Then send it back and stick to Fender. Problem solved.
Except I've played more than one Fender with fret sprout. Oops.
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New Gibson EB bass
- Thread starter Primakurtz
- Start date
Then send it back and stick to Fender. Problem solved.
Except I've played more than one Fender with fret sprout. Oops.
...or you could spend $10 on a couple files from the hardware store, do a little research on the net, do it yourself and feel proud of yourself for developing some useful skills. Tidying up fret ends is not rocket science.
Again, if you're not that enamored with the bass, it's a good enough excuse to send it back, I guess...
Again, if you're not that enamored with the bass, it's a good enough excuse to send it back, I guess...
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I've got no fret sprout on mine. Have had it though with several Fenders.
I'm starting to dig the sound and feel of this. Will come to my first rehearsal on wednesday. Don't know whether or not a bass is a keeper or not till it gets into the band mix. That chorusy thing, btw, seems to have diminished a bit... or I'm getting used to it. I've a feeling it will disappear with a string change.
I'm starting to dig the sound and feel of this. Will come to my first rehearsal on wednesday. Don't know whether or not a bass is a keeper or not till it gets into the band mix. That chorusy thing, btw, seems to have diminished a bit... or I'm getting used to it. I've a feeling it will disappear with a string change.
I didn't get the chorus effect with mine, however when I lowered the action I also lowered the bridge pickup
Can't wait to work this into rehearsal.
Can't wait to work this into rehearsal.
I got the same chorus thing on a short scale Gibson Tbird. It was set up with perfect action (by the store I bought it at probably), but the pickups were too high. The TB Plus pickups are very powerful like the EB pickups, although different sounding, so I would check that first. It might also be the strings. I'm not sure what Gibson puts on them at the factory, but I didn't care for them.
I had the chance to play one of these at Sam Ash the other day.
After watching the 7 bass shootout video I was expecting to be blown away as i thought it sounded best out of the entire bunch. I really didn't care for the ergonomics and the body had gouges in it that were just finished over.
The neck felt good enough but I've been all about vintage tinted Fenders lately, so my perspective is a little biased. Still, it felt kind of cheap. I don't know any other way to put it. I was not as impressed as I was hoping to be.
After watching the 7 bass shootout video I was expecting to be blown away as i thought it sounded best out of the entire bunch. I really didn't care for the ergonomics and the body had gouges in it that were just finished over.
The neck felt good enough but I've been all about vintage tinted Fenders lately, so my perspective is a little biased. Still, it felt kind of cheap. I don't know any other way to put it. I was not as impressed as I was hoping to be.
Here's my new addition. After really working it over today, I'm still happy with purchase, or should I say gift from the wife. It will really work for what I need.
Decided to give it a go with my guitarist buddy and a drum machine through our PA at a decent volume. Definitely not digging the overall feel or tone so back it goes. Feels cheap. My buddy who's a Gibson custom shop die hard said he was embarrassed to see a Gibson label on it. First thing he noticed is that Gibson is painted on the headstock. He picked it up and handed it back. I'm bummed. Really was hoping this would be a nice add to the stable for some Gibson tone. Guess I'll need to just buy a t-bird once and for all. I'll post once it goes back so someone else can try to grab the deal at Sam Ash.
Ummm... shouldn't it feel cheap compared to a custom shop Gibson?
It is cheap compared to a custom shop Gibson. Not a particularly meaningful comparison....
It is cheap compared to a custom shop Gibson. Not a particularly meaningful comparison....
It felt on par (or a little less) than The Fender Modern Player Dimension (MIC!) that I tested side by side. I'd choose the Dimension. I didn't plug up the EB. It felt that bad to me.
I should probably seek out another example or at least go back and give this one another go, to be fair.
I'm not going out of my way to bash this bass. I really wanted to like it. I cut my teeth on EBOs from the early 70's and have a soft spot for them but never really liked any of their other designs other than an EB2 or EB3L. The T-Bird feels surprisingly good but it's just not my style.
I should probably seek out another example or at least go back and give this one another go, to be fair.
I'm not going out of my way to bash this bass. I really wanted to like it. I cut my teeth on EBOs from the early 70's and have a soft spot for them but never really liked any of their other designs other than an EB2 or EB3L. The T-Bird feels surprisingly good but it's just not my style.
I don't know what the significance of this could possibly be. Many Gibson Custom Shop guitars have Gibson painted on the headstock, including my Les Paul DC Special, which is the best guitar I own, by miles. I'm sure the custom shop was more concerned with staying true to how a vintage DC was constructed than trying to upgrade it by inlaying the Gibson name. Whether the Gibson name is painted or inlayed is no determination of an instrument's quality. If your buddy doesn't know that, then he doesn't know as much as he (or you) thinks he does.
Sorry to hear the EB isn't working out for you, but I'm sure it will fit the bill for someone else. It really isn't necessary to malign it if it simply isn't for you. Just send it back and move on.
Wow I feel like I'm in a RIC thread here.
It is comparable to my lost lost RD Artist? No. But IMO, not a bad player for the price.
I agree even some custom Gibsons have a painted logo. I guess I don't see the point in that.
It is comparable to my lost lost RD Artist? No. But IMO, not a bad player for the price.
I agree even some custom Gibsons have a painted logo. I guess I don't see the point in that.
Ok fair point. That was a flippant remark. I realize I just did what peoe do in fender forums beating up the different models compared to some high expectation. I should have left it at just being disappointed with my expectations not being met. Sound like there are others who agree and it's getting compared to a modern player line. I'd agree and I think $700 with case is a more reasonable price but certainly not a steal in my mind. I'm glad this works for others. I'll walk away slowly with my tail between my legs now
I received my lefty EB13 on Thursday. So far I'm really really digging it. The tone through my MB112-II combo is spot on for what I was hoping for. I do feel that the ability to get a myriad of tones are there but not outlandishly as they are all still in the same ballpark (which is very pleaseing to my ears). I think the fit and finish is really nice but mine appears to be made in September of this year, so a fairly newish build. Needless to say I am really digging this bass. The neck is extremely comfortable and as stated in other posts feels shorter strapped on than the 34" scale would suggest. This also is a good thing to me.
I am also getting a slight chorusing effect and will be replacing the strings sometime next week to see if that cures it. I'll also check the pick up height. My frets seem fine and I don't have any rough edges even when playing fast runs.
I am finding (with the generic Levys web strap I'm using) that there is some slight neck dive. I'm not fighting it when I play but it is present.
Overall I am very pleased and think this is solid effort by Gibson at an attractive price point. I believe folks will just have a hard time gettning past what its meant to be and continue to compare an contrast to things its not meant to be. I feel fortunate as a lefty to have had an opportunity to pick one of these up.
I am also getting a slight chorusing effect and will be replacing the strings sometime next week to see if that cures it. I'll also check the pick up height. My frets seem fine and I don't have any rough edges even when playing fast runs.
I am finding (with the generic Levys web strap I'm using) that there is some slight neck dive. I'm not fighting it when I play but it is present.
Overall I am very pleased and think this is solid effort by Gibson at an attractive price point. I believe folks will just have a hard time gettning past what its meant to be and continue to compare an contrast to things its not meant to be. I feel fortunate as a lefty to have had an opportunity to pick one of these up.
As promised... Apparently Sam Ash Direct now permits returns to selected stores as part of a new program. So if you are interested in a natural finish EB bass at the $699 clearance price, it's hanging on the wall at the Westminster CA store. It's hanging next to a fireburst model that is tagged at regular price, so it won't be there long. Cheers!
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Wow! Just wow!
Brought this to my first rehearsal last night. The real test.
I suck at describing tone, so I'm not even going to bother, but this thing cuts though with great authority, and is a lot more versatile that I originally thought. To my somewhat compromised ears, I was able to get all kinds of fender sounds out of it, and then what sounded like fender sounds on steroids. Everything sat awesomely in the mix, too. Love the way the bass feels around my neck. Lighter than all my other basses (except my dano), and has the shortscale feel. I think this bass is a monster.
Only problem that the band even noticed was the chorus effect which is unfortunately still there. I played with the pickup heght to no avail, didn't want to change the strings cuz it might not have been a keeper... but will have a go at that before my next rehearsal. Will drop the pickups even more and see what happens. Guitarist in my band swears it's a wiring problem.... I dunno. Got my fingers crossed, as I'm really loving this bass.
Brought this to my first rehearsal last night. The real test.
I suck at describing tone, so I'm not even going to bother, but this thing cuts though with great authority, and is a lot more versatile that I originally thought. To my somewhat compromised ears, I was able to get all kinds of fender sounds out of it, and then what sounded like fender sounds on steroids. Everything sat awesomely in the mix, too. Love the way the bass feels around my neck. Lighter than all my other basses (except my dano), and has the shortscale feel. I think this bass is a monster.
Only problem that the band even noticed was the chorus effect which is unfortunately still there. I played with the pickup heght to no avail, didn't want to change the strings cuz it might not have been a keeper... but will have a go at that before my next rehearsal. Will drop the pickups even more and see what happens. Guitarist in my band swears it's a wiring problem.... I dunno. Got my fingers crossed, as I'm really loving this bass.
12-Dec-2013 - Just received my five string natural today... So far so good pics and more info to follow.
UPDATE - 14-Dec-2013 - had some time to setup the bass.
- Weight - 8 lbs - the lightest 5 string I own; I'm very pleased....
- Fit - great. Solid, frets well dressed, truss rod works great, straight neck, was able to give it a proper setup.
- Finish - nitro, thin, similar to Fender Hwy 1 basses. Feels good, old school; I like it, especially w/natural.
- Bridge - interesting. pretty simple, but had to dig up the info on the allen screws: one set screw for string length, one allen screw to lock the saddle down, and and another allen screw for saddle height.
UPDATE - 14-Dec-2013 - had some time to setup the bass.
- Weight - 8 lbs - the lightest 5 string I own; I'm very pleased....
- Fit - great. Solid, frets well dressed, truss rod works great, straight neck, was able to give it a proper setup.
- Finish - nitro, thin, similar to Fender Hwy 1 basses. Feels good, old school; I like it, especially w/natural.
- Bridge - interesting. pretty simple, but had to dig up the info on the allen screws: one set screw for string length, one allen screw to lock the saddle down, and and another allen screw for saddle height.
