I just pulled the trigger on a new Limited Edition Les Paul Standard bass, Goldtop. Only a few places still had them in stock in gold & I wanted one with a rosewood fingerboard. Guitar Center & Musicians Friend had them discontinued already. American Music Supply & ZZSounds.com had the only goldtops I ran into in the US, so I bought one from American Music Supply. Seems to be more Goldtops in Europe. It will be the Big Brother to my 1969 Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop. That will have to relieve my GAS for a long time. It is the first new Gibson I have ever bought!
Very cool! They are sharp looking and sound great.
I've always loved Goldtops since a guitar player I played with back in the 80's had a Les Paul Standard. Those new OS Les Pauls are giving me curious GAS.
It was giving me bad GAS since last April, I figured I'd better do it or get off the pot! I contacted Sweetwater last weekend, they seemed to think they might get more about March. My gut feeling is they most likely won't.
I've had this 1969 Les Paul Deluxe since 1973, it was my first Gibson with my 1967 EB-2 following a few months later. This Les Paul bass will likely be my last. I'll post a photo of the two of them together after it arrives.
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/1969GibsonLesPaulDeluxe.jpg)
Looking forward to seeing that pic! That is a classic look for a Gibson.
Congrats!
Your last LP or your last Gibson bass? What if another 20/20 comes along?
That's the one that always catches my eye out of the new designs. Can't wait to see it- congrats!
Quote from: Dave W on December 20, 2011, 10:05:44 PM
Congrats!
Your last LP or your last Gibson bass? What if another 20/20 comes along?
My last Gibson, if one comes along that I can't live without, one will have to be sacraficed..... :vader:
If a custom color 20/20 comes along, all bets are off. :P
I just recieved shipping info, it's estimated arrival is Xmas Eve, I wasn't counting on it 'till Monday or Tuesday...
Congrats, must get a full review when you get it.
The bass arrived today at about 2:00, the same time we were hosting my wifes side for Christmas. It's after 11:00 & I just had a chance to tune it up & give it a quick test drive, I like it. Fit & finish seem high quality, the only thing that seems cheap is the knobs, I may have to put on a set of reflector knobs. I'll post photos in a few days after the holidays.
Here's a quick picture. It's a keeper! The pickups have plenty of balls, even if they aren't Mudbuckers!
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/GoldtopLPs.jpg)
Very cool couple. It screams for other control knobs yes:)
Nice pair, yeah the knobs matching would be a nice touch.
Somebody, not too long ago on this board, removed the knobs on a newer bass & the center posts pulled out. I've never had that happen before & would be bummed to have it happen to this bass. Has anybody else had any issues pulling the knobs off of a current bass?
A lovely couple.
Martin (Droombolus) had that issue, see this thread http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=6381.0. But he bought that off eBay, the knobs may not have been original.
The "Knobectomy" has been a success. The new gold Gibson reflector knobs don't look the same as they did in the 60's, but at least they fit. I found a wider strap, it's a bit beefy. :P
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/2011GibsonLesPaulStandardBass.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on December 26, 2011, 03:07:30 PM
The "Knobectomy" has been a success. The new gold Gibson reflector knobs don't look the same as they did in the 60's, but at least they fit. I found a wider strap, it's a bit beefy. :P
There's a Bobbit joke in there somewhere.
Quote from: Dave W on December 26, 2011, 12:06:03 PMMartin (Droombolus) had that issue, see this thread http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=6381.0. But he bought that off eBay, the knobs may not have been original.
The knobs were the original tapered speed knobs but it wasn't a new bass. Never happened to me in over 40 years ......... I usually heat the knobs with a blow dryer before trying to remove which I forgot to do that time ..... :sad:
Quote from: Grog on December 26, 2011, 03:07:30 PM
The "Knobectomy" has been a success.
Looking much better. Congrats !
Quote from: OldManC on December 26, 2011, 07:24:44 PM
There's a Bobbit joke in there somewhere.
:rimshot: Bobbe, Martin Bobbe...... I know it's close ..... ;D
more betterer
I wasn't too crazy about the oversized body before but that picture really makes it look good, like a woman with curves in the right places. She's got some fine looking junk in the trunk.
That is one beautiful bass!
I really hope to pick up a black one, but have to wait for my tax refund first.
Very nice looking bass. Could it be the newest member of Gibson's Fat-bottomed girls?
She's a looker, but she's kinda big boned............. She' 11 lbs. I installed Shaller Stap Locks before I strapped her on for the first time! I wonder how heavy it would be if it wasn't chambered.
According to the serial number, it was built on Aug 13th, a Saturday (224) I was hoping to get a rosewood fingerboard on it & thought it was. I was told it would be by the dealers I questioned. It seems a bit dark but doesn't seem to be baked maple either. Being built at that point in time after the raid shouldn't it be baked maple?
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/Fingerboard.jpg)
I don't think they have done any basses with baked maple boards yet, preciosa and obeche, yes. And the LP Big Babes I believe still crept out with rosewood. So enjoy that bass before a SWAT unit confiscates it and breaks down your house! Cancel any trips to India as well, you know how they have the nuclear bomb there!!! :mrgreen:
Wow 11 lbs!
Thats almost as heavy as my Rd
The SWAT team may not of had the muscle to haul out 400 of these, that's 4,400 lbs! It feels much like my RD as far as bulk. The RD came with a reinforced handle on it's case, not so with this beast.
I think Scott's contact at the HOG in Rochester was the one who mentioned "baked maple." I've never seen any mention of that from Gibson. Doesn't make sense to me that they would use any maple for fretboards.
FYI, there was no SWAT team at Gibson and no weapons were drawn. ICE agents were called in since it was a customs matter, and they wear sidearms now. You know, because executive rosewood smugglers could get violent. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Dave W on December 28, 2011, 03:39:48 PM
You know, because executive rosewood smugglers could get violent. :rolleyes:
You never know; he might have been wearing his three-point hat that day. If he also had the matching powdered wig on too, then the good ol' defenders of freedom would be holed up in Nashville and marching through the projects living on beans and trying to stay warm, taking out as many of those SWAT-coats as they could. ;)
Quote from: Grog on December 28, 2011, 07:39:39 AM
She's a looker, but she's kinda big boned............. She' 11 lbs. I installed Shaller Stap Locks before I strapped her on for the first time! I wonder how heavy it would be if it wasn't chambered.
According to the serial number, it was built on Aug 13th, a Saturday (224) I was hoping to get a rosewood fingerboard on it & thought it was. I was told it would be by the dealers I questioned. It seems a bit dark but doesn't seem to be baked maple either. Being built at that point in time after the raid shouldn't it be baked maple?
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/Fingerboard.jpg)
That's Indian Rosewood.
Very nice looking bass! I like the larger body on the new one. Looks like it will balance better.
Quote from: TBird1958 on December 27, 2011, 11:26:45 PM
That is one beautiful bass!
I really hope to pick up a black one, but have to wait for my tax refund first.
Sweetwater has no interest on Gibsons for 18 months 'till the end of the year. If they would have had a goldtop, I would have bought it from them. They do have Black basses in stock............ ;D
Oops. I see that Gibson does have some "baked maple" boards on certain guitar models. Not on basses, at least yet. Would be easy to tell it from rosewood since maple is close grained.
Quote from: Dave W on December 28, 2011, 03:39:48 PM
FYI, there was no SWAT team at Gibson and no weapons were drawn. ICE agents were called in since it was a customs matter, and they wear sidearms now. You know, because executive rosewood smugglers could get violent. :rolleyes:
HEY! You can get nasty splinters from those rosewood boards!
I wonder what kind of nasty things they do to an exotic wood smuggler in prison........ :o
Quote from: Grog on December 30, 2011, 08:58:54 AM
I wonder what kind of nasty things they do to an exotic wood smuggler in prison........ :o
Don't drop your pick.
:mrgreen:
I've been meaning to get around to a photo of my goldtops, I must be into Guitar Porn... :o
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/WeBuyGold.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on January 04, 2012, 04:16:37 PM
I've been meaning to get around to a photo of my goldtops, I must be into Guitar Porn... :o
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/WeBuyGold.jpg)
Super Nice! ;D
Wow!
very nice!
Wow really nice collection.
As far as I can tell, all of the "ON LINE" stores are sold out of Gold Tops, at least in the US. Black & Cherry Sunburst still available. It's a good thing I jumped in when I did..............
Quote from: Grog on January 05, 2012, 06:03:42 AM
As far as I can tell, all of the "ON LINE" stores are sold out of Gold Tops, at least in the US. Black & Cherry Sunburst still available. It's a good thing I jumped in when I did..............
Second best looking of the bunch as well, the LP gets 1st place.
"Any color you want, as long as it's gold!" ;)
Beautiful set, and that shot really seems to highlight the difference in body size more than your earlier pic.
I mailed the photo off to the VG Readers Gallery, it may end up in a future issue.
Quote from: SGD Lutherie on January 04, 2012, 04:28:05 PM
Super Nice! ;D
Finally a credible "invest in gold now!' recommendation!!!
QuoteAs far as I can tell, all of the "ON LINE" stores are sold out of Gold Tops, at least in the US.
The "New Gold Standard"
Quote from: Grog on January 04, 2012, 04:16:37 PM
I've been meaning to get around to a photo of my goldtops, I must be into Guitar Porn... :o
Looks right at home. You're reminding me of a gold-top fetish that was in remission until now... (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/bananadead3.gif)
In case anyone is still looking for a gold top.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Gold-Top-Bass-Oversized-w-hardshell-case-/150731290192?pt=Guitar&hash=item231848f650
It looks like the Gold Tops will be available just about everywhere by the last of January to the 2nd week of February. Guitar Center & Musicians Friend had discontinued the Les Paul Standard Oversized Bass, now it looks like they are only selling the Gold Top. That might be all that they are making this time around. Mark, you might want to grab your black one before they run out................. :o
Quote from: Grog on January 04, 2012, 04:16:37 PM
I've been meaning to get around to a photo of my goldtops, I must be into Guitar Porn... :o
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/WeBuyGold.jpg)
Wow, each one is prettier than the next! Nice collection indeed!
Quote from: Grog on January 05, 2012, 09:29:57 AM
I mailed the photo off to the VG Readers Gallery, it may end up in a future issue.
This months VG was in the mail box when I came home from work, the photo is in the Readers Gallery. They listed two Les Paul Signature basses in the description, (I wish!). I've sent five photos to them through the years, the only picture they didn't publish was the one of the two 20/20's........... :o
At least they published it. Can't expect too much accuracy from VG.
I have an Oversized Gold Top at home for a review. I'll post my thoughts later. What's your opinion after playing it some weeks, Grog?
I've been rehearsing with mine for a few weeks now, and it's an awesome bass, with a LOT of output. From a nice creamy sound to a real gritty rocksound. Only downside is the weight. Last rehearsal I had to use my 78 Grabber at the end because after 5 hours my back was killing me.
They are good.
They are, Uwe. The one I have at home isn't that heavy...
Quote from: Chris P. on February 09, 2012, 06:17:33 AM
They are, Uwe. The one I have at home isn't that heavy...
Well the last few years I've been playing an Epi JC, Grabber and a MIM Fender Precision, so almost everything feels heavy after those three.
In that case it is heavy:) I have a '64 Burns which is really heavy and I alsp prefer lighter basses like my T-bird or Longhorn. I guess this LP is HEAVILY chambered.
Are you reviewing it for "De bassist"? Ik ben ook al enige tijd geregistreerd op het basgitaarforum, vandaar het vermoeden ;D
Yes dat is right. Your furmooding are klopping.
Quote from: Chris P. on February 09, 2012, 01:53:42 AM
I have an Oversized Gold Top at home for a review. I'll post my thoughts later. What's your opinion after playing it some weeks, Grog?
I really like it, the pickups cover a wide range of tones, I like the feel of the neck. If I recall correctly, I didn't like the neck on the Les Paul basses that came out in the early '90s as well as this one. It is heavy, I bought a wider strap than I usually use & had to make the adjustable part to get it a few inches longer. I'm sure if I played it for four hours, I'd be glad to set it back in the case! As of now, I've only played it for about a half hour at a time. I still like my "Hobbit" the best, but I have no regrets buying this one.