Bass IV

[Denis]

I really think these look great in natural finish. Kicking myself for not buying the one on eBay 2 years ago for $400.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1987-Gibson-IV-Bass-Guitar-/171186955126?pt=Guitar&hash=item27db89a376

[uwe]

I still don't see these picking up beauty pageant awards any time soon, but as IVs go, the natural clearcoat maho look was indeed best. Both the white and the "Ferrari red" cheapified things considerably. Now the ones in pink are another matter - they're trash, but in style!!!

[Blackbird]

Take the strings off and it looks like some form of medieval weapon...

[neepheid]

Well, you know I like these.  I don't think the white looked bad at all, very much an 80s style, but I quite liked it.  The IV may not be the bonniest bass Gibson have ever issued, but by gosh it works.  If I'm ever going to a gig and I've got any doubts about how good the sound is going to be (equipment, monitoring, whatever), I take the IV because it just seems to drop into any situation and just play.  It's probably the same with any TB+ equipped bass to be fair.

[uwe]

I have no issues with them at all sonically and they are ergonomic as hell, have played them myself at gigs and people have never said a nasty thing about them. They live up to expectations how Joe Blow thinks an electric bass (all?) should look.

[Granny Gremlin]

I dunno.  The pointy headstock on a, lets face it, Fender shaped body just doesn't work for me.  Not ugly, just awkward.... then again I like the way victories look (same body shape right? plus/minus contours?).  Could be the hardware/PG in addition to the headstock that tie it together for me.

... maybe I'd like my Victory's tone even more  if it were all maho with set neck like these... but it'd probaly loose it's value as a  P sounding (if a bit ballsier/aggressive) bass - which is why I keep it (don't have a P, and when folks come in to the studio they like familiar things).

[the mojo hobo]

I dunno.  The pointy headstock on a, lets face it, Fender shaped body just doesn't work for me.  Not ugly, just awkward....

I'm with you on that. I've owned a couple of them and I'd probably have one now if not for that headstock.

[uwe]

The IVs and Vs don't have a Victory body shape (Q-80 and -90 had), their body is much more like a not yet fully developed larvae as opposed to the Victory hulks that are not afraid to show real contours.

Am I the only one here who sees parallels between the new Fender Dimension bass and the Victories?

[Nocturnal]

Am I the only one here who sees parallels between the new Fender Dimension bass and the Victories?

You are not alone in that viewpoint.

[gweimer]

I saw the parallels between the Gibson Bass IV and the Fender Zone American Deluxe.

[gearHed289]

I've been thinking the Fender Dimension and Gibson EB are aesthetically very similar.

[Granny Gremlin]

The horn half maybe (though that lower cutaway is much deeper - not as deep as a Victory though - love that 24th fret access) .... the ass end just screams Mosrite (aka understated Rev TBird offset) to me.

[Barklessdog]

I really like the look of the new EB.  

It looks as though they are getting some following at TB which is More representative of the bass community by large vs the old folks home.

[Dave W]

I really like the look of the new EB.  

It looks as though they are getting some following at TB which is More representative of the bass community by large vs the old folks home.

TB is representative of the online bass community because of its size. It has very little similarity to real world bassists, most of whom don't frequent forums.

[Hörnisse]

TB sure has grown over the years.  I remember when it started Paul was living in an apartment.  It has become so profitable he now lives in a nearly half million dollar home. (Travis County property tax records are public)