• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

GIBSON Club. Part II

#1,001
Fathand said:
I've got a similar looking 2017 version on the way right now. I was looking for a new 4/5 string and Thomann is having a firesale on these right now. Made in the US, with a hardshell case and price less than an LTD or a Mexican Fender.. pretty much a no-brainer at that point. I also like how it looks because it really doesn't remind me of any existing basses (that I've seen so far). Let's just hope my luck with Gibson QC continues.. I've had a good run so far.
Click to expand...

Hope it’s everything you’re looking for.

I have a 2017 5 string and a 2018 4 string. Both are excellent and very light. QC on both were comparable to other basses in the original price range. Had some fret sprout on the 5. Only thing of note. Not a big deal or surprising.

The four has the stock electronics and I really like it. My main 4 string. The 5 string has been heavily modified and has bested many basses costing much more. Finally took a back seat to an Ibanez Grooveline which is an even weirder bass. Still couldn’t see getting rid of the 5 string. Modified, it is my most versatile bass and if I need a 5 for a 4 hour set the Gibson weighs almost 2 lbs less than my Groovline and a little more sonically versatile.

A lot of hate for the newer basses but I love them. I guess there’s a lot of hate for Gibson basses in general. Used to be one of those guys until I saw the light. Now I have, and frequently play 3 Gibson’s. I’d be happy playing any one of them until the end of my days. Fortunately I don’t have to pick.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob, Fathand, ajkula66 and 1 other person
#1,002
aproud1 said:
Hope it’s everything you’re looking for.

I have a 2017 5 string and a 2018 4 string. Both are excellent and very light. QC on both were comparable to other basses in the original price range. Had some fret sprout on the 5. Only thing of note. Not a big deal or surprising.

The four has the stock electronics and I really like it. My main 4 string. The 5 string has been heavily modified and has bested many basses costing much more. Finally took a back seat to an Ibanez Grooveline which is an even weirder bass. Still couldn’t see getting rid of the 5 string. Modified, it is my most versatile bass and if I need a 5 for a 4 hour set the Gibson weighs almost 2 lbs less than my Groovline and a little more sonically versatile.

A lot of hate for the newer basses but I love them. I guess there’s a lot of hate for Gibson basses in general. Used to be one of those guys until I saw the light. Now I have, and frequently play 3 Gibson’s. I’d be happy playing any one of them until the end of my days. Fortunately I don’t have to pick.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping that as well. I bought it to be the compatriot to my Hamer 5-string due to the similar (but not identical) specs. My Hamer sounds really good in E-C tuning so this will initially be downtuned to A and go directly to action.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob
#1,003
Fathand said:
I was looking for a new 4/5 string and Thomann is having a firesale on these right now. Made in the US, with a hardshell case and price less than an LTD or a Mexican Fender.. pretty much a no-brainer at that point. I also like how it looks because it really doesn't remind me of any existing basses (that I've seen so far)
Click to expand...

that's the reason i got mine too !!! i always wanted a gibson bass and i can say that this gibson eb bass is a great instrument with great pickups and great hardware...at this price point it's the epitome of working man's rock bass... great sound when you set the eq right, unbeatable price ... very very light !!! very versatile with it's push pull knobs, easy to play the upper register too and has a good balance when you play standing up... soundwise it's very different from a typical fender bass .. it has it's own, rockin' character... the overall quality could be better though (better input jack, better wiring and few other small details) to be honest couldn't ask for more from a usa gibson bass at this low price ... too bad they're discontinued .... gibson should keep that body shape and tweak them and improve them ... it's really too bad that the average, working rock bass player doesn't have the option to buy this bass new now.... the newer model is bland in comparison....
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ajkula66 and gustophersmob
#1,004
Hmmm.. I did not pay attention enough, it seems. The bass came, and it is actually a 2014 model (with the 120th anniversary badge on the 12th fret). I somehow missed that and thought this to be a 2017 reissue.

received_10156716051950536.jpeg


Nevertheless, it's a nice bass - surprisingly light as well. And QC? might need some minor fret end dressing, because I think wherever this bass has spent the last 4 years, the fretboard might have shrunk a bit as it got dry. This is just in a couple of places, though, so nothing major (and something I can address myself). I might put some lemon oil to fretboard as well, while I'm at it.

Neck is straight with a bit of relief, frets level and the finish is smooth & well done. I originally thought the body to be a single piece, but then I noticed a body join in the lower part of the neck pocket, and from there a barely noticable join going to the top rear of the bass. Unless the join wasn't hitting the neck pocket area, you would not see it - it's done that well.

Pickups are interesting. There is no major volume drop going from humbucker to single coil, which IMHO indicates good design, and the split sound is "Jazzish". Very usable, at least with my home gear (pedals + a small active monitor). Overall they are very hot (ceramic, IIRC?) pickups which might not be for everyone's liking. I can manage, I've used hot pickups before and still do.

My initial feeling is that this will be a great tool for me. I like the look, it's well built and the case (which is very nice) smells like vanilla ;). And the most important part: When I opened the case and took it out the first time I felt like I had bought a quality instrument with some Mojo. Well done, Big G. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassmusic17, zbigniew, gustophersmob and 3 others
#1,005
Fathand said:
Hmmm.. I did not pay attention enough, it seems. The bass came, and it is actually a 2014 model (with the 120th anniversary badge on the 12th fret). I somehow missed that and thought this to be a 2017 reissue.

View attachment 3102681

Nevertheless, it's a nice bass - surprisingly light as well. And QC? might need some minor fret end dressing, because I think wherever this bass has spent the last 4 years, the fretboard might have shrunk a bit as it got dry. This is just in a couple of places, though, so nothing major (and something I can address myself). I might put some lemon oil to fretboard as well, while I'm at it.

Neck is straight with a bit of relief, frets level and the finish is smooth & well done. I originally thought the body to be a single piece, but then I noticed a body join in the lower part of the neck pocket, and from there a barely noticable join going to the top rear of the bass. Unless the join wasn't hitting the neck pocket area, you would not see it - it's done that well.

Pickups are interesting. There is no major volume drop going from humbucker to single coil, which IMHO indicates good design, and the split sound is "Jazzish". Very usable, at least with my home gear (pedals + a small active monitor). Overall they are very hot (ceramic, IIRC?) pickups which might not be for everyone's liking. I can manage, I've used hot pickups before and still do.

My initial feeling is that this will be a great tool for me. I like the look, it's well built and the case (which is very nice) smells like vanilla ;). And the most important part: When I opened the case and took it out the first time I felt like I had bought a quality instrument with some Mojo. Well done, Big G. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Your thoughts echo my own when it comes to these basses. I'm quite fond of them!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nocturnal
#1,007
rodv66 said:
Just got an 81 Victory bass. Used it at a gig last night and was very surprised how comfortable it was. All I need is a RD Artist and will be setView attachment 3105163
Click to expand...

Nice!

Been gassing over your basses fretless brother for some time now. I'm broke and they want way too much. Some day I'll get my fretless Gibson.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob and rodv66
#1,011
Hmmm... are the pickup covers in the 4 and 5 string EB actually the same size? I'm just thinking that if I would want to EMGize this bass (because I'm a fan of the sound) at some point, would the TB replacement pickups fit? With the blade design (as opposed to poles) it should work fine if the covers are the right size.

I think I have to do some measuring when I get back home.
 
#1,012
Fathand said:
Hmmm... are the pickup covers in the 4 and 5 string EB actually the same size? I'm just thinking that if I would want to EMGize this bass (because I'm a fan of the sound) at some point, would the TB replacement pickups fit? With the blade design (as opposed to poles) it should work fine if the covers are the right size.

I think I have to do some measuring when I get back home.
Click to expand...

I know with the Bartolini pickups they fit but the magnetic structure isn't big enough for all 5 strings. Likely the same situation with the EMG's. I'd email them to be sure.

For my five string I had Christoph Dolph from Basscultures build me a custom set. He could do bars but I opted for large coil reverse P under the covers. Killer pickups! I do have an east preamp installed as well.

Bassculture.de - Startseite

Here is a recording I made last year. Tone flat. Pickups centered, blend toward neck, blend toward bridge back to center. Tried to do as much on the B string as I could.

 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob
#1,014
Fathand said:
Hmmm... are the pickup covers in the 4 and 5 string EB actually the same size? I'm just thinking that if I would want to EMGize this bass (because I'm a fan of the sound) at some point, would the TB replacement pickups fit? With the blade design (as opposed to poles) it should work fine if the covers are the right size.

I think I have to do some measuring when I get back home.
Click to expand...
I’d consider that a downgrade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thanos k and Ukko
#1,015
rodv66 said:
Just got an 81 Victory bass. Used it at a gig last night and was very surprised how comfortable it was. All I need is a RD Artist and will be setView attachment 3105163
Click to expand...

Schaller 3D bridge :thumbsup: - hope you got the A, D & G on their roller saddles since this pic was taken.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rodv66
#1,018
The EMG swap was, and still remains just an idea. I like EMG's, but I'm not actually sure they would fit tonally to this bass. The natural sound is already a bit compressed, so adding more compression might not be a good idea.

I got to test the bass in a rehearsal with my parts P-bass and unfortunately with my setup the P-bass wiped the floors with the Gibson (tonally). It also helped that I've tweaked the P-bass to my liking setup-wise, which makes it a bit more easier to play as well..

I have to do a complete setup and change the strings to a E-C -setup (actually a D-A#, but anyways) + look into the pickup heights a bit. The neck pickup is pretty low and can't be raised, which makes the pickup balance somewhat screwed. It sounded pretty good, but it can be better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob
#1,019
Did the string / tuning change and straightened the neck a bit, action is way better now and after I adjust the string heights it will play like butter. I noticed one thing, though. The pickup poles are very, very, very magnetic. The neck pickup is pretty low in the body, but as soon as I loosened the strings for change the pickup poles sucked them in. Naturally they are supposed to be like that, but I've never encountered such strong magnets before.

In other news, I now have got gas for a slot head EB-0, or an EB-2 (or a Korean Epi Rivoli). One of those would be cool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gustophersmob and Nocturnal

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back