The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: veebass on August 26, 2016, 09:08:15 PM
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This morning I went to pick up two GK Neo 212ii cabinets that I won yesterday on eBay (very pleased with the price on them BTW).
Started chatting. The guy was selling them because he stopped playing a few years back. I asked if he had sold his basses and he said he still had one he wanted to sell. He said it was a Les Paul Double Cut but he hadn't serviced it is several years. He brought it out and asked what I thought it was worth. I said hard to say. He suggested a figure which I just couldn't believe. So she came home with me.
2006 Les Paul Double Cut in Black Cherry, I believe.
Neck is great, straight as an arrow, balances pretty well because of the pin position in the upper bout, no breaks, frets perfect,TB+ (Les Paul versions) clear and strong. pots quiet, output jack dodgy, a little surface rust on the saddles, strings rusted, a few scratches but nothing dreadful.
I had often wanted a LP Bass for the sound and the looks, but never bought one because of the weight and balance issues (the ones I had played even worried me and I am happy to gig 11 lb basses if they are balanced :lol: ).
Amazing part 4.2K- 9.25lbs and balances well!
Here she is a bit grotty, but I will clean her up and service her. I will post some more then.
These pics DO NOT do justice to the maple cap- it is more cherry red and the flame is quite striking.
So what can you guys tell me about these basses?- I believe they are different in some way to the LP Money Basses.
(http://i68.tinypic.com/20tqgxj.jpg)
(http://i65.tinypic.com/6hm654.jpg)
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2nbxf8x.jpg)
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Congrats! There's really no difference except for the finishes, the original Doublecut was a 2006 model in the Guitar of the Week program, likewise with the Money is 2007. Both were to be issues of 400. Some of both were maple over mahogany, some of both had a walnut "tone plate" sandwiched in between. Apparently the Double Cut didn't sell its 400 in a year so some were still being made after the Money came out. IIRC the Money only came in natural satin and blue finishes, and of course the tacky $ TRC. There was an earlier discussion about this, I'll try to locate it.
Edit: here's one of the discussions, too bad the pics are gone. http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=8480.0
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Congrats! There's really no difference except for the finishes, the original Doublecut was a 2006 model in the Guitar of the Week program, likewise with the Money is 2007. Both were to be issues of 400. Some of both were maple over mahogany, some of both had a walnut "tone plate" sandwiched in between. Apparently the Double Cut didn't sell its 400 in a year so some were still being made after the Money came out. IIRC the Money only came in natural satin and blue finishes, and of course the tacky $ TRC. There was an earlier discussion about this, I'll try to locate it.
Edit: here's one of the discussions, too bad the pics are gone. http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=8480.0
Thanks for that, mine appears to be s a mixture of flame and quilt and lacks the walnut layer.
I thought they were a GOW model.
I have thoroughly cleaned it and set it up. Came up nice. Everything works as it should except for the output jack- which I'll replace.
I'll post some better pics of the top.
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The Blue and natural Money basses were part of the GOW series. The Blue had the walnut plate the natural had not.
http://archive.gibson.com/en-us/divisions/gibson%20usa/guitar%20of%20the%20week/
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The Blue and natural Money basses were part of the GOW series. The Blue had the walnut plate the natural had not.
http://archive.gibson.com/en-us/divisions/gibson%20usa/guitar%20of%20the%20week/
Thanks for the link. I had forgotten that each of the Money finishes were separate GOW issues. I was wrong, the 2006 Double Cut wasn't part of the GOW program b/c that program didn't begin until 2007.
But from the earlier discussion I linked to, some of the 2006 Double Cuts had the walnut tone plate, others did not. And I wouldn't be too sure that Gibson kept strictly to the published specs in 2007.
Do you still have yours?
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Great score! I should have grabbed one of those when they were plentiful. It's a beautiful bass.
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Great score! I should have grabbed one of those when they were plentiful. It's a beautiful bass.
Thanks, yes the more I play it the more I am impressed.A full scale LP Bass that balances.
Just meant to be, I guess- went to pick up the two cabinets and the guy offered it to me for a price i just could not walk away from.
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This bass flat out rocks. Wish I still had my blue one. I sold it to a friend to help pay for some unforeseen damages after an intense bachelor party. I needed the money, oh the irony.
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Thanks for the link. I had forgotten that each of the Money finishes were separate GOW issues. I was wrong, the 2006 Double Cut wasn't part of the GOW program b/c that program didn't begin until 2007.
But from the earlier discussion I linked to, some of the 2006 Double Cuts had the walnut tone plate, others did not. And I wouldn't be too sure that Gibson kept strictly to the published specs in 2007.
Do you still have yours?
I do, and used it at our latest gig.
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Wow, that's a great story - it's nice to have some good luck like that every now and then. Congrats!
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Congratulations! I ordered one directly when they were available. Mine had Root Beer finish, gold hardware and and a stunningly flamed top. These sound pleasant to the ear and still gets heard in a twin guitar setup. I sold it after 2 1/2 years in favour of a LP Standard bass. No real regrets but the difference between those in sound is enough to own both but one can't have 'em all....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/LPDC2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/LP_Std_2.jpg)
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I remember yours, Daniel. Beautiful color.
Aren't these the ones with the different type of truss rod, or was that another model from the same era?
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I remember yours, Daniel. Beautiful color.
Aren't these the ones with the different type of truss rod, or was that another model from the same era?
Yes beautiful bass!
On the truss. Mine certainly is. I was a bit surprised when I took the TRC off. First thought was "Oh b@gger! The Truss rod nut is broken!". Particularly given there is a standard Gibson truss wrench sitting in the case. On closer inspection I saw it was a made for a hex wrench. Not much room in there either!
Found the right wrench and although tight, adjusted nicely!
Some better shots of the top after a good clean.
(http://i66.tinypic.com/66lw5e.jpg)
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2hoz9li.jpg)
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I remember yours, Daniel. Beautiful color.
Aren't these the ones with the different type of truss rod, or was that another model from the same era?
Yup, that tricky biflex rod I broke on mine :-\ because I had never been confronted with a biflex truss rod before, idiot I am ( I had it fixed and turned into a - great - fretless while we were at it), I didn't realize that you can't unscrew the nut on those.
(https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/stickman-kicked_in_the_butt_lg_clr-gif.9435/)
Fine, well-sounding (blurry, but not unfocused) and ergonomic basses. They don't cry out "LET'S RRRAWK!!!" to me, but they had a look of their own. Sans the walnut tone plate, the original Doublecut sounds a little clearer than the Mon(k)eys.
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Yup, that tricky biflex rod I broke on mine :-\ because I had never been confronted with a biflex truss rod before, idiot I am ( I had it fixed and turned into a - great - fretless while we were at it), I didn't realize that you can't unscrew the nut on those.
(https://www.antiquers.com/attachments/stickman-kicked_in_the_butt_lg_clr-gif.9435/)
Fine, well-sounding (blurry, but not unfocused) and ergonomic basses. They don't cry out "LET'S RRRAWK!!!" to me, but they had a look of their own. Sans the walnut tone plate, the original Doublecut sounds a little clearer than the Mon(k)eys.
Thanks, I suspected it was a biflex. I have a 90s Fender P Bass with one, so I am familiar with them.
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Biflex...? not familiar with that term... :o
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Biflex...? not familiar with that term... :o
Here's an article about them.
The Bi-Flex truss rod is still a single rod, but it works in both directions. It can correct concave neck bowing just as a single-action truss rod does, but it can also be adjusted in the opposite direction to correct convex neck bowing.
http://www2.fender.com/experience/tech-talk/bi-flex-truss-rod/
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Biflex...? not familiar with that term... :o
It's a rod that's unsure of its gender so it goes both ways.
Note the last paragraph of the Fender article. Most truss rods that adjust for upbow and backbow are double rods, like the Stew-Mac Hot Rods (http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Truss_Rod_Installation_and_Repair/Hot_Rod_Adjustable_Truss_Rods.html). The rod in the Double Cut/Money is more likely a double rod setup than the single rod Fender biflex, although they both accomplish the same thing. No way to tell without removing it. Maybe Uwe's luthier remembers.
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It's a rod that's unsure of its gender so it goes both ways.
Note the last paragraph of the Fender article. Most truss rods that adjust for upbow and backbow are double rods, like the Stew-Mac Hot Rods (http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Truss_Rod_Installation_and_Repair/Hot_Rod_Adjustable_Truss_Rods.html). The rod in the Double Cut/Money is more likely a double rod setup than the single rod Fender biflex, although they both accomplish the same thing. No way to tell without removing it. Maybe Uwe's luthier remembers.
That would be interesting to know.
No info I could find from Gibson.
http://archive.gibson.com/Files/USA_PDFs/Data_LP_DblCut_bass.pdf
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It was a double rod one (which I wrecked) and he replaced it with a single rod one commenting that a long scale bass that needs more bow than a relaxed single rod would give is practically unheard of. The only bass I have that could use more bow is my WAL Mk1. And not when I string it with D'Addarios!
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Used this bass with a band tonight- it's a keeper!
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Why am I not surprised? :)
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Ta for the info Gents...
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Why am I not surprised? :)
Let me guess......because you have one. I know you said you had one with a truss misadventure that lead to an opportunity ;D
These are an example of how when Gibson got it right with basses, they really did.
Lovely little basses. Very present in a rock context, reasonably ergonomic and looks the goods.
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"Let me guess......because you have one."
Wrong, I have three.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG00004-20100225-1600.jpg)
And I do like the one I broke best, it's a great growly fretless:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/CIMG1891.jpg)
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"Let me guess......because you have one."
Wrong, I have three.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG00004-20100225-1600.jpg)
And I do like the one I broke best, it's a great growly fretless:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/CIMG1891.jpg)
A foolish mistake. ;)
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It still baffles me that those basses were not more successful in the end. It was a modern-styled, yet not run-of-the-mill look bass that provided an assertive Gibson growl, great for most musical settings. Add a double octave neck and great ergonomics, not too heavy.
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It still baffles me that those basses were not more successful in the end. It was a modern-styled, yet not run-of-the-mill look bass that provided an assertive Gibson growl, great for most musical settings. Add a double octave neck and great ergonomics, not too heavy.
Yes, I agree. But, that would be assuming that people would judge the bass on what it actually does rather than subscribe to sage internet advice that Gibson makes rubbish basses, it must weigh a ton, neck dives through the floor, it's headstock is bound to fly off at the slightest touch, the quality control would be terrible and that all Gibson pickups are muddy and indistinct.
I didn't buy one when they were new largely because of the price out here and the hit I would taken if I needed to move it on. I was quite impressed with them new.
I posted a NBD about it on TB a few days ago largely to see what would happen.
56 likes on the OP, lots of positive comments and surprisingly not a single Gibson basses are all rubbish comment even though I have never played one.
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It doesn't baffle me. Gibson made no effort to promote the original. The Money versions that were in the GOW program were promoted --- to guitarists.
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Well, at the time they at least sent one out to German muso mag Gitarre & Bass to review, something Gibson does with even its most non-descript guitars, but hardly ever with basses. And it got a so-so extensive review along the lines of 'well-made and nice-looking, just don't expect it to sound like a modern, clear and focussed treble-oriented bass, something for specialists really or if you're looking for something different'.
Of course, all modern basses have to sound "clear, focussed and treble-oriented", how could Gibson have forgotten that?!
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Of course, all modern basses have to sound "clear, focussed and treble-oriented", how could Gibson have forgotten that?!
Like every EMG equipped Dean/ESP/Schecter... :rolleyes:
Back in the 80s when I started using EMGs for several years, then trying a Ric again - the basses known as THE trebly bass - I remember how NOT trebly it sounded next to the EMG stuff I had (Guild Pilots). More like high mids.
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Well, at the time they at least sent one out to German muso mag Gitarre & Bass to review, something Gibson does with even its most non-descript guitars, but hardly ever with basses. And it got a so-so extensive review along the lines of 'well-made and nice-looking, just don't expect it to sound like a modern, clear and focussed treble-oriented bass, something for specialists really or if you're looking for something different'.
Of course, all modern basses have to sound "clear, focussed and treble-oriented", how could Gibson have forgotten that?!
That was probably sent out by Gibson's European distributor rather than Gibson HQ in Nashville.