Gibson basses. When Burt calls.

[40Hz]

Hey now, this doesn't look like 1965. 1995 maybe, but not 65

View attachment 4325469

It also looks like an MTD, who Gibson acquired in 1990. (I’ve got one BTW. It’s actually a very nice bass.)

I don’t think Gibson is even producing Tobias designs anymore. Their last Tobias named releases were cheap imports (i.e. the Toby) and distributed through Epiphone if I recall.

 

[Johnny Fingers]

I would buy an EB 3L reissue mmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[west al]

A Felix Pappalardi EB-1 for under a GRAND!

 

[bobyoung53]

Gibson Releases New Non Reverse Thunderbird Basses

That was in January though and I haven't heard anything since.

 

[bobyoung53]

Reissue these, EB-4L:

 

[KaraQ]

If I the CEO of Gibson calls in his right hand man Burt, and tells him to find someone with fresh ideas to run the bass guitar department, and you get the call from Burt. What changes would you bring?

Color.

More colors!

So tired of black/white/brown.

For example, the Thunderbird.
When it came out in '63, they were available in nearly a dozen different colors. Now, two - black, and brown


Boring

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

That was in January though and I haven't heard anything since.

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Inverness Green with Non-reverse Headstock
Sweetwater is taking preorders

 

[bobyoung53]

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Inverness Green with Non-reverse Headstock
Sweetwater is taking preorders

Thanks. I just ordered the Sparkling Burgundy.

 

[Whale guy]

Learn from companies like Ibanez. Pave a new road for basses that has yet to be paved, and own it. Just, don't be like Ibanez and create a gazillion different models.

 

[TBird1958]

But the sentiment here is that they don't make ENOUGH basses (as in different models) and that they don't take basses very seriously.

I'm simply saying that if it made sense economically to do so, they would already be doing it.

Since none of us has any access to Gibson's finances how do we know that their formula for bass production doesn't work? They've kept what consistently sells (Thunderbirds and SGs) in production for quite a long time. They've re-issued quite a few models (not historically accurate) for many years now. Production is small and then they move on, it seems to work fine for Gibson as a company, if it didn't they wouldn't do it.
Like PRS, guitars are their focus and while we, as bass players may not like that, I don't blame any company for seeing and taking advantage of what they perceive to be their market.

 

[deff]

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Inverness Green with Non-reverse Headstock
Sweetwater is taking preorders

BTW, that Sweetwater picture is so terrible. I feel like that isn't even close to inverness green.

 

[mikewalker]

Short scale steinberger L-series.

A short scale 'anything with graphite neck, but make it a five pound headless hollow monocoque design'.

Oh, and a short scale "anything with aluminum neck, any weight"

C'mon, I double Dare ya!!!

 

[bdplaid]

Buy the rights to Kubicki and build them.
And have a look around at other great bass designs no longer being made.

 

[Alvis]

EB's with the Pickup in the RIGHT place

 

[A9X]

Will Ned give the money back?

Why should he? Gibson have had the use of Steinberger IP and hardware for decades and have p****d it all up the wall. That's not Ned's fault.

Anyway I think he's got quite a decent thing going with the NS Design range

I agree. I doubt he'd even want to be a consultant.

 

[5StringBlues]

No pics, no Burt.

 

[mellowgerman]

Burt, discontinue all basses except the SG bass, but then morph the model into a Phil Lesh signature bass with Novak BS/DS pickups. Also, ship it in a mechanically self-locking case that requires the user to listen to the entire Europe 72 collection in one sitting before it unlocks. In other words, Phil Lesh Signature bass (last bass standing) = monumental business success.

 

[bobyoung53]

I got two words for you, Burt.

Giant banjo.

View attachment 4325153

@JimmyM would like one of those I bet.

 

[A9X]

I thought the molds were shot and the costs to make new molds too high to justify given the niche market.

Moulds are not that expensive to make.

Short scale steinberger L-series.

A short scale 'anything with graphite neck, but make it a five pound headless hollow monocoque design'.

Sure with the SS design, but I simply don't get the obsession here with weight. I've had an XL2 for 35y and it's weight is it's least relevant quality. And it's over 8lb.

 

[swarfrat]

Reissue of this for less than $2000.

He did say Gibson. Ain't happening