New Gibson Basses - Where Are They?

I have a 2014 sg special and had a 2015 standard and must say, the modern SG basses have a nice full range sound, unlike the old mubuckers of yore

 

Definitely try before you buy. I bought a used SG bass off guitar center, played it for three days before I returned it. It sound good, looked great, but I couldn’t jive with the neck profile and balance of the thing. I would love to try out a DC jr bass, but like you, I’ve never seen one IRL.

 

This is a little off topic, but I wish Gibson still made a wide variety of basses.

 

Lots of Gibson basses in stores in my area. They are selling very poorly and once they're in stock they seem to stay there forever.

 

I want a original dark-burst EB2d or better yet a genuine Gibson repro (with a 32" scale... I can dream).

I have a SIL who paid $6000 for a pink leather couch and another $2500 for what looked like a "purple bowling-ball-on-a-pedestal" to go in the same room. so... Hey: call it "art" and it's all good.

 

you can shop online for specific stores with sam ash or guitar center. Just keep checking until they get one.

 

I say GO FOR IT!! I have owned every kind of bass in my 4+ decades playing and never tried an EB/SG. I bought an Epiphone EB-0(h!) a little while back and it blew me away...so comfortable and REAL bottom end but not mud. After a couple of months the bug got me and I HAD to have a Gibson. I don't hate my Fender stable but they ARE getting dusty. LOVE, love, LOVE this bass~

 

It is too bad they don't reissue the SG bass with the 60s style electronics. That would probably sell very well even though I personally dislike tone switches. The added weight of the chickenhead knob and extra potentiometer might aid in the neck dive somewhat.

I have converted my own SG bass to master volume, blend, and tone knobs with a Novak in the bridge and 22 capacitor. Thumb bleeders all around, a bass bar on the bridge, and an after market ebony thumbrest on the headstock side of the bridge pup.

 

With all the price rises over the last two years, it's harder for dealers to stock the US lines compared to the import lines. Look at G&L...the US models are now almost all custom orders, while Tributes line the walls in music stores.

I took a look at what Sweetwater is stocking:

US Gibson basses start at $999 for the LP Jr., jump to $1799 for the SG and then to $2199 for non-reverse T-birds. Other than the $2799 Gene Simmons, no reverse T-birds at all???? No 5 strings, either.

In the Epi line, the SG E1 (EB-0) at $289 is the cheapest and the most expensive is the Casady at $799 and no 5 strings.

Compare that to Fender's pricing...Squiers from $179 to $599 with a number of 5 string options. Skipping Custom Shop, the US basses run from $1499 to $2399 and imports from $849 to $1499 (includes Artist) again with many 5 string options.

$1000 may be today's entry point into US made basses, but it's still a lot of scratch when the same company offers imports below $500.

 

Pics of the bass or it doesn't exist. LOL!

 

I personally don't think Gibson has any good offerings in the bass department. If you're wanting the Gibson sound without the Gibson issues, I'd take a look at the Reverend Dub King.

 

Still waiting for the Rex Brown Thunderbird (Gibson Talent Series).
Next year is also the T'bird's 60th anniversary. They did gold for the 50th anniversary (see below), so they should follow that up with a white model for the 60th anniversary. Let's see.

 

More for us that know....

 

Its a DC junior EB-11 came out in 2011
Gibson Limited Run Les Paul Junior DC EB11 Electric Bass Guitar

 

If you want something a little extra special check out Chicago Music Exchange Gibson SG Exclusive in Pelham Blue or Olive Drab. I think CME has a decent return policy but I’m not 100 % sure.

Gibson | CME Exclusive SG Arrivals

 

those blue ones are already sold out, only olive drab left

 

I recently got a 100 dollar refund from CME for the neck binding issue on these...or lack of neck binding issue LOL Also glad i got my olive sg at the 1599 price before that jacked up another 200... man these days, gotta jump on what you want before it goes up 200-500 dollars every 6 months

 

The LP DC Junior Tribute is such a great bass!
Tone, playability, balance

 

Gibson switched to the NR's and aren't currently making reverse T-Birds. The new NR is a really nice bass though I got one last year for $1799. They sound enormous and the fretboards have a 12" radius, very fast neck. You get used to the reach pretty quickly.