The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: veebass on July 19, 2017, 02:12:51 PM
-
I don't seem to recall a Gibson Les Paul Bass quite like this one which is currently or sale on Reverb.
Is it a genuine Gibson?
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--XjKIVfXX--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1492531641/iehah9si3rugquqsb3ho.jpg)
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--w6cIK6k5--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1492531642/dkhdf6jptasbt3itmkkv.jpg)
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--5qSndK57--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1492531642/w1t7ya1wizyvkhnuyidv.jpg)
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--PYQp2Mie--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1492531642/eher0f0vokwouoiqhtan.jpg)
https://reverb.com/item/4927390-gibson-les-paul-bass-limited-edition-1992-made-in-usa
-
Oh yes it's ligit. LPB-2 deluxe. Not as rare as the seller claims. Although the color may be rare.
-
Oh yes it's ligit. LPB-2 deluxe. Not as rare as the seller claims. Although the color may be rare.
Thanks, I knew you guys would know.
Lots of things looked legit to me, but the colour didn't ring a bell (except a similarity to the Money Bass) and I think I had seen the headstock decal or whatever it is used on some knock offs in the past.
-
The color is custom, but you could request colors on that particular model, quite a few people did, I have inter alia a fretless one in a brownish sepia tinge which the preowner hoped would turn out translucent black when he ordered it - suffice to say it didn't! :mrgreen:
All Deluxes have the TCT/Bartolini pups electronics combo, which makes for a powerful, but incredibly sterile/hifi sound. Period piece of the early 90ies trying to sound like a bass in the mid-80ies. :mrgreen:
-
Is that the version that Me'shell played when she first burst onto the scene?
Looks like it though the camera won't hold still long enough to get a clear look at the pickups.
Look around 2:25
https://youtu.be/1aoywIHLqbs?t=145
-
Yup, check this from around the same time period. Starting at 7:20 they talk about the bass and she jams on it a little unaccompanied:
https://youtu.be/_50eLhrsLi8?t=443
-
Pretty. Too expensive for an LPB-2 even with the price reduction.
-
Yup, check this from around the same time period. Starting at 7:20 they talk about the bass and she jams on it a little unaccompanied:
They talked about her being bi-sexual, but how out of place was that fender strap?? It should be illegal and probably is!
You just cant have both at the same time when it comes down to Gibson/Fender...
-
(http://file.vintageadbrowser.com/6reey26i9raqf6.jpg)
It doesn't have the flowerpot inlay though
-
.. I think I had seen the headstock decal or whatever it is used on some knock offs in the past.
The flowerpot inlay was only used the first couple of years on the whole range (LPB1-3). I don't think I've seen it on any model past 1992.
-
My 96 doesn't have it.
All Deluxes have the TCT/Bartolini pups electronics combo, which makes for a powerful, but incredibly sterile/hifi sound. Period piece of the early 90ies trying to sound like a bass in the mid-80ies. :mrgreen:
I initially bought mine because it had an excellent flamed top. Though the initial impression of its tone was enjoyable the novelty wore off (see above - spot on Uwe) and I've been on a replacement pickup hunt ever since. Tried real Gibson TB+ (passive) and currently Schaller/DiMarzio (passive).
I'm thinking of going back to the TB+ and using the original Bart pre. I didn't know that was the typical setup.
OR
I have a set of Alumitones that I'm very curious about.
-
It's funny, I have a hard time imagining keeping an LPB but going on a pickup hunt to make it sound good. I bought my (passive TB+) LPB1 as a total ebay gamble without ever having played or heard one, motivated entirely by my inability to stop looking at the auction photos. I didn't know I had a thing for black hardware LP with yellow-black burst, but clearly I do.
But once I had it, I kept it and it became my main bass mostly because I love its sound so much. It is a bit tough to play. The way it hangs makes the neck feel about 2" longer than it really is, it weighs a ton, and I'm not fond of the feel of the slab body edge against my forearm. But that sound just works so well for my band. If it didn't, I probably would have flipped it long ago rather than looking for pickups. Even though I still love the look. I have certainly swapped out pickups in other basses looking for a sound, but I have to love how it feels before I do that.
-
Well, there you go. The reason I've kept this one is because I like the neck and it's one of the most even playing basses I have. Very smooth and consistent notes. I also really like the top. I've seen a bunch and not many with such a nice figuring. I can deal with the slab body as well. I wasn't crazy about the black hardware, and at the time I was able to get NOS chrome Gibson replacement tuners. The Schaller bridge was easy.
The current pickup combo can be dealt with using some judicious EQ and output control. They have a wicked hot midrange. I did manage to find the chrome covers from a Kramer dealer moving excess stock.
I'm still trying to "normalize" it a bit more to suit me.
It's great for outdoor gigs going through my Mesa M-Pulse which softens it some.
(http://i.imgur.com/S3YFCAD.jpg)
-
The LP-Saga:
- LPB-1/Special: early version TB Plus soapies and passive, later version TB Plus soapies and active with Bartolini TCT,
- LPB-2/Deluxe: througout its life span Bartolini pups and TCT electronics.
- LPB-3/Standard: early version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers and active Bartolini TCT electronics, later version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers, but passive.
So your Deluxe had original Bart pups and TCT electronics.
Meshell was pictured with the regular Deluxe (and it is what she plays in that Mellencamp vid of that Van the Man song), but actually she had a prototype that was passive and had custom pups emulating - a bit - a more Jazz Bass sound, might have been single coils.
And I now tell you a secret, never revealed before: Rob in his book of books pictures that passive prototype of hers (it reached ze Kölleckshün in convoluted vvvays) and mistakenly claims it to be the regular off-the-rack Deluxe. It is not. I only saw that when it was already printed and rather than break the poor guy's heart, I kept the secret forever hidden in my bosom.
(http://cfile236.uf.daum.net/image/12097F3C500166DE3166B9)
As we shall continue to do here, my brethren,
(https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/dark-monks-nelson-rodrigues-da-costa.jpg)
and not unsettle the sensitive Dutchman.
So get your rare 1st edition Gibson Bass Book now***, only original with that lil' mistake! :mrgreen:
***This part of this public statement sponsored by Proper Propaganda Media B.V., CEO: Rob van den Broek.
-
Haha, I already thought there was something funny about that particular bass in the book. It didn't match the other pics I found on the Internet.
Luckily I put in the foreword that the book is probably filled with mistakes.
This one goes right up the pile with all the other ones! 😂
-
Yup, check this from around the same time period. Starting at 7:20 they talk about the bass and she jams on it a little unaccompanied:
https://youtu.be/_50eLhrsLi8?t=443
I like the way she plays. And Arsenio Hall had real charm as a host.
-
She's done some cool stuff over the years. I really dug that collaboration she had on this tune with Marcus Miller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMWvJe4G5ms
Like Arsenio, it's a shame they didn't both enjoy more commercial success. She never produced any big hits and he didn't get picked up for that second season after having his show brought back. Great memories though from less divided times.
-
I've never understood why Arsenio's popularity fell.
-
I confess I lost track of Me'shell's work myself. Her second album was amazing. I should see what she's been up to the past couple decades!
-
The LP-Saga:
- LPB-1/Special: early version TB Plus soapies and passive, later version TB Plus soapies and active with Bartolini TCT,
- LPB-2/Deluxe: througout its life span Bartolini pups and TCT electronics.
- LPB-3/Standard: early version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers and active Bartolini TCT electronics, later version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers, but passive.
And let's not forget the early small headstock/flower pot/3 knob version with soapies and passive.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFg1MTY=/z/~3UAAOxycD9TReBX/$_57.JPG)
-
The color is custom, but you could request colors on that particular model, quite a few people did, I have inter alia a fretless one in a brownish sepia tinge which the preowner hoped would turn out translucent black when he ordered it - suffice to say it didn't! :mrgreen:
The idea of a fretless LP does sound appealing... still stuck with the idea of a fretless T'Bird though...
-
In the Facebook Gibson Bass Guitars Group this Les Paul Bass popped up.
I never knew those had a Paul Reed Smith type faux binding!
(https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20615645_10210183303281523_4250896132722055402_o.jpg?oh=f599943c79019f131f51de9789b88555&oe=5A39577B)
(https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20615870_10210183303321524_8988039396720439136_o.jpg?oh=e7e75222773b0d4f15f4039c4bb0e12c&oe=59F176E4)
-
I saw one with self binding like that but it was stained the same color as the top.
-
Isn't that just the edge of the maple top?
-
Yes it is. Paul Reed Smith has been doing this for ages. It looks like a binding. But it's actually the edge of the maple top you see. A faux binding so to speak.
And very beautiful (if well executed).
-
I guess that one is not a factory burst.
-
Dave, here is the serial number you were asking about. The site lists it as a 98 but I have no clue. I remember seeing the flat-bodied LP's at The Bass Place back in the early to mid 90's but couldn't tell you what year that actually was.
This is a nice solid bass! It has tapewounds on it now so it sounds very thumpy.
(http://i.imgur.com/srTDxuM.jpg)
-
I guess that one is not a factory burst.
Why do you say that?
-
Dave, here is the serial number you were asking about. The site lists it as a 98 but I have no clue. I remember seeing the flat-bodied LP's at The Bass Place back in the early to mid 90's but couldn't tell you what year that actually was.
This is a nice solid bass! It has tapewounds on it now so it sounds very thumpy.
(http://i.imgur.com/srTDxuM.jpg)
A-ha!
1994 was Gibson's centennial year. All the Nashville serial numbers that year began with 94. It was the exception to their numbering system at the time. That's why I asked.
Congratulations, you're now four years closer to vintage. ;)
-
That is good information, thanks. Installed a set of DR Black Beauties this evening and it sounds much more like my sound. So far have found a couple of settings that I like. I do see where the "sterile/HiFi" comments come from tho. Turn a couple knobs the wrong way and it becomes kind of brittle sounding, for lack of a better word. So far so good. :thumbsup:
-
I guess that one is not a factory burst.
Why do you say that?
My guess came from how they usually painted the top finish over the maple top edge like these:
(http://img.audiofanzine.com/images/u/product/normal/gibson-les-paul-bass-premium-lpb-2-83563.jpg)
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--zEQ5daQ0--/a_exif,c_thumb,fl_progressive,g_south,h_226,q_auto:eco,w_226/v1494627089/nttv6ifywp7mghi7b7a4.jpg)
(https://www.picclickimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/19sAAOSwiONYLLuC/$/1993-Gibson-Lpb-2-Premium-Plus-Deluxe-Les-_1.jpg)
But that was just a matter of me not seeing enough of Tobacco Burst finished ones. Now I know better.
I found another one:
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1239/9532/products/lpbass-fc_1024x1024.jpg?v=1466196306)
-
Makes sense. You typically do see them with the color on all parts of the body. I do like this look a lot and I really like the bass so far.
-
Agreed. It looks great.
The other ones with the red of the burst on the sides have always looked cheapish to me.
-
Agreed. It looks great.
The other ones with the red of the burst on the sides have always looked cheapish to me.
I agree