Quite breaking news - Gibson Bass Line Up 2016

[Alanko]

I just cannot enjoy Quo's singing voices. Neither of the guys had a standout rock voice, and they both had the same nasal delivery. It just lacks balls, which you cannot scrape back by wearing double denim and playing the same boogie riffs all the time. Alan Lancaster is sound though. 

[Dave W]

Back to 2016 Gibsons for a moment. Three 2016 model Gibson solidbody guitar models have been spotted already in at least a couple of different Guitar Centers: LP Standard, LP Studio and SG Standard. They have 2016 on the GC sales tag and "2016 Model" and 16xxx... serial numbers stamped on the back of the headstocks. They appear to be back to old pre-2014 specs and old prices. For example, LP Standard @ $2799 as opposed to the 2015 model @ $3759 with case (before the recent reductions). No headstock scrawl, no zero fret nut, no GForce.

There's hope. If the basses don't return in 2016, at least the prices ought to be more reasonable when they do.

[the mojo hobo]

I just received an email from zzounds.com announcing the 2016 Gibson line-up (because I bought a Gibson BASS from them last year) and one thing that stands out is the title of all but one guitar listings has the word "Traditional" in the title. I just went back to link it and now the word traditional has just become the letter T.

http://www.zzounds.com/lp/gibson-2016-models/255

And it appears that there are no 2016 Gibson basses is because there are still unsold 2013 basses available:

http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?cat2%5B0%5D=3549&cat=2407&ob=pop&pa=31&form=search&key=cat

Interesting that the 2014 4-string is sold out and the 2013 is still available. Is the jack placement that big of an issue?

[Dave W]

I saw the 2016 display from American Musical today. There are still some models called Traditional that appear to be different from the T models, so it's hard to tell what's behind the naming, or if they're just trying to emphasize that they've gone back to pre-goofy models.

There are still a handful of unsold 2013 and 2014 guitars out there too. Mostly Memphis and USA Custom, though.

[Dave W]

New article up today on Reverb: Breaking: Gibson to Revert Prices and Specs on 2016 Models

[Pilgrim]

Nice!  Now they're only overpriced by 50%.

[the mojo hobo]

Really? You can buy a new Les Paul for $899. You think it should be $599?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPST5HT16?siid=179710

[slinkp]

That's quite a difference from the 2015 LP Standard.  What's so different about the budget model?

[the mojo hobo]

Gig bag instead of a case, and a non-shiney finish as on previous budget models.

[slinkp]

Chrome pickup covers are probably worth a couple hundred bucks on their price model

[Pilgrim]

Really? You can buy a new Les Paul for $899. You think it should be $599?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPST5HT16?siid=179710

Looking at the ZZSounds website, they show one (1) Gibson bass under $1000, and that's the EB at $800. It's a two-pickup passive bass with V/V/T knobs.  Maybe this is an $800 bass, as it's directly comparable to a J.

But all the other basses listed are over $1000.  A simple SG-style bass is $1427.

REALLY?  A bone-simple SG bass is worth $1427 street price??  I can't believe it's worth a single buck more than the EB you linked.

Overpriced? Especially with all the quality control issues discussed here?  Yup.

[uwe]

Defending Gibson is uncool here, I know, but Gibson charges more for SG and TB basses than for fresher designs (already deleted!) because they are their two bass classics in constant production. Let's face it: Anybody buying a TBird (with its limited high register access and less than brilliant ergonomics) or an SG bass (with its short scale and affiliated sound and playing idiosyncracies) wants a TB or an SG bass, and most likely ALSO due to the history behind these models (as well as that not every Joe Blow plays one). So Gibson charges a premium on these - any reasonable maker would.

I will not stand by as this forum tries to abolish capitalism (it's the cow us socialists need for milking after all!!!). To lend a phrase (or two) from our cherished fierce Administrator - never one to mince words - (who in the past has relegated members with his): "Where did you learn that? At Vladimir Lenin High School***?" 

*** I've repeatedly googled it. I don't think the US has - or ever had - one!!! Dave is leading us on for his personal agenda.

[Dave W]

The $899 LP is a satin finish 50s Tribute model at about the same price as 2014. Great deal for the money, for an American-made guitar. Not a Les Paul Standard with a thick figured top, though.

AFAIK the lowest priced US-made Fenders are the American Special Teles and Strats at $999. Lowest priced Gibson is $739.

As for Al's complaint about the Gibson basses, consider that the lowest priced US-made Precision is $1349; lowest priced US-made Jazz is $50 more.  Lowest priced MM Sting Ray is $1540. Compared to the 2015 SG Standard Bass at $1427 (now that it has been reduced 15%), I'd say that's right in line. And roughly the same or better than 60s-70s Gibson prices adjusted for inflation.

[Dave W]

......

I will not stand by as this forum tries to abolish capitalism (it's the cow us socialists need for milking after all!!!). To lend a phrase (or two) from our cherished fierce Administrator - never one to mince words - (who in the past has relegated members with his): "Where did you learn that? At Vladimir Lenin High School***?" 

*** I've repeatedly googled it. I don't think the US has - or ever had - one!!! Dave is leading us on for his personal agenda.

Henry appreciates your post.

[Pilgrim]

Well played and answered, gentlemen!

I can't complain too much if a comparable bass sells for similar money in the most directly competitive brand.

Those prices do indicate why Fender has been doing well with MIM basses and the Squier line, and Gibson has been selling Epiphones.  It helps if there's a price point for every buyer.