Thoughts on Modern Gibson Basses...

[Dan Bozek]

I was casually browsing the interwebs today, and it seems like you can get a T-bird, Ripper, Grabber, or RD from the 70's on eBay on average of about $1,000 cheaper than the current production models. Maybe even less. What gives? I love Gibson as a guitar and bass company, and love the tones that my Gibson-playing friends get, but all that money for a new instrument? I don't get it... A killer Geddy Lee Fender is $999 at Guitar Center, and Fodera will hand make something for you for around the same price as Kris from Nirvana's signature RD production bass.

Dunno. Love the instruments, but I dunno. I just don't get their business plan.

 

[vegas532]

And for the most of the models they've been reissuing, the older versions I've played seem to be much better.

 

[Dan Bozek]

Hmm… I think I might have been off-mark on this yesterday. The prices listed on Gibson site are WAY higher than, say Musicians Friend. The instruments are still on average more than a Fender perhaps, but basically I was rambling on like a crazy-person for no good reason. ;^)

 

[StormeeBee]

I would love to see Gibson put out a 5 string version of the Grabber. Completely true to the original except with that low B.

I'd buy one.

Gibson made a name for their classic instruments. Their new line IMO are gimmicky and cut too many corners.

 

[heliotropic]

The formula for modern Gibson basses:

Take the look of one of their older basses, throw in some Thunderbird pickups, charge a street price about 50% more than the vintage counterparts go for.

This holds true for the Grabber II, SG Bass, Explorer Bass, Flying V Bass, Les Paul Bass. The Krist Novoselic RD Bass manages to break the trend by using Seymour Duncan pickups.

 

[Dan Bozek]

I would love to see Gibson put out a 5 string version of the Grabber. Completely true to the original except with that low B.

Get one on eBay and set it up BEAD.