Gibson Les Paul Double Cut Bass 2005

This is a new 2005 double cut design (slightly offset horns) 4 string bass release by Gibson featuring: 24 frets, 34" scale, made in the USA. Set Neck Mahogany neck-Rosewood fingerboard, Solid Mahogany body with a beautiful AA flame maple top. 3 Controls: Vol/Vol/Tone, Passive electronics that growl! Gibson Gold plastic numbered control knobs (which I've never cared for & will replace with Gold Dome knobs). 2 TB Plus Ceramic Humbuckers, All Gold hardware: Grover Tuners, Heavy Mass brass adjustable bridge. Med size frets. creme pickup rings, creme plastic input jack plate. Graphite shielding inside control cavity. Truss Rod at the nut beneath Gibson plastic plate. Gibson Hardcase included. Neck is c shaped...the usual fat Gibson bass neck, but comfortably enough for my hands. Very simple, & classy bass. I'm giving it a 9 because Gibson could've included nicer knobs for the price (but that is my opinion)

Although beautiful at 1st glance, its simplicity made me question if I was making the right choice. This was quickly put to rest after playing the bass thru my Eden "Traveler" amp via Ampeg 2x12" & Ampeg 1x15" speaker cabinets.

Besides that "classic" Gibson LP sound, You can dial in a wide variety of tones, you can go from EB0-3 bassy to Fender J like trebly tones- the pups are powerful indeed, and very quiet for a passive bass (it tones sometimes actually remind me of my mid 90's Spector NS4CR bass, which happens to feature active EMG electronics & pups).

I also found it to be very versatile. It performs well in the studio, as well as live settings. I feel its a great bass for Rock, R& B, other styles as well ( I play a wide variety of styles).

It had a great set up straight out of the box & case. Low action. I did not have to do any adjustments(except for the neck which got slightly out of wack due to the in transit changes in regional weather, whcih can be expected sometimes). But nothing major, just a simple tweek, and It was up & playing. No string buzz or dead spots anywhere!

Very comfortable on the shoulder & well balanced (depending on the scale weigh between 8.5 & 9 lbs). The axe is new, so I couldn't find any imperfections (I've read some folks have complained about Gibson's finish flaws in many of their bass & guitars...I lucked out-my bass has no issues at all!).

As far as reliability & durability goes...Its a Gibson. But, I feel they should go back to featuring the volute behind the nut,like with their mid to late 70's basses, it protected the neck from impact-this new issue does not include one, so if you drop the bass the wrong way, the headstock could break/snap-this is a common problem with Gibsom & similar design instruments, and probably the only weak spot I can find in the design.

In any case, a good Pro stand, or simply keeping it in its case when not in use will prevent this type of injury to it. Besides this issue, its built well...Like any Gibson instrument, it'll last a life time with good care.

I changed the factory issue strap buttons (which were so tiny, I could not believe they were functional to this bass, specially for the price tag paid) to Wilkinson endpin strap lock system-a $18.99 investment you should't go without with any bass/guitar. Other than the initial adjsutment to the neck mentioned in my previous paragraph-I haven't had to do any further adjustments.

I never venture to a gig without a back up-but,this bass will stay in tune throughout the gig-no problem, and is well built. I have to say that since the 90's-I remained skeptical of any Gibson LP until I came accross this newly issue model. I'm giving it an 8 only because of the lack of the volute at the peghead & the smaller than usual strap locks-other than this the bass is excellent!

I've dealt with them in the past & they've been very helpful. They do reply to e-mails~but, you have to understand that they'r a big company & receive a large volume of mail~so it took a few days, but they replied & answered my concerns. Never needed to use their warranties in the past.

I've been playing pro & semi-pro for 37 years. I currently own basses by Spector, Warwick,and Rickenbacker. I've been playing thru Ampeg since day one & Eden amplification for close to 8 years now. I love the balance, tone & weight of this bass, and its simplicity as well. I hate it doesn't have better protection to the back of the nut/peghead (volute). Again, I compare its sound to my Spector NS-4CR its very close with the exception that Spectors are active electronics.

If it was stolen, I'd probably be very upset since its a very nice playing axe...and, it took me more than 20 years to rekindle my liking for a Gibson bass. I would buy another one~if it feels/plays like the one I currently own! In my opinion: Gibson is producing excellent basses again (I'd tried one of their current Les Paul single cutaway basses and although a bit more expensive than the one I own I was impressed with its sound-I've never cared for the Thunderbird so cannot comment on their new basses). They're definately overshadowed by either the more exotic or import basses of todays market.