Gibson making basses again

[Velocibasser]

It's frustrating that Gibson apparently has given up on Tbirds, SGs, and Les Paul basses to put out a redesigned EB, with similar price but less features than the previous EB. It may turn out to be an OK bass, but honestly, was it worth it to stop bass production for a year and offer this? Maybe they should just turn the bass production over to Epiphone. Hurts me to say that, but clearly they have no real interest in electric basses anymore.

 

[MegaSwing]

It's frustrating that Gibson apparently has given up on Tbirds, SGs, and Les Paul basses to put out a redesigned EB, with similar price but less features than the previous EB. It may turn out to be an OK bass, but honestly, was it worth it to stop bass production for a year and offer this? Maybe they should just turn the bass production over to Epiphone. Hurts me to say that, but clearly they have no real interest in electric basses anymore.

Just hope that it turns out to be an OK bass. Otherwise, Gibson is truly nowhere in the bass firmament, with or without Epiphone. More is better.

 

[RBrownBass]

It's frustrating that Gibson apparently has given up on Tbirds, SGs, and Les Paul basses

I bet they start back making Birds, Pauls and/or SGs again within three or four years, even if they continue this EB. Nothing to worry about, and nothing the used market can't handle, at least at this point.

to put out a redesigned EB, with similar price but less features than the previous EB.

I definitely see the unfilled-grain finish as a budget move (I'm in the process of grainfilling and refinishing my natural 2014 EB5- will still be clear nitro, just smooth and high gloss. Also radically reshaping the pg), but that's only one feature. Any other differences I see as just that- differences.

It may turn out to be an OK bass

I'm sure it already has.* Most basses are OK. This neck is fantastic. Seriously, man, with all the different pup and hardware types Gibson's used over the years, what is it about this bass that you think would even stand out enough to be not OK, compared to the rest of their models? I just don't think there's anything radical going on here except Not Traditionally Gibson Enough. And even there, you'd be hard pressed to make an argument. We've seen maple bodies (Ripper/Grabber RD Artist) and fingerboards (same three), a more Fender-like balance (Victory) and we've seen bolt-on necks (Ripper or Grabber, can't recall).

*Full disclosure: I never had the original pups (I bought the neck/body platform from eBay seller the Stratosphere and the tuners and bridge from somebody else) and my bass is not finished yet, so I can't comment on the sound, but the only complaints I'm reading about this bass as stock is that it doesn't fit into Gibson's usual fare ergonomically. That to me is a plus.

but honestly, was it worth it to stop bass production for a year and offer this? Maybe they should just turn the bass production over to Epiphone. Hurts me to say that, but clearly they have no real interest in electric basses anymore.

Previously, their interest was limited to continuing with only those instruments they'd designed in the 60s or so, with minor changes here and there. They've now shown their increased interest by going out of their way to design an instrument that can be used by more players- players who are not as comfortable with the traditional Gibson strap button locations probably outnumber those who prefer them. IMO this EB should (should) reach a wider market, but won't, because it was built by Gibson.

 

[RBrownBass]

Oh, and I've now got another opportunity to post my EB, with mods. The pups shown under the covers are unlableled 4-bangers, from a Dean, I think. Jerry Sentell www.sentellpickups.net made me a custom 5-string set to fit under the chrome covers. They're the same size as the originals, and the finish matches the bridge- the light just did funny stuff there. All this is before the grainfilling. The pickguard is a rough idea atm, there's a good chance I'll eliminate the point on the lower horn and make that part look more like a typical Gibson archtop guitar guard. Still got a cool Mosrite vibe going The three small holes are vol/vol/master tone, the large one will be a Varitone/chicken head/LP-style plastic ring if it'll fit with the thinner body. The bit of exposed channel in the lower RH corner of the neck pup has been filled with a matching-grain strip and is barely noticeable now. If I keep it natural, I'll use a 3-ply parchment guard and gold/chrome knobs. If I paint it, I'll paint the back of the neck and headstock as well. In that case it'll probably be either black (4-ply blk pg, blk/chr knobs), LP gold (3-ply cream pg, gold bell knobs) or Ocean Turquoise (3-ply parch, gold/chr).

 

[GBassNorth]

It's frustrating that Gibson apparently has given up on Tbirds, SGs, and Les Paul basses to put out a redesigned EB, with similar price but less features than the previous EB. It may turn out to be an OK bass, but honestly, was it worth it to stop bass production for a year and offer this? Maybe they should just turn the bass production over to Epiphone. Hurts me to say that, but clearly they have no real interest in electric basses anymore.

Have patience Grasshopper, I'm sure this isn't the last word on basses from Gibson.

 

[GBassNorth]

...

View attachment 947324 View attachment 947325

Interesting pickguard idea. The outline could take an interesting Ric turn with a bit of a horizontal extension in the neck pup area.

 

[RBrownBass]

Interesting pickguard idea. The outline could take an interesting Ric turn with a bit of a horizontal extension in the neck pup area.

Yeah, it could. I'm toying with a lot of ideas- just now drew that in Paint to post here.

I'm kinda on the fence about the Babicz, even tho it's a great bridge. I'm pretty sure I want an ETS MK III 2-piece bridge and tailpiece, which will delay the finishing because I have to dowel the two 1/4" diameter or so holes beneath the bridge and then refill that grain before painting. And I'd have to redesign that pg because the long straight line under the pups and bridge would have to change. The ETS bridge and tp are wider than the mounting rings.

 

[GBassNorth]

Don't you just love "haters" Being Welsh, I of course understand Sheep behaviour quite well

View attachment 945926

LOL - somewhere at the front of that line is a guy holding up a nice newly released shiny Fender jazz bass that looks just like all the Jazz basses before it.

 

[RedVee]

It's been bugging me a little but I think I know now what's been gnawing at me.

This new EB reminds me a little of the PRS Kingfisher. Am I on track with this?

 

[Joe Nerve]

How they can go from this...

to this...

is beyond me. It doesn't even seem to have the push/pull pickup splitting option.

I'm glad they keep sticking their neck out there though.

 

[GBassNorth]

Gibson marketing: "Hey, look at our new 2013 EB bass. It has a best in class bridge, a set neck, 24 frets, a more mainline (Fenderish) body shape, great balance, huge tone shaping capability, dual humbuckers with coil taps and is made in the USA".

Fender fanboys: "Looks like a piece of crap, how can they even call that a Gibson, QC at Gibson sucks, the CEO of Gibson is a jerk, their marketing guys really blew it this time"

Gibson marketing: "Hey, we heard ya! Look at our new 2017 EB bass. It has a best in class bridge, a set neck, 24 frets, a more mainline (non Fenderish) body shape, great balance, huge tone shaping capability, dual humbuckers and is made in the USA".

Fender Fanboys: "Looks like a piece of crap, how can they even call that a Gibson, QC at Gibson sucks, the CEO of Gibson is a jerk, their marketing guys really blew it this time".

Gibson marketing: "What on earth are we doing wrong. We've given them everything they want and they still hate it".

Fender fanboys: "Keep up the great misinformation work fanboys! We've got Gibson on the ropes. Regardless of what they offer - Just keep repeating the Crappy design, Crappy QC and Crappy CEO line and we'll have it made"

 

[jd56hawk]

Hey, completely new no-nonsense line.
It might work.
I mean, it did before, right?

 

[Velocibasser]

You don't have to be a Fender fanboy to note valid problems in their bass designs, marketing, corporate leadership, or quality control. Feedback I've heard from owners of the previous EB model have been very favorable. (Shame it only had a 2 year run). And for those who are more traditionalist, they still offered Tbirds and SGs. So they stop production for a year and offer this as a take it or leave it choice? I hadn't really looked at Epiphones lately, but they sure have some nice basses on their web site.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I love my 2013 EB. FWIW.

 

[veebass]

Hey, completely new no-nonsense line.
It might work.
I mean, it did before, right?

Yes some interesting Gibsons in that advertisement. As I understand it some of those pictured were a development from the earlier Victory Bass.

Here's some ideas Fender "borrowed" from other makers. The Seth Lover designed Humbucker right at the base of the neck of the second series Telecaster Bass, which provides the distinct sound of these basses. BTW- I love these and have a wonderful 73 example..

And it keeps coming back and going away again. They will be back again at some point.

Here they "borrowed" a whole concept (the hollow body) in the mid 60s.

This 1992 Fender Prophecy look familiar?

Yes, late 80s and early 90 were a great time for Fender too! All but abandoning production in the US we got these gems.

Here's a link to some info about these.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[blue4]

I liked the recent model EB better. I don't like the headstock at all. Not only do I consider the overly long 4x1 to be a poor design, I think it looks very weird on this style of bass. I can't tell by the pictures I've seen if it's angled like a tbird or straight like a Fender. It's even worse if it's angled. A 2x2 smaller design would have worked better IMO. I'm glad to see that the bridge isn't the old 3 point. Overall, the recent EB was a better deal for the same money. Again IMO.

Guess I'm one of the sheep, but while the herd is sometimes wrong I don't think this is one of those times.

 

[veebass]

I think there may be some misunderstanding because of the EB designation that Gibson sometimes uses. Gibson has often used the EB designation for different models of electric basses that were not replacements for earlier EB models and has run different EB models concurrently at times.
This one is the 2017 EB Bass T from what I can see currently, though I can't find it on the Gibson product pages. The recent EBs included the EB 5 String, EB 13 & EB 14, which have been discussed somewhat favourably here. I don't see the EB T as a direct replacement, although it shares some features with the EB 13, 14 and 5 Strings. The sequence of events, however, makes comparison inevitable.
I'll wait till I actually see and play one. My initial reaction, though, is not fantastic.

 

[jd56hawk]

True, but this isn't the '50s where the EB designation is necessary, so why not come up with a new name?
They obviously took quite a lot of time to come up with such stand-out design, couldn't they waste another hour or two coming up with a new name?

 

[RBrownBass]

It's been bugging me a little but I think I know now what's been gnawing at me.

This new EB reminds me a little of the PRS Kingfisher. Am I on track with this?

Agreed. I love that shape, too, almost as much as I do the Carvin Brunel.

 

[Bone]

Probably a nice bass, but I've been a member of talkbass long enough to know Gibson is not known for it's basses. So it sucks. (the key word to my post is member). heh, heh, heh.