Why does everyone hate Gibsons ?

[Rocker949]

1) Issue of sounding muddy. This is the most common complaint about Gibsons. But not all Gibsons sound muddy. Also, even what year the bass was made can make a big difference. For instance, a 63 Gibson EB-O (which I have) is probably the least muddy of the 60s EB-Os, while a 69 EB-O may be the most muddy.

2) Price: I also think the new ones may be overpriced. Although I'd like to have an SG RI, the price has just gone up several hundred dollars just recently and I'm still questioning whether I want to pay that much.

3) Neckdive. I am puzzled why people keep talking about neck dive. I have never had problems at all with neck dive. I suppose this would also depend on which Gibson you're playing, though. Thunderbirds obviously are known for neck dive problems, but are often considered Gibson's best bass.

4) Quality control: I've heard a lot of stories about poor quality control, although I have no personal knowledge of this.

 

[BellBottomBlues]

Whats funny is that the price of new Gibson SG basses is close to that of their vintage counterparts.

Hell you might even get vintage ones for cheaper.

Why did the price go up 300 bucks?!

 

[KarateKid25]

U gotta hate something

 

[ehque]

Everybody seems pretty certain about this. Why? An American made Fender costs a similar amount. If you don't like Gibsons, don't buy one - but don't blame it on the price.

they aren't saying its expensive. there are many more expensive basses out there.

They are saying its overpriced. IE. For the coin, you can get a better bass.

 

[ryco]

I LOVE my '77 fretless Ripper! It's my main jazz bass. Plays like silk. Bought it new in '77 and came from Kalamazoo - got to peel the protective paper off the pick guard and oh-ah! First and only bass I bought new. No neck dive on this bass but it is a little on the heavy side. This bass and I have had so many adventures together - my my. Black on black with an ebony board. Slaps well for a fretless.

The Ripper replaced an EB0 that was modified into an EB3 with a DeArmond pup. The EB was my first good bass. My parents bought for me in high school when they saw I was pretty serious about music and needed something good to play in Stage Band and Jazz Choir. It came with the frets torn out and the lines filled with putty. I used this bass in all of my rock and roll dance bands. Got stolen one New Years when I passed out at a party. The drummer, who spent a fair amount of time in juvie, got it back for me a couple weeks later - in pieces. Unrepairable. This bass was very well balanced IIRC.

Gibsons do seem way overpriced. The EB doesn't look like it would be a very good slap bass because of the location of the back pup.

 

[Trevorus]

Overpriced and their business practices really suck.

 

[bendale]

I love my 67 eb0. I'm not familiar enough with old Gibsons to say just how muddy it is, but I like it. Sure it doesn't sparkle, but there's a warmth to it, like a wool sweater. And for sure, I have no neck issues, nor did my step-brother, who was the original owner. The only thing I really dislike about it is the strap knob location; it doesn't hang well without a hand on the neck (or to put it another way: you're looking for a headstock repair if you let go at the wrong moment).

 

[ProfGumby]

Dont a lot of Gibsons have some neck dive issues? I seem to remember this being a problem with a lot of them.

A lot of basses have neck dive issues, especially those with real light bodies...not just Gibson.

An earlier post touched on a reason they may not be popular, the neck seems a wee bit chunky to some. Me? I have never much liked short scale basses or the SG style...the T bird either for that matter. Oh I think they are good instruments, I just don't care for one....merely personal preference...

 

[ProfGumby]

I love my 67 eb0. I'm not familiar enough with old Gibsons to say just how muddy it is, but I like it. Sure it doesn't sparkle, but there's a warmth to it, like a wool sweater. And for sure, I have no neck issues, nor did my step-brother, who was the original owner. The only thing I really dislike about it is the strap knob location; it doesn't hang well without a hand on the neck (or to put it another way: you're looking for a headstock repair if you let go at the wrong moment).

You describe neck dive very well. A wider suede backed strap can cure that....

 

[AxtoOx]

their business practices really suck.

I think that may depend on the item. At least customer service wise. I'm not sure CS knows they own Tobias, but talk to them about a Cutom shop Les Paul and they are all ears.
As far as how they act in the industry, yeah they are heavy handed, but they are protecting their interests people have been trying to take advantage of for many years.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Because they don't sound good?

That's just my opinion though.

 

[L-1329]

I have a early 80's Gibson Victory bass and I love the quality and craftsmanship. I have heard that the newer Gibsons are slightly overpriced, but if you can afford it...go for it.

I'm more a Fender guy myself...

The Victory Artist is one of the most unknown, and arguably the best bass Gibson ever produced. My first and still favorite is my '82 Victory Artist. There isn't another gibson, past or present, that can match it's combination of tone, build quality, balance, and flexibility. The neck is very slim and super nice to play, topped off with killer good looks. That these basses remained virtually unknown to the bass playing masses is the worst thing that could have happened for Gibson. They had a KILLER bass, and just never let it get out.

 

[Ron Now]

Gibson EB-0 Is one of my dream basses, I've wanted one since I can remember. If I ever get desperate I'll settle for the SG bass, but I like used stuff anyways so I'll keep my eye open for an old one.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I recently had the same experience as you. Never was into the old EBs, but tried the SG and really liked it (although it needed some pretty radical EQ on the amp to get it where I liked it). My only gripe was that the one I played had the beejeezus gouged out of the top aroudn the pickups, which looked like it was a mistake during assembly.

 

[MobileHolmes]

they aren't saying its expensive. there are many more expensive basses out there.

They are saying its overpriced. IE. For the coin, you can get a better bass.

I dunno, better is pretty subjective. If you are looking for a hifi kind of tone or a slap monster, look elsewhere, but for something kind of greasy and old school sounding, it is definitely worth a look.

 

[alexit]

Not just the muddiness, poor factory setup is a problem too. Aside from the t-bird, every gibson bass I've picked up has a massive bow in the neck, the strings are about 3 inches off the fingerboard and made of cast iron, neck is uncomfortably shaped, and wayyy too much laquer on the neck (especially in the case of the SG). In other words, highly uncomfortable to play.

It's like someone at gibson said, "Bass frets have longer spacing than guitar frets and we guitar players find that uncomfortable at first, but the bassists seem to like those big frets, so let's make everything else big and uncomfortable"

 

[BobWestbrook]

Must be the bad Epiphone test in my mouth.

 

[Barkless Dog]

Aside from the t-bird, every gibson bass I've picked up has a massive bow in the neck, the strings are about 3 inches off the fingerboard and made of cast iron, neck is uncomfortably shaped, and wayyy too much laquer on the neck (especially in the case of the SG). In other words, highly uncomfortable to play.

This is true of half of the guitars at big chains like GC & SA. If they took the time to set up the guitars & basses they would sell a lot quicker. A properly set up anything makes a world of difference in ease of playing.


The last issue of the Brittish mag "Guitar & Bass" reviewed the SG bass and they really liked it.

They said they expected to be dissapointed but the bass kept on surprising them with it's great tone, looks and (gulp) quality.

Gibson did a good job on the SG, it's a much more current tone for today's music compared to the old Mudbucker with it's limited sound. This and the Fender Mustang are two very nice short scale basses.

I tried one at a GC and was surprised on well it played and sounds. A great little bass. With Gibson though quality can be hit or miss.

 

[danomite64]

Why does everybody think I hate Gibson basses? I thought you all thought I hated Warwicks!

 

[MobileHolmes]

This is true of half of the guitars at big chains like GC & SA. If they took the time to set up the guitars & basses they would sell a lot quicker. A properly set up anything makes a world of difference in ease of playing.


The last issue of the Brittish mag "Guitar & Bass" reviewed the SG bass and they really liked it.

They said they expected to be dissapointed but the bass kept on surprising them with it's great tone, looks and (gulp) quality.

Gibson did a good job on the SG, it's a much more current tone for today's music compared to the old Mudbucker with it's limited sound. This and the Fender Mustang are two very nice short scale basses.

I tried one at a GC and was surprised on well it played and sounds. A great little bass. With Gibson though quality can be hit or miss.

The set ups on gibsons I've seen aren't any worse than on fenders.