Gibson Bass Guitars
The Gibson Bass Series utilizes classic designs and finishes from Gibson's solidbody electric guitars to create a unique family of electric basses. Before the first note is played, these instruments are easily recognizable as "only a Gibson".
These basses play, too, like only a Gibson plays. With a rock-solid construction and newly designed pickups, they practically play themselves, producing a unique sound with both substance and definition.
The models of Gibson Bass Series have all the elements-the look, the feel and the sound-to open unlimited vistas of expression for bass players.
Gibson Bass Guitar Models
- Thunderbird IV
- Les Paul Standard Bass
- Les Paul Deluxe Bass
- Les Paul Special Bass
The roots of Gibson's electric basses extend back before the first electric guitar, back to the dawn of electrical amplification. In 1924, as the first amplified radios and phonographs were emerging, legendary Gibson engineer Lloyd Loar built an experimental amplified bass. More than a decade later, Gibson made two electric basses with huge, guitar-like carved tops and ES-150 style ("Charlie Christian") pickups.
Not until the 1950s, when amplifiers were designed to handle the heavy sonic load of an electric bass, did Gibson introduce a production model bass. The company had been founded on the concept of a violin-style carved top, and the EB model solidbody electric bass of 1952 followed the violin motif more faithfully than any Gibson guitar in history. The solid mahogany body featured the elegant body lines of a violin, including C-waists, "rolled" edges and contoured top.
By the early '60s, Gibson had filled out the bass line with models based on the most popular semi-hollow ES-335 and solidbody SG guitars. The modernistic Firebird line of 1963 included a companion bass, the Thunderbird. Its "reverse" body shape gave it a distinctive look, and its seven-piece neck-through-body construction provided the player with a unique playing experience. Like the Firebirds, the Thunderbird bass was reissued several times in the '70s and early '80s. In response to demands from bass players, Gibson returned it to regular production in 1987 with redesigned TB-Plus pickups to enhance the Thunderbird's signature sound.
The Les Paul body shape-the original Gibson solidbody guitar shape-was a natural for a bass guitar, with its classic lines and solid feel. Les Paul himself designed the first Les Paul bass for Gibson in 1969. Gibson's new generation of Les Paul basses, introduced in late 1991, combined the elegant look and familiar feel of a Les Paul guitar with Gibson's newly designed bass pickups.
With a distinctive classic look, a comfortable feel and unique sounds, the models in the Gibson Bass Series can create a solid foundation for any style of music.