Could someone explain this to me?

[Gonzo476]

Why is there such a huge price difference between these two basses?
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The only differences I can see are the finish and that the more expensive bass has block inlays...am I missing something?

 

[niceguy]

The logo is different, in addition to the detail on the headstock.

 

[bongomania]

Gibson is insane.

 

[Gonzo476]

The logo is different, in addition to the detail on the headstock.

So Gibson expects someone to pay almost 1000 more dollars just for minor cosmetic differences?

 

[JimiLL]

Gibson sucks

 

[BrewCityLdB]

Gibson is insane.

^^^This!

 

[Simon Langley]

So Gibson expects someone to pay almost 1000 more dollars just for minor cosmetic differences?

*It seems to me that the finishing details of an instrument are where a lot of the manufacturing expense is. Body and neck construction for both would be the same and largely done by machine but then they would head different directions for finishing. The basic one would have some finish sanding, stain applied, maybe a few coats of sealer and that's it.

The more extravagant one would have a few hours of inlay work and then several hours worth of wood prep, finish, sand, finish, sand, finish, buff most of which would be done by hand and don't forget the additional cost of proper spray equipment, facility and meeting all proper EPA and other government agency requirements.

Keep in mind I am not defending their pricing by any means but this is something that I have thought about myself. Just look at the MM Sub line vs. MM US line or Fender Highway One vs. American Standard.

 

[Rickett Customs]

A fool and his/her money part ways regardless. If you happen to hang on to your money, move on, nothing to see here

Gibson is gonna do, what Gibson is gonna do....... simple.

If I really wanted one of these, hell, I'd just buy one, but that's not the case...so.......

 

[gttim]

Well, the expensive one was photographed with better lighting!

I can see more of the wood grain in the cheap one, which may be because of the finish, which looks a little different. But yeah, they look remarkably similar.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Well the more expensive one also has fancier fretboard inlays...not that I would pay $1020 for the addition of any of those details, but I wouldn't pay $1399 for any Gibson in the first place.

 

[Gonzo476]

*It seems to me that the finishing details of an instrument are where a lot of the manufacturing expense is. Body and neck construction for both would be the same and largely done by machine but then they would head different directions for finishing. The basic one would have some finish sanding, stain applied, maybe a few coats of sealer and that's it.

The more extravagant one would have a few hours of inlay work and then several hours worth of wood prep, finish, sand, finish, sand, finish, buff most of which would be done by hand and don't forget the additional cost of proper spray equipment, facility and meeting all proper EPA and other government agency requirements.

Keep in mind I am not defending their pricing by any means but this is something that I have thought about myself. Just look at the MM Sub line vs. MM US line or Fender Highway One vs. American Standard.

I own a Highway 1 P bass and I can understand that there is going to be a certain difference in price due to the different finish (around 400-500€) but I can't believe that block inlays and a different logo can make the price go up that much...

 

[iriegnome]

And yet, since they offer both, they must sell both, therefore there is a market for them.. They are only worth the money if people are paying for them

 

[aquateen]

The more extravagant one would have a few hours of inlay work and then several hours worth of wood prep, finish, sand, finish, sand, finish, buff most of which would be done by hand

here's your answer

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Notice that there is no photo of the rear of the bass... Is the cheaper one a bolt-on?

The original EB-0 / EB-3 was as set-neck bass... But even a set neck simple bass like an EB-3 should not cost $2400... That's crazy talk.


*edit

Just checked the "features" - it is indeed set-neck. Why mo money? Nicer wood/finish, I guess. For $1300, it might be a decent deal. For $2400?? nope.

But a Gibson, like a Fender, will grow in value over time.

 

[JFLbass]

The faded model have no lacquer finish and dots only! The expensive have full finish, big dots!! Gibson do the same things on guitars!! The faded line is less expensive and for me, doesn't look as good as the expensive series!! But for the tone, is the same things!! I compare those side by side! If you need the tone, go for the faded model!! BTW, those price are retail suggest price! You can find those bass for less on the web and some store have some good deal on those!! I saw the standard model for 1500$ canadian dollars!

 

[FunkMetalBass]

1 extra tone knob + upgraded inlays + upgraded headstock logo.

Aside from any possible fit/finish details, those are literally the only differences.

But it's a Gibson.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Those arent the real prices. You can get the Standard for $1300-$1400 and the Faded for $800-$900 which is about the same as what Fender did with Am Standard vs. Hwy 1.

 

[caszak]

Street price on the faded model is $900.00, the glossy one is $1399.00. Not as big a gap as MSRP suggests.

 

[Rush-2112]

1 extra tone knob

I thought they both had two volume, one tone...am I looking wrong?

 

[SirGrotius]

I own a Gibson Faded SG guitar (still made in USA). I got it for maybe $600, IIRC, they "real" Gibson SG is a little more than twice that price. The regular SG has the fancier block inlays, etc.

Don't be fooled, however, listen to sound comparisons. The real SGs sound better than the Fadeds (lots of Youtube comparisons for the guitars). I happen to think the faded looks better, tho.

I don't know if that's the case for basses, but I bet it is. You should see if there's somewhere you can give them both a shot.