I finally got to try one of these basses today.

Whoa. I like.

It has two big humbuckers on it, passive volume/volume/tone controls, & a set neck. Very straightforward, good sustain, & comfortable. It's not the world's most versatile bass, but it's versatile enough for a passive bass, imho.

The big question is whether it sounds good, and it sounds really, really good. The output is very hot, and the sound can only be described as huge. If you like a bass with growl & zing, backed up by a massive bottom end, this is one for you. I think I've realized that I'm a big humbucker person (this is encouraging, as I've got a dual-humbucker Ric on order). It can nail a really excellent P-Bass-with-roundwounds sound, but just a bigger version of it. I didn't think it sounded muddy at all; I was just playing it in a practice room, but it sounded to me like it should cut very well. With some simple EQ adjustments on the amp, you could get a nice range of tones without even touching anything on the bass itself. All that for under $1k. I think it's a winner.

I definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking for a bass with a bigger, ballsier sound. This thing is all about The Rock.

I think they are on clearance from Musiciansfriend.com for $799, they look pretty sweet, thanks for the review

Thanks for the review. I almost pulled the trigger on one of those back in january when they were going like crazy cheap on ebay and musicians friend. I may still in the future but I'm not sure where I can find one to test drive.

I haven't played it yet, but I heard one at a jam one night. It sounded great, and the player was very happy with it.

Not all Gibson humbuckers sound muddy.

Tom

I love the sound of the old Gibson Sidewinder pickups. There's nothing quite like them, even a P-Bass sounds a bit timid by comparison!

I love big fat humbuckers, especially on Gibson basses. If they'd make a fiver version, I'd definitely be interested.

I thought that muddy sound was part of their appeal -- that smudgy, Jack Bruce sound.

Great. Now I'm thinking about these basses a lot.

I'm tempted to pick one up, probably instead of a new Ric. Frankly, dealing with the company has sort of soured me. Of course, none of that matters once you've got the instrument in hand. But the new Ric is also twice the price of the Gibson Money bass.

Would it be a better move, or am I just sick of messing around?

What no pictures or link!?!

LINK

It's a good thing no one around here seems to carry them. I'd be mighty tempted.

Grab up a Gibson V if you can find one. As long as you can deal with the pointy 80's headstock, it can be a great bass. I found one a couple years ago, and other than a slightly weak (but adequate) B response (the pickup, not bass, haven't really explored why), I couldn't be happier. Cuts through the rock/blues mix very well.

Thanks for the link great price. Glad I don't have the $!!!

Ah, ain't hindsight just 20/20?

It turns out hanging in for the Rickenbacker 4004 was a bad move, and I probably would have been happier with the Gibson. (Of course, I never would have known that if I hadn't tried...) But I kept telling myself that if the Ric didn't work out, I'd find one of those Gibsons.

And I did. I just pulled the trigger on one. It's a natural finish & looks luvlii.(tm) I'll post an update when it arrives.

(How have I suddenly become the self-appointed Lowdown guinea pig? First the AIR bass, now this!)

You remind me of someone I know...

Congrats on the Gibson!

A teaser:

Um. Sexy.

Peace.
--SW

That's a beautiful thing.

Good luck with it, bro. I hope it satisfies your dual humbucker jones.

That's suite.

Dagnabbit, if I hadn't just bought a new bass, I'd definitely have gone for one of those !!!! Still might As soon as I have money again, which won't be for a while

Pretty.

You should spell it luuve-ly for Brian's sake.

Priceless!

Let's see...Yamaha BBBBBBBB that sounds a bit darker, AIR that sounds full, Gibson that sounds a bit darker. Please make the next bass you try a Lace Sensor. I think you'll really like it.

That Gibson is very nice! Enjoy it!

Tom

...or a Dingwall SuperJ...and let me know when you're selling it.

Ohhhh my Jeezzz... Or, quoting Tater... "Jesus Horatio Christ" Looks deeeead sexxay Even for a Gibson. (Don' t blame me. I even have a ' 57 ES-125 myself for some jazz G***ar playing Besides that... I' m at least a no-Les-Paul-er guy, nor have I found any Gibson bass that suits me) Could this be the exception?


P.S. I' ve changed my avatar, too. Seems like is in -fashion to put a pet's pic in there, so here it goes. Alan, my cat, or the "White male panther" as we like to call him

That is flat out cool, man

Is Gibson still making all their basses in Korea? If it's US made I Might take one.

These were made in USA. Were--they're not made any more.

What Gibson basses were/are made in Korea? Most of what I've seen is US-made. Not that that's necessarily a guarantee of higher quality--not now, anyway, with the level of work coming out of Korea today.

(Ferinstance, consider the bass featured in my current avatar, with its prominent "Made in America" sticker. It had defects I've not seen in any Korean-made bass. And it was much pricier.)

I have it from a very dependable source that all Gibson Basses are made in Korea. Samick I think is the name of the company. My info is about 10 years old, but I doubt much has changed since then.

I'm still bummed that Gibson left Kalamazoo!

well, the name may have left, but the old facility, plus a good portion of the original workers there, are still in business:

http://www.heritageguitar.com/

Why didn't you say so? I didn't realize the proof was as irrefutable as that.

Nothing has changed anywhere in 10 years. Duh...

BAM!
Interview with Epiphone pres Jim Rosenberg.

I was hoping that something had changed in the last 10 years. I don't know where that Rick was made, but I read your story about it.
How old is the Gibson money Bass?
I think you used to be able to special order american made Gibsons, but the ones in the stores are from Korea.

Read the links. They are no longer made there.

They're all made in Santa Ana, California. Some of them well.

Meanwhile, just a few more days till I take possession...

Thanks!! That's what I was wondering about.

You're a possession.

Peace.
--SW

I just realized that I never did a follow up on this! I've been playing this bass steadily ever since it arrived. It has become Binky Number One. You can see a full review here:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Gibson/Les+Paul+Money+Bass/10/1

But the short story is that I like it. A lot. It's very small for a bass, despite being full scale; everything else feels really big after I've played this one. For me that's been a good thing--very ergonomical, so to speak. Also, in its LP-shaped case, I can throw it in the back seat of my little '90 Honda 2-door & it sits flat. It is surprisingly versatile and is full of really useful tones. Those humbuckers rock--they're loud, full, but still clear and aggressive. Just with the V/V/T passive controls, you can go from dark, dull, old-school P Bass to lean, hungry punk P Bass to burpy J Bass and so on. And it almost plays itself; it set up easily with low action and just a hint of relief. The bridge top-loads, which makes string changes much easier. (Why don't all bridges do this?) Maybe the best part is the neck, which is Teh Sex (tm). Velvety smooth mahogany in a thin, narrow profile, with a shape somewhere between a C and a V. I love that neck. Can't believe this bass was only $1k, brand spankin' new. If only my Rickenbacker 4004L Laredo had been as good ... (But hey, at least the Laredo was a lot more expensive and took a lot more time to get!)

By the way, there's a pretty blue one for $700 BIN right now on the 'Bay. Just sayin'.