NBD - Wait…a Les Paul BASS??!

[Blazer]

I just remembered, John Taylor of Duran Duran used Les Paul basses in the Nineties.


And former Jamiroquai bassist Stuart Zender also used Les Paul basses for a while.

 

[40Hz]

Played a few LP basses and was always very impressed but never got around to getting one. Fortunately, a D'Angelico Excel passed my way at a price that was too good to ignore.

Very similar in design and especially sound. Huge tone. And pretty enough looking to use in a wedding band!

It's a keeper.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

'60s Thunderbirds aren't cheap or easy to find but well worth it, the neck is slimmer than a Jazz and that single pickup is to die for, it's that good. It's not really recognized as such, but the Thunderbird was a ground breaking bass in terms of design, no other maker had produced a multi laminated neck thru design in 1963, yet that went on to be copied by many other manufacturers including Alembic.

My '64.

VERY nice looking t'bird!!

Yeah...a real 60's one would be great, the Epi 60s reissue is what caught my eye though (I can afford the Epi lol). The neck size definitely surprised me, as I'd always figured t'birds to have chonky necks...a pleasant surprise to find out some arent that way at all!!

 

[TBird1958]

VERY nice looking t'bird!!

Yeah...a real 60's one would be great, the Epi 60s reissue is what caught my eye though (I can afford the Epi lol). The neck size definitely surprised me, as I'd always figured t'birds to have chonky necks...a pleasant surprise to find out some arent that way at all!!

The Epiphone "60s Thunderbird, or Vintage Pro, they've named it a couple of different things, is a pretty nice Thunderbird, the neck is slightly larger than a Gibson but not by much and the pickups are a reasonably good reproduction of the original - Highly recommended!

 

[ajkula66]

Ahhh what a Les Paul - and not just LP - fest this thread has become...

While I wouldn't be able to handle a 34.5" LP Bass like @Davebass77 nowadays, I'm very happy with my two shorties...

1972 Les Paul Triumph Bass along with 1970 Les Paul (no it's NOT a Recording since that term was used for guitars only) Bass. Excellent craftsmanship on both, and sound(s) from out of this world..

Rock on...

 

[B-Mac]

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?

That's SWEET!

Great story too!

GIBSON Club. Part II
Show your Les Paul style bass!

My Gibson Les Paul Standard Oversized Body (2011) Ebony Gloss Chambered Body Passive 34" set MIA
(body was oversized proportional to bass neck, bigger body than 'normal' Les Paul bass based on LP guitar. Oversized was only offered for 3 years)
TB is basically a Leo worship forum, so Gibson usually do not get the credit they deserve.

 

[Blazer]

 

[Blazer]

Okay, not a Gibson Les Paul bass but this Gretsch Jet bass comes close enough and this dude can PLAY!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

It's been a while since I thought "I want a new bass". This thread is making my question my current satisfaction with my gear.

I really need to sell off some of my excess FSOs and FIBs (Fender-inspired basses).

 

[Giffro]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see this posted. Harry Chapin with Big John Wallace on Gibson Les Paul Recording bass.



John Wallace was the first bassist I saw play an Alembic in concert with LEDs in the neck. If you're not familiar with Harry Chapin or John Wallace, the album Greatest Stories Live is a compendium of exceptionally tasteful bass work behind some very good songwriting.

John

@Scarysharkface Hey John..don't forget the 10,000 Pound Of Bananas...lol

I loved my old Gibson..I have no idea why there are so many Gibson detractors..weird..check out the EB-3 from circa 1976 and I must have taken an hour to iron the leg creases on my wonderful flairs loll

Dave..congrats on scoring that great Gibson bass from your mate..great mates like that..their blood is worth bottling as we say here in Oz loll

 

[spiritbass]

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?

That is the nicest one I've seen. What a gift! "The other bass player in town" when I was coming up played an all walnut Les Paul Recorder bass. It was a boat anchor, but it sounded great. Enjoy!

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

I like Gibby's...View attachment 5096075

So Anyway, nice collection!
Someone on TB got a great deal on a Gibson LP ES Memphis a couple of months ago. I didn't act quick enough and my indecision will follow me to the grave.

 

[sleddogn]

So Anyway, nice collection!
Someone on TB got a great deal on a Gibson LP ES Memphis a couple of months ago. I didn't act quick enough and my indecision will follow me to the grave.

Yep i remember that, gold one for 1500. Heck you don't see one listed anymore under 3k, i too missed that one. I even messaged seller asking question...oh well

 

[dmcelroy]

I've played Gibson basses exclusively starting with a 60's EBO, used a '76 Ripper for over 40 years and have a Les Paul as a backup. Sometimes just played because the tone was so awesome. The Bart pickups are awesome!

 

[J Wilson]

LP Basses are a thing in the far east, many variations, here a 'Grass Roots' (an ESP sub-brand) LP with an LP Custom look.

 

[lowendblues]

If the opportunity ever comes about, I'd own one in a heartbeat. Always thought they were cool.

 

[ArteK]

There's a used ebony Gibson LP OSB for sale at GuitarCenter for $2500 (about a grand more than when it was new in the late aughts).

I see one in the classifieds here for the same price. (Don't know if they're the same bass.)

 

[ArteK]

Aside from the gold hardware, the ESP one is beautiful as well.

 

[bassclef112]

Here's my '96 LPB-2. I've been in and out of Gibson basses my entire life. I wanted something a little different so I pulled the Barts and pre and put in a pair of old Schaller HB's run passive. I also chromed out the hardware. It plays great, but I'm considering a new home for my TV Jones Thunderblades.

 

[Iridescentone]

Looks pretty sweet, I bet it sounds like a bulldozer.

(or at least I'd want it to)