Controversial Opinion: Gibson Basses Questionable Design Choices

[matt_s]

One time I sat in at a gig and played somebody’s Gibson SG bass and actually liked it quite a bit! I had my Stingray 5 with me but just played the SG to try something different. It was set up nicely and fun to play!

 

[David Lakin]

I recently played a 63’ EB-2 and I was blown away by just good that bass was. I’m a Fender fan through and through, but that EB-2 was awesome! And I really would like to have a Jack Casady Epiphone bass (it’s based on a Les Paul hollow body bass). Yes they sound different than a Fender, but they definitely don’t suck.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

The Thunderbird is by far the best Gibson IMO. The 2 x 2 headstock is too small for bass and too flimsy. It just does not work. Now, that aside, a Thunderbird through a classic SVT is one of the best live bass sounds ever.

In fairness to Gibson, they know their headstocks are only temporary accouterments likely not long on the scene and thus not worth lengthy design time.

 

[ctmullins]

The 2 x 2 headstock is too small for bass and too flimsy. It just does not work.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Oh, I dunno........I think my nearly 14-pound Peavey T-40 can beat up ANYBODY's Bass!

View attachment 3696049

Whether you're cutting through the mix or smashing through the zombie horde, the T-40 will never let you down.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

The design of a DB lies somewhere between a violone (violin family) and a viol (viol family); its design is more that of a viol, the inners are more that of a violone. So there was some designing done.

The DB was modeled after Dolly Parton.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

To be honest, I think another reason Gibson may have less bass presence (let's call it that) ... their designs take more chances and are generally less 'safe' than Fender's ... and that's why I love them.

I'm willing to sit on the other side of the spectrum ... Fender bass guitars are ... boring to look at ... some are ugly.

I have smaller hands so I played an SG Standard bass, and still have and love, an Ibanez, awesome neck, and now have a Stingray I love. Tried out but never liked a Fender Bass...Sold the 1 P. Bass I tried to get use to.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

I honestly wouldn't even try to find rhyme or reason in what appeals to people. You just kind of have to accept what does or doesn't. The SG basses, while not widely used, definitely has its appeal to bassists. It has its own sort of cult following. Thunderbirds, too. You could well be right though that Fender's designs have been more of a hit for bassists due to their intent of making a bass that was mean to be an alternative to the upright bass. I am sure that was likely somewhere in Gibson's figuring as well, but, I would agree, was looking at the goal through the lens of guitar building.

I know a dude that plays a Grabber and LOVES it. It isn't just a "conversation piece" for him. It's been one of his primaries for decades now. Another friend, his Thunderbird bass is his primary. Yet another friend, who is a musician's musician, totally digs on his Gibson EB bass. I would honestly expect someone of my tastes to be more into Ibanez or more into the whole headless bass thing going on now. ...but, the Fender Jazz I have is just the bees knees to me. Just no accounting for taste. If there was, there'd only be one bass because it got perfected.

Good points!!! Love my SG Bass, my Ibanez and my Stingray.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

One time I sat in at a gig and played somebody’s Gibson SG bass and actually liked it quite a bit! I had my Stingray 5 with me but just played the SG to try something different. It was set up nicely and fun to play!

Love my SG. Love to jam around like my man Jack! Fast as hell neck.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Whether you're cutting through the mix or smashing through the zombie horde, the T-40 will never let you down.

Looks good!!! Way too heavy for this old man. Lol. I'm hooked on my Stingray lately.

 

[jaggedstudio]

Yes - always wondered why Gibson didn't take the time to design a bass that could compete sonically with the Fenders. The string length is a big factor. The shorter the string the less high harmonics come through, that's partly why Fenders have a more balanced sound. Couple the short string with a "Mudbucker" pickup and you'll have tons of sludge. The fundamental is definitely there but it's hard for short scale basses to sit well in a mix. Leo got it right with his design - hence why Fenders are the benchmark for most designers. That being said, Tom Scholz used an EB-3 (modified) to record the bass lines on Boston's first album. And don't forget - Macca's Hofner created some of the most iconic bass lines in recorded music history.

 

[Mach 1]

I guess this "person" has never heard of Jack Bruce, Felix Pepperaldi, Mike Watt, Andy Fraser, etc, etc, etc.
Bob

”Upvote” for Watt, Bruce, etc.

 

[Kiriaki]

So I was thinking about why Gibson Basses are so rarely used and why I have never felt a connection to any Gibson bass I have ever played and it hit me:

Gibson's approach to basses is to simply make a larger guitar. There is no consideration of it being its own instrument with its own needs. They simply make a larger version of their guitars, take two strings off, and call it a bass.

Now I understand there are many guys who like their Thunderbirds, and I'm not trying to poopie in anyone's cereal, I'm just pointing out that while Fender designed the P and Jazz basses from the ground up as unique instruments, Gibson simply made a Les Paul bass, an SG bass, a Firebird bass... Why couldn't they have a designer work with some working bassists and design a bass that wasn't just an upscaled guitar. They build some of the finest guitars ever made, why can't they make great basses as well?

I love my short-scale Gibson SG. Best bass I’ve ever had. Play it at all my gigs

 

[Gary Stevens]

There are quite a few Gibson basses with zero neck dive out there...

 

[Gary Stevens]

Which ones?

 

[Steve-D]

First, let me say that all of my basses are and have been Fenders or Squiers, except one Peavey that I played from 1985-2007 and a Sears Harmony that I played from 1983-1985.

I too, like you, used to dislike Gibson basses just by prejudice. Then I played a few.

Every single one of them has had a neck that just felt natural in my hand. There’s a wide variety of pickups that are available depending on the model too, but the chrome covered vintage humbuckers sound amazing. Near the neck - dark and warm. Near the bridge - also warm, but with some treble burp as you’d expect.

As far as body shapes go - check out the original Embassy and the Epiphone Embassy pro. Also, as mentioned above, the Grabber and Ripper.

I’m not offended by the body shapes matching Gibson guitar models - I’ve *always* been a big fan of the Explorer body shape (not having played one of course), I love a TBird, which is arguably much more prolific and copied for a bass shape than Firebirds are as a guitar shape, and the newer Tribute is both bad ass to play and sounds great.

I’m still not a big fan of the SG bass shape or the Les Paul as a bass shape, but I’m coming around on that too, and would love a semi-hollow body Les Paul shaped bass with dual humbuckers or the ES-335 style body shape.

Not that the Fender sounds are boring (I love my P basses!), but I did get to a point where I’d like some variety in my tones and will likely be spending money on a Gibson or Epiphone sometime this year. They don’t sound like P’s or J’s, but they definitely sound just as good and just as usable in a mix. And those necks play *so* fast.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you try Epiphone. They are a great sounding instrument. At an affordable price point. Very good quality.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I was always a big fan of the RD Artist...but can't seem to fork over the $$$ for a vintage one...passed on the re-release...

 

[peteygrizz]

View attachment 3697131

I was always a big fan of the RD Artist...but can't seem to fork over the $$$ for a vintage one...passed on the re-release...

I actually like the RD. It's still just a bigger version of the guitar, but this shape definitely works for a bass.

 

[bigtone23]

Yes - always wondered why Gibson didn't take the time to design a bass that could compete sonically with the Fenders.

There are few that do fall in that Fender wheelhouse, and I'm pretty sure they were all designed with the intent to provide that snappier Fender tone. Soloed and listened with detailed intent will find these Gibsons obviously unique from Fenders, but drop them in a mix and the subtleties are mostly lost.
The Thunderbird IV and Ripper are 34" scale basses with pickup placement that can be argued to be somewhat Fender J like. The Thunderbird being all mahogany and humbuckers lends a different foundational tone, but the Ripper being alder or maple with a maple neck is much more snappy and Fendery. The G3 can also get some J-ish tones.

The Grabber uses the same woods as the Ripper, is also a 34" scale bass and kind of a P type with it's darker toned single coil pickup when positioned in that general location. The Thunderbird II is also sort of P-ish with a single humbucker in the general P sweet spot area.

I also find the competition humorous. Fender had their Mudbucker bass--the 70s era Tele bass. I can only guess it was to keep Fender players from defecting to an EB.

 

[TBird1958]

My BFG, yeah it's a big guitar and I love it, it sounds, looks and feels nothing like a 7ender - Yay!
Just my controversial opinion.