NancyJohnson Posted December 7, 2017 Posted December 7, 2017 I know some people really like 'em. Not me, but anyhoo, get 'em while they're hot:https://www.gak.co.uk/en/gibson-limited-edition-five-string-eb-bass-vintage-gloss-natural/87261 1 Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 Are they USA built? I like it. Quote
NancyJohnson Posted December 8, 2017 Author Posted December 8, 2017 19 minutes ago, stingrayPete1977 said: Are they USA built? I like it. All Gibsons are built in the USA. Looking at the price, it would be tempting to buy and get it refinished in a nice matt/satin black. Clover leaf machines, black scratchplate. Quote
Delberthot Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 I've got one arriving on Monday and if I like it enough then the first thing to go is the scratchplate. I plan on making my own so will probably change the shape to maybe something closer to an SR5 shape. A couple of things that drew me to it apart from the price is that they're relatively light for a 5 string and are meant to balance pretty well Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 Looks a steal, I wish I could justify one. Quote
Painy Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 Mine is arriving in the morning The included hard case would normally set you back a third of this on its own! 2 Quote
Cato Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) If I wasn't getting myself a fretless for Christmas, I suspect my first fiver would be on it's way. This has to be one of the bargains of the year. Edited December 8, 2017 by Cato 1 Quote
vmaxblues Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Any quality issues on these, heard various rumours that their QC 'aint so hot currently? Quote
Painy Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 41 minutes ago, vmaxblues said: Any quality issues on these, heard various rumours that their QC 'aint so hot currently? Well mine arrived early this morning and after a quick set up (I like a super-low action) it plays really nicely, sounds great and I can't see anything to pick fault with finish wise. If I'd paid GAK's original (and already really cheap) price of £529 I'd have been thrilled with the bass I've just received. At £399..... Well, if you like the looks and specs and you have the funds available, if say definitely grab one while you can! Quote
Painy Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 2 minutes ago, thebrig said: Anyone know what the nut width is? Just measured it at 43mm. Quote
Al Krow Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Sounds good and definitely tempted! What are your thoughts on the pups - they're humbuckers I presume, right? Are they particularly punchy or 'normal' in terms of output and what sort of tone would you say are they delivering in terms of comparison to other familiar brands? And does it have a purely J bass feel to it? Quote
thebrig Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 9 minutes ago, Painy said: Just measured it at 43mm. Thanks, that's quite narrow for a fiver, is it comfortable to play? Not sure whether I need it, but I'm so tempted!!! Quote
T-Bay Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 I had a go on one a couple of weeks back it played very well, I was impressed with everything about it and had it been a four string it would have been mine now. Still wondering if I should just bite the bullet anyway. Quote
Painy Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 5 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Sounds good and definitely tempted! What are your thoughts on the pups - they're humbuckers I presume, right? Are they particularly punchy or 'normal' in terms of output and what sort of tone would you say are they delivering in terms of comparison to other familiar brands? And does it have a purely J bass feel to it? Definitely pretty punchy. I'd say more t-bird than j but the big pole prices give it more top end bite and definition (although not as brittle as say a stingray) One thing I've noticed is how nice it sounds with the tone rolled off. Normally I really don't like the muffled, woolly sound it gives on most basses but on this out stays really nice and clear - just thicker and smoother. Quote
mr zed Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Not played one or seen one in the flesh but I had a look on YouTube where Robert Plants bassist was doing a review. Worth a watch. The humbuckers are coil tapped so single coil tones are available. Not in the market for another bass at the moment but, like others, I'm really tempted at this price. Absolute bargain for a full American made Gibbo with hard case. Edited December 9, 2017 by mr zed 1 Quote
Painy Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 13 minutes ago, thebrig said: Thanks, that's quite narrow for a fiver, is it comfortable to play? Not sure whether I need it, but I'm so tempted!!! Surprisingly comfortable actually. I just sold a Sterling SUB Ray 5 because the nut width was too narrow for me and that was 45mm but this is much more comfortable in my hands. It's not all that deep front to back but that's because the back of the neck is flattened so it still feels quite chunky (in a nice way) if you wrap your thumb over the top. The flat back also means that it feels really good to anchor your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck too though. Quote
Al Krow Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Good shout re. that review, really clear what the bass is doing with a decent headphone. "The ultimate bass for a weekend warrior" The tonal variety from this with pups in either full humbucker or single coil mode is excellent. Pups do definitely seem punchy - personally I really liked the tone he's getting at 3.04 and 4.04 to 4.14 and 4.27 onwards, Here's the clip in full: Quote
Al Krow Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 On 07/12/2017 at 22:49, NancyJohnson said: I know some people really like 'em. Not me, but anyhoo, get 'em while they're hot:https://www.gak.co.uk/en/gibson-limited-edition-five-string-eb-bass-vintage-gloss-natural/87261 Paul - actually be good to get the 'other side of the story' before we all get our credit cards out! So be also good to hear the why the "not me"? Quote
thebrig Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 33 minutes ago, Painy said: Surprisingly comfortable actually. I just sold a Sterling SUB Ray 5 because the nut width was too narrow for me and that was 45mm but this is much more comfortable in my hands. It's not all that deep front to back but that's because the back of the neck is flattened so it still feels quite chunky (in a nice way) if you wrap your thumb over the top. The flat back also means that it feels really good to anchor your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck too though. Sorry, but one last question: What's the B string like? Quote
Woodinblack Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 So very tempting apart from the sheer ugliness! If you didn't have a problem with the way it looks I would say there was no reason that would stop you getting one at that price. I showed my wife she said 'wow, its really easy to see why they are trying to shift them!' Quote
Painy Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 10 minutes ago, thebrig said: Sorry, but one last question: What's the B string like? It's actually really good - probably one of the best I've played actually and I've been a five string player exclusively for about 18 years. Very balanced with the other strings - not flubby at all! Quote
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