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#1941054 - 05/12/08 09:32 AM

Les Paul bass

dcr
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Please convince me not to get one. $\:D$

Seriously, who has one? Who likes them? Who has real experience of them & dislikes them?

PS Yes, I do know--"Try one yourself." Well, I've had exactly one opportunity to do that...while I was out of town. But I did like it...

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#1941072 - 05/12/08 10:01 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

Danzilla
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I have a Les Paul bass, and love it; it's my go-to axe. I love the neck: full, nice taper, solid and not too moveable. Loud and bold humbuckers; growls when I dig in. Between the 2 humbuckers and the 5-way varitone selector, there are quite a few tones available. Sustain for days (ok, I've only tested for hours). Never broken a string on the saddles. Looks good, too! Mild neck dive, but I just don't let go of it too often. I find the body shape comfy, too; and the way the upper bout situates under my ribcage actually helps me sing from the diaphragm.

However, I assume you're looking at the 4 string Gibson Les Paul Money Bass. Differences I see between that and mine?
- 1 string less (a con to me, maybe a pro to you)
- no varitone (not a real problem, though; just one less feature)
-bridge: I have the stopbar & tune-o-matic; this looks closer to the Schaller bridge I have in my Jazz. I like that bridge; better than a bent aluminum P-bass bridge IMO. Should be good. (Actually I think there was one on a 4 string Les Paul bass I played a couple of months ago- solid!)
-mine has a carved maple top; this is a slab body with a flat maple cap. Personally, I like the feel and comfort of the carved top; YMMV.
-yours has a double cutaway and a bit of a horn; this might help with any neck dive that I get on my signle cutaway.
-yours is a Gibson, mine is an Epiphone.

Anyway, I prefer the carved top and the fifth string; but the 5th string is the only thing keeping me from considering the money bass as a possible option. I like my Epi better than the Gibson 5 strings they made in the mid-late 90's; but the other Gibosn LP's I've played that have the carved top were wonderful. The full tone from the pickups and the comfy, not-to-thick-not-to-thin well tapered necks are big selling points to me.

So don't get it. Just lay there rolling in your regret. But let me know if they release a fiver.

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#1941157 - 05/12/08 12:18 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Danzilla]

Warlock1016
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Used to play the Epi Standards. Great sound, weight was BRUTAL.

I'm not sure I'll ever get my shoulder back in position.

#1941161 - 05/12/08 12:27 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Warlock1016]

rizzo9247
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I never played one but a Gibson for $799, I say give it a whirl. Keep in mind MusiciansFriend's 45-day return policy. Find a ding on it and send it back if your not completely satisfied.

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#1941175 - 05/12/08 01:02 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: rizzo9247]

Phil W
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Meshell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GETyb2KaW4c

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#1941186 - 05/12/08 01:24 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

Bob Gollihur (bob@gollihur.com)
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I had a beautiful '96 a few years ago, sold it, comments at the time: I owned this '96 Les Paul Standard bass for about a year and a half. It was a beautiful instrument, with a very distinct voice-- not muddy, thick, but clear, big, and bold right down to the E, and it cut through and complimented the mix very well. I really loved it for classic and Southern rock - incredible when doubling guitar licks! Huge tone and fabulous sustain, with the Standard's massive bridge assembly, and interestingly enough, the same strings that are more flexible on other basses feel quite tight. I liked this bass' personality a great deal. I guess what I've been told is true... "once a Gibson man..." -- however, its weight and my back were incompatible.

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#1941245 - 05/12/08 04:04 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Bob Gollihur (bob@gollihur.com)]

cassius
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Do these sound much like Hofners? I'm not a big Hofner fan, but they have a certain appeal in their unique sound. These may work on a similar (perhaps more versatile) level, although this is just armchair speculation attempting to stimulate discussion.

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#1941263 - 05/12/08 04:43 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: cassius]

Nicklab
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I can't recall whether or not I've ever tried the modern Les Paul basses. But I have played a 70's vintage Les Paul recording bass. Same body style and similar construction, albeit with significantly different electronics. Let me tell you...it was HEAVY! I think the body was made of mahogany as are most Les Paul guitars. By nature it's a dense, heavy wood. It may help with tone, but it can make an instrument a little unwieldy.

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#1941310 - 05/12/08 07:08 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

kenfxj
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Oooh... Look how pretty!

You know you want it.

You've been saving for another Ric (correct?) so you can afford it... I love spending other people's money. $\:D$

I had an Epi Les Paul bass. I don't have it anymore. The weight wasn't a problem for me (I had a Peavey T-40). Mine had EMG pickups which i came to realise I didn't particularly care for. The only other thing about it that bugged me a bit was the body size or lack thereof. I'm a fairly big guy (6'2", 290) and it kind of felt like I was playing a ukulele.

I never played the Money bass, but several times I've played the Gibson Thunderbird Studio. I would imagine the sound to be fairly similar, which makes it a bit of a one trick pony, but like they say it's a hell of a trick. I do think $799 is a hell of a deal for what you're getting.

Right now I think my next bass purchase (in a year or two) will be the T-bird Studio. But that's me. I have a thing for T-Birds.

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#1941458 - 05/13/08 05:58 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: kenfxj]

rizzo9247
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Being that we take nothing with us to the afterlife, our obsession with obtaining earthly goods is frightening. Our time should be spent on building intimate, everlasting relationships with those who care for us, thus transcending this physical realm....but first you have to get that bass $;\)$

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#1941471 - 05/13/08 06:23 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

b5pilot
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Anybody Remember the Les Paul Recording bass?
Nice playing bass. I tried one out many years ago. Too many knobs and switches for my liking but definately nice. If the new ones are anything like that dcr, you may find it difficult to say no.

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#1941475 - 05/13/08 06:26 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Nicklab]

b5pilot
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Whoops, sorry Nick I didn't see your post. Yes they were heavy basses.

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#1941753 - 05/13/08 05:11 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: rizzo9247]

Tom Capasso
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I'd be concerned about the weight. Danzilla's LP had a nice feel to the neck, but it wasn't light. I'm OK with most of the sound styles that Gibsons can create. I am also not a Varitone lover, so not having that would be no loss for me.

I haven't tried the Money bass, but it seems like the best of all the Gibson worlds. Not as short as the EBs, not as heavy as the LPs, not as big as the Ripper/Grabber, not as "unique" as the Tbird.

Originally Posted By: rizzo9247

Find a ding on it and send it back if your not completely satisfied.

You misspelled a word. It's spelled "dime".

Tom

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#1943233 - 05/16/08 08:15 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Tom Capasso]

Nicklab
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Staying on the whole Gibson theme, I tried out one of the SG basses yesterday. It was the model with the fireburst finish. It was certainly a lot lighter and more manageable than the Les Paul recording bass I had tried. The neck was reasonably comfortable. And the finish looked nice enough.

But tonally? I was not impressed. The controls were limited, for one. There was a volume pot for each pickup plus a tone control. But it might as well have only been the two volume knobs, since the tone control barely did anything. And the tone I did get wasn't all that hot. And what made things even more questionable is that I had just tried a MIM Fender 60's Jazz bass that sounded considerably better. And that bass cost less than half as much as the Gibson SG bass.

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#1944078 - 05/18/08 07:07 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Nicklab]

dcr
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Originally Posted By: Nicklab

I tried out one of the SG basses [clip] But tonally? I was not impressed.

Me too.

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#1957132 - 06/12/08 10:15 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

Nicklab
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I've been running into a fella at one of the local jams that's been playing one of the Les Paul hollowbody basses. It sounds pretty sweet. Especially since his Dad, whose name is on the instrument custom wound the two pickups on board and modded the bass. $;\)$

My Epiphone Jack Casady blushes in comparison. Especially since it's named after someone other than the guy whose name originally graced this bass design.

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#1958244 - 06/15/08 10:54 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Nicklab]

Dr. Thump
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I had an Epi version a while back and I really liked it. Had to sell it, though, but I thought the neck had a nice "grip" to it and it sounded good. I didn't really mind the weight, either. I've been mulling over the idea of getting another one and dropping some dark star pickups in it.

#1961618 - 06/23/08 06:00 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Dr. Thump]

howtoplaybass
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I think its looks really good as a guitar model but horrible as a bass. it started of as a guitar and it should stay that way. Try a fender P or J bass they look miles better
http://howtoplaybass.co.uk

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#1961764 - 06/23/08 10:33 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: howtoplaybass]

wraub
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Originally Posted By: howtoplaybass

I think it looks really good as a guitar model but horrible as a bass.

Word. But, I have yet to see any single-cut instrument that makes me hot, be it guitar, bass, or tuba.

Peace,

wraub

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#1961768 - 06/23/08 10:42 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: wraub]

Danzilla
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I'm happy with mine, an think it looks great. So there! $\:P$

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#1964005 - 06/28/08 05:46 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Danzilla]

Leadbass
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I have owned both a Les Paul Recording (~1970) and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard (2004). I would like to offer my views and experience to the poster.

First, historical data:
The Les Paul Recording was a short-scale (30") mahogany monster at ~14 lbs. It used low impedance single coil pickups and had low or high impedance output. There was a varitone-ish switch and some other switches I can't remember; but it had a killer sound for a short scale and excellent playability. Full neck and body binding, abolone inlay, Shallers, all top grade.

Now, something relevant:
I currently own an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. This is an '04 Korea model with a carved top and cherry sunburst finish. The bass is long scale, and uses Epiphone branded T-Bird style Humbuckers, with chrome covers with no visible pole pieces. Two volume and two tone knobs, no switches. The neck appears to be maple, something I have not seen on a Gibson. Solid 3-point tune-o-matic bridge. Nice finish for the most part, some rough spots on the fretboard.

I love the feel of the neck on this bass, narrow, reminicient of a Jazz bass, but flatter and very solid. I was using a medium scale and could hardly tell the difference in scale; very comfortable for me. I chose it in part because I know that T-Bird PU's are hot and crunchy, and these are indeed similar. I think that the maple neck adds to the definition the sound has, as well as to the endless sustain.

I no longer play my previous main bass, an '82 Alembic Distillate. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true, even though it costs about what the other's case is worth. This bass works for *me*.

I like Gibsons, but the prices are too high. The Epi's are a good comprimise until you can justify the additional cost. I might look for a Gibson version in the future if my opinion remains the same. Have to see about the sound with a mahogany neck, though.

My $3.12...

GB

#1964016 - 06/28/08 07:38 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Leadbass]

dcr
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Hey, thanks for that! That's useful.

And welcome, Leadbass!

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#1964018 - 06/28/08 08:54 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

kenfxj
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dcr - What do you think of this guy? Gibson Les Paul Faded Limited Edition Flattop Bass

$699 at MF.

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#1964064 - 06/29/08 06:59 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: kenfxj]

dcr
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For $100 more, I'd go for more bling. $\:D$

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#1964121 - 06/29/08 10:40 AM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: dcr]

kenfxj
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I believe I'd concur.

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#1964230 - 06/29/08 06:23 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Nicklab]

cassius
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Originally Posted By: Nicklab

Staying on the whole Gibson theme, I tried out one of the SG basses yesterday. It was the model with the fireburst finish. It was certainly a lot lighter and more manageable than the Les Paul recording bass I had tried. The neck was reasonably comfortable. And the finish looked nice enough.

But tonally? I was not impressed. The controls were limited, for one. There was a volume pot for each pickup plus a tone control. But it might as well have only been the two volume knobs, since the tone control barely did anything. And the tone I did get wasn't all that hot. And what made things even more questionable is that I had just tried a MIM Fender 60's Jazz bass that sounded considerably better. And that bass cost less than half as much as the Gibson SG bass.

Hm, that's too bad. I like how they look but I've never played one. I have played SG g*****s and really enjoyed them, however. I always thought the mahogany would give them a nice semi-jazzy punch.

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#1964237 - 06/29/08 06:47 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: cassius]

wraub
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dcr- please see the the thread on "The Longview Tone" for additional pot stirring.
You're welcome. $\:D$

Peace,

wraub

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This does not bode well for the future.

Omne Ignotum Pro Magnifico.

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#1964283 - 06/29/08 09:50 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: wraub]

dcr
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Yes, yes, I know ... And I'm persuaded. Of this, anyway:

One way or another, I WILL have a dual-humbucker bass. Oh yes, it will be mine. I tried one of these a few months back, & it did light my tree. I always seem to want more meat on the bone, and there's just one way there: more coils.

But God help me, I've fixated on one that doesn't even exist, except as a rumor and some broken promises ...

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#1964693 - 06/30/08 05:42 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: kenfxj]

Nicklab
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Originally Posted By: kenfxj

dcr - What do you think of this guy? Gibson Les Paul Faded Limited Edition Flattop Bass

$699 at MF.

I have to say that's kind of fugly. The 'burst looks the best on that body shape. But as much as I thought the recording bass was cool, those hard edges on the body are a little rough on your right forearm. That little crease they leave can get downright painful.

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#1964713 - 06/30/08 07:16 PM

Re: Les Paul bass [Re: Nicklab]

kenfxj
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Originally Posted By: Nicklab

Originally Posted By: kenfxj

dcr - What do you think of this guy? Gibson Les Paul Faded Limited Edition Flattop Bass

$699 at MF.

I have to say that's kind of fugly. The 'burst looks the best on that body shape. But as much as I thought the recording bass was cool, those hard edges on the body are a little rough on your right forearm. That little crease they leave can get downright painful.

Yeah, Nick. My first reaction was "well, that looks like a turd". Then it started to grow on me in a stripped-down utilitarian kind of way. Of course fungus can grow on you too... $699 doesn't seem outrageous but I think I'll pass...

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