SG & EB Bass Club

[dmt]

I do think the new SG bass needs a pick up selector and an additional tone knob being honest. Otherwise I think it's a fantastic instrument

Yeah a front and rear tone knob ala Les Paul would be a worthy modification for the 3 knob SG basses

Personally, I prefer the simpler VVT setup of the SG bass.

Guitars-wise, I have 3 Gibbies, a 90s Les Paul Standard, an SG Classic (P-90s) and a POS MelodyMaker that I put two humbuckers into. The only thing I prefer about the MelodyMaker is the Tele-style two knob (Volume, Tone) plus selector switch setup. I hardly ever use the tone knobs on my Gibbies other than to sometimes take it down a hair, which I'll almost always just do to both simultaneously. I dunno - can't say I never use the difference, but...I like simple.

On bass, I actually prefer a one pickup V - T setup in general (a la the Precision or Mustang). The extra pickup on the SG bass and blending the two pickups does give some nice flexibility and is certainly fun, but it's right at the limit of complications I need or can deal with, lol.

To each his own though!

Meanwhile, bring back the Mudbucker, I say!

 

[ajkula66]

Personally, I prefer the simpler VVT setup of the SG bass.

It would be interesting to run a poll on the given subject. My guess would be that most users share your feelings, probably one of the reasons why Gibson put it out there in the given configuration to begin with.

Meanwhile, bring back the Mudbucker, I say!

I most certainly wouldn't object to that turn of events...

 

[thanos k]

I own both eb3 and sg bass and i prefer by far the v/t v/t configuration. V/v/t seems practical but i prefer the tone variety and subtleties of the old configuration. I also miss the sidewinder on the new bass and the rotary switch

 

[ajkula66]

V/v/t seems practical but i prefer the tone variety and subtleties of the old configuration.

I'm with you. The modded EB-0 in my avatar would likely be a nightmare for a "live" performance though given all the options that I've managed to shove in it......with that said, the chances of me ever playing "live" are incredibly slim, to put it mildly...

My intended project - once I find a luthier who's a crazy enough Gibson buff to help me accomplish it - is a revisited version of EB-3L that Gibson never attempted to build...hopefully I'll live long enough to see it through, although that one would be "studio use only" by default.

 

[ctmullins]

My intended project - once I find a luthier who's a crazy enough Gibson buff to help me accomplish it - is a revisited version of EB-3L that Gibson never attempted to build...hopefully I'll live long enough to see it through, although that one would be "studio use only" by default.

Color me curious - care to share details?

 

[ajkula66]

Color me curious - care to share details?

I'll give you a rough sketch:

Walnut body and 3-piece walnut neck, with a volute, ebony fingerboard, 20 frets. 34" scale, not 34.5" like most Gibbys. 1.5" nut width, '67-72 neck profile. Solid headstock.

No pickguard.

Mudbucker in the neck position, '54 single coil in the middle (sweet spot or thereabouts), Bartolini humbucker in the bridge. Some of this might be open for debate.

Hipshot supertone bridge.

Wiring I have yet to fully decide upon but it will be fairly complex, I can promise you that...

I'm open to constructive criticism...

 

[ctmullins]

That's a nice spec. Although the Bartolini humbucker seems jarringly incongruous to me. Not from a functional standpoint, just from a "vintage aesthetic" perspective.

 

[ajkula66]

That's a nice spec. Although the Bartolini humbucker seems jarringly incongruous to me. Not from a functional standpoint, just from a "vintage aesthetic" perspective.

Well, "vintage aesthetic" is not really what I was going for. Hipshot bridge doesn't fit that niche either.

I always loved Barts and they worked for me in some very unusual setups. If I could find a pair of old "model A" or whatever they were called I would be a very happy camper.

 

[Nebula24]

Mudbucker in the neck position, '54 single coil in the middle (sweet spot or thereabouts),

Swoons...I would love a shorty like that.

I've thought about getting a tmb30 as a mod base. Surface mount gold foil at neck. Than try other styles in middle and bridge.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

This thread is closely related to the above. The thread is long winded though. Might want to skip to near the end. For example here.

 

[ajkula66]

Swoons...I would love a shorty like that.

I was always impressed with walnut-bodied electric guitars and basses, going back to my Schecter-bodied JB more than 35 years ago. Yes, I believe that wood matters...

One of the reasons why I am interested in building a LS EB as opposed to a SS one is the openness - is that even a word ? - that a walnut body brings into the equation. It may give the old Mudbucker a whole new flavour which hasn't been unleashed before. Maybe I'm just trying to justify insanity here, it wouldn't be the first time...

 

[GonePlaid]

I was always impressed with walnut-bodied electric guitars and basses, going back to my Schecter-bodied JB more than 35 years ago. Yes, I believe that wood matters...

One of the reasons why I am interested in building a LS EB as opposed to a SS one is the openness - is that even a word ? - that a walnut body brings into the equation. It may give the old Mudbucker a whole new flavour which hasn't been unleashed before. Maybe I'm just trying to justify insanity here, it wouldn't be the first time...

I had an Epiphone(yes, I know, not Gibby)EB-3L. Neck dove like a Stuka. The long neck outbalances the body

 

[ajkula66]

I had an Epiphone(yes, I know, not Gibby)EB-3L. Neck dove like a Stuka. The long neck outbalances the body

I've owned two slothead Gibson EB-0Ls and Stukas they most certainly were.

That being said, nowadays I only play seated and almost no amount of neck dive bothers me.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I had an Epiphone(yes, I know, not Gibby)EB-3L. Neck dove like a Stuka. The long neck outbalances the body

Yes...a better choice is the 2nd gen Epiphone Newport body with the longer upper horn and strap button on the upper horn...i like SG and EB but prefer my Newport SS for this reason.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yes...a better choice is the 2nd gen Epiphone Newport body with the longer upper horn and strap button on the upper horn...i like SG and EB but prefer my Newport SS for this reason.

Yeah. I'm considering getting an Epi Embassy Pro to semi-retire my 67 TBird NR(no neck dive, BTW)
EDIT: this old thing.

 

[ajkula66]

Yes...a better choice is the 2nd gen Epiphone Newport body with the longer upper horn and strap button on the upper horn...i like SG and EB but prefer my Newport SS for this reason.

We were discussing long-scale offerings, hence the L after the model number. I'm reasonably certain that all Newports were short-scale.

I like Newports but have a difficult time justifying one at today's prices.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

We were discussing long-scale offerings, hence the L after the model number. I'm reasonably certain that all Newports were short-scale.

I like Newports but have a difficult time justifying one at today's prices.

Right....i mentioned it because the body is different and it would be a great choice if Gibson would reissue the Newport in short and long scale, especially the 2nd gen with the longer upper horn...it does have the batwing headstock which some may not like lol!

Btw, i like my 65 Newport fine as is...for some reason it seems to have enough brightness w the neck 'mudbucker' and pressure wounds...i would try maybe tape wounds but rounds are out of the question because i bend a lot and dont need excess wear and clank.

Another thing is i lower the polepieces to get much cleaner tones but still plenty of power...i dont know why more folks dont try this as every EBO ive seen has the 'mudbucker' close to the strings and polepieces slightly above the pickup cover which will result in a much dirtier tone...maybe i lucked out with this Newport but i can get very close to a P bass sound with the poles lowered...still plenty of punch as well.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Yeah. I'm considering getting an Epi Embassy Pro to semi-retire my 67 TBird NR(no neck dive, BTW)
EDIT: this old thing.
View attachment 4107375

The guy i traded for the Newport is a big vintage Gibson and Epi guy, he has a mid 60's Embassy, great bass too...i really like the NR TBird design...never played one though!

 

[GonePlaid]

The guy i traded for the Newport is a big vintage Gibson and Epi guy, he has a mid 60's Embassy, great bass too...i really like the NR TBird design...never played one though!

I've had my 67 since 73. Most of the time as my #1 bass for anything from jazz trio through rock quartets to big band jazz and concert band. I'm getting more and more hesitant about taking it out in situations where it can get damaged.
According to relatively reliable sources, Gibby/Epi is coming out with a coupla new basses this spring. Hoping for a new NR.

 

[ajkula66]

According to relatively reliable sources, Gibby/Epi is coming out with a coupla new basses this spring. Hoping for a new NR.

I'd love a new NR myself.

On a different note: be very careful when purchasing an Embassy Pro. There were some batches of them with bridges that couldn't be properly intonated.