1995 Gibson Les Paul 5-string. Is this anything?

[Haans]

Never had a 5-string before, and this one might be had for cheap. How are these? Not much to be found on these 5-strings, it seems. Can anyone shed any light on this one? Serial says it's made in 1995. I can't really tell the difference between LPB-1 and 2, or 3 for that matter. Is this an LPB-1? It has active electronics (Bartolini?), but maybe they all had. Was this a cheaper model? Thanks!

 

[lowendblues]

Im no expert on Gibson basses, but I've always wanted a LP bass. Looks like it'd be a great bass for classic rock.

 

[Haans]

Getting it with a Hartke 410XL and a Behringer BXL3000A combo for $475 including shipping. That can't be bad.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

LPB-1 or special if you like. Passive TB+ Thunderbird pickups with a Bartolini preamp. Common to see people yank the pre and go passive. I think the spacing on these is tighter by the bridge like say 17mm. Pretty cool bass and great deal at the price.

 

[Haans]

Thanks, glad to hear it. I'll probably flip the cab and combo pretty quick, and possibly end up paying around $200 for the bass. Great deal as long as everything turns out to be in working order.

 

[ajkula66]

Great deal as long as everything turns out to be in working order.

Unless someone planted a termite colony under the pickups, that's not a great deal but a sheer steal. Good for you.

 

[pickles]

I really like those. Warm sound, narrow spacing.

 

[Haans]

Delivered today. Just tested, and everything works as it should. The Hartke cab is not for me, but it sounded ok with my Aguilar AG500. The Behringer was surprisingly ok for a cheap combo. Hopefully they will sell quickly.

The bass was in good shape, a few dings, but excellent for a 22 year old instrument. Fat, warm sound. Needs a setup and probably a new battery, but a smooth player.

 

[MilkSasquatch]

I'm looking at picking one of these up for a pretty solid deal, too...not as good as yours, but good. Don't really need it, but GAS is real. 5 years later, is it still in your rotation?

 

[Haans]

I quickly realised it had one too many strings, kept it for a few years and let it go two years ago for a little shy of $600. It's definitely a solid instrument and will probably increase in price as the second hand market keeps being vacuumed of vintage Fenders and Gibsons. Anything under $500 is probably a great deal for one of these.