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Gibson Les Paul Bass Comparison

the invazia

the invazia

May 5, 2014
25
30
44
Novosibirsk
#1
The idea of making a Gibson Les Paul Bass comparison of appeared as soon as there was more than two. But for a full comparison, at least five needed! Not all Les Paul models, but very representative bunch of a basses. As a result, a year later — video is ready.



In this video:
• 1992 Gibson Les Paul Bass LPB-3 Honeyburst
• 1997 Gibson Les Paul Bass LPB-3 (active) Black
• 2000 Gibson Les Paul Standard Bass Honeyburst
• 2006 Gibson Les Paul Double Cut Bass (Money Bass DC ) Root Beer
• 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard Bass Oversized Goldtop

New strings on all basses — Warwick Red Stainless Steel (45-105)
Close as possible the same basses setup (pickups and action).

Preamp — Shift Line Olympic MkIIIS
Drive — A+ by Shift Line Buzz V.2

My choice is 2000 Honeyburst.
 
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#2
Thanks for the demo! I’m actually picking up a LP Bass on Tuesday so this was a great anticipatory watch! I think the 92 and the 00 sounded the best without a shadow of a doubt. Disappointed in the 97 and the 13 in particular which I thought sounded a bit lifeless.
 
#5
I like the 92, I forget what year mine is, I bought it on E bay, think it's a 90's, it was a lady bassplayer and her perfume stayed with for years.

IMG_2779 Les Paul.JPG
 
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#6
the invazia said:
The idea of making a Gibson Les Paul Bass comparison of appeared as soon as there was more than two. But for a full comparison, at least five needed! Not all Les Paul models, but very representative bunch of a basses. As a result, a year later — video is ready.



In this video:
• 1992 Gibson Les Paul Bass LPB-3 Honeyburst
• 1997 Gibson Les Paul Bass LPB-3 (active) Black
• 2000 Gibson Les Paul Standard Bass Honeyburst
• 2006 Gibson Les Paul Double Cut Bass (Money Bass DC ) Root Beer
• 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard Bass Oversized Goldtop

New strings on all basses — Warwick Red Stainless Steel (45-105)
Close as possible the same basses setup (pickups and action).

Preamp — Shift Line Olympic MkIIIS
Drive — A+ by Shift Line Buzz V.2

My choice is 2000 Honeyburst.
Click to expand...

Awesome video!
Well done. Great non-flashy playing. Very enjoyable and really great comparison with so many variations. If only all comparison videos could be done this well!

Liked all of them, but my least favorite was the 1997 model. Don’t know if it was the settings or what but in comparison it seemed a bit ‘dead’?

The 1992 and 2000 really stand out. I liked the higher sounding bite of the 2013 as well as the darker growl of the double cut in the lower register.

Well done, well done indeed! :thumbsup:
 
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#7
LukeTariq said:
Thanks for the demo! I’m actually picking up a LP Bass on Tuesday so this was a great anticipatory watch! I think the 92 and the 00 sounded the best without a shadow of a doubt. Disappointed in the 97 and the 13 in particular which I thought sounded a bit lifeless.
Click to expand...
97 is too bassy for me. Massive and muddy low end and very high output level.
13 is great and very dynamic responsive, but oversized body uncomfortable (for me).

Unfortunately video can't transfer tactile sensations :(
 
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#12
That was a very detailed comparison! Good job on the video, the invazia :thumbsup:

On watching, my first thought is that the ‘92 is the only one I’d be interested in, personally. Second thought is that it’s kinda amazing how’d different they all are. Third thought is that if buying a used Les Paul bass online, given all that variance, it seems you couldn’t quite be sure what you’d be getting yourself into.

Anyway, for me, each of the basses had their moments where they weren’t bad, but the only one I consistently liked was the ‘92. Meanwhile, the 2006 root beer double cut was consistently my least favorite. Didn’t like the 2000 either, in contrast to the people above who liked both the 92 and 2000 (2000 seemed kinda too "guitary" to me, I guess).

I liked the tone of the 2013 on a few examples, but yeah, that one looks like a beast of a bass - no thanks. On the opposite end of the beastliness spectrum, the 2006 root beer DC looked the most player friendly - but I didn’t dig the tone. So, ‘92 for the win :bassist: (ymmv)
 
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#14
Love the LPB-3 Les Paul basses. I wish they would return to that body size and just add the pickup selector like the 2000 had. Add some cool flame top finish options and I guarantee they will sell like crazy. I'll take two, one burst and one black. Maybe three if they do the five string again.

I came soooooo close to talking a guy into selling an early 90's 5 string LPB-3 with a "plus" top to me about 10 years ago. He didn't play it but he just couldn't let it go. I offered him a lot more than he paid brand new too. He still has it, doesn't play it, and won't even discuss a selling price. One day....
 

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