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What's going on with Gibson?

#61
My biggest gripe with the Epiphone Thunderbird (the standard one, not the Elitist), aside from its sketchy build and tone qualities, is that it doesn't have much in common with the classic Thunderbirds. Shape, pickup type, and control layout are close-but-not-quite, but that's where the similarities end.

The neck, particularly, is not to my liking. Its nut width is far wider than on the original instruments. I don't think its being a bolt-on does it any favors, either. It's not that I think bolt-ons are inherently inferior (Fenders are my all-time favorites!), I just think Thunderbirds should have through-body or at least set necks...a real purist/snob attitude, I admit, but it feels like they're really just cheap Fenders shaped like Gibsons that don't sound like either.

Additionally, I've no love for the hardware they use on the thing. I just never dug black hardware. And those tuners....yech!

A return of the Elitist Thunderbird, a not quite perfect but close enough replica of the original, would make me (and many others, I suspect) very happy.

***

As for the Thunderbird Studios, I can do without them. I can understand their appeal, but they're not for me.
 
#62
I have a feeling that Gibson will be adding to their bass line in the near future.

They did that with some of their guitar models that disappeared only to show up on their site later on (i.e., the ES models got moved to their own section on the website). I think this is the case because the Gibson site has been undergoing major changes over the last several months.
 
#64
vegas532 said:
There definitely wasn't much to show for it at this year's NAMM show. If you didn't know any better, you'd swear they're trying to phase basses out.
:eyebrow:
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How many "Guitar (bass) of the Week" models did they have at last year's NAMM.

It seems like they are limiting their regular production runs and going more with shorter, limited edition, artist and custom shop runs for both guitars and basses.

I'll probably log onto the Gibson forum and see what being said over there.
 
#65
fidus said:
I hope gibson doesn't discontinue the studio model, if they do i hope they bring back the tbird elitist at least (or made the epi t-bird set neck, but that's not going to happend)

it would be nice if the made the silver one a production model... but i guess it won't be cheap

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

(that pic is fron namm, any imput on those basses would be apreciated)
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Just look at the fear in the eyes of the person that pick guard.
 
#66
Pilgrim said:
I suspect the answer is that they've been moving their bass lines to Epiphone. Maybe they don't feel that all of their models can compete at Gibson price levels.
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I think there is probably truth to this. Take me for example. For nearly the entire time I've been playing bass, I've wanted an EB-3 or comparable SG shaped bass, but I've never been in a position to spend 1000 bucks on an instrument. And traditionally, Epiphone versions have been bolt-ons with hideous exaggerated headstock shapes. Finally they made a good looking, set neck Epiphone, and it didn't take me very long to get one. I'd prefer it to say "Gibson", but for 700 dollars less, I'm willing to compromise. It's probably pretty good marketing: sell cheaper models under the Epiphone name, sell a lot more of them, and get some exposure for your brand's models.

And I'm sure they'll bring back a lot of designs eventually. This might just be a way of drumming up demand before an eventual reissue.

And this is the closest to a Gibson I'm ever going to be able to afford. Needs new pickups, BADLY, but it's a nice instrument.
 

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#68
Jjango said:
I've always wanted an EB-3 (which, if some people don't know, is the long-scale SG bass). I just can't get on with short-scale basses.

not_jason, how do you deal with the neck dive? Is it a major problem for you?
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To be precise, aren't there short-scale basses under the EB-3 name? I know the EB-3L was a long scale one, but I do believe I've seen EB-3 applied to primarily short-scale basses. My epiphone is simply described as an EB-3, but it is a long-scale. It doesn't precisely match any of the Gibson models I've seen, but perhaps I haven't looked hard enough.

Neck dive was only a problem for me the first couple times I played it. I come from a background of playing pretty much exclusively fender basses, and all the ones I've had have balanced pretty evenly. So the first time I put this thing on, I was totally caught off guard when headstock plummeted to the floor. I've found, however, that it's not so bad if you just keep your picking hand on the body. A small amount of pressure to anchor it in place against your body is all it takes. While I'm playing, with the neck in my hand, I don't really notice the weight to be anything too substantial. The only time it's really a pain is when you have to take both of your hands off the bass at once, say to adjust a mic stand or something. Then you pretty much just have to let it fall at whatever stupid angle it feels like.

So far, and I've only had it for a month and a half, I'm quite happy with my Epiphone EB-3. The electronics are questionable though. I think it could definitely do with better pickups.
 
#69
I just posted this on the "New Gibson Forum". Apparently the old one died. :eyebrow:

What's happening with the Gibson bass models for 2008? People on bass forums were startled to see only 2 basses being offered for 2008 on the Gibson.com website. The Thunderbird and SG Reissues are the only models listed. Will Gibson be offering more models later? If so, what models are they and, when can we expect to see them posted on Gibson.com.

Thanks!

Mike from Hawaii
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I'll post their response when I get one.
 
#73
ROON said:
I am so sick of lame ass Nikki Sixx sigs. :rollno:
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+163786137851236

It's not cool/funny/the mark of a real man to have a killswitch as the only electronic control on your bass, especially if you have more than one pickup in it. And the fact that people still lap it up is ridiculous. It looks much worse than the regular thunderbird too IMO

My bass teacher on Nikki Sixx (totally deadpan):
"Alright, we're going to go through Simandl's big evil dense double bass method book first. After that, there's another much harder book that we're going to go through...it's The Nikki Sixx Bass Method, if that doesn't sound too hard for you..."
 
#74
I hate to say it but I returned my SG Reissue today. I loved it, but it just isn't versitile.

Unless one plays only Cream, The Stones or other 60's/70's rock or blues, IMO a Gibson is not a viable option for a single gigging bass.

I picked up a StingRay which IMO is much more versitile.

I am a big Gibson fan and own a Les Paul and a SG (guitars) and used to play only G3 and Ripper basses. I want to like Gibson basses, but I just can't. No idea why they don't go back to the drawing board and release something new and exciting for a change.
 
#76
Baird6869 said:
No idea why they don't go back to the drawing board and release something new and exciting for a change.
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This is only one man's opinion, but they've been riding on the name Les Paul for so many years that I doubt they even care anymore. I'm sorry to sound so critical, but for further proof go to any Best Buy.

Gibson CD-R's, Gibson video game controllers, Gibson Stereo jacks, Gibson cassettes, Gibson mousepads...it's just getting ridiculous. :scowl:
 
#77
Obviously I meant release a new bass.

I guess you have a point though. They seem to be doing just fine selling Les Pauls, SGs, ES and acoustic guitars. Maybe they just couldn't be bothered.

vegas532 said:
This is only one man's opinion, but they've been riding on the name Les Paul for so many years that I doubt they even care anymore. I'm sorry to sound so critical, but for further proof go to any Best Buy.

Gibson CD-R's, Gibson video game controllers, Gibson Stereo jacks, Gibson cassettes, Gibson mousepads...it's just getting ridiculous. :scowl:
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#79
vegas532 said:
This is only one man's opinion, but they've been riding on the name Les Paul for so many years that I doubt they even care anymore. I'm sorry to sound so critical, but for further proof go to any Best Buy.

Gibson CD-R's, Gibson video game controllers, Gibson Stereo jacks, Gibson cassettes, Gibson mousepads...it's just getting ridiculous. :scowl:
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Which is how I feel towards Fender at this point also. No problem with their basses, just the mass marketing of their name at every chain store, clothing store, cig lighters, drink coasters, mouse pads, shot glasses...you get my point. They even sell a cheaper version of the Strat (yes, even cheaper than a Squier Affinity) at Costco (probably at Sams club too) called the Starcaster. A local Fender dealer told me that they've hired the marketing people behind Harley to make them into THE guitar brand. I understand wanting to be a huge successful company and make money, but do you need to do it with the KISS\Gene Simmons marketing strategy? Your name doesn't have to be on EVERYTHING!!! I also understand wanting to wear a shirt with your favorite guitar brand on it, Hell I even have 2 shirts that say Fender on them, but I don't need it on most products that I see it on. This is of course all IMO and I don't expect any or all of you to agree with me.

Oh, and I'd like to check out those new T-Bird sig models. They won't sound the same as regular T-birds if they have maple or ash wings.
 

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