New Gibson EB bass

[bholder]

Hiw is it an EB? It's nothing like EB basses.

Yeah, they shouldn't call that an EB, that's supposedly a body style designation. I didn't like the one posted above all that much, the shape is kind of "Dano", which I like, but that one just didn't do it for me. Then I hit this one:

Now that, I like!

 

[bobicidal]

I find it attractive but yeah weird naming

 

[gregbackstrom]

Actually, "EB" stands for Electric Bass. Gibson has had at least four differently-shaped and built "EB's" over the years. Google the EB-1 and EB-2 sometime. They're nothing like the EB-0 and EB-3 that you're thinking of.

 

[iamthebassman]

Actually, "EB" stands for Electric Bass. Gibson has had at least four differently-shaped and built "EB's" over the years. Google the EB-1 and EB-2 sometime. They're nothing like the EB-0 and EB-3 that you're thinking of.

What he said.

 

[bholder]

Actually, "EB" stands for Electric Bass. Gibson has had at least four differently-shaped and built "EB's" over the years. Google the EB-1 and EB-2 sometime. They're nothing like the EB-0 and EB-3 that you're thinking of.

Ah, ok. Still, they have recent basses with other names that look like the old EBs, and then this thing. Just confusing - new tricks on us old dogs.

I did that google, and yeah, you're right about the EB-1, I forgot about that. But the EB-2 looks exactly like I remember. Ran across a really sweet one years ago in a shop I nearly pulled the trigger on, but a sudden gust of sanity came over me.

 

[bobicidal]

Speaking of which....

Saw an EB-3 today at Guitar Showcase I never saw here before

(Don't ask me why they keep brand new Ricks in the vintage case. I should ask them one day)

 

[bholder]

Ultimately it comes down to the player, and if the player is versatile the instrument really doesn't matter.

Well yeah, but a decent quality instrument sure helps a player get better. Thanks for the review, glad you like it. If my house wasn't already full, I'd grab one.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

I really like the new EB too. I played a natural one in the summer and the ergonomics were perfect. I quite liked the tone of the bass, but it was strung with flats, so I couldn't hear all the frequencies it had to offer. Overall though, I found it to be a good working bass with a refreshing design. Definitely a better effort than any previous Gibson bass. It actually feels as if Gibson actually thought this one through, unlike the Thunderbird.

As Staylow mentioned, it's a pity these instruments are largely overlooked, much like the Fender Dimension series.

 

[bholder]

I really like the new EB too. I played a natural one in the summer and the ergonomics were perfect. I quite liked the tone of the bass, but it was strung with flats, so I couldn't hear all the frequencies it had to offer. Overall though, I found it to be a good working bass with a refreshing design. Definitely a better effort than any previous Gibson bass. It actually feels as if Gibson actually thought this one through, unlike the Thunderbird.

As Staylow mentioned, it's a pity these instruments are largely overlooked, much like the Fender Dimension series.

If they stay overlooked for a while, then they'll be worth more in a few years.

 

[woodyng]

I like the look of the gold one! I played one recently at Apple Music,liked a lot of things about it (pickup switching sounds,bridge,weight,and overall feel/balance). However,the one i played did not have very well dressed frets,and i would have preferred a slightly slimmer neck. I filed it under "close,but no cigar".....it is the first Gibson bass i've had any interest in in a long time....

 

[tappel]

I ordered one recently from Zzounds. The out-of-the-box setup was terrible, but it did setup nicely with a few adjustments. It would have been nice if an allen key was supplied for the bridge, and there was no mention of the Babicz bridge anywhere in the manual. I also had to replace the mounting foam under the neck pickup. It was far too spongy. With all that done, it’s a very nice bass to play. However...

Am I the only one here who hates these pickups? When the height is set where I normally have it on my other basses, I get an odd chorus type sound. When I lower them enough to remove the weird effect, I get a very thin sound. I going to replace them.

Tom

 

[Gaolee]

Mine is a 2013, and it has some small shaping issues, but maybe that's how they are supposed to be. It's just a little odd looking. The original thoughts I had about the tone circuit also working as a master volume circuit turned out to be wrong. It worked that way plugged into a Valve Junior, but plugged into a full sized bass rig, the issue went away. Go figure. It got dragged out I public for the first time a week ago, and sounded great. It felt great, too. Everything else is secondary, but I think it looks pretty good. Eventually, the tort pickguard has to go, but it will be a while. Gibson got it right with these.

 

[friendlybass]

Are they discontinuing these for the foreseeable future? I'd be bummed I really want one now that I listened the demos on gibsons site.

 

[hensonbass]

I picking up a 5 string EB 2014 tomorrow. What strings have you guys been using on these basses?

 

[StayLow]

Mine's got the stock strings on it as far as I know. It was brand new but looks like it was demo'd a fair bit. After a month of daily use, rehearsals and gigs, I'm loving it and the strings are fine by me.

 

[gregbackstrom]

I'm using light gauge D'Addario ProSteels. They sound really good on this bass (to me).

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm using whatever strings were on sale last in the Amazon deals thread.

 

[KPJ]

I just picked one of these up. It was listed as a used 2013 model but I'm pretty sure it's NOS. It was tagged at $649 with the case. Too good to pass up. It's white with the tortiseshell PG. I love the light weight and thin neck and the variety of sounds you can get with the coil taps is fantastic. This may be a keeper.

 

[KPJ]

Only issues when I got it were the neck had a bow to it and the fretboard was very dry. The truss rod adjusted nicely and a teak oil treatment on the fretboard brought it back to life. I love all the different tones you can get from this bass. I'm tempted to find a 5 string now.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I love the white ones. I'm a tad envious. They were out of em when I ordered mine.

On an even sadder note....

A few weeks ago I finally put some straplocks on. Didn't realize when attempting to do so that the strap pin is on a bit of weird angle, one that's incredibly difficult to get to with a screwdriver or drill cuz of the set neck. I wrestled and wrestled, and well... some wood started coming out and it looked like it was splitting. Got scared and just decided to drill a new hole more on the tip of the horn. Was happy that I did an awesome job, filled the other hole with toothpick and some black enamel paint. Was actually quite proud of myself, till I put the bass around my neck. Those who know more about bass building and modding can guess what happened. A little unexpected neck dive that bummed me out completely. I love love LOVE this bass, and I hate hate HATE neckdive .

Luckily, the guitarist in a new band I'm playing in is one of the most respected guitar tech/luthier dudes around and he told me, "No problem,", just give it to him. Which I plan to do tomorrow night. I want the bass back the way it was. I've really fallen head over heels in love with it.

Congrats on the score of that white one. I believe they're a bit harder to come by than all the other colors.