I need to do some fact checking for the Gibson Bass Book that I've been working on.
There are a few things I'd like to check before I finalise the lay-out.
- The Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird has a set neck? Or is it neck through?
- How many of the LP JR Double cut (aka EB-11) were made?
- Production years of the LP Oversized (2011- ????)
- Production years of the Krist Novoselic Signature (2011- ????)
- Production years of the Flying V (aka "V") reissue (2011- ????)
- Production years of the Midtown Standard Bass (2012- ????)
- Production years of the G3 reissue (2012- ????)
- Production years of the ES-335 bass (2012- ????)
- Production years of the (new) EB (2013- ????)
- Production years of the 50th Anniversary Thunderbird (2013- ????)
- Production years of the NR Thunderbird reissue (2012- ????)
- Production years of the Thunderbird 2015 (2015- 2016)?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Production years of the ES-335 bass (2012- ????)
My ES 335 has 2013 stamped on the rear of the headstock, if that helps a little.
Production years of the G3 reissue (2012- ????)
My G3 70s Tribute is stamped 2012 on the rear of the headstock
Quote from: veebass on May 30, 2016, 01:56:48 PM
Production years of the ES-335 bass (2012- ????)
My ES 335 has 2013 stamped on the rear of the headstock, if that helps a little.
Yep that helps. (a little) 8)
Thank you!
The Oversized LP bass was replaced by the Standard in 2013. The Blackbird is neckthrough. The others I only have hunch of. :-\
Glad to be of assistance.
Recent LP but it is advertised as a Standard.
Here's a 2013 stamp on one on eBay currently. There are a few Oversized on, but this is the only recent LP Bass with the stamp visible.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Bass-4-String-Sunburst-Finish-RARE-Unplayed-OHSC-/131609791354?hash=item1ea48e0b7a:g:Nb0AAOSwVL1WAJoA
(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QYcAAOSwWnFWAJoj/s-l1600.jpg)
Pretty sure the 50th Anniversary was 2013 only. Blackbird is neck thru.
I only recall the Les Paul Oversized Bass being offered two years. In 2011, a total of 400 were said to have been produced in three colors. In 2012, they changed to a traditional Les Paul headstock. I never heard any shipping totals for that batch.
The 2015 Thunderbird has never been in the 2016 lineup, nor has the SG Standard Bass. OTOH in light of Thomann apparently showing them on order, there could be some 2016 production of both models. Either that or there was some 2015 backstock in Gibson's warehouse.
The (new) EB Bass was officially only in the 2013 and 2014 lineups, but I ordered the one I bought for Uwe on 12/31/12 and by then it was already in stock at American Musical.
Thank you guys. You are the best!
Keep 'm coming
I have a hard time believing the Krist Novoselic RD were manufactured post 2012. They released it as a celebration to the 20th anniversary of the release of Nevermind. It was also said to be a limited run (well that does'nt really say anything when it comes to Gibson). I believe most of them were made early 2012 and offered until that stock ran out. I've never seen any dated 2013 or later.
I'll just weigh in here. The initial Blackbird run was apparently bourne from unsold Gothic models that were reworked at the factory. These were neck through (me and Uwe have Gothics...let's face it, Uwe seems to have one of everything and when my mum dies, I'll be an orphan, available for adoption).
P
Thank you guys.
Another thing to note on the Blackbirds (mine at least), is that it has a three ply all mahogany neck. It doesn't have the walnut laminations like the regular Thunderbird IV.
Quote from: Basvarken on May 30, 2016, 12:44:55 PM
- Production years of the NR Thunderbird reissue (2012- ????)
!
I think these were all built in October of 2012 but stamped as 2013 Model.
Quote from: stiles72 on May 31, 2016, 02:30:47 PM
Another thing to note on the Blackbirds (mine at least), is that it has a three ply all mahogany neck. It doesn't have the walnut laminations like the regular Thunderbird IV.
Good point. I had forgotten about that. I have seen several that were refinished natural and those did not have the walnut sections.
Quote from: the mojo hobo on May 31, 2016, 07:15:26 PM
I think these were all built in October of 2012 but stamped as 2013 Model.
Did they have 2012 or 2013 serial numbers?
This brings up an interesting point, considering that Gibson now goes by model year, and that the models are actually introduced at least a couple of months early. If these were stamped as 2013 models but were all built in 2012, wouldn't they really be 2012 production?
Likewise with the EB Bass I bought for Uwe. I don't remember the serial number, Uwe will have to tell us, but I do know it was built in 2012 as a 2013 model.
They had 2012 serial numbers and were stamped 2013 Model too. Mine was date stamped a couple of days after my birthday, mid October. This one on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/121980068025?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) was stamped on my birthday. The back of the headstock is interesting. The serial number is stamped deep. Made in USA is shallower but readable. 2013 Model is barely legible. Mine is the same. I find it hard to believe it sold for $1399.
This got me curious so I checked mine. Same thing, 2012 serial and the Made in USA and 2013 model are almost illegible. Honestly I don't think I ever noticed them before they're so faint.
In that case, since Rob wants production years, IMHO everything since Gibson started having model years needs to be rechecked, b/c they were all announced in the fall of the previous year. Was there 2014 production of the 2015 models of the Thunderbird and SG Standard? I don't know, but I suspect there might be. Same with the other models introduced in the past few years.
- Production years of the (new) EB (2013- ????)
There were 2013 models and 2014 models with the difference being on the 2014 models the output jack was moved from the pickguard to the body edge, the 120th banner at the 12th fret, and different color options. I don't know about dating by serial number though, my 2014 is 140010606.
The 2015 Thunderbird at Sweetwater starts with 1500.
Quote from: Dave W on June 01, 2016, 10:49:38 PM
In that case, since Rob wants production years, IMHO everything since Gibson started having model years needs to be rechecked, b/c they were all announced in the fall of the previous year. Was there 2014 production of the 2015 models of the Thunderbird and SG Standard? I don't know, but I suspect there might be. Same with the other models introduced in the past few years.
I suspect your suspicions are correct. Back on January 6 2014 I started this topic (http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=8600.0) showing a 1400xxxx serial number on a Thunderbird. Since there were only two business days in 2014 before January 6 the bass must have been built in 2013. I think Rob will have some difficulty with the 2014 and later models.
I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.
Quote from: Chris P. on June 12, 2016, 11:53:47 AM
I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.
They have been announcing the new model year line anywhere from early October to early November. Last year I think they rushed a few 2016 models earlier than that due to the disastrous sales of the 2015 guitar line.
The question for Rob is when production starts on a new model or an existing model that has had changes from the previous model year. From what has been posted here it's obvious that at least in some cases production starts before the start of the calendar year.
Quote from: Chris P. on June 12, 2016, 11:53:47 AM
I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.
Kind of like wedding anniversaries. The day after your 20th anniversary, you've been married 21 years.......... ???