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What's going on with Gibson?

P

Precision2600

Jan 17, 2006
35
1
41
Milwaukee, WI
#1
So not only is there nothing new, bass-wise, in Gibson's lineup, but they've actually cut their selection down to only the Thunderbird IV (in sunburst only, no less) and the "SG Reissue." Actually, there is a Faded SG Bass Reissue and a Faded flat-top Les Paul Bass reissue, although Gibson's website makes no discernable mention of these.

From the looks of the Gibson website, they don't offer much of anything anymore. Besides a few Les Pauls and SGs, there's just not much there. Even the Firebird (my favorite of all Gibson guitars) has completely disappeared.

Or am I completely missing something?

Bass guitars have always been token models at Gibson, but this seems ridiculous. But I dunno...maybe someone knows something I don't?
 
#4
Personally, I think they need to hire a big design shooter away from an exciting bass manufacturer and revamp the entire line.

Thunderbird? I guess they might sell ok thanks to grunge and metal players.
SG Reissue? They might do ok but very niche market
Money Bass? Ugly as hell IMO and not very versitile.
LP Bass? Come on! At least make one that looks like a quality version of the guitar, not a stripped down flat block of wood in crappy colours.

I am a big supporter of Gibson (I own a SG Reissue bass and LP and SG guitars) but the bass line they are currently are making is laughable. I guess the LP robot guitar is selling so well, they couldn't be bothered.:rolleyes:
 
#5
B Bass? Come on! At least make one that looks like a quality version of the guitar, not a stripped down flat block of wood in crappy colours.
Click to expand...

Like this?

neckview.gif


You can't fault Gibson for not trying. They tried and came out with a lot of basses in the last couple of years and even advertised them as well.

They just did not sell well enough, I believe. Gibson basses have never been accepted by the masses, since the 60's. One failure after the next.

Their loss is our gain. We get many radically different basses, because they, 99% of the time, refuse to copy Fender, like 90% of bass manufacturers do (p, j, p-j or MM). Hard to fault Leo on any of his creations
 
#9
Barkless Dog said:
...
You can't fault Gibson for not trying. They tried and came out with a lot of basses in the last couple of years and even advertised them as well.

They just did not sell well enough, I believe. Gibson basses have never been accepted by the masses, since the 60's. One failure after the next.
...
Click to expand...

But they've never brought back the Ripper as it was done in the 70's (the Epiphone ones don't count). If they did, I bet they'd move really well.
 
#19
My Gibson Les Paul Money bass is a great instrument. I absolutely love it. All the sound of a Thunderbird, without the neckdive.

Sounds like a death knell when they discontinue the firebird and ES-335. I can't believe they aren't making the 335 anymore, that's such a classic, popular guitar. What about explorers?
 

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