It has indeed always amazed me that Gibson makes nothing I want to play.
As a manufacturer, that takes some doing.
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This is why Gibson sucks at making basses...
- Thread starter Hevy T
- Start date
It has indeed always amazed me that Gibson makes nothing I want to play.
As a manufacturer, that takes some doing.
This might not go over well with the gear aficionados among us (I’d like to think I’m one), but a great product is what people buy and not necessarily the best instrument — the best performer, the best featured, the best value, the best crafted. A great product is the one that the market decides to open their wallets for and purchase. I wouldn’t say that Gibson sucks at making basses, but I’d say that a great bass product somehow eludes Gibson. Fabulous instruments, many would say, but as products, they seem to underachieve.
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I purchased a 2013 EB bass last year and it’s been my go-to bass since then. I own a 82 Ripper and previously owned a 2013 Midtown (miss that one). But that EB bass, that particular body shape, I feel is a hidden gem. Wish they had continued with that style.
I played a Midtown Standard for 2 years, bought before the factory shut down prior to the Gibson bankruptcy. The instrument, rather than the business, was most important to me. Clearly Gibson management did not run the business well (but I am a doctor who could not run a successful business if it was handed to me). I wanted vintage tone and feel without the hassles of an old instrument. Mission accomplished. Compared to other modern semi-hollowbodies I have played, the balance was very good, with no neck dive. The quality and manufacturing was “meh”. The neck never snapped in half but the finish was so-so. The ergonomics were definitely not Fender. I was concerned a bout the set neck, especially living in North Carolina. I believe it’s what the player does with the instrument that matters as much as the instrument itself. The Midtown in the hands of a good player would sound great. I guess that the famous players that made Gibbies sound great really knew how to play bass. I am not (yet) a good player, so.... The sound and ergonomics of a non-P, non-J bass just did not work for me at the time, as my main player was a 2005 Squier Affinity Jazz. I traded the Midtown with some cash for my first P-bass, an American Original 60s P. No regrets for trying the Gibson, but no regrets for trading it either. I am grateful for life, health and for having enough money to try different basses. Especially these days it can’t be taken for granted!
I used a Victory artist in one band, it sounded great but to heavy, always felt like I could smash my way through a brick wall if any club we played caught fire. Tried to like using a Thunderbird but the bridge always felt like it was to far up the body for me. No shortage of good designs but it's almost like a niche brand for diehards.
It seems as though they were all about guitars early on and never thought the bass was a viable instrument on its own. They did offer the EB-1 violin bass in the '50's but didn't sell many. As Fender was the default electric bass going head to head wasn't really on option, so they did the next best thing: make a few basses that mirrored their own guitar line for die hard Gibson fans and not lose their shirts in the process. Every time they went out on a limb with a new bass model they got spanked. Give them credit for repeatedly trying to build a bass that isn't a Fender clone and still has something to offer. I'd like an EB-2. Have a Ripper.
I’m still livid they did that. Valley Arts made some beautiful instruments.
Valley Arts were on their way to irrelevance when Sammick purchased them. They also don't really bring much value to the table as a design company because all they were was hot-rodded Fender-designed with a flatter radius. There are scads of companies that have survived that even do it better. Fender Custom Shop also further diminishes it's need to exist. Why buy a clone when you can have a Fender. Want something more boutique? Buy a Mike Lull or a Sadowsky. Nobody really misses Valley Arts at any scale. They were so tied to the '80s Super-Strat era. Zzzzz, zzzz, zzzz...
Nope. I'm not into boutique very much.
And I don't completely agree with you that Valley Arts was "just" a Fender hotrod company,. And I happened to like the ones I tried. Which is all that matters when it comes to my own opinion of them even if it doesn't earn me a place at the table with the kewl kids. I'm not trying to impress anyone or convince somebody otherwise. Just stating how I felt about it.
"Some (opinions) are more equal than others"; sometimes the apologies begin even in the thread title.
Tried a thunderbird for the first time yesterday and was shocked at how good it felt. Not bad sounding either. Can’t say it’s my style but if I had nothing else to play I wouldn’t complain! Don’t know the other models but I’m sure I’ve seen a few of them on sale. Guess they must be pleasing someone or why make them?
