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Gibson EB 5 String Bass
- Thread starter G On Bass
- Start date
What strings did you go with if I may ask?OK...put a new set of strings on...45 -130 WHAMMO did the trick! I don't know why....but it is now perfect. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but what the hell, after all these years - who cares?
I could only find a set of slinks. They will work for the time being until I can get some DR's sent to me. I currently have 2 dozen sets of DR 45-105s but they won't do me a lot of good with a fiver. 
Don't really care for the slinks - but they'll do for the time being....
Don't really care for the slinks - but they'll do for the time being....
Well, I have been acquainting myself with the fiver for a couple of weeks now. I haven't gigged with it (moreso a lack of confidence than anything else) but I have been rehearsing with it a lot. As much as it pains me to admit it - Gibson got this damned thing RIGHT. It is light as all get out (especially for a fiver), the Babicz bridge is cool as hell, and, after changing strings, I am quite pleased with the B string. The cons are few, but one sticks out for me - it seems to be cheaply made (even though it is not) - I dunno - it just "seems" cheaply made - I wouldn't compare it to a Les Paul for example.But in reality, it's a well built bass. Overall, I am well pleased. Not bad for a grand.
I love mine. It's one of the best Passive basses I've ever played. Very Punchy but very refined if you want it to be. The electronics are quite nice also. The Pots are Solid shaft and very high quality. The fit & finish is spot on as well. I feel that Gibson went all out on these and were trying to make their mark with them.
I couldn't agree more. I have been a Fender and Ric guy for the longest time and (as I have stated before) I bought this totally on a whim and as hard as it is to admit it (
) I am actually taken with this bass. It is a first for me on a number of fronts. First Red bass I have ever owned - first Gibson I have ever owned (without counting a 1980s Ovation Magnum), first fiver, and I think I got a keeper here. I LOVE the Alinco pots - very "tone worthy" from a variety of settings and that bridge is outstanding. Indeed, a winner here!
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For a Gibson, it is a cheap instrument. Don't forget that a Les Paul standard costs about $2,600. Heck... it's cheaper than the Fender American Standards.
I'll tell you what, I played a job with it last night (my FIRST time with a fiver - after 40 years) and I was stunned. This bass is wonderful! I played a Ampeg 610HLF through a SVT4Pro and it was amazing! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still a Fender and a Ric guy - but FINALLY !!- a Gibson that delivers the goods! It reminded me (nearly identical) to my old Ovation Magnum that I played in the 80s - the tone was spectacular. Folks - I can not recommend this new model enough.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the bass at all. Just setting the perspective about comparing it to a Les Paul. Of course a Les Paul is "nicer." It cost more than twice the price. I plan on buying an EB 5 within the next two or three months and the weight and price are main deciding factors. Based on specs alone the Gibson is an incredible deal. In my opinion, they cut costs in the right place: aesthetics. They use quality woods and components and "cut corners" on the shaping and finishing of the bass. Despite this, or because of this, the bass still looks awesome IMO. I've never been more excited to eventually own a bass.
I have the 4 string model in gold. I LOVE it. Ever since I have joined TB, basses that I swore were keepers have come and gone. I got mine on a sweet deal here on TB in brand new condition for a steal. It cops the T bird tone perfectly in my opinion, which is what I originally wanted. After gigging it and playing it for hours though, every T bird I have played has just seemed kind of meh. I still think the cool factor of the T bird body wins; but for a little more than half the price, significantly reduced weight and zero neck dive... EB for me... Unless I find a vintage bird with the chrome pup covers 
. I have since gone back to my favorite maker, G&L with a newly acquired SB-2, but I cannot sell this one. It just does the Gibson bass thing to well and that is very hard for other makers to replicate. Mine is tuned C standard with Circle K .128-.45s.
I did find that the neck moved a bit, but once I got the strings I wanted and adjusted, I waited a few days and did another set up. The neck has remained solid, stable and intonated for 5 months now. Super stoked to have 2 basses that I KNOW I will not be parting with anytime soon. The only problem with these keepers is no liquid to relieve GAS.
. I have since gone back to my favorite maker, G&L with a newly acquired SB-2, but I cannot sell this one. It just does the Gibson bass thing to well and that is very hard for other makers to replicate. Mine is tuned C standard with Circle K .128-.45s.I did find that the neck moved a bit, but once I got the strings I wanted and adjusted, I waited a few days and did another set up. The neck has remained solid, stable and intonated for 5 months now. Super stoked to have 2 basses that I KNOW I will not be parting with anytime soon. The only problem with these keepers is no liquid to relieve GAS.
No problem! I understand what you are saying. I also agree that the EB5 is an incredible deal. I have been buying (and selling) basses since the late 60s on. Many have come and gone since that time. This one is a keeper. Now, I'm no bass snob. I believe in playing what works - and I don't believe in spending a boat load of money on ANY bass (that's me) so the price point on this bass was right up my alley. At the last gig (the first job I have played this on) I had two young dudes come up, ask several questions about the bass, held it and both fell in love also. GIBSON!! Where's my check!?!?!
I have the 4 string model in gold. I LOVE it. Ever since I have joined TB, basses that I swore were keepers have come and gone. I got mine on a sweet deal here on TB in brand new condition for a steal. It cops the T bird tone perfectly in my opinion, which is what I originally wanted. After gigging it and playing it for hours though, every T bird I have played has just seemed kind of meh. I still think the cool factor of the T bird body wins; but for a little more than half the price, significantly reduced weight and zero neck dive... EB for me... Unless I find a vintage bird with the chrome pup covers
I did find that the neck moved a bit, but once I got the strings I wanted and adjusted, I waited a few days and did another set up. The neck has remained solid, stable and intonated for 5 months now. Super stoked to have 2 basses that I KNOW I will not be parting with anytime soon. The only problem with these keepers is no liquid to relieve GAS.
Indeed. I had a little trouble to begin with (the B string was floppy) but changed them out and put on DRs (.45 - .130) and everything is good to go. I couldn't be happier and, for the money, you would be hard pressed to find a better 5 string (IMO).
Joined the board to post in this thread -
Bought mine from a guy on Craigslist in 12, a few weeks after they were first shipped. I generally don't like Gibson basses (Jack Bruce aside), and met this kid in a parking lot in a sketchy part of Oakland. Couldn't play it plugged in. I got a good deal, so I bought it.
Fast forward to today. This is my number one axe. I play it through my ancient SWR rig, or a newer TC Electronic set. Rotosound (always) flats with the black tape. It does neck dive a bit, but it's manageable. Nowhere near as bad as a J.
The best thing about it is that I can play just about anything with it. The taps give solid P neck and J bridge tones, and I can always find a humbucker blend that suits any material. Add in the fact that it's cheap enough to not care very much if it gets knocked over or stolen, the size and weight and fast neck, the very nice case, and the funky looks, and I'd say that the working bassist who has to cover a wide range of music and wants to haul only one instrument couldn't go wrong.
The shiny or antique expensive ones stay at home, the EB rattles around in my trunk all day and hasn't let me down yet. I'd buy another at retail if this one got boosted.
Bought mine from a guy on Craigslist in 12, a few weeks after they were first shipped. I generally don't like Gibson basses (Jack Bruce aside), and met this kid in a parking lot in a sketchy part of Oakland. Couldn't play it plugged in. I got a good deal, so I bought it.
Fast forward to today. This is my number one axe. I play it through my ancient SWR rig, or a newer TC Electronic set. Rotosound (always) flats with the black tape. It does neck dive a bit, but it's manageable. Nowhere near as bad as a J.
The best thing about it is that I can play just about anything with it. The taps give solid P neck and J bridge tones, and I can always find a humbucker blend that suits any material. Add in the fact that it's cheap enough to not care very much if it gets knocked over or stolen, the size and weight and fast neck, the very nice case, and the funky looks, and I'd say that the working bassist who has to cover a wide range of music and wants to haul only one instrument couldn't go wrong.
The shiny or antique expensive ones stay at home, the EB rattles around in my trunk all day and hasn't let me down yet. I'd buy another at retail if this one got boosted.
I need to get one of these pretty soon. Apparently the replacement for the EB 5 for next year will be about $4000.
Edit:
Here it is: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAV5NABC-15
This is the only picture I can find:
Edit:
Here it is: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAV5NABC-15
This is the only picture I can find:
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NFW mine is worth $4K. You could buy 2 5 string USA Fenders or a bunch of Ibanez' for that, and have enough left over to keep you in strings for a year. The reason I love it is that it's cheap but does the job. There's no reason to pay an extra three grand for better paint, IMO.
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Apparently the CEO of Gibson decided that they should be a high end only company, so they're dropping all the satin finish instruments and jacking the price up on everything else. The 2014 Thunderbird is about $2000 while the 2015 Thunderbird is about $2600.
They haven't been able to make up their corporate mind about basses for the 50+ years they've been making them. That's why there's 3 or 4 great ones out of a hundred attempts, I guess. I really might buy another EB5 before they sell them all.
PS, my first bass was a Grabber, new when I was 12. I wish I still had it for nostalgia's sake, but I couldn't get rid of it fast enough back then. Looked stupid, sounded bad, was hard to learn on. I didn't know any of that until I played a Ric, but the difference was so obvious I just had to flush the Gibby. This is the first time I've been back, and am very happy I overcame my prejudice.
PPS, Fenders sucked in the 70s, too. I laugh every time I see a new repro or a high priced 'vintage' axe. The Big Two opened the door for dozens of small maker and imports, just like Detroit did with foreign cars. Yamaha and Ibanez wouldn't be selling basses today if American instruments didn't blow for 15 years.
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Sweetwater are good people. I recently bought a GK MB500 from them. They gave me an incredible deal because my friend dealt with them and asked them to drop me a great deal to get me to use them. They agreed and the followup service has been top notch. I always call them 1st and usually last since they always come through. Great company!! And no, this isn't a shill.....
I'm considering picking one of these up and was wondering if anyone knows of any differences between the 2013 and 2014 models:
- Invalid Link Removed (2014)
- Invalid Link Removed (2013 i'm assuming since the picture of the back of headstock says so)
Price and specs wise they looks the same. Only difference seems to be the 2014 has a "120th anniversary" inlay at the 12th fret. I could care less about that. Is anyone aware of any potential differences build quality wise? Were there any issues with the 2013 version that got fixed in the 2014?
Also wondering if everyone who was raving about this bass is still happy with it? I currently play a gibson thunderbird (2012?) that is alright. While I like the feel and looks, i'm not super impressed by the build quality (it's too bad though) and it has some issues with the electronics so I am a little wary of buying another new Gibson. The look, specs and price of this EB bass is exactly what i'm looking for though so I am willing to consider it.
- Invalid Link Removed (2014)
- Invalid Link Removed (2013 i'm assuming since the picture of the back of headstock says so)
Price and specs wise they looks the same. Only difference seems to be the 2014 has a "120th anniversary" inlay at the 12th fret. I could care less about that. Is anyone aware of any potential differences build quality wise? Were there any issues with the 2013 version that got fixed in the 2014?
Also wondering if everyone who was raving about this bass is still happy with it? I currently play a gibson thunderbird (2012?) that is alright. While I like the feel and looks, i'm not super impressed by the build quality (it's too bad though) and it has some issues with the electronics so I am a little wary of buying another new Gibson. The look, specs and price of this EB bass is exactly what i'm looking for though so I am willing to consider it.
Really nice bass and the case is an awesome plus too. I blew a chance to get one several months for well below the normal selling price. I still have marks where I kicked myself. I was also surprised how light the two I looked at were. Have you weighed yours yet?
