Gibson making basses again

[veebass]

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?

Their company- they can name their products whatever they like, as far as I am concerned.
However, in answer to your question, they did give it a new name- they called it the 2017 EB Bass T, from what I read.
As an aside, not sure about your comment about the 50s. Fender is still using the names they came up with in the 50s and early 60s for their two biggest selling basses and their biggest selling guitars were named in the 50s as well. Would you similarly suggest Fender should come up with a new name for the Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars they are producing now?

 

[StayLow]

Nice! What is it and what year's that, please?

 

[StayLow]

.

I love my 2013 EB. FWIW.

Keep up the love, Joe. You're comin' close to exposing the wood along the top.

 

[veebass]

Nice! What is it and what year's that, please?

It's a Fender Modern Player Telecaster Bass. They made them for a few years back, I believe they are discontinued.

 

[GBassNorth]

LOL - all this talk of Gibson not being true to its roots (like Fender) and ragging on Gibby for calling something new an EB bass that doesn't look exactly like the last EB bass is comical.

Let's take an honest look at the ever popular Precision Bass from Fender. Fact - The only defining attribute that makes a Fender P bass a Fender P bass is the sticker on the headstock. Literally every other aspect of the P bass has been changed at one time or another by Fender during the life of the P Bass.

Things that have changed over the years - Neck size, number of frets, neck shape, neck width, headstock shape, tuners, number of tuners, body shape, pickguard, pickup locations, number of pickups, types of pickups, knobs, number of knobs, types of knobs, active, passive, bridge, bridge cover, etc.

The title "Precision Bass" is the only thing about the P Bass that hasn't changed.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's a Fender Modern Player Telecaster Bass. They made them for a few years back, I believe they are discontinued.

That's correct, discontinued now. Originally made in China and a unique but fantastic sounding bass. Probably the most Gibson sounding of all my Fender basses, vs my 2013 EB5 which is the most Fender sounding of my Gibson basses.

 

[veebass]

LOL - all this talk of Gibson not being true to its roots (like Fender) and ragging on Gibby for calling something new an EB bass that doesn't look exactly like the last EB bass is comical.

Let's take an honest look at the ever popular Precision Bass from Fender. Fact - The only defining attribute that makes a Fender P bass a Fender P bass is the sticker on the headstock. Literally every other aspect of the P bass has been changed at one time or another by Fender during the life of the P Bass.

Things that have changed over the years - Neck size, number of frets, neck shape, neck width, headstock shape, tuners, number of tuners, body shape, pickguard, pickup locations, number of pickups, types of pickups, knobs, number of knobs, types of knobs, active, passive, bridge, bridge cover, etc.

The title "Precision Bass" is the only thing about the P Bass that hasn't changed.

Similarly the venerable Jazz Bass has had as many changes as the Precision Bass over the years, including headstock and body shape changes at various times.

 

[Christine]

Probably the most Gibson sounding of all my Fender basses

I never said a word!

 

[MegaSwing]

Gibson is just so defiantly out of step with popular tastes, when it comes to bass. I mean, they bat 1.000. However, I want to try one of these out, just to see if the sound is in it. This one seems more promising than most, IMO.

 

[Showdown]

I'd be happy if they brought back this.

That would be awesome. I've wanted one since they came out 35 years or so ago.

 

[GBassNorth]

Can you spot the Fender Precision Bass... (Hint - it's a trick question)

I guess Gibson isn't the only one who messes with the their flagship bass design.

 

[Blaargh]

Can you spot the Fender Precision Bass... (Hint - it's a trick question)

I guess Gibson isn't the only one who messes with the their flagship bass design.

I think you're being overly defensive here, there's a clear similarity between all of these designs. Point is, they're an evolution, usually incremental changes or modifications- clearly the body shape is common even if it has been modified for ergonomics over time. This is not the same as the the EB T, which is a complete overhaul, you wouldn't even know it was a Gibson if it wasn't for the headstock. Changes are fine, complete replacement means that we now only have one Gibson to chose from and it's nothing like the Gibsons that some of us love.

I get that it seems contradictory that people moaned when Gibson stuck to classic designs and are moaning now they've changed things, but it's a different group of people each time (at least I hope so). Personally my problems with Gibson aren't about their designs (rather quality control, maybe managing their product range better too), other people hated Gibson's traditional designs. Either way, I guess people were at least expecting Gibson to produce something recognisably Gibsonish.

 

[scourgeofgod]

View attachment 945939

Yup. Create a negative review for a bass you never played because of incorrect wording. What a guy.

Let's all say the review wasn't helpful.

 

[Showdown]

When I hear "Gibson" I instantly think of a Les Paul (and crappy basses).

How many Gibson basses have you played? Just curious.

 

[Showdown]

Then again, Gibson desecrated the Tobias brand within a few years of buying out that company - a middle-finger salute to bassists who respected what the Tobias brand meant pre-Gibson - so why should we care?

This is true. But Fender has bought and destroyed a number of companies too. Tacoma, for one.

 

[Showdown]

For all those who like it, fine...but I bet only 1 in 5 people who claim they like it will actually buy it.

This is true for pretty much every bass. I like a lot of basses I see posted here, but that doesn't mean I go out and buy all of them.

 

[Showdown]

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

I had a white bass IV. It was a great bass - balanced well, sounded great - although I didn't like the wider P like neck as well as their usual narrower neck.

 

[Gaolee]

I had a white bass IV. It was a great bass - balanced well, sounded great - although I didn't like the wider P like neck as well as their usual narrower neck.

Jeez, I'm a complete freak. I love the ergonomics of Thunderbirds, but I really want a 1.75" wide neck with a whole lot of heft behind it. Not some road kill flat thing like Fender makes, but a big ol' fistful of neck. If it's '57 Precision V shape, even better. Oh, well. Normal people clothes don't fit me too well, either.

 

[Showdown]

Jeez, I'm a complete freak. I love the ergonomics of Thunderbirds, but I really want a 1.75" wide neck with a whole lot of heft behind it. Not some road kill flat thing like Fender makes, but a big ol' fistful of neck. If it's '57 Precision V shape, even better. Oh, well. Normal people clothes don't fit me too well, either.

They had a very thick wide neck, although more C shaped than V shaped. With TB Plus pickups and mahogany body/neck they sound like a Tbird.

 

[Gaolee]

They had a very thick wide neck, although more C shaped than V shaped. With TB Plus pickups and mahogany body/neck they sound like a Tbird.

Well, crap. Aside from the ergonomic issue of an upper horn, I'm suffering an unexpected case of GAS.