The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: stiles72 on November 26, 2013, 02:46:03 PM
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Thanks to the blow out prices at AMS, I just received my "2013 Model" Gibson Les Paul Bass and thought I'd post some initial impressions.
[[EDIT - the Cherry Midtown arrived today as well, so I'll just piggyback on this thread...]]
Out of the box the QC is dead perfect. Wow! I can't find any of the typical Gibson issues (wavy nitro, unfinished edges, overspray, messy control cavity, etc...) that Gibson owners sort of come to expect. This is one of the best finished Gibson instruments I have seen in a very long time. AMS didn't have pictures to choose from like Sweetwater, but I was pleased to see the burst is not abrupt or too contrasting. It has a very nice warm and almost Honeyburst tone to it, unlike my '00 Les Paul Classic. The maple top also has some nice and noticeable grain pattern to it. :) The bass looks huge, but feels very light. I haven't had a chance to weight it, but I would guess it's not any heavier than my Thunderbirds. The neck feels nice and slim at the nut like a Thunderbird, but widens out and has more of a chunky feel as you progress up the neck. Overall balance is very good, but I think I will add a strap button to the neck heel if I decide to keep her.
The action out of the box is very very low. That's not exactly my cup of tea, but I know a lot of folks prefer that. The pickups also were raised very high- right up close to the strings - making it super loud, and overly bright to my ears. I lowered both pickups down quite a bit, and the volume leveled off and the low end blossomed nicely. It went from a ringing piano tone to now having more of a woody and "upright bass" tone. Even though the neck pickup is not as close to the neck as on the Thunderbird, I can't really tell that much difference in tone. The archtop naturally makes me want to rest my right hand at that location anyway, so it makes a good anchor point right where it is.
After playing it for about an hour, I'm really liking the way it sounds and feels. Looking forward to taking it out on this weeks gigs!
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/figure-0_zpsba253d34.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/figure-1_zpse46854e4.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/figure3_zpsb61ee2f5.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/paul-1_zps255290da.jpg)
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Wow, that does look nice. Congrats.
I haven't seen a burst that well done on a new instrument in a while ("abrupt" is really a good way to put it).
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That's frickken sexy!
Just say YES to CHROME! ;D
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Can't we put Mark on mute? ; - )
Sehr schöne Paula and those are very good, assertive basses.
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Send me a ball gag :o
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Mine was a great bass. The LP basses must be finished by the guitar department.
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NICE!!!! It's NICE to see Gibson FINALLY!!! FINALLY!! FINALLY Using the correct Bridge!!!!!! Wish they could get the Thunderbirds right...
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Mine was a great bass. The LP basses must be finished by the guitar department.
I wondered about that...
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Gorgeous! I like the feel of a bound neck, so I'm very tempted by that model even though I already have a '05 LP.
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Send me a ball gag :o
:mrgreen:
It was intended as punishment and restraint!!!
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Part 2 of the AMS Blowout continues...
The Cherry Midtown arrived this morning. Out of the box, everything was perfect. There was some excess wax or polish at the end of the fingerboard that needed cleaned off, but like the Les Paul - the QC on the fit and finish was flawless. None of the photos I've seen online really do this bass justice. For $750 this is a killer bass! The neck is narrow at the nut like a T-bird, and does have a thicker feel, but not as chunky as the Les Paul. The neck feels fast, and the streamlined body shape feels great as well. The horns remind me more of the Starfire or a Peavey JF1 than the 335. The unplugged tone isn't quite as acoustic as my De Armond Starfire, but it's in the ballpark. Plugged in the B15 it sounds great! No adjustments needed. The neck pickup with the tone rolled off is pure chocolate, and the bridge pickup soloed has a nice midrange honk without being overly bright or ringing. Very nice! I would actually love to have a Tbird with a dual set of these neck pickups. Not sure if it's the placement up against the neck or if they are wired differently than TB+ - but it just sounds smoother and rounder.
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/CHERRY%20MIDTOWN/800-MIDTOWN004_zpsfc4b2f56.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/CHERRY%20MIDTOWN/800-MIDTOWN003_zps842a00d3.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/CHERRY%20MIDTOWN/800-MIDTOWN014_zpsb6dea528.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/CHERRY%20MIDTOWN/800-MIDTOWN013_zps82018088.jpg)
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Youze gize are killing me here. :-[ But I am not spending more on basses this season.....
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I like my Midtown too, excellent bass for the money.
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Those two look beautiful side by side. Had the pleasure of playing both models at Sam Ash 3 days ago. As well as the new Grabber, Gibson EB, and a 60's EBO. All great basses indeed. If only I had some spare cash...
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Wow Clint, really nice!
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Youze gize are killing me here. :-[ But I am not spending more on basses this season.....
I had put myself on a "Bass Gear Moratorium" so that I could save up for a new bike ('14 Indian Chief Vintage) - but now that the bike is here, and with the huge discounts on the Gibsons, I just couldn't say no. Some of these are going for less than what they do used :o
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/2013-11-09_12-43-52_138_zps4edb8c4d.jpg)
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I don't know anything about motorcycles, but in my mind's eye...that is what a motorcycle should look like.
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Not a Harley, but good enough! :popcorn:
In truth: That engine alone gives me a boner.
Edith has verboten me motorcycles ("Buy as many basses as you want, people don't die in accidents with them."). I am oppressed. :-\
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I'm sure lovin' the CHROME on that bike and your new basses Clint.
Just don't think either would look so good in black ;)
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There should be enough chrome on this thing to satisfy the most ardent chromofiles out there! I personally would have liked to see more black on the bike like the originals, but there is no doubt it sure is flashy. I've had the Chief out as much as the weather will permit, and it get's a lot of attention from bikers and non-bikers alike. Lot's of people giving a "thumbs up" or stopping to tell about their father, grandpa, uncle, etc... who had an original Indian from back in the day. It's kind of like driving around in a 57' Chevy, or playing a T-bird on stage. You definitely get noticed. I think it's going to be fun to see where Polaris takes the new Indian company in the next few years. The motor alone is a work of art - all of the retro styling just icing on the cake.
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/2013-11-14_16-42-53_631_zpseec0c789.jpg)
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No chrome on my Indian!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightfront_zps7b4b7b25.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightfront_zps7b4b7b25.jpg.html)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightside_zps2f841d66.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightside_zps2f841d66.jpg.html)
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Wartime?
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No chrome on my Indian!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightfront_zps7b4b7b25.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightfront_zps7b4b7b25.jpg.html)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightside_zps2f841d66.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Rightside_zps2f841d66.jpg.html)
Wow what a cool bike!
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I was drooling for a Scout when I was a kid, think they were all red/black with no chrome.
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Indian as a company has been resurrected right? That is not a vintage bike, but a new one?
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The new Indian is owned and manufactured by Polaris, who also makes the Victories. They did a great job on the new motor by adding fake cooling fins on the heads so it looks more like it's aircooled even though it's not!
Nice bike, Clint! Much better looking than previous incarnations of new Indians!
Mine is a war bike, an ex-Canadian Army Model 640, built in Springfield, Mass in 1940. Unlike most ex-army Indians, it's the big Scout at 45 cubic inches. Basically, it's a civilian Sport Scout with small fenders and no chrome. As the military guys say, "chrome don't get you home". :)
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"fake cooling fins"
Now I'm truly aghast!!! Form follows function turned upside down.
(http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1861093.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/%25C2%25A3%25C2%25A3%25C2%25A3-Owl-with-an-upside-down-head-1861093.jpg)
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"fake cooling fins"
Now I'm truly aghast!!! Form follows function turned upside down.
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Right. Gibson would never do something like that. For instance, Gibson would never put fake polepieces on a TB Plus to make it look like a mudbucker. :-X
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Dave, you do know that there is a - very vocal - minority in certain forums that clamors for everything to look like it did "back then" and is unsettled by progress in any shape or form?
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Right. Gibson would never do something like that. For instance, Gibson would never put fake polepieces on a TB Plus to make it look like a mudbucker. :-X
Or the Rickenfaker horseshoe mock cover ...
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The new Indian is owned and manufactured by Polaris, who also makes the Victories. They did a great job on the new motor by adding fake cooling fins on the heads so it looks more like it's aircooled even though it's not!
Nice bike, Clint! Much better looking than previous incarnations of new Indians!
Mine is a war bike, an ex-Canadian Army Model 640, built in Springfield, Mass in 1940. Unlike most ex-army Indians, it's the big Scout at 45 cubic inches. Basically, it's a civilian Sport Scout with small fenders and no chrome. As the military guys say, "chrome don't get you home". :)
Very cool 641/Scout! We saw some different war bikes at the National Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Museum in Anamosa, IA just before I ordered mine, but they didn't have a 641. If you ever make it to Iowa, the place is definitely worth visiting. You can take an entire day just going through the Indian sections alone. I think the new Indian company (Polaris) filmed a lot of their promo videos there- anytime they flash an old bike or motor, it was probably there at the museum.
The fins are definitely stylish - but the bike is air cooled. No water in this one! ;) However, the extra gas cap on the left hand side of the tank, serves no purpose at. It's just a dummy. Guess they didn't want the tank to look "lop sided" lol
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Wait, you are right, I was being thoughtless. Of course it's aircooled! Duh! The fins and rounded heads give it a nice touch which leads it away from the Harley/S&S looking engines of previous Indians. They did a fine job with this one.
I really need to swing by that museum. Every Labor Day weekend I'm in Davenport, Iowa for a big swap meet so I really have no excuse not to go to it.
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I'm 30 min North of Davenport (work in Moline) and know exactly which swap meet your talking about. Will have to look me up next year! Another "biker point of interest" not far from there is Savanna, IL on Route 84 which is home to Poopy's Pub and The Iron Horse. The Iron Horse has quite a few un-restored and original bikes of all types on display. Quite a few old Indians, early Harley's, Excelsior Hendersons, etc...
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Dave, you do know that there is a - very vocal - minority in certain forums that clamors for everything to look like it did "back then" and is unsettled by progress in any shape or form?
You don't say! ;D
Wanting chrome parts like the vintage models had is not the same thing as faking a pickup cover.
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them thar is fightin' words :popcorn:
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Dave, you do know that there is a - very vocal - minority in certain forums that clamors for everything to look like it did "back then" and is unsettled by progress in any shape or form?
So, what's your point? ;D
Black plastic = progress :-X
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Black plastic that sounds better is progress.
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That Indian is as cool as motorbikes get.
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Black plastic that sounds better is progress.
They (Black Plastic pups) just don't do it for me (asethtics aside), I've had 4 Post '88 'Birds, over time 1 of 2 things happened - they got new pups or they got sold, because it was easier to get rid of them than spend the $$$ for new pups - let alone the rest of the hardware. I've even replaced the black plastic one that I skinned and put NOS '76 covers on.
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They (Black Plastic pups) just don't do it for me (asethtics aside), I've had 4 Post '88 'Birds, over time 1 of 2 things happened - they got new pups or they got sold, because it was easier to get rid of them than spend the $$$ for new pups - let alone the rest of the hardware. I've even replaced the black plastic one that I skinned and put NOS '76 covers on.
I gotta agree. My first T-bird was a '91 or so standard reissue model. I always thought it sounded great until I got my '64 T-bird II. After that I didn't even wanna plug in the '91. I eventually sold it off. I just love the middy growl of the original pickups. The only other bass I own that comes close is my Embassy, but even that falls a little short. I guess whatever floats your boat though.
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Today I noticed that the finish is starting to flake off the Midtown in the vicinity of the end of the neck and the neck pickup so it's going back to AMS. I've only gigged it twice now, and the area where it's flaking is not somewhere where my thumb/fingers make contact. My guess is that maybe it's from the weather changes. Grrrrr.....
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Today I noticed that the finish is starting to flake off the Midtown in the vicinity of the end of the neck and the neck pickup so it's going back to AMS. I've only gigged it twice now, and the area where it's flaking is not somewhere where my thumb/fingers make contact. My guess is that maybe it's from the weather changes. Grrrrr.....
That's too bad. Weather-related or not, it shouldn't be happening.
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That's terrible, never had that with a Gibson.
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The replacement Midtown showed up today- I have to give AMS credit, they shipped it as soon as I dropped off the defective one at UPS. However, I have mixed feelings about this one... :-\
The good:
The neck definitely has a much better feel to it than the first one. It's slightly thinner and more T-birdish, and no where near as chunky. The maple top also has a nicer grain pattern, and is more uniform. Looks nice. Plugged in, there is a difference in sound also. This one is louder, and sounds more like a P-bass on steroids, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The first one was very soft sounding, and in a band context sometimes got swallowed up by the room when using anything other than just the bridge pickup.
The bad:
Everything you know and love about Gibson QC. Sloppy black paint on the F holes, the binding edges/borders aren't as crisp and neat like the first unit, the fingerboard and inlays look "cheap" compared to the first one, and the finish around the neck heel has a lot of orange peel. Heck maybe it was even a touch up- that was where the finish peeled off the first one. I would easily give the first Midtown an A for fit and finish (out of the box). This one, maybe a B- or a C+.
Haven't decided what to do with it. I might call and see if they will give me a discount, but considering I got it for the blow out special price, I doubt there is much meat left on the bone to haggle over.
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That's too bad. And inexcusable, blowout price or not. It shouldn't have left the factory that way, period.
Really, I'm not trying to influence your decision, but there's no way in hell I would consider keeping it.
BTW, I bought a new American Special Tele in early December, it was perfect out of the box and a lot less expensive than a Gibson Midtown. Fender isn't perfect either but fit and finish problems are rare, at least on their MIA offerings. They're common at Gibson.
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I'm with Dave on this one.
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Yep - talked to AMS and this is going back. Hopefully third time's a charm. He said they only have two left, so I had him check to see if it's a return, or a brand new unit. Supposedly it's factory sealed - so we'll see. Fingers crossed...
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Numero Tres has arrived...
I'm surprised how much variation there is among these Midtowns. This one is spot on for fit and finish, and the prettiest of the three since it has a lot more interesting grain pattern in the maple top. It was hard to photograph, but you can sort of make it out. The binding on the fingerboard is by far the best of the three also, and the edges have all been nicely smoothed and it just feels "right". You can tell by looking that someone took their time and did it by hand. The black paint in the F holes is comparable to the first bass, not perfect, but very acceptable, and the nitro is very nicely done with zero orange peel. Being a Gibson, it did have to have one flaw: the neck pickup was literally flopping around under the cover enough to make a "thunk" sound. I removed the cover, added another piece of foam, and it's back in business. The sound is very good, and it isn't as soft as the first one I received, but it also isn't as P-bass'ish sounding as the second one. This one resides somewhere in between. Assuming the finish doesn't fall off this one, or something else weird happen - it's a keeper.
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3004_zpsce57bdce.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3007_zps2cc383d5.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3001_zps8fcec2a0.jpg)
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It looks great Clint!
Total classic in that color with the chrome hardware :)
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Third time's a charm!
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That is a nice looker, congrats on your patience. As for the pup, I've now put additional foam under the Midtown, LP Sig RI and my SG. All of them were low in the cover and especially so on the e-string side. I'd fire the pickup installer in Nashville! Or do a foam redesign! :-\
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Makes you wonder why the pickup isn't just attached to the cover via a set of screws with slightly larger heads in the first place, especially since they are just cosmetic anyway.
When removing the pickup cover, have you noticed that it has "cut" into the finish on any of your basses? I'm wondering if the first bass I received had the cover tightened down too far, and coupled with the screw holes themselves - is what caused the finish to start flaking off.
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Makes you wonder why the pickup isn't just attached to the cover via a set of screws with slightly larger heads in the first place, especially since they are just cosmetic anyway.
When removing the pickup cover, have you noticed that it has "cut" into the finish on any of your basses? I'm wondering if the first bass I received had the cover tightened down too far, and coupled with the screw holes themselves - is what caused the finish to start flaking off.
It is easy to dent or chip a finish with edge of the big neck pup cover if you tighten it too much. I would know!
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I'm wondering if the first bass I received had the cover tightened down too far, and coupled with the screw holes themselves - is what caused the finish to start flaking off.
Highly unlikely. Poor prep is the culprit, probably not removing all dust before shooting paint. Hope the third one is the charm!
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(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3004_zpsce57bdce.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3007_zps2cc383d5.jpg)
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/number3001_zps8fcec2a0.jpg)
Interesting. The bass in the middle photo has witch hat reflector knobs but the basses in the 1st and 3rd photos have the '80s style speed knobs.
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Interesting. The bass in the middle photo has witch hat reflector knobs but the basses in the 1st and 3rd photos have the '80s style speed knobs.
Reflector, period. Witch hats look like fender amp knobs. I think those reflectors are aftermarket, true reflectors... not like the crap Gibson currently uses.
Sorry for the rant...too much coffee this morning, breaking in the "new" (1985) espresso machine.
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All three pics are of the same bass (the final replacement). I snapped the middle pic after I switched the stock speed knobs out for some Gibson reflectors. I also turned the bridge pickup around so the pole pieces were a little further away from the bridge to see if it would take some bite off it.
(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/CHERRY%20MIDTOWN/NUMBER3-1_zpsd5643437.jpg)
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Numero Tres has arrived...
:mrgreen: ;D :mrgreen: ;D :mrgreen: ;D Gibson certainly can't say you aren't faithful! Good luck with the cherry!
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Thought I would try these out - Iron Cross fingerboard inlay decals from Ebay. They are extremely thin, and undectable when playing. From a couple feet away, you'd never know they weren't true inlays. Best part is I can take them off at any time and go back to the stock look without running the risk of permanently screwing up the fingerboard.
(http://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_20140717_204750058-jpg.449485/)
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OM
GRichthofen - an RBB (Red Baron Bass) now, where have we been propelled to? :rolleyes:
It needs a beagle decal pickguard though ...
(http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/attachments/factory-loads/50244d1362708236-what-bunch-low-lifes-curse-you-red-baron.jpg)
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Bruce Dickinson owns and flies one... or at least a replica...
Dickinson is a Fokker... er... pilot... (http://www.rocksins.com/2014/05/iron-maidens-bruce-dickinson-stage-wwi-flying-display-extravaganza-sonisphere-knebworth-21261/)
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Uwe, if you were into making your own basses, Snoopy in fighter pilot togs on a doghouse would be a great headstock decal (copyright infringement aside).
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He could turn Snoopy into a Schnauzer... :mrgreen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh-J4GSPgAM
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Wow what a cool bike!
awesome! Suicide shift!??