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Gibson EB 2013 / 2014 vs. Lakland Decade

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Nerve, Oct 22, 2020.

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Gibson EB 2013 / 2014 or Lakland Decade?

  1. Gibson EB 2013 / 2014

    6 vote(s)
    46.2%

  2. Lakland Decade

    7 vote(s)
    53.8%

  3. Carrots, because they're far better for you

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Oct 22, 2020 #1
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Brethren, I am not a greedy man but I find myself at odds between two beautiful and useful basses; the Gibson EB (produced 2013 and 2014 only) and the Lakland Decade (Skyline for price parity, single coil Chi Sonics for the win).

    I like unique basses, but only when they sound good too. I also value tone versatility. Both the Gibson and the Lakland offer these things with their own brand of mojo. I could get into the specifics of what I like (thinner neck, etc) but instead I thought I'd open this question up to the TalkBass faithful and make it about you.

    So what say you? If you were making this decision for yourself, what would you pick?
     
  2. Oct 23, 2020 #2
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Bump, because the people deserve to know.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2020
  3. Oct 23, 2020 #3
    TDR1138

    TDR1138

    Apr 11, 2007
    SoCal
    I have a 2013 EB. I like it. The finish is rough (intentionally), which it seems that a lot of people didn’t care for. The pickguard was brittle and a very ugly fake tort, so I replaced mine. It’s not wholely Gibson, with ash body and maple neck, but it leans that way. Kind of the gateway Gibson for Fender players. While not huge, the neck isn’t thin either, more like a D-profile P neck. I enjoy it for what it is - a solid bass that I don’t have to baby, plays well, hot thunderous pickups. It has a lot of tones, but like any other bass, I tend to stick to just two or three.

    No experience with the Lakland.
     
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  4. Oct 23, 2020 #4
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Fantastic feedback, thanks! Do you think it's able to cop a Thunderbird tone if coaxed?
     
  5. Oct 23, 2020 #5
    TDR1138

    TDR1138

    Apr 11, 2007
    SoCal
    I haven’t A/B’d with a Tbird directly. Gets kind of in the range, I guess. The pickups aren’t traditional Tbird pickups, though I think they share the same shape/footprint and I think they used them on the Tbird for a couple of years. They’re still using them in the current EB.
     
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  6. Oct 23, 2020 #6
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Ah, I thought I had read something about that. Thanks for confirming. Not as aggressive I assume?
     
  7. Oct 23, 2020 #7
    TDR1138

    TDR1138

    Apr 11, 2007
    SoCal
    Again, haven’t A/B’d directly, but they’re pretty beefy and aggressive.
     
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  8. Dec 28, 2020 #8
    jsbraga

    jsbraga

    Jul 13, 2012
    I own a 2013 built in 2012 EB and have wound on half rounds since almost day 1. It has everything I was looking for. The info to wind on the halves came from this forum so I'm not the innovator for this idea.
     
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  9. Dec 28, 2020 #9
    WillyW

    WillyW l’art pour l’art, fonction de baise

    Dec 10, 2019
    I had a 2016 (not faded finish).

    I adore Gibson treble guitars, but just didn't get along with the SG bass.

    What's the Lackland patterned after?
     
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  10. Dec 28, 2020 #10
    swamp2

    swamp2

    Feb 27, 2008
    The 2013/2014 EB's have essentially nothing in common with the SG bass other than the name on the headstock, it's a completely different animal. Long vs Short scale, Ash vs mahogany, different body shape, bridge, pickups, tuners. It would be perfectly understandable that a player could bond with one but not the other. Personally I have and enjoy both!
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
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  11. Dec 28, 2020 #11
    WillyW

    WillyW l’art pour l’art, fonction de baise

    Dec 10, 2019
    Ohh long scale.... pics please....
     
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  12. Dec 28, 2020 #12
    swamp2

    swamp2

    Feb 27, 2008
    Much different animals!!! But both pretty cool. The SG is actually a 2007 SG Supreme from Gibson's guitar of the week program. Has a maple cap which does sound a bit different than a "normal" all-mahogany SG bass, I've had both.
    IMG_2435 90.jpg
    IMG_2436.JPG
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
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  13. Dec 28, 2020 #13
    WillyW

    WillyW l’art pour l’art, fonction de baise

    Dec 10, 2019
    see that’s where the confusion sets in... they called ANOTHER bass “EB”.... eb-0, eb-1, eb-2, eb-3, eb-4L, ebgb, heebeejeebee, etc...

    At least the older odd balls were caller “ripper” or “grabber”

    I have a 2018 “EB”.... my number one fretted bass....

    in that case, I change my vote... get the Gibson.


    9A442B5E-3CFC-40D3-8CA3-07C8757F9F8A.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
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  14. Dec 28, 2020 #14
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Good call. I’d probably look at GHS Pressurewounds. Then again, I’m been digging the latest Gibson strings too. The rounds have some depth and the flats are quite bright.
     
  15. Dec 28, 2020 #15
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    I think you’ve already noted this, but the SG bass is different. Easy to confuse, given it is like a cross between the EB-0 and the EB-3. Ugh, Gibson.

    The Lakland Decade is its own thing. It was designed to celebrate 10 years of Lakland (thus “Decade”). One of the best looking basses I’ve seen. I read somebody compare it to a cross between a Wal and ... was it a Teisco? Anyways, I think that’s fairly apt.
     
  16. Dec 28, 2020 #16
    Nerve

    Nerve

    May 2, 2007
    Man, you know your stuff and you have great tastes. Respect.