The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: OldManC on May 11, 2008, 02:28:01 AM

Title: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 11, 2008, 02:28:01 AM
So here it is. Any guesses as to whether this was a special order, a prototype, or..? Mark, I'll get pics with the pickup rings next weekend.  ;)

I'm commuting between LA and Utah most weekends, so I didn't get a chance to play it through an amp yet. I'll post a complete review when I can. In the meantime, here's how it looks:  ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassII.jpg)  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassbackII.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassbodyVIII.jpg)  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassbodyIII.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassincase.jpg)   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassincasebody.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassHeadstockII.jpg)   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/97_SGBassheadstockback.jpg)
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 11, 2008, 07:04:28 AM
Very nice! I like the neck inlay and the Lp-style toggle with black plate.

Is the headstock loner than normal?
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Dave W on May 11, 2008, 09:00:04 AM
I like it better up close than in the auction pics.

I'm thinking prototype, not special order.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: godofthunder on May 11, 2008, 09:21:08 AM
 Very nice ! It has a little wear on the back, someone must have liked playing it. Sure is purty.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: TBird1958 on May 11, 2008, 09:35:11 AM

That is really a cool bass.......awesome score George!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Lightyear on May 11, 2008, 09:36:15 AM
I saw this one when it was first listed and I instantly loved it - looks even better in your pics. 

This is a great score!

Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 11, 2008, 01:05:35 PM
Thanks guys! I haven't compared it yet, but the headstock looks very similar to my EB4. It looks pretty cool being so long... Ok, I gotta hit the road and be back at work at 5:30AM. See ya!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: TBird1958 on May 11, 2008, 02:18:57 PM

I don't envy your commute, admire your love of family. Right on George!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: ramone57 on May 11, 2008, 02:43:32 PM
that is sweet!   looks really good in the red lined case, too.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Barklessdog on May 11, 2008, 05:33:14 PM
I look forward to a full report and how it compares with your white short scale one.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: drbassman on May 11, 2008, 05:36:57 PM
Some rings around those pups from Dave at Fret Not would be cool too!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on May 11, 2008, 09:27:54 PM
Gorgeous! Case an' all

Congratulations! Great score at any price.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: doombass on May 11, 2008, 11:52:41 PM
What a great find George. Congratulations!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 13, 2008, 05:23:36 AM
Great cherry tone - I won't comment on the pup rings ...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 13, 2008, 11:09:45 AM
Quote from: uwe on May 13, 2008, 05:23:36 AM
Great cherry tone - I won't comment on the pup rings ...  :rolleyes:

;D
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Nocturnal on May 13, 2008, 11:15:39 AM
I don't usually care if basses have chrome hardware or not (I love my blacked-out Bird!), but the chrome rings would look great on there IMO.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 13, 2008, 11:42:29 AM
I have two spare rings i don't need...
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 13, 2008, 01:50:03 PM
Quote from: Chris P on May 13, 2008, 11:42:29 AM
I have two spare rings i don't need...

Really..?  :mrgreen:

I'll take 'em!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 13, 2008, 02:30:18 PM
Uwe and I bought some of those NOS T-bird pick ups. (I had some PayPal problems, so Ze German helped me out (again)) Uwe thought the rings weren't in the box, so the eBay seller sent four new rings. Uwe sent me two pick up covers and two rings when I discovered four rings hidden in the box, Now I have two covers and six rings... I can send you two.
Just PM me with your address!

In the meanwhile I'll think of a ridiculous price... ;)
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 13, 2008, 02:35:24 PM
I guess Uwe'll PM me to, threatening to sew me if I'll send you the rings;)

This could be interesting.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Chris P. on May 13, 2008, 02:41:47 PM
Hmmm..

Two pick up covers and six rings. Two rings for the covers, two to OldmanC. That means two rings left...

Will one fit your ring finger, Fraulein?
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 14, 2008, 04:29:50 AM
I can't believe that I - of all people - should unwillingly have contributed to this ghastly ploy of chrome surrounds on that unsuspecting SGL bass! Life's bitter ironies ...

Chris, in case you were in doubt: Wir werden wieder angreifen! A measured retaliation after this utterly provocative and vile hardware incident.


PS: FWIW: I tried to put the spare surrounds from the Bicentennial chrome caps on a (black-grey) TB Plus - it doesn't work. The Bicentennial pups are quite a bit smaller (narrower and shorter). You would have to file the surrounds to make them fit. Knowing you guys, this will leave you undeterred ...  :-\ 

Stop press: I have these chrome TB Plus pups on my gunshot EB-0L and there the same Bicentennial surrounds slip on easily - are all chrome TB Plus pups slightly smaller than their black-grey brethren?

Now I've even aided and abetted your perverse experiments!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: drbassman on May 14, 2008, 07:50:56 AM
Quote from: uwe on May 14, 2008, 04:29:50 AM


Stop press: I have these chrome TB Plus pups on my gunshot EB-0L and there the same Bicentennial surrounds slip on easily - are all chrome TB Plus pups slightly smaller than their black-grey brethren?

Now I've even aided and abetted your perverse experiments!

Well, my 60's chrome TB covers drop right into my 2003 TB routs without any effort, but I didn't do any measurements on it and they looked fine.  I didn't notice any unsightly gaps.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 14, 2008, 09:05:02 AM
We're talking about Bicentennial surrounds here, not sixties.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 14, 2008, 09:49:19 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/96_TBird_Body.jpg)

Newer TB pickups, 70's surrounds...
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 14, 2008, 10:50:21 AM
Yes, but they are the chromies, not the reg soapbar stuff. So like I said in my above thread: Chromies are smaller then. Figures none of you ever noticed ...  :-*
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 14, 2008, 11:44:19 AM
I'm not sure I understand which pickups you mean, Uwe. The black one above had regular black TB Plus pickups originally. The chrome ones are the same size (or within a few millimeters).
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: doombass on May 14, 2008, 05:01:05 PM
I suppose you mean the LP TB Plus's Uwe? They are regular guitar humbucker size and at least considerably shorter than 70' T'bird pups.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 15, 2008, 03:34:58 AM
Ok, once again:

I'm talking about Bicentennial surrounds and TB Plus chrome soapbars, not the guitar humbucker size TB Plus pups found on the LP Standard and the EB 650 as well as the Epiphone Elitist TB, capisce? These chrome soapbars which reportedly were made by Gibson for Japan export but never found their way on a regular release US model (where the dark version was the standard) sometimes cropped up on EBay ehich is how most of you got them. They don't have an issue with Bicentennial surrounds, but only because they are a bit narrower and shorter than the regular dark plastic TB Plus. None of you ever noticed because you always use your surrounds with chrome pups - try fitting it around a dark plastic TB Plus and you'll see what I mean: It won't fit.

Uwe
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 15, 2008, 07:39:13 AM
Quote from: uwe on May 15, 2008, 03:34:58 AMtry fitting it around a dark plastic TB Plus and you'll see what I mean: It won't fit.

Well hell, who'd want to do that anyway?(!)   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Dave W on May 15, 2008, 09:04:26 AM
Quote from: OldManC on May 15, 2008, 07:39:13 AM
Well hell, who'd want to do that anyway?(!)   :mrgreen:

I agree. Why mess up the classy black look with a gaudy chrome ring?  ;D
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 18, 2008, 09:41:19 AM
Finally, some support ...
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 23, 2008, 11:23:54 AM
Very little news on this for quite some time. I assume Herr Carlston must be very disenchanted by it, yet his pride and altogether decency keep him from posting here that I should please relieve him of his mishap acquisition. Come forth, George, come forth! We'll treat this gentlemanly and with all due discretion ...


Why don't we have smileys with angel wings?

Uwe
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 23, 2008, 12:38:57 PM
Don't you mean you need one of these, Uwe? 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/dudepit/smile-1.gif)



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/dudepit/tongue-1.gif)


:mrgreen:
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 26, 2008, 06:08:17 AM
He still hasn't said that he likes its sound ...  :bored:
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 26, 2008, 08:10:25 AM
I've been working in Los Angeles for months but due to the writer's strike and possible actors strike that's still looming, I have no job stability. Because of that, my family is still in Utah (can't pay rent in LA and a mortgage in Utah if I'm not working). Another by product of this is that I never know more than a week or two in advance if I'll have work, so I can't book many flights home. Consequently, I have a 1400 mile round trip commute that I drive on weekends. No time to play bass in the 24 hours I'm actually at home. I won't know if I like how the bass sounds until I can really play it, which is still 20 days out at least. I'll be sure to post a review when I can (and make shipping arrangements if needed  :mrgreen:).
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 26, 2008, 08:29:14 AM
In that case patiently wait we must. And don't doze off on those long road trips, we need you here!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Dave W on May 26, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
Wow. I don't know how you manage to do that, George. 1400 miles on the road is something I wouldn't want to do more often than once every few years. Take care of yourself.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Lightyear on May 26, 2008, 06:44:37 PM
WOW :o :o  At 60 MPH that works out to about 12 hours one way!! I can say that I've done that several time myself but to have to do it on a routine basis - that is mind numbing!  I can only imagine how long it takes you to get in and out of the valley.  Like Dave says - be careful and watch out for the other guy.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 27, 2008, 08:32:51 AM
My best time is 8 hours 10 minutes, but that was years ago... My best time over the last few months I've been doing it is 9 hours, but it's usually closer to 10. I like to average 70-75MPH, but that means I'm pushing 85-90 as much as possible. 
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: rockinrayduke on May 27, 2008, 09:27:41 PM
Just be careful OK? I've done many of those drives myself and woken up behind the wheel more times than I'd like to count. At my age I pull over and nap now!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 28, 2008, 02:14:31 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b36mFYUHY_s

Nuff said.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: Dave W on May 28, 2008, 09:38:47 AM
At least you could have posted the original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClnFbpbpUOA
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 28, 2008, 10:25:37 AM
I'm sorry, Dave, I didn't know you guys had color TV already before WW II!!!

Moreover: I wanted to treat this forum of fora with Tom Petty playing bass! (As usual: No one cared!) As he did with Mudcrutch pre-Heartbreakers and does now on their reunion album and tour. That said, 80 % of the Mudcrutch album wouldn't go amiss on a Heartbreakers one, perhaps a little less mannered.
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: OldManC on May 28, 2008, 10:36:15 AM
Quote from: rockinrayduke on May 27, 2008, 09:27:41 PM
Just be careful OK? I've done many of those drives myself and woken up behind the wheel more times than I'd like to count. At my age I pull over and nap now!

You're right, Ray. I'm usually pretty good but I have to admit this last trip was rough. I have to be more diligent about getting a good night's rest before doing this road trip!
Title: Re: 97 Gibson SG Bass
Post by: uwe on May 28, 2008, 10:47:06 AM
"I'm taking little white pills ..."  :bored: :bored: :bored: :-\

Sei vorsichtig!