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Gibson, at least they're trying…Les Paul Junior Tribute Bass

#1,501
CFEBA268-7AA1-411B-BDFF-0B63EF796FC0.jpeg


Well, NBD for me (actually yesterday).
Picked this up from GC used. It’s in excellent condition, really one small scratch on the front and one minor indentation on the rear, otherwise could pass for new. Came with all the case candy, too. Setup was great, strings still have a lot of life. I don’t think it was played much.

One weird thing, though, is that there was a thunk when I would rotate the bass around, like something was loose under the pickguard. I ended up pulling the guard off, and initially thought it was the thick wire coming from the pickups moving around in the route, but eventually realized that it was the pickup itself moving under the shell. Just moving side to side ever so slightly. Like the shell was just slightly too wide for the pickup. So I packed some foam into the sides of the pickup shell and problem solved. Just weird. Anyone else experience that?

I’ve been enjoying my SG a lot, had some GC gift cards, and really just couldn’t resist. Now I have a nice pair of Gibsons that look like @Pyrat ’s from a few pages back. Enjoying it so far!
 
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#1,503
TDR1138 said:
View attachment 4969896

Well, NBD for me (actually yesterday).
Picked this up from GC used. It’s in excellent condition, really one small scratch on the front and one minor indentation on the rear, otherwise could pass for new. Came with all the case candy, too. Setup was great, strings still have a lot of life. I don’t think it was played much.

One weird thing, though, is that there was a thunk when I would rotate the bass around, like something was loose under the pickguard. I ended up pulling the guard off, and initially thought it was the thick wire coming from the pickups moving around in the route, but eventually realized that it was the pickup itself moving under the shell. Just moving side to side ever so slightly. Like the shell was just slightly too wide for the pickup. So I packed some foam into the sides of the pickup shell and problem solved. Just weird. Anyone else experience that?

I’ve been enjoying my SG a lot, had some GC gift cards, and really just couldn’t resist. Now I have a nice pair of Gibsons that look like @Pyrat ’s from a few pages back. Enjoying it so far!
Click to expand...
They're very complimentary!! Very cool~
 
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#1,506
TDR1138 said:
View attachment 4969896

Well, NBD for me (actually yesterday).
Picked this up from GC used. It’s in excellent condition, really one small scratch on the front and one minor indentation on the rear, otherwise could pass for new. Came with all the case candy, too. Setup was great, strings still have a lot of life. I don’t think it was played much.

One weird thing, though, is that there was a thunk when I would rotate the bass around, like something was loose under the pickguard. I ended up pulling the guard off, and initially thought it was the thick wire coming from the pickups moving around in the route, but eventually realized that it was the pickup itself moving under the shell. Just moving side to side ever so slightly. Like the shell was just slightly too wide for the pickup. So I packed some foam into the sides of the pickup shell and problem solved. Just weird. Anyone else experience that?

I’ve been enjoying my SG a lot, had some GC gift cards, and really just couldn’t resist. Now I have a nice pair of Gibsons that look like @Pyrat ’s from a few pages back. Enjoying it so far!
Click to expand...

I have two SG's, a Les Paul "Memphis Bass", and the little single pickup LP Jr. They ARE complementary, as Pyrat said. They all sound good, but different, even with the same strings on them.

Here's how I'd rank them...
Most "WOW factor"...The Memphis Bass. Yes, it's a thing of beauty.
Most comfortable to play...The SG Basses. Because of the arm contour.
Best sound...The unassuming (and cheapest) Les Paul Jr.

If the LP Jr. had an arm contour, I'd probably never pick up any of my other basses. I like the sound that much, and the neck on mine is a dream to play. Good balance too.

Others have had the same problem with the loose pickup, and fixed it the same way.

Dave O.
 
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#1,512
whm3223 said:
Looks like somebody at Sandberg is a fan of this bass... Double cut, humbucker in the sweet spot, push/pull coil split.
Sandberg unveils the Florence Bass, a small bass with a giant humbucker
dgDxxUAGZLxajudXkLDDtC-650-80.jpg
Click to expand...

And not a single mention at all about our beloved LP Jr...which is EXACTLY what they've copied. Right down to the cap at the tie-point between the pickup sections.

I still can't understand why there hasn't been an Epiphone version of this made overseas. Gibson could continue making some cash off the design, and still probably sell it for <$500.

It's a pretty simple bass. Not much more work needs to go into it than the Epi EBO...just (hopefully) a higher level of quality. I had actually seriously considered mounting one of these LP Jr/Thunderbird pickups at the sweet-spot on an Epi EBO that I own...which actually plays very well. Then I'd have a great sounding knock-around version.

Meanwhile, ours continue to appreciate in value...so I guess I should shut-up!

Dave O.
 
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#1,516
daveobieone said:
And not a single mention at all about our beloved LP Jr...which is EXACTLY what they've copied. Right down to the cap at the tie-point between the pickup sections.

I still can't understand why there hasn't been an Epiphone version of this made overseas. Gibson could continue making some cash off the design, and still probably sell it for <$500.

It's a pretty simple bass. Not much more work needs to go into it than the Epi EBO...just (hopefully) a higher level of quality. I had actually seriously considered mounting one of these LP Jr/Thunderbird pickups at the sweet-spot on an Epi EBO that I own...which actually plays very well. Then I'd have a great sounding knock-around version.

Meanwhile, ours continue to appreciate in value...so I guess I should shut-up!

Dave O.
Click to expand...
Epi now has the Newport to fill this space. A sidewinder in the neck and a Probucker at the bridge. Cool colors. But they need to tackle some reported QC issues. It’s a nice little bass.
 
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#1,520
BuddhaFingas said:
So, has anyone located, or worked up, an accurate wiring diagram for these babies yet?

I'm sort of spoiled by Fender's willingness to put detailed tech data online for download.

Apparently Gibson doesn't hold with that?
Click to expand...
I took mine apart, and know how it all wires up, but I didn't do a drawing/schematic.
I did take a lot of pics however. Some were posted earlier in this thread.
What do you wish to know about the wiring?
Dave O.
 
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