The first electric Gibson Bass?

hollowbody · December 28, 2008, 08:32:08 PM

Maybe this is old news, but I came across this bass looking through The Shrine To Music online catalog. I can't remember seeing this one on display at any time.

I went to school here and spent a lot of time soaking in all of the instruments.

http://www.usd.edu/smm/PluckedStrings/Guitars/Gibson/10474/GibsonUprightBass.html

I guess the name has been changed to The National Music Museum.

bassobsessed · December 28, 2008, 10:06:37 PM

Probably the first Gibson electric bass, but there were mando-basses that pre-dated this by several decades

hollowbody · December 28, 2008, 10:25:35 PM

You're right. I edited the subject to reflect that. They had the whole line of Gibson mandolins, including the mandobass, on display in the museum. If I remember correctly, they had a bench from the Gibson factory as well as a bunch of molds and tools.

It's been almost 10 years since I've been there. My folks live about 40 minutes away so I should stop there again sometime and refresh my memory.

Dave W · December 28, 2008, 11:23:54 PM

Nice find. I do remember seeing a photo somewhere before (predating this forum). IIRC it was one black and white photo, not a set of clear color photos, so it was may well have been another one of the several Gibson made.

uwe · December 29, 2008, 09:17:21 AM

It's been shown before, but deserves a second sight. Wonder how that pup sounds on it ...

Dave W · December 29, 2008, 10:05:10 AM

No reason a Charlie Christian pickup wouldn't sound good on a bass. There are a handful of repros on the market if you dare to try.

lowend1 · December 29, 2008, 01:36:33 PM

Quote from: Dave W on December 29, 2008, 10:05:10 AM
No reason a Charlie Christian pickup wouldn't sound good on a bass.

Or a Charlie Callas pickup, for that matter...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTmK9NlTN8Y&feature=related