I knew going into this that it would be a bit of a crapshoot. But it was too tempting to pass on at sub-$600. Worn cherry finish is a bit darker than expected, which I actually really like. I dig the "rough, worn look". The body could use a forearm contour for comfort, but looks so killer as a slab, IMO. Had my eye on the blue version, but the classic "Gibson cherry" look won me over in the end.
Here's what really surprised me: the fret job is pretty darn perfect. Level, perfectly crowned, and no buzzing all the way up the neck. ZERO fret sprout! - I was expecting to deal with a moderate to severe case of this since that has been what most recent purchasers have experienced. The Hipshot tuners are fantastic, and the overall build quality seems really good on this specimen.
After oiling the fretboard, a tweak of the truss rod and lowering the action a bit, it plays as easily as any bass I've ever owned. Considering this probably sat in a non climate controlled warehouse for most of it's life, I was shocked at the condition of the bass on the whole (dry fretboard aside).
The only thing I need to figure out is the volume production. It's a bit on the quiet side, which is very opposite from any Gibson I've owned. The EB14 I owned was probably the loudest bass (active or passive) I ever played. It could just be a pickup height adjustment that is needed to bring it up to "normal," but quite honestly the pickup looks to be right about where it should be.
Finally, the sound. Although lacking volume (currently without having adjusted pickup height yet) this bass sounds freaking AMAZING. Thick, punchy, round and growly is how I would describe it. The coil tap adds a nice option too, seemingly opening up the highs a bit. I have a couple different sets of flats on the way to try on it, but I would be lying if I said it didn't sound great with whatever roundwounds Gibson installs at the factory. Overall, it looks to be a keeper! (famous last words of a bass addicted GASoholic, lol).
Here's what really surprised me: the fret job is pretty darn perfect. Level, perfectly crowned, and no buzzing all the way up the neck. ZERO fret sprout! - I was expecting to deal with a moderate to severe case of this since that has been what most recent purchasers have experienced. The Hipshot tuners are fantastic, and the overall build quality seems really good on this specimen.
After oiling the fretboard, a tweak of the truss rod and lowering the action a bit, it plays as easily as any bass I've ever owned. Considering this probably sat in a non climate controlled warehouse for most of it's life, I was shocked at the condition of the bass on the whole (dry fretboard aside).
The only thing I need to figure out is the volume production. It's a bit on the quiet side, which is very opposite from any Gibson I've owned. The EB14 I owned was probably the loudest bass (active or passive) I ever played. It could just be a pickup height adjustment that is needed to bring it up to "normal," but quite honestly the pickup looks to be right about where it should be.
Finally, the sound. Although lacking volume (currently without having adjusted pickup height yet) this bass sounds freaking AMAZING. Thick, punchy, round and growly is how I would describe it. The coil tap adds a nice option too, seemingly opening up the highs a bit. I have a couple different sets of flats on the way to try on it, but I would be lying if I said it didn't sound great with whatever roundwounds Gibson installs at the factory. Overall, it looks to be a keeper! (famous last words of a bass addicted GASoholic, lol).
