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Just got an EB5 -- is there a war on Gibson?

oldfclefer

oldfclefer

low ended
May 5, 2005
575
349
77
Southern Ohio
#1
I was looking for a backup bass for my Fender American Precision Pro V. I checked all my options in the price range of $500-$600. This popped up on Reverb for $599. Anyway I pulled the trigger and now it's mine. I did an NBD thread, got a couple of nice comments, but mostly ignored. NBD -- No big deal I guess.
So I'm surfing around TB this morning and I get to looking on some of these threads about the new Les Paul Jr. bass that's out there now, and I'm seeing a lot of negativity surrounding Gibson in general. I watched the vid where the guy interviews someone from Keissel (Carvin) guitars because Gibson is warning legal action for trademark infringement etc. It seems that is how it's going for Gibson these days. A bunch of bean counting dweebs have taken over the legal branch. There's no way me or any of my friends would pay more for a Gibson acoustic than a Martin, but Gibson seems to think their stuff is worth that much. I hope they get back to earth on their pricing soon. In the mean time, they've gotten a new CEO. Don't remember the guy's name, but he's a guitarist at least on some level so maybe some sanity will return to management at Gibson. However, they're still making guitars and basses. I can tell you one thing, this EB5 is one fine instrument, and I got it new at a really nice price. I think Gibson is going through a mid-life crisis. Trying to rebrand when their old brand was working just fine. Trying to chase down clones is a waste of time IMO. All that said, I really like my new Gibson!
HPIM4937.JPG
 
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#5
lz4005 said:
Historically most Gibson basses have been terrible designs, the kind of thing a guitar player who's never played a gig on bass would think looked cool. Luckily yours is one of the exceptions.
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I'm going to say that this was probably designed by someone who knows something about bass. I've owned 3 previous designs, EB0, Tbird, and a Q80. This is the best design I've seen come from Gibson. I've read a lot of negative stuff about this bass model i.e. fit and finish, ragged fret ends, etc. I gave it a shot based on the fact that I was buying it to backup my really fine Precision V in case I broke a string or something. Honestly, I'm really impressed with this bass. It's no Precision V, but it's also 2/5 of the price.
 
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#7
Many companies blatantly stole Gibson instrument designs and at the time Gibson let them be . Many were classic designs that Gibson had stopped making , and in some cases were bass versions that had never existed (like the V). I don't blame Gibson for getting upset over other companies ripping off their history . I'm one that just bought a Junior DC bass . I waited for them to go on sale because I felt they were overpriced for what they are (an imagined re-issue of a "student" instrument) and when mine arrived it did have some minor issues . Fretsprout , the factory set up , the gig bag ... but after cleaning up the frets and the nut and setting things to my preferences I've gotta say I really love this little bass ! Nice weight , balance , sounds great for my gigs and is really a fun little thing to play . I know there's lots of folks that have a hate for Gibson , doesn't bother me at all . I've acquired a pile of classic and vintage basses over the years , and this little beauty pushes my buttons . I really love this little thing .
 
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#8
FunkHead said:
No. I'm talking about the version right before the one in the OP. It also came in a nice Hard case.
View attachment 3720963
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Gotcha. Pickguard special 12th fret inlay and the old headstock. Looks like the strap pin was on the 15th fret which in my experience would usually make it neck heavy. If you notice, mine is on the 13th fret. 14th fret is usually the balance point for most 34" basses which has always been a design mistake on most Gibbys.
 
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#10
msb said:
Many companies blatantly stole Gibson instrument designs and at the time Gibson let them be . Many were classic designs that Gibson had stopped making , and in some cases were bass versions that had never existed (like the V). I don't blame Gibson for getting upset over other companies ripping off their history . I'm one that just bought a Junior DC bass . I waited for them to go on sale because I felt they were overpriced for what they are (an imagined re-issue of a "student" instrument) and when mine arrived it did have some minor issues . Fretsprout , the factory set up , the gig bag ... but after cleaning up the frets and the nut and setting things to my preferences I've gotta say I really love this little bass ! Nice weight , balance , sounds great for my gigs and is really a fun little thing to play . I know there's lots of folks that have a hate for Gibson , doesn't bother me at all . I've acquired a pile of classic and vintage basses over the years , and this little beauty pushes my buttons . I really love this little thing .
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Actually, I think the cloning should be counted as free advertising. I'd gear my ads to say something like, well, you've tried the rest that try to look like us, don't you think it's time to own the real thing? Or something like that. I guess I was fortunate because the bass came from Sam Ash Hollywood. Someone named Sal set it up. Great setup. No fret issues. Just a nice bass.
 
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#11
msb said:
when mine arrived it did have some minor issues . Fretsprout , the factory set up , the gig bag ... but after cleaning up the frets and the nut and setting things to my preferences
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For the prices Gibson charges there should be no need to dress the frets and fix the nut.

A while ago a friend custom ordered a Les Paul and had to send two back before he got one without finish blemishes (orange peel), fret, bridge and nut issues.
 
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#12
brianrost said:
For the prices Gibson charges there should be no need to dress the frets and fix the nut.

A while ago a friend custom ordered a Les Paul and had to send two back before he got one without finish blemishes (orange peel), fret, bridge and nut issues.
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The prices we've gotten on these basses is fairly reasonable. There are several versions of Les Paul guitars. If you buy the bottom issue like a studio version, the fit and finish probably won't be as refined as a deluxe.
 
#13
I think the fretsprout comes from it sitting in a warehouse , it was not a quality issue leaving the Gibson factory . And the factory set-up is not my preference , I like a medium low set-up , so I did file the nut to my preference . MF blew them out because they had a ton of them unsold in the warehouse . As I said , all things considered I love this little bass . (and I have about 17 of them now, mostly classic and vintage , so that's saying something)
 
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