GIBSON LES PAUL OVERSIZED BASS - Page 5

Baird6869 · #81 04-26-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote1

To directly answer your Qs:

Conklin GT7, Warwick Corvette standard fretless, Tune TWB53, etc. not that those make me any better or more knowledgeable or anything. Lol

Cool.

I really want a GT7, not a fan of Warwicks (had a couple, just not my thing but the Fortress Masterman was my favorite), and haven't tried a Tune.

Try a LP Oversized if you can. Gibson DOES and HAS made a ton of crap IME, but the Oversized is a really good sounding/playing bass.

StrangerDanger · #82 04-26-2012, 08:44 PM

I tried one of the gold tops. Very nice looking and the fit n finish was superior to any other Gibson bass I have tried. The pickups are ceramic, at least they sound ceramic and are very hot and quite modern sounding to me. The neck was chunkier than my RIC but not as chunky as a Warwick or vintage p bass. The bass body is VERY large and the bass I played was really heavy (~13 lbs). The neck dive on a strap was pretty intense. Overall I would grade it 9/10 for looks and 5/10 for playability and 6/10 for tone.

If you're a Gibson-phile, it's definitely worth trying out. It won't be for everybody because of the weight and neck dive and overall body size. Certainly a step in the right direction for Gibson basses.

Just my .02

Barkless Dog · #83 04-27-2012, 06:02 AM

My LP Standard is flawless in fit & finish. The down side of the large bodied LPs is they do not countersink the bridge post mounts, so they stick out slightly. All they needed to do was counter sing the top when they drilled them, which is inexcusable/lazy in my opinion. Does it kill the deal?
Not for me it wouldn't, but still...
The other thing I would really like to stress is that you need to get your LP bass set up, it makes all the difference in the world on these. The curved top & chunky neck (not baseball bat chunky) really felt awkward on my LP Standard at first, I was not sure I liked the bass. Then I got it professionally set up and it was like night & day. Probably one of my fastest playing basses. I love it now. Actually this is true with a lot of basses, but this one in particular, makes a huge difference.

**smperry** · #84 04-27-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

The bass body is VERY large and the bass I played was really heavy (~13 lbs). The neck dive on a strap was pretty intense.

That's heavier than the previous Gibsons I've owned. I'd hope that weight would offset the tendency to neck dive!

**ajax1** · #85 04-27-2012, 07:31 AM

I have a cherry sunburst 2006 LP Standard (Warwick bridge) which has been a great playing bass for me. I haven't played the new one Gibson released with the Tune-o-matic bridge. The LP Standard model I have ended production in 2006 I think. Based upon the Gibson specs the new model appears to be the same size as the LP Standard model. Mine weighs in at about 10.5 lbs which is about 2.5 pounds heavier than than my Cirrus 5 string.

What I like about the bass is the sound, the TB Pups (which are very hot) and what I think is a very fast & playable neck. What I don't like is the weight and I agree with some of the TB comments about the nasal sound of the bridge Pup.

Would I buy one again? Probably not. Would I sell mine? No. I think its a keeper and it can really get down and dirty playing classic hard rock.

Wild Steve · #86 04-27-2012, 08:22 AM

Just got one to look over, the new oversized one.
First thing is, as soon as you pick it up you can't miss the weight - it is very heavy! Like the Thunderbird it also seems to be long - ie the first fret seems a bit of a reach.
Haven't played it much yet, but one thing that's a bit awkward is that with the curved body I can't plant my right hand.
First bit of playing indicates that it's got a very heavy sound - really beefy and deep, makes my P Bass sound like a guitar!
Steve

Barkless Dog · #87 04-27-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

but one thing that's a bit awkward is that with the curved body I can't plant my right hand.

Quote:

What I like about the bass is the sound, the TB Pups (which are very hot) and what I think is a very fast & playable neck.

Agreed

I use the Pickup ring or play with a pick, which really accentuates the biting tone.

StrangerDanger · #88 04-29-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smperry

That's heavier than the previous Gibsons I've owned. I'd hope that weight would offset the tendency to neck dive!

I have always thought shape and distribution of mass is the way to offset neck dive (think Explorer style basses).

**smperry** · #89 04-30-2012, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

I have always thought shape and distribution of mass is the way to offset neck dive (think Explorer style basses).

Well, yeah, distribution of weight matters, as does the balance points (strap pin locations).

Wild Steve · #90 04-30-2012, 06:43 AM

It must have something to do with the individual too - their shape and their playing style - because some people report neck dive and others don't. I don't find the LP to dive, but then I don't find it with the TBird either.
Steve

chuck norriss · #91 05-02-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajax1

I

What I like about the bass is the sound, the TB Pups (which are very hot) and what I think is a very fast & playable neck. What I don't like is the weight and I agree with some of the TB comments about the nasal sound of the bridge Pup.

The nasal sound is caused by the pup or the bridge?

Jim Miller · #92 05-02-2012, 09:48 AM

I grabbed one of these in August. (No pic, no bass, so see below.) As a frame of reference I've never owned a Les Paul bass before, and my other basses include Gibson Thunderbirds, Fender Precisions/Jaguar/Jazz, Hamer 12s, Ibanez, G&L, Robin.

Regarding my experience with the Les Paul bass, it looks gorgeous, is very well made and finished, plays well, sounds fantastic. Very little-to-no neck dive; WAY less than with a Thunderbird, certainly. It's a tad heavy, yes, but so is my 1980 Ibanez RS-824! Came with a nice hardshell case. Expense is relative to the size of one's wallet so I won't comment on that, but I will say that I'm very happy with the purchase.

Barkless Dog · #93 05-02-2012, 09:54 AM

Great picture & really nice bass.

homey · #94 05-05-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

+1, you gave my opinion in a nutshell. Would never pay top dollar for a Gibson Afterthought.

+1 I would never regard Gibson as a good bass maker.

Baird6869 · #95 05-06-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homey

+1 I would never regard Gibson as a good bass maker.

I DO agree with this. No reason to say Gibson quality is atrocious, they can't make basses, QC is the worst, etc. As many have in other threads.

My 2011 LP Oversized sounds amazing and is impeccably built. So is my early '90's LP 5er. Also, my 2008 LPStandard Goldtop guitar is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. My son's LP Studio is rock solid too.

Having said that, I have seen many Gibsons with many issues.... Orange peeling at the neck joint is very common as an example. Gibson QC has NOT IMO improved along with Fender and other manufacturers in the last 20-30 years. This is inexcusable for a maker of $1500-3000 guitars.

**ajax1** · #96 05-08-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

The nasal sound is caused by the pup or the bridge?

The bridge pickup is the PUP that IME has the nasal sound when cranked all the way on and when the neck pickup is turned down (using the volume knobs to turn up the bridge PUP and turn down the neck PUP).

For some songs a full on bridge/full off neck PUP is not bad. I think the TB PUPs are very hot and you have to pay attention to how much volume you crank on either one depending on the sound you want/like. It's something you get used to on this bass. I think it's a great bass to play.

Hope that answers your ?

Calaverasgrande · #97 05-08-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

Does it neck dive?

A lot of Gibson bass designs have nasty neck dive.

I never did get this. My left hand is always on the neck when its playing. Neck dive? I suppose if I wanted to play an open string all the way through a song that might matter to me.

I think it also may differ whether you wear you bass like Dee-Dee Ramone or Mark King. I would think a low slung bass wold be less prone. And you cityfied pretty boys with the high falutin basses up above your beltline may be getting more of that dive.

I am interested in these basses myself mostly because I like the ole-fashioned pickup switch arrangement over a "pan" knob.
Though I find the LP/Gretsch placement kind of it gets in the way.

lowfreq33 · #98 05-08-2012, 06:07 PM

The problem with neck dive is that holding the neck up interferes with your technique, and you can never take your hand off the neck. It can actually be pretty fatiguing over the course of a night. You may have never played a bass with neck dive.

Calaverasgrande · #99 05-08-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

The problem with neck dive is that holding the neck up interferes with your technique, and you can never take your hand off the neck. It can actually be pretty fatiguing over the course of a night. You may have never played a bass with neck dive.

I'm pretty sure I have. I used to be a really broke guy in my early carreer. I borrowed every single piece of gear at one time or another. I got pretty good at playing on stuff I wasn't used to when I had no other option!
I've played some neck divey bases. Hollowbodies come to mind!
As well as some Kramers, and a few SG style basses. The worst part to me was that if your strap was long they could actually hit the floor with the headstock. But impact my technique? Not really.
I think it is one of the most over-exagerated "problems" with basses.
I am more concerned with intonation and the sound of the pickups.

japhy4529 · #**100** 10-22-2012, 09:23 AM

My apologies for resurrecting an old thread.

Anyone know how this bass compares with the mid-90's Gibson Les Paul Standard bass (the one with Active Barts)? I used to own one of these and it was amazing (really regret selling it). Is the body on the new "oversized" model larger than the LPB from the 90's? How is the sound compared with the older model?

Thanks,
Tom