Why does Gibson hate bassist?

[Tekkers]

Usually it irks me when companies keep treading water... but we’ve seen Gibson’s idea of innovation and it’s given us things like robot guitars, the Dusk Tiger and the Firebird X.

If that’s what happens when they try something new, I’m happy for them to keep churning out their old boring designs and not experiment.

 

[whero]

I'm not a fan of Gibson's bass designs. I mean, this is all the Gibson basses I ever liked.

That said... there are probably only three Fenders I like the look of too - Jazz, Precision and Starcaster - there are just so many variations of Jazz and Precision basses...

 

[Krisfield]

There's a 1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph on Trademe at the moment.

I'm not a fan of Gibson's bass designs. I mean, this is all the Gibson basses I ever liked.
View attachment 4081411

That said... there are probably only three Fenders I like the look of too - Jazz, Precision and Starcaster - there are just so many variations of Jazz and Precision basses...

 

[whero]

There's a 1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph on Trademe at the moment.

Yeah - saw that a few days ago. Used to be Todd Hunter's (Dragon), apparently. I'd be interested, if I didn't have about $10K worth of bathroom repair/reno to pay for.

There was also an Ibanez copy on TradeMe a while ago (maybe about six months?).

 

[rockscott]

Call me crazy, i love gibsons. My sg is my go to bass & my favorite neck in the world! My next purchase that will be as soon as one of you buys my mint condition japan built mustang, will be the les paul jr dc!

 

[LanEvo]

Because, they play just like the others, i.e., sound dead, and feel cheap.

I'll admit: the only Gibson basses I've owned are a '69 Les Paul Bass and an early-'80s Ripper. Neither sounds dead or feels cheap. They just have weird electronics that take some time to figure out.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

I think a more appropriate title for a thread would be: “Why Do Bassists Hate Gibson?”

 

[swamp2]

I have a 2007 SG Supreme, 2013 EB and 2019 LP DC Jr. They're all wonderful instruments, no caveats or apologies offered. All of which were purchased new at very reasonable prices. I don't see the hate.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Gibson is going through dark times. The dentist market will always be there but it’s fading fast as us boomers age. The affordable line up of Les Paul Jr.’s and Special Tributes are basically unfinished slab bodies that are anything but a Gibson save for the logo and they’re not selling well.
Meeting QC and price is a well known issue at Gibson. It’s not a myth and the bankruptcy era guitars will be hit and miss more so than in years past.
For a clue where they’re going look at the new Epiphones. The build quality and finishes are a marked improvement over past models. IMO they’ve blown past Mexican Fenders and may become a guitar you don’t ever need or want to upgrade.
I think Gibson sees the writing on the wall and the only way up is through Epiphone and for those wondering why a Gibson bash thread pops up twice a year go play a few $4000.00 Les Paul’s and report back. You might get lucky but for that $$$$ luck shouldn’t play a part.
Gibson will bounce back. The old team is gone and they have no choice but to move ahead with different strategies which is great because the old way certainly wasn’t. I hope we’ll be talking a different tune in a few years and maybe bashing the new line of basses too. One can only dream.

 

[Richard Martin]

I get what you are saying about colors, but those stains are what a lot of Gibson enthusiasts want. I appreciate that Gibson is staying loyal to their tradition,

Yes, I agree. But if Gibson would like to grow their bass sales, they're going to have to get outside of their traditional boring selections and try putting some actual paint on their basses. If you look at Fender's offerings, they have a kaleidoscope of colors to pick from. They also have a ton of different basses to choose from.

 

[gigetto]

The EB 203-2019 is a very great bass and affordable. Passive, HH made in USA with a good gig in a good price point, less than a LP Junior bit noone here in Italy want It...Mystery.

 

[RogerTheAlien]

They have a tremendous portfolio from the Rippers to the Thunderbirds Ebs etc ... etc ... I remember being at NaMM few years back with a friend who worked at the Ibanez booth. It always surprised him how little actual artist outreach was being done by Gibson at the time. Most brands put a heavy focus to succeed in having a really diverse global outreach strategy, heck some of them even have sig models associated to very popular regional artists.

Maybe beyond Slash and weirdly reproducing 'Bursts' associated to some collections, they should do what some other brands do and create a separate entity for Bass, almost like a lab the way Fender does for their Acoustics which is damn impressive.

Nah who am I kidding ... SKINNNNNER BUUUUUUURST .... also here is a Slash Les Paul in Green ... because you know ... Green ...

 

[Aussie Player]

I think this is the sexiest bass Gibson has ever made:

View attachment 4080260

I have one and it responds very well to medium wound strings. The Gibson factory issued them with flats and it is not contemporary enough in sound flexibility. The round wound strings give it a huge lift.
For bass players, it is the lightest bass I have played. When put through a Hartke or Marshall tube amp, it is very, very, good.

 

[Aussie Player]

The SG bass is not an EB3.
Never confuse the 2.
Listen to Andy Fraser playing on Free Live and you will get the best recorded representation on the tone that the EB3 can produce.
Extremely articulate.
Same tone and volume across the strings at any position on the neck
Vibrato stands out immensely whether it is Jack Bruce or Andy Fraser - who incidentally, had different tones.
Had the first pronounced growl that is commonly spoken of today
Works with round wound or flat strings but excels with Nylons for rich tone and growl on the 4th string.
Stands out in the mix like nothing that can be bought with money - Just heard a condensor miked cassette of my playing 45 years ago through a Sunn Model T tube head into a matching Sun 4x15 cab and every single note is right there live in a dive bar. Every note clear, matching tone, perfection in a world that still struggles to replicate it.

It is great being one eyed, the results are so satisfying........lol

 

[Shirobon]

Once in a blue moon they'll get something good going for the bassists. But then they always shoot themselves in the foot one way or the other.
Just like this one:

Short scale semi-hollow Les Paul. I love it so much. Well balanced, woody tone... a great idea actually. I would have bought one new. If they hadn't priced it above custom shop pricing. Like, what the literal fudge where they thinking, putting it at $3600? They killed it before it even hit the shelves. No wonder no one bought these.

I'd honestly want them to reissue the EB2-D from the sixties but I'm willing to bet it would cost a kidney.

 

[SLPimp]

I think that's why I love the new Jr so much. I bought one new because 1000 for a new bass is reasonable. Don't they know bass players get paid last?

Once in a blue moon they'll get something good going for the bassists. But then they always shoot themselves in the foot one way or the other.
Just like this one:
View attachment 4081734
Short scale semi-hollow Les Paul. I love it so much. Well balanced, woody tone... a great idea actually. I would have bought one new. If they hadn't priced it above custom shop pricing. Like, what the literal fudge where they thinking, putting it at $3600? They killed it before it even hit the shelves. No wonder no one bought these.

I'd honestly want them to reissue the EB2-D from the sixties but I'm willing to bet it would cost a kidney.

 

[smperry]

This is a troll thread, so I'm closing it.

I think a more appropriate title for a thread would be: “Why Do Bassists Hate Gibson?”

Yes.