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Are gibson basses really that trendy?

#61
I am seeing them more often. At the last three shows I went to one of the opening bands was playing an SG bass. Definitely not ubiquitous, but seeing them mixed in with P's and J's that I see all the time.
 
#64
There is nothing like a T-Bird. As long as its old enough to have the wood dried enough not to need constant adjustment(i hate green mahogany). I am a true gibson bass lover which is sad because all I have at the moment is Fenders :rollno:

EBO, EB3, EB2....if applied in the correct environment...WOW.
For me though a T bird is my all time favorite bass. late 80's -late 90's especially. Fender is nice, Ric is great too. For me it just depends on the look and sound I need for the application. But most of all it depends on my budget.
 
#65
makkE said:
Won't become a trend with me. For some reason, the word Gibson always makes me think of wobbly necks and broken off headstocks. I have to admit, I never played a gibson bass, but their guitars are already a big turnoff for me.
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For me, when think "Gibson Bass" I think "short-scale/dead tone". YES, the T-bird is the big exception, and were I a *rocker*, I'd own an old one. Alas, I am not.

Oh - and my first bass, my VERY first bass, was a Gibson EB-1. And it sounded like a mud-fart, even with rounds on it.
 
#71
I bought my first Gibson bass in '75. got this one in '77. some guys think you can't get a good sound with 'em, but I know better. :cool:

72eb-3-1.jpg
 
#72
aquateen said:
I bought my first Gibson bass in '75. got this one in '77. some guys think you can't get a good sound with 'em, but I know better. :cool:

72eb-3-1.jpg
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I agree. I had one just like that (although it was a lot more beat up), and I thought it had a teriffic sound, not muddy at all, like almost everyone says, although that may be because I had Rotosound rounds on it. Regardless ... I wish I could get another. In better shape, and without the deadspot mine had, of course. Even with the deadspot and "Road Wear", I enjoyed the hell out of it.
 
#74
I really like some Gibson basses, but they are dark as night, especially mudbucker-equipped ones.

My favorite story, NOT in Gibson's favor was when Rick Turner, then of Alembic, saw Stanley Clarke playing an EB-2 at a gig. He went up to him after the show was over and said "You're great, but your sound sucks. Try this...", and he hands Stanley his first Alembic, which was also short-scale. He never went back to the EB-2.

Listen, basses were never really Gibson's thing, but it's not like Gibson didn't have enough cool GUITARS with Les Pauls, SG's, 335's, Firebirds, etc. It just so happens that Fender did bass better, followed by Rickenbacker. The OTHER two American mfrs. du jour, Gretsch and Guild, were not really noted for their basses. Guild Starfires DID have some limited popularity, but their basses really didn't catch on until the Pilot appeared (though I AM a big fan of the B-302).
 
#77
Your not going to find Jazz guys and R&B guys, funk, slap ect.....playing Gibson basses. But for rock n roll of all sorts from the early 60's to today they are great. IF the application fits. They do have a specific tone and it doesnt always fit all situations.
Take Allen Woody (r.i.p)....one only need pull up some of his live footage to see why he used Gibson. A Fender or Ric would just not have done it in that situation.
 
#78
I think modern band marketing has made Gibson basses trendy.

Today, everyone needs an image and unique look.....it's no surprise to me, new bands favor Gibson basses for their unique looks. Instant depth to image.
 
#79
JoshuaTSP said:
I think modern band marketing has made Gibson basses trendy.

Today, everyone needs an image and unique look.....it's no surprise to me, new bands favor Gibson basses for their unique looks. Instant depth to image.
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Agreed. Despite the basic fact that they just aren't as good (for the most part), they do look different in an "old school" kind of way. Faux Old School, if you will.
 

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