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New Gibson Les Paul Standard Oversize bass vs Thunderbird

Baird6869

Baird6869

Feb 16, 2007
16,717
5,037
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
#1
Hey all,

Quick question for those that have compared the two basses.

I owned a 2008 Thunderbird until recently. Great bass but the shape bugged be a bit while playing. It sounded killer but the dimensions were wrong for me.

I just ordered a new Les Paul Oversized bass (can return if I hate it, which I doubt) and was curious how the feel, weight, sound and playability differ.

Any thoughts?

Thx.
 
#2
I certainly can't say firsthand, but to me, the Les Paul bass looks like an ergonomic nightmare. I can't imagine that it doesn't neckdive even more than a tbird. For your sake, I hope I'm wrong. They DO look cool.
 
#4
Subscribed. I play T-birds and have no issues with ergonomics or neck dive whatsoever. I love the thin neck and the deep tones, so I'm curious to see how they compare to the new full sized LP. I'm digging the look of the Gold Tops...
 
#6
I have the eppi cassady bass,which I believe to be the same body size.It's huge,but not in a bad way.If the t-bird egronomics is strange to you, then that big les paul might not be your jam.
The large body on my Jack took some getting use to. However it never "got in the way". Hope the big paul works out.
 
#7
i think that the new LP OS basses (especially a goldtop) are gorgeous looking. the only problem for me in buying one is the weight. sweetwater has one that weighs 11lbs 2oz (too heavy for me). they don't list the weight of the cherry burst one, but their black one is 10lbs 3oz, and 9 1/2 is about my max limit for comfort. the heavier weight may make them balance better, but the upper strap button is at the 16th fret so i don't know.
 
#8
I just measured my Les Paul Standard (guitar) and the dimension are approx 12.5" by 17.5" and the Les Paul Oversized bass has dimensions listed as 14.1" by 19". Quite bigger actually.

Also, the nut width on the LP Oversized is 1.6" vs. the 1.5" of a TBird. Same 34" scale.

Just to show how bored I really am (on a stupid con call!), a Fender Jazz is 1.5" at the nut and a P bass is 1.625". So will a LP Oversized feel more like a P than a J or TBird?

Cliff Clavin out!
 
#10
The old LP bass is pretty much just a standard LP with a longer neck, the new oversized looks like it may be based on the body of the 'Buckethead' sig LP form a couple of years back..

I love my LP bass, but hated the new 'OS' model when I tried it in the shop, felt ridiculous!

(not mine, nicked from another site!)
IMG_14311.jpg
 
#13
I have owned a TBird and a Les Paul Standard bass, which looked exactly like the new incarnation.
The TBird weighed two pounds less and had a much more midrange-y tone.
The LP had the only truly 'piano-like' tone of any bass I've played. The fit & finish were superb.
The only reason I sold either was to fund a bass I had lusted after for a while.
 
#14
Baird6869 said:
Be interesting to see the dimensions of the Casady. Not listed on Gibson's site....
Click to expand...

Just by looking at the photo of the Les Paul,it seems to me its the same body. The difference is no top cutaway. After all the Jack is just a remake (slightly modded)of a late 1970's Les paul Signature bass. Good luck! I bet that Paul will rule! Don't worry about the size or neck dive. It's a Gibson bass they do that. Just get a big strap and you'll be fine.
 
#15
moebass said:
Just by looking at the photo of the Les Paul,it seems to me its the same body. The difference is no top cutaway. After all the Jack is just a remake (slightly modded)of a late 1970's Les paul Signature bass. Good luck! I bet that Paul will rule! Don't worry about the size or neck dive. It's a Gibson bass they do that. Just get a big strap and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

I used to own 2 Peavey T40 basses....and have a thick Sadowsky neoprene strap.... bring it on!:bassist:

I have yet to find a weight range on these, but I am assuming even with that big body chambered, they must be all in the 10-11lb range. My 2008 goldtop Les Paul Standard guitar is chambered and is still a 9lb-er.
 
#16
I played an ebony one at GC a few weeks ago and really dug it. Was actually, IMO, quite comfortable to play.

Since both guitar players in my band play Les Paul guitars , I am seriously considering picking one up, if my Roscoe 6 string sells.
 
#18
So I picked up this beast today..... I cant believe how big it is! It is way bigger than I expected.

I have been a bassist for 25+ years but have always owned a Les Paul 6 string.... Looking at this bass beside my Les Paul Studio and Standard 6 strings is freaking me out! It is almost Gretsch or Epi Jack Casady sized.

Sounds great and isn't too heavy (10lbs max) considering the size of the body. Very comfortable to play surprisingly....

I will post pics tonight/tomorrow showing my new ebony LP bass beside my ebony LP Studio and Goldtop Standard guitars. Even the cases are out of of proportion when side by side.

As a lifelong Fender lover , but loved my Thunderbird, G3, SG RI, Grabber..... This bass kills all of the Gibsons I have ever owned!

Pics to come....
 
#19
Baird6869 said:
I will post pics tonight/tomorrow showing my new ebony LP bass beside my ebony LP Studio and Goldtop Standard guitars. This bass kills all of the Gibsons I have ever owned!

Pics to come....
Click to expand...

I actually think the ebony version of this new Gibson LP bass is the nicest looking out of the three color choices, as the body color matches the headstock color. Purely "IMO" there, of course.
 

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