DO Gibson basses need to be played differently?

[Aussie Player]

Yes.
They need to be played through Marshall valve amps up loud to bring out their best.
The are best strung with either nickel rounds or Labella Nylon flats.
Do these things and every bass play will come out of the woodwork to ask about your tones as they cannot get them nor possibly never heard such greatness live before.

 

[Aussie Player]

Amateur bedroom player here. Fairly new to bass. Been playing a P bass. Just recently got an Epiphone Korina Explorer and an older Epiphone Flying V bass.

I immediately noticed when playing both these basses for the first time that they are "staccato machines." They simply don't have the same sustain the Fender does. The sound out of the Gibsons has a lot of attack and punch though. It seems like these Gibson type basses like to be played with a lighter touch and for slower music. Is that really the case or am I just doing something wrong? BOth these Gibsons just have a totally different feel from the Fender. Just want to make sure I'm not nuts.

Thanks!

I'd put the factory strings back on before you do anything else.

 

[Gizmot]

Have you tried one of the new NR T-Birds yet? Mine has become my favorite out of all my Fenders, Rics and Gibsons. I think they hit it out of the park with these. Best and easiest playing neck of any bass I own.

If Gibson made a bass that you like, enjoy it and play the hell out of it.

I'll check one out if I get a chance, but I doubt seriously I'd like it. I could be wrong and I'm willing to give it a try.

 

[Peaveylover]

Is the neck straight? Even if, make sure the truss rod is at least engaged. It sounds like a setup problem to me. Long scale or short scale, what gauge strings did you put on them?

Thanks! NEck is perfect and truss rod is fine. I put on 45-105 as per factory specs.

 

[bobyoung53]

Thanks! NEck is perfect and truss rod is fine. I put on 45-105 as per factory specs.

I assume they're long scale basses? I have a NR T-Bird that's got a lot of sustain, put the same strings as you, Roto Swing Bass 54-105.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Any instrument that needs to be played "differently" is suspect. I have many brands of instruments, many feel slightly different, but nothing that can't be overcome in use.

I haven't seen any "How to play the Fender Bass" or "How to play the Gibson Bass" books on Amazon.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I have a 92 Gibson T-bird that has loads of sustain.

I once had an 84 Gibson Explorer 32” scale that had a lot of sustain. Wish I had that one back.

I have a recent Epiphone EBO 30” scale that has OK sustain. I guess it has a little less sustain than either of the Gibsons, but not much.

The three point bridge doesn’t hurt sustain unless there’s some problem with it. It’s not good for getting an extremely detailed setup, but not a sustain killer that I’ve noticed.

Don’t confuse bright piano like tone you can get on your Fender for sustain. Gibsons aren’t known for that bright ringing tone regardless of the strings used.

 

[MCS4]

The V's short scale may be part of it's thumpiness.

This is my vote. I had a V for a while and it did not lack sustain, but it did have a typically thumpy/beefy short scale tone.

 

[msb]

Old Fender guy , and these days I prefer Gibson short scales . I don’t compare them , they’re very different basses .

 

[JW56789]

Regardless of scale or who made them, I'd string 'em up, set 'em up, and play them like any other bass, and they ought to play that way. If they don't, it's not who's name is on the peghead or their scale.

PS: V's are the greatest axes to paly sitting down, cock that inside of the V over one leg, away you go.

 

[lomo]

There is nothing particular about Gibson basses that makes playing them, as a group, any different from other basses. As has been outlined above, there are sooooooo many variables here, that brand is as significant as bugs on the windshield.

 

[Lowbrow]

If it has one of these, it would be my main suspect.
View attachment 4551863

My eyes! MY EYES!!!!!

 

[iiipopes]

Use a spork, problem solved

AHHHHH! The nemesis of all cuisine, and the proliferation of which is the defining watershed moment of the beginning of the decline of Western civilization as we know it.

Oh - Gibson basses. Setup, setup, setup. The bass in question needs a complete setup. I can set up a Fender so that you wonder if it is actually an electric bass with so little sustain; I can take a bass-shaped object and get it decent enough to get through the evening. The OP bass needs a complete setup from tuners to end strap button.

 

[Shaggai]

Use a spork, problem solved

I think a spife is what we all are looking for.

 

[shaboda]

Not crazy. To me, Gibson should stick to guitars.

 

[jimmydean]

I have always played them with great disdain.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Amateur bedroom player here. Fairly new to bass. Been playing a P bass. Just recently got an Epiphone Korina Explorer and an older Epiphone Flying V bass.

I immediately noticed when playing both these basses for the first time that they are "staccato machines." They simply don't have the same sustain the Fender does. The sound out of the Gibsons has a lot of attack and punch though. It seems like these Gibson type basses like to be played with a lighter touch and for slower music. Is that really the case or am I just doing something wrong? BOth these Gibsons just have a totally different feel from the Fender. Just want to make sure I'm not nuts.

Thanks!

Gibson necks just feel different. I can't play them. They bug the crap out of me. Cool basses though. Thick, and lush tones.

 

[Iristone]

They don't need to be. But they definitely invite you to do!

 

[jpmcbride]

Amateur bedroom player here. Fairly new to bass. Been playing a P bass. Just recently got an Epiphone Korina Explorer and an older Epiphone Flying V bass.

I immediately noticed when playing both these basses for the first time that they are "staccato machines." They simply don't have the same sustain the Fender does. The sound out of the Gibsons has a lot of attack and punch though. It seems like these Gibson type basses like to be played with a lighter touch and for slower music. Is that really the case or am I just doing something wrong? BOth these Gibsons just have a totally different feel from the Fender. Just want to make sure I'm not nuts.

Thanks!

You're onto something, but its not Gibson specific. Different basses sound and play differently. You'll naturally adjust your playing accordingly.

 

[BassDaddy77]

If anything, I'd say my Gibson basses have more sustain on average than most of my non-Gibsons. Especially the Thunderbirds. I'd also say that any bass from any manufacturer has it's own personality, and can be unique in the way you approach playing it to yield your preferred tones.