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GAS attack! (Gibson content)

SVTbird

SVTbird

Guest
Dec 17, 2014
486
917
51
Joliet IL
#1
Got the bug again.
I'm seriously jonesing for the DEEP creamy mellow tone only mahogany, humbuckers, flats, and a cozy warm rosewood board combined can provide...I love my epi classic pro, but I think I need a gibson with it's vanilla scented nitro goodness.
I'm in a bad way.

I went to the crackhouse (GC) and messed around for awhile.
They had a gorgeous Vintage sunburst tbird, and after a while of playing, on a whim I tried a SG standard.

Problem is I love tbirds, but after spending some time with one, I'm considering a SG standard bass. Loved the neck and playability, but if I go for it will I regret not going with the 'bird?

SG Standard Bass vs Tbird? Opinions?
 
#7
Gibson Tbird is very different from an Epi. More piano like tone. I love mine.

On the other hand I nearly impulse bought an SG, which has never happened to me.

Tough choice. Can't go wrong, but I'd probably go Thundetbird
 
#8
For me, they're both very honest sounding basses, but the thunderbird is useless on a strap - The neck dive is the worst I've ever encountered and I always use a shade backed 3-4" wide leather strap.

There is something about the Gibson SG bass, isn't there? I played a brand new Standard a few years ago in a store, fully expecting not to like it, but I loved it. They're a great bass - for some reason.
 
#9
OutToPlayJazz said:
For me, they're both very honest sounding basses, but the thunderbird is useless on a strap - The neck dive is the worst I've ever encountered and I always use a shade backed 3-4" wide leather strap.

There is something about the Gibson SG bass, isn't there? I played a brand new Standard a few years ago in a store, fully expecting not to like it, but I loved it. They're a great bass - for some reason.
Click to expand...

yeah, when I played guitar the SG was my favorite for playability alone, I never gave a lot of thought to the SG/EB's.

Now that I've actually tried one I have to say it was really nice!

As for the neckdive on the tbird, I don't think it's all that bad (at least on my classic pro and my old epi goth), it definitely doesn't balance like a P, but I've never had a lot of trouble with it. Probably partly because I wear it a little higher and rest my arm on the body like I do with my Ric.

How's the SG balance? Didn't try it with a strap
 
#10
SVTbird said:
yeah, when I played guitar the SG was my favorite for playability alone, I never gave a lot of thought to the SG/EB's.

Now that I've actually tried one I have to say it was really nice!

As for the neckdive on the tbird, I don't think it's all that bad (at least on my classic pro and my old epi goth), it definitely doesn't balance like a P, but I've never had a lot of trouble with it. Probably partly because I wear it a little higher and rest my arm on the body like I do with my Ric.

How's the SG balance? Didn't try it with a strap
Click to expand...

The SG isn't so bad. Yes, it still has the short upper horn, but it compensates well with the shorter and lighter neck, due to the shorter scale length.

I GASsed after a Thunderbird for a long time, never managed an American model, but did take a chance on the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro, which I sold within three days. It just did nothing for me.

But I'd still like a proper SG one of these days.
 
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#11
I loves me an SG bass. I've played one for about 5 years now. To me, one of the biggest adjustments (if you're a Fender player) is that you just don't EQ 'em like you would a Jazz bass and I think that drives some Fender guys nuts. Also, IMHO, it's so easy to zero in on that big neck pickup for a primary tone but the secret to a really killer tone is the judicious use of the bridge pickup. I often use more bridge p/u than neck p/u, and I never set the volume knobs above 8 as I feel that 8 and below is where the best tone lies. YMMV. I'm a classic rock tone kind of guy.

I would also argue that the SG bass is the best professional-grade shortscale production bass you can buy (with the Japanese Mustang being a close 2nd).

SG basses don't neck-dive so much as they just prefer to be horizontal. I like a bit of neck elevation and a simple 2.5 inch leather strap holds it in place at whatever position I please. I wouldn't recommend a nylon strap though.

I guess it's important to note here that it is now final call for the $686 close-out 2014 Gibson SG Bass Specials. I didn't do an exhaustive search but it appears that only the faded cherry models are still in stock and several of the big on-line companies are out of stock entirely. Both Zzounds and American Musical are still advertising them as of today. Buy one now or regret it later. $686 is crazy low for a new American-made Gibson bass.
 
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#12
Olde Axeman said:
I loves me an SG bass. I've played one for about 5 years now. To me, one of the biggest adjustments (if you're a Fender player) is that you just don't EQ 'em like you would a Jazz bass and I think that drives some Fender guys nuts. Also, IMHO, it's so easy to zero in on that big neck pickup for a primary tone but the secret to a really killer tone is the judicious use of the bridge pickup. I often use more bridge p/u than neck p/u, and I never set the volume knobs above 8 as I feel that 8 and below is where the best tone lies. YMMV. I'm a classic rock tone kind of guy.

I would also argue that the SG bass is the best professional-grade shortscale production bass you can buy (with the Japanese Mustang being a close 2nd).

SG basses don't neck-dive so much as they just prefer to be horizontal. I like a bit of neck elevation and a simple 2.5 inch leather strap holds it in place at whatever position I please. I wouldn't recommend a nylon strap though.

I guess it's important to note here that it is now final call for the $686 close-out 2014 Gibson SG Bass Specials. I didn't do an exhaustive search but it appears that only the faded cherry models are still in stock and several of the big on-line companies are out of stock entirely. Both Zzounds and American Musical are still advertising them as of today. Buy one now or regret it later. $686 is crazy low for a new American-made Gibson bass.
Click to expand...
Can't agree more with anything you said here, especially how the magic in an SG is in the bridge pup
 
#13
Here's what went down.
Went to GC after work today and jammed on the SG and Thunderbird.
After a while I still couldn't decide whether or not I wanted the Tbird or SG.
Frustrated and kinda pissed I left.
Went home and checked ebay.
There was a guy selling 3 2014 tbirds and a 2014 SG standard, all of them ending at almost the same time.
In the order of the auctions ending, I put in a bid on a Vintage sunburst Tbird, lost it, tried to get a Heritage cherry tbird, missed it, scored on the Heritage Cherry SG Standard.
$787.77 free shipping.

I think I got an incredible deal, considering the 2015 at GC was $1600

_12_zps250130b4.jpg


I guess I left it up to the ebay gods.
They have spoken. Thou shalt rock an SG...

...and it was good ;)
 
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#14
SVTbird said:
Here's what went down.
Went to GC after work today and jammed on the SG and Thunderbird.
After a while I still couldn't decide whether or not I wanted the Tbird or SG.
Frustrated and kinda pissed I left.
Went home and checked ebay.
There was a guy selling 3 2014 tbirds and a 2014 SG standard, all of them ending at almost the same time.
In the order of the auctions ending, I put in a bid on a Vintage sunburst Tbird, lost it, tried to get a Heritage cherry tbird, missed it, scored on the Heritage Cherry SG Standard.
$787.77 free shipping.

I guess I left it up to the ebay gods.
They have spoken. Tho shalt rock an SG...

...and it was good ;)
Click to expand...
Just recently? When does it arrive?
 

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