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2017 Gibson EB redesign

#82
I've never been fond of the long skinny upper horn look of Carvin, Ibanez or Conklin basses so this one doesn't exactly rock my world but if the electronics in the 2017 are anything like the ones in the last EB it'll be a tone monster. My 2014 EB absolutely romps my old G&L 2500 tribute in the tone category which I ended up leaving in passive mode 90% of the time because that was the only good useable sound it had.
 
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#83
Jrussblues said:
If not we wouldn't get to continue to see sweet train wrecks like this.
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The design isn't jaw dropping but I hope it sells. They came out with the EB a bass I really like but the sales weren't anything groundbreaking so they're trying something new I'll give them credit for that.
 
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#84
I can't understand why they couldn't come up with a new name for this bass.

A new name and some marketing hype might've gone a long way to get this thing launched properly… "Let's just name it the same as the old bass and throw it on Musician's Friend without any fanfare."

Stop saying it looks like a G&L...it does not! The shape of the pickup is the only similarity.

Lastly, I fear that I'm probably the only one that can't stand that hideous looking bridge.
 
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#86
lowfreqgeek said:
G&L? I don't see the resemblance (and I'm a diehard G&L fan and user). The pickups are kinda similar, but Gibson has used those for a few years now.

Looks more like they borrowed from Epiphone and the very short-lived Gibson Bunny Brunell basses, with some ESP LTD thrown in for good measure.
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Definitely reminiscent of the Carvin or ESP Bunny Brunel. Not bad looking at all, just not original (but how many designs are these days?)
 
#94
To me, it looks more like a coffee table bass only without the exotic veneer than a G&L or anything else. Maybe a Carvin. I play Thunderbirds most of the time, so that tells you what I like - no upper horn at all. I have a 2013 EB with a relocated upper strap button so I can hang it like a Thunderbird with the neck pushing vertical. I'm not sure you can do that with this new one, although with such a long upper horn, it might hang with the neck pointing up anyway. The shape isn't really my thing, but I don't think it's as bad as all that. Either you want an upper horn or you don't. Either you want a 24 fret neck or you don't. Either you want a set neck or you don't. If you want all those things, this is an option. If not, then it's available for somebody else.

I'm happy to see Gibson at least trying something different. They need to stick with one thing or another long enough for a change though. Fender has done a zillion iterations of Precision and Jazz basses, and when they tried something new, the Dimension doesn't seem to have found much of a following. We are a conservative lot when it comes to design. Gibson will have to make these for 30 years. Then they will be some kind of classic design that somebody or another will be horrified if the design changes.
 
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#97
I have a 2014 EB5 platform that's going to be modded a bit. I think that's the best bass Gibson ever made- one of the few that doesn't require wearing a musical instrument down around one's pelvis to make it balance correctly. I expect that this one will balance even better, even tho I'm not buying. It looks great. Wish they'd do a proper 3 + 2 headstock based on the EB5's 3+2 configuration.

Is there some connection or similarity between the actual tone and output of these pups and the G&L MFDs, or have exposed polepieces and radiused corners become the sole property of G&L, never to be used by any other company under penalty of noodle lashes from TB geeks?
 
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#99
Double E said:
I can't understand why they couldn't come up with a new name for this bass.

A new name and some marketing hype might've gone a long way to get this thing launched properly… "Let's just name it the same as the old bass and throw it on Musician's Friend without any fanfare."
Click to expand...

There's no need, really. They're not going to sell all that many of 'em anyhow.

Stop saying it looks like a G&L...it does not! The shape of the pickup is the only similarity.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Lastly, I fear that I'm probably the only one that can't stand that hideous looking bridge.
Click to expand...

This thing would be really attractive if they'd used a two-piece ETS bridge and a LP-style 3+2 headstock (rule of thumb: 4+1 for Fender-y bodies. 3+2 for Gibson-y bodies). Never had any aesthetic love for in-line tuners on angled headstocks (4+1 qualifies as in-line). It reminds me of Carvin's Bunny Brunel, which I loved the shape of, but the headstock (which could have been the crowning glory) is a total fail.
 

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