Gibson SG reissue Bass

[Big mark]

Hi all, just browsing around the web and came upon the SG short scale bass.
Anyone played one?
Do they tune EADG with a good tension, if so I assume it's with specialist stings?

Had a very JPJ tone which I love so I'm very curious

[3234718]

It's a great bass, and short scale so you need short scale strings. Personally, I don't think it's worth 1000 bucks more than the equivelent Epiphone, but that's just me.

[D.M.N.]

You use short scale strings with short scale basses so they will have the correct tension. You can't use normal scale strings.

The pups in the new SG basses are essentially the same as the pickups in a Thunderbird, so that's sort of the tone they'll give you. They're nothing like the EB-3s of old, such as Jack Bruce or Andy Fraser used. Not knocking the new ones, just saying they won't sound exactly like those big, fat mudbuckers on the old ones. JPJ never used the old ones, but I'm sure you could get a nice, fat, smooth tone from the new ones.

Edit: 3234718 beat me to it.

[senp5f]

Generally with short scale basses, you need to use thicker strings to arrive at a tension that feels similar to 34" scale. My rough rule of thumb is that medium shorts (.45-105) feel roughly like light-gauge long scales, and then heavy shorties feel like medium long scales. Just my opinion.

Personally, part of the reason I dig short scale is for the lower tension and ease of use when singing while playing.

On the SG basses specifically, I have not been impressed with the pickups. They're pretty muddy, which when coupled with the tendency of short scale basses to lack clarity, adds up to a big lack of note definition. However, for some stuff that's exactly the kind of old-school, lo-fi sound you want. So consider it a specialty tool rather than a utility bass.

[Stewie26]

I bought my Gibson SG bass new about a year ago. It is the first SS bass I have ever owned and I am super happy with it.
The tone is deep and it growls. I just put GHS flats on it this week and the tension is a little loose compared with the stock strings that came with the guitar. But after playing a few hours I am getting use to it. It is my go too bass now. My three Fenders have been collecting dust since owning the Gibson SG.

[Art Araya]

i had the faded reissue. wasn't into the muddy mudbucker tone of the pickups so i replaced them.

i also replaced the useless bridge with a hipshot made specifically for this bass.

and i moved the strap buttons to help with the neck dive issue.

much more user-friendly now. easy to play (i use mid-gauge strings and super low action) and lots of usable tones.

[senp5f]

I'd also agree with the above poster -- if you're curious about this bass, buy a used Epiphone one for like $200 to try it out. You can always upgrade the pickups, tuners and bridge and have a bass that sounds good, if you're not fanatical about headstock names.

[Barkless Dog]

The Epiphone EB-3 is long scale & the Epi EB-0 is short scale but only has one pickup which is not really like the SG bass or as versatile.

[bassobrutto]

These are great basses if you want a short scale with more muscular, more wide-ranging sound than, say, a Mustang or a Musicmaster. Think of them as a more versatile, modern update of the original EB-3, not as a completely different kind of bass. Even if the pickups are technically different from the originals on the EB-3, they are still in the same ballpark, not least because of their humbucker construction and their location on the bass. They are slightly less extreme sounding, but still powerful.

Also, volume controls are wired independently, like on a Jazz bass, so you can get quite a good range of sounds from different pickup combinations.

And for the record, there is no problem using most full scale strings on short scale basses. Many on here do it, and I have done it many times. The only strings I know of that won't do this are Labella flats--they are very stiff and can snap when the playing section of the string is wound around the post.

[mr.mow]

I use a faded SG pretty much exclusively gigging.. I run regular length Fender SS flats on it.

I don't really find it muddy, you just need to EQ it differently, the twin volume controls are sensitive, you just need to learn to make them work for you.

I have considered adding a 2 band Agular EQ/pre to give me some onboard control, but I'd hate to risk losing that fabulous fat woody sound I get out of it.

Every comment Ive ever had at shows has been 'that is the mightiest bass sound I've ever heard'.

And contrary to popular web wisdom.

It doesn't neck dive
It doesn't need special strings
The stock bridge works just fine
The setup was perfect from the factory
The bass is not a QC disaster

But.. Play one.. They are not for everyone.

[Big mark]

Awesome feedback guys, the more I here the "vintage thump" of this bass, the more I want to meet one. Still unsure about a light weight shortie, as it's the total opposite from what I would normally go for but heck, who knows!!!

[gibsonbassguy]

EB's in the 60's and 70's , with a '70 Les Paul thrown in , bought a Faded some time back . It is a racehorse once set-up properly

[starmann]

I have a 2011 and it is a great bass.

I do however recommend dadarrio short scale chromes, flats.

This brings out the old school flavor. I did not like roundwounds on it.

Then again I'm not a roundwound fan.

[Rick48195]

Originally Posted by 3234718

It's a great bass, and short scale so you need short scale strings. Personally, I don't think it's worth 1000 bucks more than the equivelent Epiphone, but that's just me.

Not so, I had both side by side, there is absolutely no comparison between the Epiphone EB-0 and the Gibson SG except they look a lot alike, The EB-0 has a bolt on neck and one cheap pickup, the Gibson SG is a glued neck and has two great pickups, the sound difference is like night and day, also, I would buy medium scale strings for this bass because the short scales are just a tad too short, with the short scale LaBella Deep talking bass strings the silk may rest on the nut, the medium scale gives you 2 more inches. I used to use round wound strings but I agree that the bass sounded muddy, I put flat wound Labella deep talking bass strings on it and viola, no mud, very nice tone

[Psychbunny]

I spent about a half hour with a new SG RI afew weeks back. I loved it. I love the throaty growl and tone of an HH gibson. I also love the short scale and find it easier to play than a 34". I disagree slightly with some of the above in that I do think it is a great workhorse and has a variety of tone combinations it just isn't a P. If you feel that you must have a P sound (which I have never understood) then you will be let down but if you want a unigue, rocking sound with a very gig friendly bass then this is a great choice.

[mtsens1]

Ok, I'm a little confused. I see online (GC, MF, SW, etc) one version for ~ $1399, and another for $799. The only difference I can tell is the cheaper one has the faded finish and dot inlay's, the expensive one better (opinion) finish, and trapezoid inlay's. Anyone know if there are other differences? For me the $600 difference is a lot for finish and inlay's, but understand they are labor driven differences.

[Barkless Dog]

The faded is the same bass but is less expensive because the do not use grain filler and a gloss nitro finish, which is labor intensive. The faded ones I have seen were pretty cool basses and should mojo quickly, which is cool to me. I really like the matt look.

[blue4]

My impression of them both side by side was that the Epi with a new pickup would be a great low cost bass. My impression of the SG Gibson was that is was about $500 overpriced. Not a bad bass by any degree, but not at $1300. I would rate the SG about the same as a Mustang as far as build quality goes, myself.

[subbasshz]

if you score a good deal you can nab an original EB-0 for the new prices. . .

I paid 800 for my 63. . .

[Barkless Dog]

The difference between the Epi and a gibson is they have totally different pickups. I paid $200 for my Gibson 69 basket case Eb-0