P. U. Gibson, shame on you!

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by bluestarbass

Their prices have climbed to astronomical sums over the last few years..

Completely disagree.

A new Midtown hollow body is $1249, a Reverse Thunderbird is $1099, a
New style EB is $999 and faded SG RI bass is $849.

All brand new prices and all American made. Not sure what Gibsons you are referring to that were "astronomically" cheaper a few years ago.

In any case, Gibson can make great basses but QC has been unimpressive as of late. The last couple of Midtowns I tried were brutal.

I would NEVER buy a Gibson sight unseen, whereas I would buy almost any other brand without trying it first.

[Britbonic]

Originally Posted by Mechanical

All I'll say about Gibson is they didn't really have the CBS period, which thankfully for the sellers of said instruments, most newbs don't remember. CBS Fenders were uniformly crap. But they sell for $1000+ when you couldn't get folks to buy them for cost in the early 80s.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=CBS+Fender+crap

No, they had the Norland period instead. A lot of their instruments from the 70s leave a lot to be desired.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Sweetwater inspects and sets up their instruments. They send the crap back to the manufacturer, saving the end-user the trouble.

I am a Sweetwater fan, but they are not perfect either. Many of you would have sent my Gibson back for QC issues related to the finish. It came from Sweetwater.

I appreciate my Gibson for what it is - a well made, great playing, MIA instrument finished in nitro and sold for a reasonable price. The nitro is a bit sloppy, but feels really nice on the back of the neck.

Since I think Epiphone was mentioned in this thread, I will say that The Epiphone I bought at the same time has a much better finish. However, it has a some sanding/shaipng issues and the bridge pulled out when I first adjusted it.

[darkstorm]

Ive seen too many gibsons with poor fretwork and other workmanship flaws to have good regard for their stuff overall. Your right, epiphone has much better QC.

[Psychbunny]

I bought my Gibson new at GC. It is very well made and fit and finish is first rate. I also played it for a half an hour and compared it to a used am std Jazz and a new Am. Sp P. I have yet to buy a bass mail order but I did buy my kid's Gretsch Drum kit from MF. If you are fortunate enough ton have a GC that has a decent stock and buy without trying it out first it is your fault. I bought my Fender Am Sp Jazz used at GC and am super happy. I bought my Gibson Flying V at GC and am super happy, I bought my Godin Freeway at a local shop and am super happy I even had a dean edge for a while That I bought at a pawn shop with EMG's and a hard case that I was super happy with. What they all have in common is I took them for a decent test ride before putting down my cash. BTW, when I bought my Gibson I was intending to buy an American Jazz but the one that was in stock at the time simply didn't have a good tone and the set up was too low for my taste. The good thing about playing bass in 2013 is that we have a great selection at relatively decent prices. I survived playing in the late 70's and early 80's and can tell you we have it pretty good now.

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Sweetwater inspects and sets up their instruments. They send the crap back to the manufacturer, saving the end-user the trouble.

I'll second that! I bought a brand new Fender Custom Shop Jazz from Sweetwater, and it was set up perfectly when it arrived on my front porch. One string needed a very slight intonation adjustment, but that was all. The bass itself was immaculate.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by wvbass

I am a Sweetwater fan, but they are not perfect either. Many of you would have sent my Gibson back for QC issues related to the finish. It came from Sweetwater.

To be honest, I experienced this once with Sweetwater too, but they do make the effort and it probably decreases the odds of getting a problem bass or guitar.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by Britbonic

No, they had the Norland period instead. A lot of their instruments from the 70s leave a lot to be desired.

I believe that you meant 'Norlin'. IMO, some of the lesser quality Gibson instruments were made during that period in the mid 70's.

[Britbonic]

I did. Thanks for correction.

[Rob Martinez]

I have owned four Gibson Thunderbird basses: a Studio in cherry, a Studio in black, a 'burst Thunderbird IV and a white Thunderbird IV. The first three have been sold, but were great instruments in sound, feel, and quality. I kept the white T Bird and it is a beautiful instrument in all respects. I am not saying this to contradict the OP, but I bought these all at the same music store in Albuquerque and they were just fine as far as QC. I was very lucky.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Take the new EB bass for example. Top quality hardware, nitro paint and a hard case for the same price as a Fender American Special that comes with cheap heavy tuners, cheap bridge and a crappy gig bag.
Where else can you get a American made hollow body bass with hard case for $1200?

The EB is a hollow body bass???

[Funkinthetrunk]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Where else can you get a American made hollow body bass with hard case for $1200?

Carvin

Originally Posted by Mechanical

CBS Fenders were uniformly crap. But they sell for $1000+ when you couldn't get folks to buy them for cost in the early 80s.

I do remember old time players and shop owners looking down on my 77 PBass...telling me it sucked compared to 60s Fender. But their quality seem to have improved with age as people covet the 70s Fenders a lot here on TB.