Going rate for a Hobbit?

[Basvarken]

I think the Les Paul Bass (with smaller control plate) sounds a little better. More tone. The body is a bit thicker.
Plus it doesn't have the jackinput at the top side in the vulnerable plastic plate, but it has the jack input at the side. Which makes it less prone to break.

Oh, and they all have the Evertilt. 

[Granny Gremlin]

Despite acknowledging the added convenience of having the transformer built-in and the fact that added bass response of the original LPB's thicker body is definately not missed in the Triumph (there's a reason there's a bass cut knob in addition to the standard treble cut), I still wonder why the preference for the Triumph over the LPB Dave?  Especially when it's so much easier to find an LPB with a 2 pnt vs a Triumph.

I guess the other difference is the body shape - more typical LP with the Triumph and more fattened Jazz guitar version with the LPB - also darker walnut finish vs lighter stain/trans on the Triumph.

[Dave W]

Both of you have valid points. I'd still rather have an early Triumph.

[Basvarken]

Despite acknowledging the added convenience of having the transformer built-in and the fact that added bass response of the original LPB's thicker body is definately not missed in the Triumph (there's a reason there's a bass cut knob in addition to the standard treble cut),

No it doesn't have more bass. It has better tone. The difference isn't night and day. They're very much in the same ball park. But I think the early Les Paul Bass is slightly better tonewise.

I guess the other difference is the body shape - more typical LP with the Triumph and more fattened Jazz guitar version with the LPB - also darker walnut finish vs lighter stain/trans on the Triumph.

Outline shape is the same. The only difference is the thickness (±5 mm) and the lack of a belly cut at the early Les Paul Bass.

[Granny Gremlin]

Looks a bit chubbier in pics.

Alright Dave, but is there a reason (honestly curious). 

[Dave W]

There's no specific reason, I don't know what else to tell you.

[Granny Gremlin]

Fair enough.

[Grog]

That Hobbit at Solidbody has been there for a long time, possibly years. When did they move to Hopkins??

[Dave W]

That Hobbit at Solidbody has been there for a long time, possibly years. When did they move to Hopkins??

I'm not sure, probably within the past year. I haven't actually been in the store for over ten years, when they were in their original Mounds View store (not the one in the photo on the website). They don't seem to be in business as a retail store any more. That bass has probably been gone for years. I'm not wasting another minute trying to call.

Owner is barney-barnes on eBay. Some of the gear on the website is currently listed by him, I suspect the rest is gone.

Anyway, guys, I appreciate the suggestions but now I'm cool on the idea of buying one. Yes, I really did like the tone and feel of the one I played, but there are other priorities in my life and not enough money to fulfill all of them. Thanks.

[Grog]

Looks like Dave's Guitar Shop has Dave's Hobbit, (even though the GAS has cooled to a liquid!). It even has an "Evertilt Tune-O-Matic bridge!

http://davesguitar.com/products/gibson/les-paul-bass-early-70s/

[Dave W]

Dave's is a treat to visit. Too much tempting gear though. You have to be strong-willed to resist.

EDIT: I see they have eight new Gibson basses in stock. That's a lot more than you'll find anywhere else in this part of the country.

[Grog]

I'll hopefully be driving down there in a week or two to pick up the EB-0F when it's done with it's refin.......... He has much of the entire Gibson Bass line in several color options, I don't know where else you would see them all on one wall. Here is a photo I took when I dropped the bass off.



Also, a few from his personal collection.......... I bought my 1959 EB-2 from him a while back.

[amptech]

Hey, that´s quite a museum you got there!

[Grog]

Those photos were taken at Dave's Guitar Shop in Lacrosse Wisconsin.............. Wish they were mine!! 

[nofi]

the guitar center that i sometimes fall into never has more than one but mostly none new gibson products. the small local chain up the road usually has a much better gibson collection. question; i haven't seen a new ric in any store for more years than i can recall. why is that?