My 2012 Les Paul Studio came with rough frets. All the parts are there but it feels unfinished. I used to play a Gibson Sonex that was smooth as butter. No wonder people are asking more for a nice Sonex these days, than a newer LP Studio. I haven't even tried any of their basses. Here's a Fiat that was a good car:
Fiat Bravo
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I'm a big fan of Gibson guitars, particularly Les Pauls. But I would never consider buying a new one...just too dang expensive. However, I've played a couple of Epiphones recently (335 and 339 style) and was very impressed, especially for the price.
All due respect, I don't agree. I can think of several other reasons why Gibson hasn't (yet) shown any basses for 2016:
- Gibson also hasn't shown any Custom Shop models for 2016, so maybe the basses simply haven't been unveiled yet
- Perhaps Gibson is pausing bass production to integrate its basses into its new Traditional and High Performance guitar lines
- Maybe Gibson is taking a year to rethink and/or revamp its bass lineup and pricing structure
- Or, maybe Gibson is phasing out its bass models because they can make more money using all that mahogany and rosewood for yet more versions of the LP and 335
These are just off the top of my head. I can't imagine any correlation between Gibson QC and the company's decision not to unveil any basses for 2016 alongside its guitar lines. Gibson took flak from guitar geeks in 2015 not because of crap QC but because it decided to put automatic tuners, a weird hologram/signature, wider necks, and a metal zero fret on its six-string instruments.
I've got a 2015 SG bass that is now my only 4-string. It wasn't flawless from new, but it wasn't markedly worse than similarly priced instruments I've bought from other manufacturers. I paid far less than MSRP and got a terrific short-scale instrument with a Babicz bridge, lovely lacquer finish, great playability, and an extremely comfortable body. I think it'd be a shame if Gibson stopped making basses -- the company offers some very unique products to people who want/need a short-scale bass, a USA made instrument that sounds different than a Fender, or a light, comfy body.
I've owned basses from Jerry Jones, Gretsch, Fender, Music Man, Mike Lull, and others, and the SG is my first Gibson. So I'm hardly a Gibson apologist. But I guess I don't understand why so many members seem to enjoy dumping on Gibson. They're overwhelmingly a 6-string manufacturer; it's not news that basses take a back seat. Plus it's a tradition-driven company run by weirdos, trying to cater to people infatuated with their products from 1959, none of which helps matters. That said, their basses meet the needs of people like me, and I think we'd all be poorer if the company has, in fact, ditched bass production.
Again, nothing here is aimed at you personally, starmann -- I think you bring up some really interesting points and I agree that healthy criticism is the only way to improve a company's products.
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Never owned a Gibson, but I did have a FIAT X1-9 I bought used in 1982. It ran one day and went through two engines. If that's any indication of Gibson....
Gibson doesn't care about their basses, the fact that they put Bass in Electric Guitars in their website says a lot.
I did it the other way round, 80s Gibson (guitar) and a recent Fiat. I can't fault either.
I, for one, sincerely hope that Gibson can work through its issues and make a triumphant return. Love them or hate them, music instrument manufacturing would simply not be the same without Gibson.
I've had 12+ gibson basses over the last 5 years, all except 2 were flawless.. Also own a Fiat Abarth 695.. Flawless.
Never owned a Gibson, but I did have a FIAT X1-9 I bought used in 1982. It ran one day and went through two engines. If that's any indication of Gibson....
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I have 5 Gibson basses, love 'em, when they're good, there's nothing better. Haters gonna hate, it's their problem, not mine.
I owned most of the old Fiat models back in the day (850, 128, 132, 124, 2000, X1/9) --- so for Gibson to be equivalent to Fiat, I would expect a Gibson look, feel, play like something much more expensive - and I would expect all the screws to loosen up and fall out if you don't watch them 
- and I would expect them to rust into nothing after a few years --- but before they rust away (and as long as you keep putting the parts back on and tightening the bolts) I'd expect them to play and sound like heaven.
I loved every Fiat I ever owned - and I fixed them often
I don't think the new Gibsons feel/play/sound/look good enough to be similar to Fiat - they don't evoke that feeling in me.
- and I would expect them to rust into nothing after a few years --- but before they rust away (and as long as you keep putting the parts back on and tightening the bolts) I'd expect them to play and sound like heaven. I loved every Fiat I ever owned - and I fixed them often
I don't think the new Gibsons feel/play/sound/look good enough to be similar to Fiat - they don't evoke that feeling in me.
Gibson only released their 2016 stuff so soon because their 2015 models (and respective HUGE price increases for no reason) were so terrible. While I don't know much about their basses, it just seems ridiculous to drop $3000 on a mass produced guitar that has a high chance of being junk. Meanwhile, my $400 Agile Les Paul looks, plays, and sounds great. To each their own, but imo Gibson is for fanboys with more money than sense.
You know, I could just as easily say the same thing about Fender or any other name brand. Doesn't mean I'd be right though. You openly admit to not knowing much about Gibson basses, so it strikes me as odd that you would make such a broad statement.
You know how most people say that you have to play a few Fender basses to find a good one?
Gibson basses are just like that, but more so.
If you have to play a dozen Fenders to find "the one", the Gibson number is as high or higher.
Not sure yet exactly what it is. But, it seems to be higher, ime.
Gibson basses are just like that, but more so.
If you have to play a dozen Fenders to find "the one", the Gibson number is as high or higher.
Not sure yet exactly what it is. But, it seems to be higher, ime.
Hmmm. Not been my experience. Here is my post from earlier in this thread:
Again, four of my Gibson's were blind purchases. All have great fit & finish and sound/play wonderfully. The other new purchase was an easy GC buy. I knew within the first 30 seconds that the bass was great. No regrets. But as always, YMMV.
I'm a pretty big Gibson fan. I can honestly say the I've never picked up one that wasn't amazing. Maybe I'm extremely lucky. According to what I read online I guess that's so lol. I own 3. One I bought in person,the other two purchased online. All 3 are 2014 models because I liked the anniversary logo. Guess I'm the rare odd ball there too. I think the pricing is fair and well inline with inflation if you take in to consideration the pricing of Gibsons over the yrs.
You almost have to think some boob at Gibson said "Let's jack prices through the roof and make them nearly un obtainable to most musicians. That will make our brand elite; who needs quality; people are just stupid enough fall for it; everybody will want one!"
Ya know, I've always wanted a Les Paul. I could afford a nice one, not anything crazy, but a nice one; unfortunately, it seems that unless you plan to spend 5K or more, quality will be hit or miss.
I've played enough to say that from firsthand experience. It isn't a matter of poor sound or electronics. The majority if the issues I have seen are fit and finish, along with some really sophomoric fret work.
I'm so tired of sales people telling me, " that is just the character of Gibson guitars; each is unique." No, each, OK, every other one~or so, is just sloppily put together.
Too bad, it was a brand that used to really mean something.
Ya know, I've always wanted a Les Paul. I could afford a nice one, not anything crazy, but a nice one; unfortunately, it seems that unless you plan to spend 5K or more, quality will be hit or miss.
I've played enough to say that from firsthand experience. It isn't a matter of poor sound or electronics. The majority if the issues I have seen are fit and finish, along with some really sophomoric fret work.
I'm so tired of sales people telling me, " that is just the character of Gibson guitars; each is unique." No, each, OK, every other one~or so, is just sloppily put together.
Too bad, it was a brand that used to really mean something.
