• 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 Les Paul 5 Stringer

#22
Christov said:
I have a LPB-3 5 string with the carved top and active Bartolini's. Here it is for comparison, mine is a 1994.
GibsonLPB5top.jpg

Gibsonheadstock.jpg
Click to expand...


A Gibson with Warwick bridge and tailpiece?? Do tell!
 
#23
mmbongo said:
A Gibson with Warwick bridge and tailpiece?? Do tell!
Click to expand...

In the early '90's Gibson used the Warwick bridge and tailpiece and active Bartolini electronics on some of their basses. Mine is a 1994 and as you can tell does NOT have the 3 way pickup selector switch, which is another rarity. They produced both 4 and 5 string models of the LPB-3 model and both configurations used the Warwick bridge/tailpiece and the active Bartolini electronics. I used this bass on the song 'Chip and a Chair' by Booze Monkey. Check it out.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#24
So I got her and she is just as beautiful and great sounding as I imagined. Already used her in a recording session so she will be on my bands new album! Thanks @dega500 for keeping such good care of her, you truly did pass her on to someone that will take care of her.
 

Attachments

  • image-2216417543.jpg
    image-2216417543.jpg
    37.6 KB · Views: 347
#30
Christov said:
I have a LPB-3 5 string with the carved top and active Bartolini's. Here it is for comparison, mine is a 1994.
GibsonLPB5top.jpg

Gibsonheadstock.jpg
Click to expand...

Ahhhhh...I have been looking for one of those for years!! I played the 4 string version and loved it. I have the Epiphone copy of the 5 string...but it's just not the same. You rarely see the LPB3 5 string much less get a chance to buy one. Soooo.....if you ever want to pass it on let me know.:D
 
#32
jmhbass said:
You rarely see the LPB3 5 string much less get a chance to buy one. Soooo.....if you ever want to pass it on let me know.:D
Click to expand...

+1. :hyper:

I recently picked up a 1992 LP 5er (non carved top with beautiful maple) and absolutely love it!

I am seriously considering selling my Bongo 5 or even new LP Oversized to get another (likely a carved top LP-3).

My LP cuts through better than my old Sadowskys, Roscoes, etc. just killer. The active Bart setup is amazing on this bass.

Note: the narrow string spacing does take a while to get used to though IME, but now I prefer it.

Amazing basses and super undervalued IMO....
 
#33
The narrow string spacing was one of the main things that attracted me to them. Feels like a 4 string but It has 5. Best of all worlds lol. After I bought my first one(1996) I went on what turned out to be almost a 15 year search to find another; they just never seemed to be for sale and Gibson was on LPB hiatus. I tried other basses but I had gotten so used to that narrow spacing that it felt like playing a telephone pole instead of a baseball bat. Anyway, definately one of the narrowest 5 string necks I've ever seen and once you get used to it very fast. I'm hooked.
 
#36
Personally I love it. I've become addicted to 5 strings. When I pick up a 4 string my fingers feel confused lol. Yeah it can be a little floppy at times I've just kind of learned not to hit it as hard as the other strings(I tend to play a bit hard at times) otherwise it tends to fret rattle. And if you raise the action enough to counteract this the other strings get way to far off the fret board and
so far from the pickups that you lose a bit of punch. So i guess it's just a bit of a learning curve. Have to learn how to play this particular bass. Kinda wish Gibson had gone dual truss rods so you could individually adjust the high and low ends of the neck. But Im used to it and absolutely love it.
 
#37
They are a bit undervalued IMO as well. I paid $858 for my non maple top w/ Gibson Humbuckers and Bartolini electronics brand new from a dealer in 1996. Then(hope you don't mind Dega) just last year bought my carved maple top with the active Bartolini pups and electronics for $850. So I would say either style depending on condition is worth $800 to $1200. The LPB3's may draw the higher range because I think they are a little more rare; there were fewer of them made pre '96 when Gibson started making the LPB's again. At any rate I like the 2 piece Warwick style bridge on the LPB3's and would actually be willing to trade one of mine or buy one if I could find one for sale. Well that's my 2 cents.
 
#38
looks like everyone's a buyer....no one selling??...lol! I love the narrow string spacing too. My go to bass is an Ibanez SR505 (I know--no one likes these). It does need frequent tuneups but aslo has the narrow spacing and active Bartolinis. The sound puts my Epi les paul 5 to shame. (and was a steal @ $250) The Epi has that huge neck and really wide spacing...passive p/u's...good for slapping and showing off...but for sound quality I always end up back with the Ibanez. I almost broke down and bought an LPB3 4 string last year, but decided to hold off...I too am addicted to that 5th string. That, along with the narrow spacing makes it much easier on my stubby fingers. And speaking of confused fingers...I also have a pre-war Gibson Banjo (TB-2). I did a couple of recordings one day where I switched from bass to banjo and back...lol felt like my hand grew 10 sizes!! The TB-2 may be available for trade if someone had a nice LPB3 5-string they were willing to part with. This would probably be the ONLY way I would ever give up this banjo.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back