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Gibson basses...

#41
GeneralElectric said:
I've played some vintage T-birds and currently own one thats been in need of a repaired headstock. I had an EB2 and traded it for a Jaco Pastorius.

My opinion of Gibson basses is that they're mostly afterthoughts from their guitar models. Their new models were overpriced, but I guess now that prices of everything else went up, a new Gibson is more in line with everything else. I think they suffer from poor QC. There was an SG RI bass (puzzling since there was never an SG bass to reissue) with a huge gap between the pickups and the body at GC Manhattan for a long while.
In general I find Gibson's basses to be ergonomically flawed (ever try to play in the upper register on a T-bird?) and many of the older ones suffered from neck dive. For those that say the new ones don't, the brand new one I tried made a dive for the floor once my hand left the neck. I also think the Gibson bridge design is one of the worst out there.

With all that said, I still want a Gibson Grabber or a Ripper... if only their bodies weren't so hulkingly huge and heavy.
Click to expand...

The Fender Custom Shop one, or the $2000 one?
 
#42
sturmvogel said:
HPIM0615.jpg


HPIM0616.jpg
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that's such an amazing bass man :):bassist:
 
#43
My dad stumbled onto this '86 Q-80 on Thursday, I bought it Friday morning.

Anybody know anything about these? Ebony board, 3-piece neck, all black,
"Custom Shop Edition" decal on the rear of the headstock.
"SEC" as well, probably for the exceptionally sloppy neck pocket.

Sounds good after a cleaning and new strings.
Near mint condition, one or two minor dents on the edges.
The seller was convinced it was a Gibson Victory Bass (she bought it new in '87).

IMG_0629.jpg
 
#45
Wild Rice Chris said:
My dad stumbled onto this '86 Q-80 on Thursday, I bought it Friday morning.

Anybody know anything about these? Ebony board, 3-piece neck, all black,
"Custom Shop Edition" decal on the rear of the headstock.
"SEC" as well, probably for the exceptionally sloppy neck pocket.

Sounds good after a cleaning and new strings.
Near mint condition, one or two minor dents on the edges.
The seller was convinced it was a Gibson Victory Bass (she bought it new in '87).

IMG_0629.jpg
Click to expand...

whoa! that thing is cool.and it does look exactly like a victory.
actually,i'm convinced it looks better than a victory
 
#47
Wild Rice Chris said:
My dad stumbled onto this '86 Q-80 on Thursday, I bought it Friday morning.

Anybody know anything about these? Ebony board, 3-piece neck, all black,
"Custom Shop Edition" decal on the rear of the headstock.
"SEC" as well, probably for the exceptionally sloppy neck pocket.

Sounds good after a cleaning and new strings.
Near mint condition, one or two minor dents on the edges.
The seller was convinced it was a Gibson Victory Bass (she bought it new in '87).

IMG_0629.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the Q-80. Mine has a white body. It is my only passive bass. And while I dig it, it is true that it doesn't really seem like a CS bass (I guess all Q series basses and guitars have a Custom Shop decal). The playability is nice and the sound is okay, though I admit I originally wanted a cherry sunburst Victory Artist, since I like maple bodied basses (and guitars too) and active electronics.
 
#50
I had a Gibson Kalamazoo I bought in '65 that was pretty nice. It's probably still in the attic somewhere, where it probably belongs. Oh, there was an EB3 somewhere, in San Diego I think, 68?, that looked great but had a headstock that fell off. I'm sure they're better now, as are most things. No disrespect intended.
 
#51
GeneralElectric said:
What about basses with upper fret access?:hiding::p
Click to expand...

Everyone's personal style is different, but I've never played any blues lines or certainly not rock that needed me to be in the upper register beyond what I can easily get at on my Thunderbird. I mean seriously, you're ripping solos?

I personally look at the bass as the instrument that holds the whole band together and actually leads the music, from the tempo, to the beat, to the attack, everything...

I like to let the guitar player walk on top of the bass line, and keep the drummer in time to help emphasize certain parts of the rhythm. A good bass line should be felt, and the absence of the guitar or drums is what brings it to the foreground.

With all that going on, when are you supposed to be finger tapping 20th frets?



I dunno, like I said... for my playing and all the music I have always loved, I have never had any problems. I'm not saying "this" should only be used in "this" manner, I am a creative person who is open to a lot of things. Just stating my own opinion for a certain type of sound/bass. *Shrug*
 
#52
$Lindz$ said:
Everyone's personal style is different, but I've never played any blues lines or certainly not rock that needed me to be in the upper register beyond what I can easily get at on my Thunderbird. I mean seriously, you're ripping solos?

I personally look at the bass as the instrument that holds the whole band together and actually leads the music, from the tempo, to the beat, to the attack, everything...

I like to let the guitar player walk on top of the bass line, and keep the drummer in time to help emphasize certain parts of the rhythm. A good bass line should be felt, and the absence of the guitar or drums is what brings it to the foreground.

With all that going on, when are you supposed to be finger tapping 20th frets?



I dunno, like I said... for my playing and all the music I have always loved, I have never had any problems. I'm not saying "this" should only be used in "this" manner, I am a creative person who is open to a lot of things. Just stating my own opinion for a certain type of sound/bass. *Shrug*
Click to expand...

I don't play solos. and I don't finger tap. Most of my basses are strung with flatwounds too. A lot of things sound better, or make more sense to play, in the upper registers. I play for a living, and my job is to support other people. I'm not sure where you got the idea that "upper register=solo"
 
#56
I'll be honest, I use to dream of thunderbirds and eb3s. But they never did it for me sonically, or playability wise. Just in shops I noticed playing them I wasn't happy, for the price I was expecting something else I guess but they just weren't up my alley. I guess I'm more of a Fender guy anyways. I also feel Gibson isn't really a bass company, I don't mean they don't make some cool stuff, but I think they're more of a guitarist thing. That and I have to add I wish Gibson would reissue the RD and various other semi hollows at a reasonable price some day!
 
#58
I've got an old Victory Standard bass. I'd say a pro is definitely the build and sound. Those Gibson basses are tanks! Personally, I find the con to be playability. They are big and heavy. I find my Fender Jazz to be a much quicker alternative when playing live, but it's certainly preference.
 
#59
I've tried and tried to like two Rippers and an old Victory Standard. BUT, something always begins to bug me about them. Neither of these two models are really comfortable to play. I think Giants should play Rippers. The Vic is long and very heavy, although the body shape is pretty cool. Gibsons look as cool as they come. Seems like good materials used in most. However, ergonomic and powerful sounding they aren't. I agree with the 'guitar afterthought' statement. Can't help but think that. They seem like what would make better guitar designs than bass. If you enjoy mud and weakness, then they are okay. I think Thunderbirds are nowhere near as powerful and rocking as most people claim. I thought they were until I found out that Martin Turner on "Argus" by Wishbone Ash wasn't actually playing them on that record. He almost ALWAYS was with them in pics. He was playing a RIC on ARGUS.
 

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