Gibson Les Paul 5 string bass

[Hornisse]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons of these instruments?  Looks like the string spacing is tight.  There is one on Ebay right now that I am watching and it is priced at $850 plus shipping from Canada.  Thanks for any opinions.

[Dave W]

Never owned one, just played one once in a shop years ago. If it's the one I saw with a starting bid of $850, it's a Les Paul Special (all mahogany). This was the lowest priced model.  I haven't been following what these have sold for recently, but $850 would be a decent price, don't know if I would go higher.

[uwe]

If you like a bass that sounds like a Kingtiger tank, than the Special V is for you. The TCT Bart electronics do to TB Plus pups what gamma rays do to Bruce Banner. It's one hulk of a sound and the B string takes no prisoners. I find it a bit much actually, whenever I take mine out, it is "woarghhh!" The first two songs, but too much cherry pie by the third.

But certainly a good V string. String spacing is tighter, but still doablefor finger players, not hilarious like the Ric 4003S/5. Chunky neck that adds to the beef in sound. If the active electronics are too much for you, you could always yank them out (or add a passive switch), because the TB Plus pups work in passice mode on V strings too as the Gibson V proved. It is then a sound that is not as "take no prisoners"-punishing, but still has rock brawn.

[Hornisse]

Thank you for all of the opinions.  I may go for it as I've always liked the look of the Les Paul basses.  Plus, I already bought my Grabber from this same seller.  Interesting that both of my one piece necked Grabbers came from Canada!

I was always a fan of the Tiger Tanks too Uwe.  If the bass sounds like a King Tiger then it must really cut through the mix.

[Nocturnal]

I had the volume control on my LP switched to a push/pull pot (thanks Chromium!) so I could use it in passive. Not as overpowering then. Sounds great in either mode tho!

[Dave W]

.... whenever I take mine out, it is "woarghhh!" The first two songs, but too much cherry pie by the third.

And what's wrong with "woarghhh!"? I never knew there was such a thing as too much cherry pie. 

[Highlander]

Depends on your waistline, Dave...