Why no love for SG style basses..ESP in particular?

bumperbass · #1 01-22-2013, 03:27 PM

I started to wonder about all the reasons there's not much love around here for the SG-EB style basses.
My first bass (1968) was an Gibson EB-3. I loved that bass. Nevermind the short scale, as a LOT of guys were using them back then. Our guitar player had an SG Standard and it looked pretty cool.
I understand the neck dive issues with the SG long scale. I've played a few Epiphone EBO's, too, so I understand not liking that too much...(kinda cheap feeling and I hate the location of the strap button??), and long scale is pretty much the norm these days for bass. I prefer long scale these days as well.
I see the ESP Viper 414FM is on sale at Hello Music for $398. I don't know a lot about these basses. I don't prefer active pickups, but the strap button is in a sane place.
So, there's ESP. Then there's that insanely priced Warwick model, which is WAY too expensive. Why have so few manufacturers decided not to manufacture an EB-3 long scale style bass?
It was such an iconic shape back then and to me it still looks contemporary.
It's my opinion that a manufacturer could sell an SG style bass if they could find a way to:
1. cure the neck dive issue
2. be more creative with pickup styles.
If I could find an SG bass with no neck dive and either a single coil P/U (or two) or even a split coil, reasonably priced, I might go for it.
So, my question is, why aren't there more choices for such an iconic style bass such as these?

bassalien · #2 01-22-2013, 03:41 PM

Just FYI, Warwick has the Jack Bruce Made-in-Germany (Signature Series) and MIK (Artist Series). The Artist Series is more affordable. I think it's a cool shape! I totally dig it.

bumperbass · #3 01-22-2013, 04:42 PM

I checked that out. It's about 9.5 lbs (3.9 kg) and it's about $1500....WAY too much money for a MIK bass. Sweet looking, though. Heavier than an SG style bass needs to be, IMO.

bassgod0dmw · #4 01-22-2013, 05:23 PM

I absolutely love SG guitars, it's probably my favorite shape. I've got an SG Standard.

SG style basses look kinda funny to me, though I'm not sure why. I had one for a little while. I wasn't a fan of the balance. It didn't dive all that much, but it was more neck heavy so it didn't balance very nicely. The tone really left a lot to be desired for me. I found the pickups weak and undefined.

lolmont · #5 01-22-2013, 05:26 PM

I'd love a SG bass or EB3, underrated bass in my book.

bluestarbass · #6 01-22-2013, 06:04 PM

I'd buy a Gibson one in a second if they made them in normal scale.

Psychbunny · #7 01-22-2013, 07:44 PM

I have recently grown to like them. I grew up on 70's rock and always was a fan of T-bird basses and Les Paul guitars but didn't care for the SG. I have a Gibson Flying V bass and have found that I actually prefer it to my Fender Jazz. I have been thinking about buying a guitar to mess around with and you can get used SG's for under $500 so I may just bite on one. I like the basses but they are too much money for me to justify a fourthbass that likely sounds like the Flying V.

bumperbass · #8 01-22-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I absolutely love SG guitars, it's probably my favorite shape. I've got an SG Standard.

SG style basses look kinda funny to me, though I'm not sure why. I had one for a little while. I wasn't a fan of the balance. It didn't dive all that much, but it was more neck heavy so it didn't balance very nicely. The tone really left a lot to be desired for me. I found the pickups weak and undefined.

My favorite, too. Three different bands I was in from '68 to '70 had SG's. The fit, finish and QC on those guitars was incredible. My Dad also owned one briefly with the Maestro tailpiece and the tremelo. The old folks he played with ribbed him about it so much he got a 4" thick Epiphone Broadway. I was in shock.

REMBO · #9 01-22-2013, 08:16 PM

I HAVE THE EB-4 RARE LONG SCALE MODEL!! I LOVE MINE!

bumperbass · #10 01-22-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestarbass

I'd buy a Gibson one in a second if they made them in normal scale.

I would, too IF they weren't too expensive. They'd need to find a good price point. They'd also have to do something about that Mudbucker, which has no highs above about 300 Hz (<< joke, but you get what I mean).

bumperbass · #11 01-22-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REMBO

I HAVE THE EB-4 RARE LONG SCALE MODEL!! I LOVE MINE!

How's the neck dive thingy?

bumperbass · #12 01-22-2013, 08:26 PM

"The EB-4L was Gibson's first production long scale bass and was very much an attempt to bring the EB-O series into the seventies. It sported a 'superhumbucking' four coil (one per string) pickup, a long scale maple neck, and tone selector switch. EB-4L Gibson - 1972-1979".

I had no idea they were produced for 8 years.

**hsech** · #13 01-22-2013, 09:30 PM

I have a Gibson SG Reissue and I love it. The short scale is great for us old farts.

Blackjax · #14 01-22-2013, 09:36 PM

I love the SG style. Picked up an ESP LTD Viper 404 from a TB member as my very first bass a couple of weeks ago. It's beautiful and inspires me to play in a way that the more common styles don't.

To each their own.

Yakob · #15 01-23-2013, 04:48 AM

Am I the only one who thinks that the Jack Bruce looks a lot like a Wal?

bassgod0dmw · #16 01-23-2013, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakob

Am I the only one who thinks that the Jack Bruce looks a lot like a Wal?

I've noticed that too.

AuntieBeeb · #17 01-23-2013, 05:12 AM

Epi EB-3 fan right here. I bought 'Christina' a couple of years ago and she's become a bit of a fixture in my main band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjMdpetGMLw - you can't argue with that tone.

The main complaints I tend to see are mud, particularly in the neck pickup: a fair criticism. That 'bucker's going to give you a thick, bass-heavy tone. It's an acquired taste. (Though it does make the high notes sing beautifully!)

And of course weight/neck dive: yes, there's a lot of mahogany in there. And that neck sticks out a long way. Again, it's an acquired taste and probably helps if you're quite tall / long-armed to play one comfortably. You will need a good, comfortable strap. And strong shoulders.

I think the point is, they're not for everyone. To be honest, you'd be surprised how much flak more popular Gibsons like the T-bird receive on some threads here.

ScottTunes · #18 01-23-2013, 05:32 AM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attach...=1&=1358944243

I've only had in a couple of months, and will replace the neck p'up with SGD "sidewinder" as soon as it arrives.

Love the neck!

Duckwater · #19 01-23-2013, 05:35 AM

I just don't dig their sound, Jack Bruce sounds great with them but I sure don't. I love their aesthetics though.

MrLenny1 · #20 01-23-2013, 05:36 AM

Short scale for me does not work, especially for rock.
I had one years ago and tried one recently, no way.
34" scale for me.