastic MIA (I hope) instrument for the price and it scratches a tonal itch I never thought was possible outside of finding a used Wal in a pawnshop or music store that had no idea of its value and I am very happy with it while simultaneously feeling sad that such a good instrument never found its market. There are plenty of Gibson bass bombs whose market rejection was understandable. The EB's really isn't, but such is life. My EB is light years above the the 2015 T-Bird I tried out recently which makes me think that the failure will eventually be blamed on the new design pickups and bridge and Gibson will go back to only making TB+ for bass. A successful second bass pickup line would pave the way for true Sidewinder or Low Z remakes, but the market has spoken and the market says that Gibson is only allowed to make SG's, T-Birds, and hollowbodies all using the same pickups. Too bad.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: uwe on July 31, 2015, 05:08:35 PM: I don't think there was an issue with the pups and/or the hardware - both general modernisations of what we have come to expect of a Gibson bass. The non-descript shape did it in, most bass players that go the extra mile to seek out a Gibson bass want to be recognized as playing one from the back of the hall, that is not the case with an EB.

I agree that the EB is a fine and variable bass, but it doesn't beat a TBird in all respects. It doesn't have the latter's sweet upper register sustain. You can't fake a neck-thru characteristic.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 31, 2015, 09:49:57 PM: Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on July 31, 2015, 01:35:25 PM
...... It's minor and since FMIC stopped including straps and cables to save a buck, you know that Gibson is working on a way to leverage the idea as a feature into some kind of upcharge for Les Paul guitars: the new Gibson Signature Les Paul Monster Cable Edition, yours for only $5k.
....

Are you implying that Gibson would overcharge for a simple instrument cable? Perish the thought! (http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBCABBL?siid=169350)

And their straps (http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBASPB) are reasonably (http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBASAU) priced too (http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBASED), don't you agree (http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBASSW)?
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on July 31, 2015, 09:52:51 PM: Quote from: Basvarken on July 31, 2015, 12:33:59 AM
Here's a funny one I saw last week

(https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11811500_874021252647345_7375701871670838047_n.jpg?oh=f51647fed0de4397ba1cdccd1ec4e413&oe=565BF6E6)

I'm sure you'll tell me that this doesn't have anything to do with it. ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/davepix/humor/indebuurt.jpg)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Basvarken on August 01, 2015, 01:26:23 AM: Now tell me how you think it does Dave.
I have no idea...
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Dave W on August 01, 2015, 07:02:21 AM: Quote from: Basvarken on August 01, 2015, 01:26:23 AM
Now tell me how you think it does Dave.
I have no idea...

In the neighborhood, according to my online translator. The only question is what neighborhood.
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Pilgrim on August 01, 2015, 10:10:11 AM: Quote from: leftybass on July 30, 2015, 09:01:13 AM
My only issue with mine is the jack is mounted to the flimsy pickguard. The next year they moved the jack to the side of the bass.

Not a problem; use the strap control technique that P-bass players have for 50+ years.

And I realize I'm tempting both Uwe and Mark by using the phrase "strap control technique"... :o
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Lightyear on August 01, 2015, 11:00:09 AM: Quote from: Pilgrim on August 01, 2015, 10:10:11 AM
Not a problem; use the strap control technique that P-bass players have for 50+ years.

And I realize I'm tempting both Uwe and Mark by using the phrase "strap ON control technique"... :o

I fixed it for you so that it's more fitting of this place ;)
Title: Re: If you want one...
Post by: Highlander on August 01, 2015, 02:55:09 PM: This could go so many ways I'm not sure where to start...

Nah... no fair to shoot fish in a barrel... :mrgreen: