New Gibson EB bass

[RED J]

Pretty. A strap button at around~14th fret on a long scale, almost, but progress. ( short arms)

 

[portlandguy]

Looking forward to the reviews - I am interested

 

[fourstringbliss]

I think it's pretty cool in that Gibson finally seems to be coming up with some new ideas rather than being stuck in past designs with limited appeal. To me it doesn't seem like Gibson basses are held in high regard here on TB.

That being said, I think there already some very good double-buck basses out there and I'm not sure that this bass is going to be bought by anybody who isn't already a Gibson fan. G&L Lxxx series and Warwick Double $$ basses are well established double-hum basses and I'm not sure this new Gibby is a serious market share threat to either.

I especially like this line from the Gibson website description: "Its unbound genuine rosewood fingerboard follows the full 34" scale length, and carries 20 medium jumbo frets, all easily reached by the playing hand thanks to the EB Bass's new offset double-cutaway styling."

So, it's like a Jazz Bass, right? Genuine rosewood? Wow!

 

[smcd]

I own several Gibson basses, so I wouldn't call myself a Gibson hater. But it is true that Gibson just doesn't seem to understand the bass market. It never did.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I own several Gibson basses, so I wouldn't call myself a Gibson hater. But it is true that Gibson just doesn't seem to understand the bass market. It never did.

And that's it. This is a "new" bass full of old ideas. There's nothing even close to new about it. It's a mishmash of other basses. I'll bet it plays really nicely and sounds great, but this smacks of, "Me too!"

 

[Marial]

I really dig it, but not enough to buy one at the current price.

 

[Stealth]

That's a Mosrite to a tee. Not even close to a Gibson.

That said, I really wonder how it sounds. It looks crazy enough to sound good.

 

[gary m]

Wow, what a schizoid design. I see bits of Music Man and even Teisco in there, especially in the way the pickguard hugs the lower rim. Most of all, though, it looks like a Mosrite that was left in the sun too long. The Japanese will snatch these up and get some Chinese factory to knock off a cheapie replica.

 

[PDGood]

I did make me think Mosrite at first, but the more I look at it, the more it looks like one of those basses sold in department stores back in the 70s. I actually dig that sort of retro style - but I'd have trouble paying Gibson prices for that look. I'll always associate it with inexpensive gear.

 

[bill reed]

Does not look like a Gibson to me, take the headstock away and it more like a Fender.
think I like the SG and les-paul and thunderbird style of gibsons to much.

 

[FrednBass]

I'd change the pickups.

 

[smcd]

Shorten the Mosrite's lower horn, straighten out the neck p/u and they're pretty close...

 

[pudge]

Someone got paid to "design" that?They've had some good ideas over the years,this is'nt one of them."hello MF this is gibson calling can you move 10,000 basses for us?

 

[superbassman2000]

I'd take a black 5'er and pop a blue pearloid pickguard on it! I like that design!

 

[KramerBassFan]

I bet more people would like it if it looked like a Fender.

 

[hsech]

You aren't going to find many new American Made Gibson Basses for that amount, but I'll stick with my Gibson SG Short Scale.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during design and marketing sessions. I wonder if they focus grouped this thing or just winged it.

 

[Herrick]

I think there already some very good double-buck basses out there and I'm not sure that this bass is going to be bought by anybody who isn't already a Gibson fan. G&L Lxxx series and Warwick Double $$ basses are well established double-hum basses and I'm not sure this new Gibby is a serious market share threat to either.

This one could appeal to the Passive Purists though.

Shorten the Mosrite's lower horn, straighten out the neck p/u and they're pretty close...

Ah I thought it looked a little familiar.

 

[ggvicviper]

But it is true that Gibson just doesn't seem to understand the bass market. It never did.

+100. What's funny is the Epiphone division seems to have a better understanding.

And that's it. This is a "new" bass full of old ideas. There's nothing even close to new about it. It's a mishmash of other basses. I'll bet it plays really nicely and sounds great, but this smacks of, "Me too!"

There are few bass makers that I can't stand, but Gibson is definitely one of them. Not that I don't like some of their designs (like the Explorer and the NR Thunderbird), but I'd rather own a different manufacturer's take on one. I've never picked up a Gibson and been thrilled with anything, be it the sound, feel or quality. It just seems like they don't care - bass is not important to them because can sell a million Les Pauls.

 

[MeLikeDaLowNote]

Wow, tough crowd...I think it looks sweet. Not exactly sure what "all-of-the-problems" are...

I come down somewhere in the middle on this one. I think it's neither especially ugly nor beautiful...a little generic actually.

In any case, I definitely agree with Gibson basses seeming like an afterthought for that company.

Does anyone out there LOVE the Les Paul bass?