The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on August 15, 2012, 11:26:40 AM

Title: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 15, 2012, 11:26:40 AM
I know this may be in the wrong section but man...do these look pretty cool!!!

http://www.daguetguitars.com/index.php?gratte=31&PHPSESSID=bf747071b6946533037b76016e3983e5
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 15, 2012, 11:27:12 AM
EMBASSY REBORN??? REINCARNATED???
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: TBird1958 on August 15, 2012, 11:34:46 AM


It sure does, pretty cool too.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 15, 2012, 11:43:53 AM
OH...MY!!!!!

SPROING!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 15, 2012, 11:47:25 AM
And only a thousand more than a real Embassy.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 15, 2012, 12:21:48 PM
It's pretty but with those pickups it sure won't sound like an Embassy. I can't fathom why anyone would use blah Dark Stars when there are alternatives (like Thunderbuckers) that actually sound like the 60s Gibson pickups.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 15, 2012, 01:14:52 PM
I've really liked the sound of the Dark Star basses I've tried.  I tried a double Dark Star LeCompte a couple years ago that was amazing.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 15, 2012, 02:01:43 PM
A lot of people like the Dark Stars, I just don't get why anyone would build an Embassy tribute with Guild-type pickups.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: chromium on August 15, 2012, 02:36:37 PM
Are DSs available again?  I haven't been following that... If not, hope he stocked up!

I had those pickups in my old Guild and got along fine with them, but was kind of indifferent about them at the end of the day.  In comparison, I thought the 70s Guild pickups had a lot more character and their own "voice".  I guess I kinda like that.  Feel the same about the EBs - love them for what they are.  I admit I have screwy tastes, though!  ;D

That Embassy looks cool regardless.  Love to see one with some Thunderbuckers or Lulls.   8)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: jumbodbassman on August 15, 2012, 03:38:00 PM
Roge Dauget is now making his own version of the DS pickup.  Few guys over on TB have ordered them.  not sure if they have been delivered yet.  his look more like p 90's
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: uwe on August 15, 2012, 04:40:40 PM
Congrats to digging out the design of the worst-balancing bass of all time and on earth.

But they matched it well. That said, to me Embassy basses will forever look nerdy and surf-guitar-mailorderish cheap. That body is just too small for that long neck.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 15, 2012, 04:52:42 PM
Quote from: uwe on August 15, 2012, 04:40:40 PM
Congrats to digging out the design of the worst-balancing bass of all time and on earth.

But they matched it well. That said, to me Embassy basses will forever look nerdy and surf-guitar-mailoderish cheap. That body is just too small for that long neck.

That's just plain mean.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Aussie Mark on August 15, 2012, 04:55:46 PM
Quote from: chromium on August 15, 2012, 02:36:37 PM
Are DSs available again?

Nope - the Hammon pickups are no longer available.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: TBird1958 on August 15, 2012, 05:09:01 PM


I can do without the Hipshot -
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Stjofön Big on August 16, 2012, 03:30:58 AM
What's wrong with surf guitars and -basses? :-\
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 16, 2012, 08:53:58 AM
Quote from: Stjofön Big on August 16, 2012, 03:30:58 AM
What's wrong with surf guitars and -basses? :-\

Nothing.

To me, the Embassy's problem is balance. The look is fine.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gearHed289 on August 16, 2012, 09:50:00 AM
Hmmm... The original batwing headstock was cool. This one is just weird. And how about that output jack location?  :-\
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 16, 2012, 02:29:28 PM
Actually...it is not a Batwing.....as many misinformed people believe...it is the letter E for Epiphone......Ya heard it from BAZ COOPER First!!!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: nofi on August 16, 2012, 03:01:44 PM
dramatically stylised E or not, its easier to say batwing.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 16, 2012, 04:02:33 PM
Quote from: nofi on August 16, 2012, 03:01:44 PM
dramatically stylised E or not, its easier to say batwing.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Pilgrim on August 16, 2012, 09:35:50 PM
Quote from: Stjofön Big on August 16, 2012, 03:30:58 AM
What's wrong with surf guitars and -basses? :-\

Nothing whatsoever!  8)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: exiledarchangel on August 17, 2012, 02:53:02 AM
Quote from: Stjofön Big on August 16, 2012, 03:30:58 AM
What's wrong with surf guitars and -basses? :-\

They can get wet maybe? :P
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 19, 2012, 10:40:47 AM
Quote from: nofi on August 16, 2012, 03:01:44 PM
dramatically stylised E or not, its easier to say batwing.

Whatever. If it makes you feel better, than say batwing. But that doesn't change the fact that it is an E.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 19, 2012, 10:49:04 AM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 19, 2012, 10:40:47 AM
Whatever. If it makes you feel better, than say batwing. But that doesn't change the fact that it is an E.

What's your source for that? Even Epi's own website refers to it as a batwing headstock. It's a widely accepted term in the vintage guitar business. Not saying you're wrong, but unless some historian found an official source who says otherwise, I'm skeptical.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 20, 2012, 10:27:12 AM
My source was my ex-guitar repairman, Joe Campagna. He's been on the road with Survivor, built and repaired many a guitar. H told me that's what it was designed for...the E in Epiphone. He'a an old timer so he has Lot's of knowledge of Fender and Gibson history. He even built some of the first Hamer Guitars when he worked at Wooden Music in the 1970's.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: nofi on August 20, 2012, 01:52:40 PM
that settles it then. batwing it is!  ;D
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 20, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Baz, he could be right, but I sure wouldn't bet the farm on it. You don't know if he got that from a reliable source, and even then, we've even seen some usually reliable sources get things wrong, like Tom Wheeler's claim that the TV finish was named after Les Paul's TV show. And some old-timers remembering things that didn't happen.

Now if Walter Carter had found some historical info to confirm it, I'd consider it closed.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 20, 2012, 03:00:04 PM
Quote from: nofi on August 20, 2012, 01:52:40 PM
that settles it then. batwing it is!  ;D

Who knows...He's in his late 50's
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 20, 2012, 03:43:57 PM
I got my Embassy from a guy that taught me a lot about the old Epiphones (Larry, from Ax-in-Hand in DeKalb, IL, RIP).  Of all the things he schooled me on, the headstock wasn't one of them.  He never mentioned anything them, but I suspect if there was something special and meaningful about the design, I'd have heard about it.

I'm sticking with batwing!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Highlander on August 20, 2012, 04:37:03 PM
I was off in research-mode so put it into this "wording" and could find no mention of anything but "batwing" design, from Epi or Gibson or waaaay down the line sites or mentions - I can find no mention of the "origin" though - that might take longer...

I know it looks like a section of a single bat's wing... but to me it looks more like the classic "gullwing", they way they've been drawn since time immemorial...

(http://today.brown.edu/files/article_images/2912_web.jpg) (http://image.yaymicro.com/rz_512x512/0/38f/flock-of-birds-38f027.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 21, 2012, 06:56:02 AM
Well ...since I don't own any Epiphone basses....I must be a dumb-ass because I guess the headstock has absolutely nothing to do with the letter E for Epiphone. Hell with it. I play Gibson Thunderbirds....I'm out.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 21, 2012, 07:04:36 AM
Just sayin' what I heard from a reputable guy.....I don't want any trouble....
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 07:46:45 AM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 21, 2012, 07:04:36 AM
Just sayin' what I heard from a reputable guy.....I don't want any trouble....

No, you're good.  We love debating minute details here.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Dave W on August 21, 2012, 08:22:16 AM
No reason to get excited. Could be true. Now that you've brought it up, it's certainly possible, but I don't think most people would consider it confirmed.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 21, 2012, 09:23:49 AM
But really guys...Don't you think that clown who built it should have used Thunderbuckers or Mike Lull pickups??? I mean, C'mon...The real reason I play vintage basses is because #1...yes the wood is better with age because it's had time for the moisture to depart...but #0 even before #1 is...they don't build new basses like these..I swear...If they built Thunderbirds exactly like they did in the 60's..I'd rather have a new one!!! Man..If only Gibson followed in the footsteps of Fender...they are doing a GREAT job at their reissues!!!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 10:42:50 AM
Well, the builder is in Europe, so it could be that the pickup cost and availability led him to the Hagstroms over another choice.   He's still extremely high-priced on this bass, though.  He's charging as much as Bruce Johnson does for a Scroll Bass, and a real Embassy can be had for a lot less, once one becomes available. 
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 21, 2012, 02:14:29 PM
What is he charging for these??
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: the mojo hobo on August 21, 2012, 03:23:03 PM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 16, 2012, 02:29:28 PM
Actually...it is not a Batwing.....as many misinformed people believe...it is the letter E for Epiphone......Ya heard it from BAZ COOPER First!!!

I don't remember where, but I have read somewhere that the batwing headstock was inspired or based on by the letter E for Epiphone. I'm backing Baz on this one, but I'm still calling it a batwing.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Highlander on August 21, 2012, 03:45:16 PM
The by-line I use on a WWII site I haunt is, "If reaserch was easy, it wouldn't need researching...", so Baz gets the kudos for at least bringing it to our attention... he now has Mojo as a seconder... ;)

What something was originally designed for/designated as and what it is now known as are often considerably different...

Further research required... ;D
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 03:49:55 PM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 21, 2012, 02:14:29 PM
What is he charging for these??

2800 Euros, about $3500.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 03:58:55 PM
Quote from: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 03:49:55 PM
2800 Euros, about $3500.

Only 10 times what I paid for this Embassy 2 years ago
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1966%20EMBASSY/DSC02873-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 04:58:53 PM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 03:58:55 PM
Only 10 times what I paid for this Embassy 2 years ago
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1966%20EMBASSY/DSC02873-1.jpg)

As I recall, we both bid on that.  Didn't you have to do some work, including the truss rod?  Either way, a great deal.  BTW - I'd be interested in a white pickguard for mine.  Would you be able to do one?
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 06:12:25 PM
Quote from: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 04:58:53 PM
As I recall, we both bid on that.  Didn't you have to do some work, including the truss rod?  Either way, a great deal.  BTW - I'd be interested in a white pickguard for mine.  Would you be able to do one?

I found mine on CL about 5 miles from my house, it had been listed for almost a month when I found it.  It needs a headstock repair.  Initially I was going to part it out but the plan now is to repair/restore it.  When I get around to the pickguard I'll do you one at the same time.  Not going to be for a while though.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 21, 2012, 06:12:45 PM
$3,500???? You could buy an original one for that!!!!! INsanity!!!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 06:19:36 PM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 21, 2012, 06:12:45 PM
$3,500???? You could buy an original one for that!!!!! INsanity!!!

Probably more than one judging by what I paid.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 07:02:43 PM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 06:12:25 PM
I found mine on CL about 5 miles from my house, it had been listed for almost a month when I found it.  It needs a headstock repair.  Initially I was going to part it out but the plan now is to repair/restore it.  When I get around to the pickguard I'll do you one at the same time.  Not going to be for a while though.

Well, considering I've owned this bass...twice...since 1981, and it's had the same homemade pickguard for about 20 years, I think I can wait.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: dadagoboi on August 22, 2012, 04:13:16 AM
Quote from: gweimer on August 21, 2012, 07:02:43 PM
Well, considering I've owned this bass...twice...since 1981, and it's had the same homemade pickguard for about 20 years, I think I can wait.   :mrgreen:

I have a few projects keeping me busy at the moment...
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010804.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 22, 2012, 07:08:23 AM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 21, 2012, 06:19:36 PM
Probably more than one judging by what I paid.


You got a steal of a deal on that..If you look at what MOST are going for, Ive seen them going for around $3,500 to $7,000
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Shark on August 22, 2012, 02:32:18 PM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 22, 2012, 04:13:16 AM
I have a few projects keeping me busy at the moment...
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010804.jpg)

Eight String Thunderbird .... Cool  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Highlander on August 22, 2012, 03:03:31 PM
Looks like my shed... ;D
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 22, 2012, 11:26:46 PM
Copycat!!!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Pilgrim on August 23, 2012, 08:39:01 AM
Quote from: HERBIE on August 22, 2012, 03:03:31 PM
Looks like my shed... ;D

No squirrels allowed on the projects?   :-[
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Highlander on August 23, 2012, 02:59:33 PM
They'd end up in the gumbo if they got near Carlo's shack-on-the-bayou... ;D

Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 22, 2012, 11:26:46 PM
Copycat!!!

No contest - Carlo's is constructive, mine is destructive... :o ;)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: uwe on August 23, 2012, 06:29:14 PM
Quote from: gweimer on August 15, 2012, 04:52:42 PM
That's just plain mean.   :mrgreen:

But I come in peace!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHRyGGrTfxY
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: exiledarchangel on August 24, 2012, 02:06:26 AM
Quote from: uwe on August 23, 2012, 06:29:14 PM
But I come in peace!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHRyGGrTfxY

The vord iz zick, and vee are the doctorz.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 24, 2012, 06:55:23 AM
I vood Like to see dis Movie. Those Cherman Vomen are BYootiful!!!
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: uwe on August 24, 2012, 07:24:23 PM
Amazing what 70 years on the dark side of the moon can do for you. Good (Aryan?) genes obviously.

I wanna see that film too. 90 minutes of it will probably überstay their welcome, but it is so wonderfully respectless, trashy and low-PC, you gotta love it. It caught wry smile reviews in Germany - twenty years ago it would have all been long-faced, achingly earnest to pious treatises on why you cannot portray Nazis like that without belittling their horror.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: uwe on August 24, 2012, 07:26:30 PM
Quote from: exiledarchangel on August 24, 2012, 02:06:26 AM
The vord iz zick, and vee are the doctorz.

Frau Doktor Merkel and her assistants Monti and Hollande you mean? 8)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Denis on August 24, 2012, 07:32:22 PM
Due to a bunch of requests, this movie was actually shown at a theater here in town a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, I was not in town that night.
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: exiledarchangel on August 25, 2012, 08:41:17 AM
Quote from: uwe on August 24, 2012, 07:26:30 PM
Frau Doktor Merkel and her assistants Monti and Hollande you mean? 8)

Jawohl meine Kommandant! :D I've seen the movie, it is beyond hilarious. It's a good thing you Krauts finally started to see things more relaxed about all this Nazi thingie! ;)
Title: Re: Gibson style Crestwood bass???
Post by: Highlander on August 25, 2012, 02:06:56 PM
Nothing about it here... Ve haf vays of tempting zu tu vatch... :vader: