NBD - Wait…a Les Paul BASS??!

[Michedelic]

Let the haters, hate, lol

Quote: "The concept of a “Les Paul Bass” dates back to the early 70’s… "

Actually, Late 60's ....

Gibson Les Paul Bass (1969-1971) >> FlyGuitars

So, you’re going to quibble about being a year off? OK, if it makes you feel better. Were you around then? I was, though just a kid, and sorry if it throws everything off for you, but those didn’t come on my radar until about ‘70. But I really couldn’t care less. By that point, after a year of playing that ‘60 EB-0, I ditched it, with no regrets. And there was nothing that Norlin was tossing out there at the time that looked interesting.
As for the LP bass, the market spoke, those died the death fairly quickly. The only name player seen with one in those days that I can think of was Rich Grech during his stint in Traffic.
I later had a ‘69 EB-2, it had its limitations, and a ‘76 T-Bird, the novelty wore off, so, buh-bye. I do currently have an Epi EB-3, much improved neck, and the saving grace is that it’s long scale, but I upgraded the electronics. Quite frankly, I thought Guild built a better EB-3 with their JS-II.

 

[Bruce Pete]

Yes, I was around then ....... lol

 

[Nocturnal]

Congrats on the new bass!! I used to own it's brother but I traded it for a guitar I really wanted. I also used to own an LP Standard bass that was amazing but I needed money so.....I really want to get one of the newer short-scale versions.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Went to Carbondale, Colorado 3 weeks ago, to visit my former NYC music partner, Dave. He owns Cool Brick Studios where he does audio, video and film scoring sessions. Of course, he broke out his acoustics and I grabbed a FSO and played for a good long while. Great fun!

Then Dave suggested I try this Gibson bass. I have no experience with Gibson basses; was more than a little reluctant to try it. The only thing I have read from TB consensus is that Gibson doesn’t do basses well; they’re strange, uncomfortable and neck heavy. Not in this case! This first professional pic is from an evilBay listing, bass serial is 10 newer than mine.
View attachment 5095256
According to the Gibson website, this is a 1993 Gibson USA Les Paul LPB-2. Researched - Mahogany body with flamed-Maple top. Color is Translucent Amber. Bartolini pickups and preamp; Volume, Bass, Treble, and Blend controls. Mahogany neck with Ebony fretboard, Abalone inlays. 1 ¾” nut, 34” scale. And flats! Oh, and 8.8 lbs. Original hard-shell case. Surprisingly great neck and love the sound.
View attachment 5095249
Then Dave said something that absolutely blew me away; “When you go home to Virginia, take it with you. It’s yours.”

My reaction: “GET THE *#$% OUTTA HERE! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? OMG!! THANK YOU!!!!”
View attachment 5095245
Took a while to finally calm down. I’ll tell you, it was more than a little nerve-wracking flying home; having to gate check the bass in Denver, CO and then get it back in Charlotte, NC and then Richmond, VA. We both made it home in one piece.

Wait…a Les Paul BASS?!? That was the reaction I got from the band and others when I played it for the first time at the gig on this past weekend. Next weekend, 3 gigs – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Think I know which bass to bring!

Is there a Gibson Bass or LPB-2 bass club on TB? Love to join!! How?

Those basses are really great, congrats on the great friend!

 

[scuzzy]

What a great gift! Congrats!

I love Les Paul basses. I'll have one eventually.

 

[captainofsmooth]

I’ve loved mine for a very long time. One of my favorite basses. I even toured with this heavy sucker, and have the chiropractor bills to prove it. Totally worth it.

 

[Pauly 4001]

Congrats on your beautiful free Gibson bass. You are now on the road to enlightenment.
Gibson made many fine basses and there are several I'd love to have still beyond my Ripper and EB3-L: the Triumph and Victory certainly would be high on that list.

 

[SMG]

Congratulations! If you listen to the two Cry Of Love discs, I believe Les Paul basses were used on both, and they sound killer. I have a '94 Les Paul Bass (LPB-3) with the carved top and Barts, but in '94 Gibson used Warwick bridge and tail pieces. These bases are often way overlooked.

 

[40Hz]

27563738[/URL], member: 396905"]Let the haters, hate, lol

Yep. Can’t try to have a Gibson discussion or have someone sharing their joy over a Gibson NBD without having at least one person eventually show up who feels obliged to rain on the parade.

I just don’t get people like that.

 

[CletusMarley]

That is a stunning bass. Congrats!

 

[MCF]

Went to Carbondale, Colorado 3 weeks ago, to visit my former NYC music partner, Dave. He owns Cool Brick Studios where he does audio, video and film scoring sessions. Of course, he broke out his acoustics and I grabbed a FSO and played for a good long while. Great fun!

Then Dave suggested I try this Gibson bass. I have no experience with Gibson basses; was more than a little reluctant to try it. The only thing I have read from TB consensus is that Gibson doesn’t do basses well; they’re strange, uncomfortable and neck heavy. Not in this case! This first professional pic is from an evilBay listing, bass serial is 10 newer than mine.
View attachment 5095256
According to the Gibson website, this is a 1993 Gibson USA Les Paul LPB-2. Researched - Mahogany body with flamed-Maple top. Color is Translucent Amber. Bartolini pickups and preamp; Volume, Bass, Treble, and Blend controls. Mahogany neck with Ebony fretboard, Abalone inlays. 1 ¾” nut, 34” scale. And flats! Oh, and 8.8 lbs. Original hard-shell case. Surprisingly great neck and love the sound.
View attachment 5095249
Then Dave said something that absolutely blew me away; “When you go home to Virginia, take it with you. It’s yours.”

My reaction: “GET THE *#$% OUTTA HERE! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? OMG!! THANK YOU!!!!”
View attachment 5095245
Took a while to finally calm down. I’ll tell you, it was more than a little nerve-wracking flying home; having to gate check the bass in Denver, CO and then get it back in Charlotte, NC and then Richmond, VA. We both made it home in one piece.

Wait…a Les Paul BASS?!? That was the reaction I got from the band and others when I played it for the first time at the gig on this past weekend. Next weekend, 3 gigs – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Think I know which bass to bring!

Is there a Gibson Bass or LPB-2 bass club on TB? Love to join!! How?

Congratulations! Gibson has made and continues to make great basses. Welcome to the light!

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Decadent Western Junk...

 

[Wasnex]

If you can make it sound like this, I would be good with it:

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Wow. Just wow.

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[Jeff K]

I had a Gibson Les Paul bass in 1994 (Heritage Cherry). I had picked it up used for $500 bucks. Probably shouldn't have sold it, but I was gassing for a Fender Vintage series '62 reissue P-Bass. So I sold the Les Paul. Of course I also sold the '62 Reissue P after having it as my go-to for several years.

I've tried other Gibson basses over the years (Thunderbird and an EB), but never really bonded with them. Currently I have a Les Paul Jr. DC that I like a lot!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

One of my favorite bass posters in my bedroom in the mid-90's was all the available Gibson Les Paul basses of the era. I never did get one, but I had that poster on my wall as a teenager. Very cool!

 

[squish]

I loved my LPB-3 with carved maple cap and three band EQ. It was my #1 for years.

 

[Basvarken]

The only thing I have read from TB consensus is that Gibson doesn’t do basses well; they’re strange, uncomfortable and neck heavy.

Yep. That sums it up pretty much.
All 85+ models they made

But seriously: Congrats. And welcome to the club.

 

[40Hz]

The thing I always liked about the LP bass - and every other Gibson bass for that matter - is their sonic footprint. It’s a bass that’s not afraid be a bass. They have a bottom end that speaks with a certain authority compared to the the more mid forward (dare I say thinner?) sound of your average FSO.

FSOs are perfectly fine if you’re heavily into slap, funk, or that burpy popcorn “Jaco” thing. I like FSOs too. I’ve git two PBs, one JB and a PJ. So I’m fully covered in that department. But when you want to lay some serious bottom down for the band to build on, it’s pretty hard to beat a Gibson for that.

 

[Davebass77]

I really appreciate all of the posts congratulating me on getting this LPB-2. And, yes, haters gonna hate (you know who you are.)
@40Hz speaks truth about the low end coming out of a Gibson bass; nothing like it.
Great phrase from @creaturegods, "A Tale of Two Daves." Back in the early 90's we were known as the Dave and Dave Band, opening for whoever came on after us in the bars of Greenwich Village. Both of us are 6'5", so we were also known as Twin Towers. Thanks again!