A very good looking bass for sure; black on black is the classic rock look, and they simply sound just as good as they look. Perfect for rock, punk, metal…

Epiphone Les Paul Special Electric Bass Guitar, Black Satin

• Les Paul bass guitar in satin black. Serious Les Paul sustain
• Mahogany body with set (glued in) mahogany neck
• Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays; long scale (34″)
• Specially designed Alnico bass Humbucker pickups
• Width at nut: 1.65 inches
• All black hardware

List Price: $ 499.00

An amazing sounding bass that is amazingly affordable too. The Les Paul Special Bass from Epiphone takes it’s styling from the original Gibson Les Paul guitars of the 1950s. All-Mahogany construction, including the set, mahogany neck gives great sustain; every note is warm and lasting. Great bass tone comes from a pair of 442R Alnico bass humbucker pickups. The Pitch Black finish and blacked-out hardware complete the attitude.

Price:

US $152.50 (15 Bids) End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 13:36:24 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $6.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 15:32:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

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The Thunderbird bass is a staple of rock and heavy metal bands everywhere. Gibson Thunderbirds cost an arm and a leg (well, Gibson’s always do…) but Epiphone Tbirds are very very affordable, and they just happen to sound great! Really great!

A fine looking bass, no mistake, and one that simply screams rock

• Four string electric bass guitar in vintage sunburst with classic shape and a classic sound
• Alder body with bolt-on maple neck
• Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays; 34-inch scale
• Dual TB Plus Humbucker pickups
• Black hardware, volume and tone controls

Featuring both a classic shape and a classic sound, the 4-string Epiphone Thunderbird IV bass guitar in vintage sunburst finish has a reverse body styling, carved top and the Thunderbird insignia on the pickguard. The alder wood body and generous bolted maple neck work together to deliver warm bass tone with plenty of attack from the dual TB Plus Humbucker pickups. Other features include a 34-inch scale, rosewood fingerboard with dotted inlay, 1.73-inch nut width, volume and tone controls, and black hardware.

List Price: $ 499.00

Price:

So why are the Epiphones so much cheaper than the Gibsons? Well they are not made in America, but is that it? Some friends of mine over at Fly Guitars suggested the following (they know everything you need to know about old Gibson basses there):

The primary difference between a Gibson Thunderbird  and an Epiphone Thunderbird is the construction method. The Gibson has a mahogany/walnut through-neck design, with mahogany wings – the Epiphone maple neck is bolted to the alder body, more akin to a Fender. The Epiphone is considerably easier to make.

Nothing says rock like a Thunderbird, and both the Gibson and Epiphone versions sound terrific. When you consider the price too, the Epiphone is the real winner. Rock!

US $4.97 End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 3:32:33 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $249.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 10:32:02 PST Buy It Now for only: US $249.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

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Check out these great vintage guitar resources

• Gibson Thunderbird – vintage Thunderbird information at FlyGuitars.com

For this months GuitarFact bass guitar review we’re going to have a closer look at this Ibanez bass

Quite a good looking Ibanez bass for sure; black on black underlying it’s rock credentials, but how does it play?

• PHAT II active bass boost offers additional
• low-end power on all GSR200 models
• GSR offers famous Soundgear pro comfort and playability at “entry level” prices
• The GSR series includes the most affordable 5- and 6-string basses of any major brand
• Phat II active bass boost adds additional low-end power to the affordable GSR200 models.
• GSR200′s powerful Powersound pickups deliver full tones and strong low-end.

GSRs offer famous Soundgear sleekness, comfort, tone, and playability. GSR Mikro basses are perfect for anyone who needs a compact axe or the comfort of a smaller neck.

Great for rock, superb for metal, this Ibanez has to be played to be believed!

List Price: $ 285.70

Price:

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Some designs just don’t go out of fashion. Its been 46 years since Gibson redesigned the Les Paul, giving it those batwing cutaways and characteristic translucent cherry finish – and they haven’t looked back. Be it guitar or bass, the SG has attitude, and plenty of it.

Although the shape has seen continual use on guitars, Gibson didn’t produce a bass version for over 20 years. That was until 2005 when they launched the SG reissue bass.

But it hasn’t stopped there – as well as Cherry, White, Ebony, Canary Yellow, Coral Pink, Coral Blue, Silverburst, and faded finishes, there is the maple flamed-top SG Supreme, and a Supreme Fireburst.

Its not just looks that make a guitar; the SG reissue bass is proving a big hit for its sounds and playability too.

Manufacturer Gibson
Model SG Reissue Bass
Bass type Passive, 4 string
Neck 1 piece, glued in mahogany, 30 1/2″ scale
Fingerboard Rosewood, 20 frets
Body Mahogany
Pickups Gibson TB Plus Bass Humbucker, Mini Bass Humbucker
Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone

The SG basses were very popular in the 1960s, with models like the EB0 and EB3 selling in huge numbers; appearing in the hands of everyone from Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser to Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five. For more about the vintage Gibson basses, have a look at FlyGuitars.com.

So does the SG reissue live up to its predecessors reputation? Well yes, in fact it exceeds it! Whilst keeping the looks, construction and general sound of the EB basses, it simplifies the controls – no varitone switch to play up, and no extreme volume changes when you change to another setting.

It balances well, is lightweight whilst substantial and most of all has the classic deep rich sounds you expect from a Gibson.

There are two variations. The all mahogany SG Reissue bass, and the maple-topped SG supreme bass

The SG Reissue bass

Initially offered in Cherry, Ebony and White. A short time after the launch, three new colors were added to the line for export only (although these are stocked at certain online retailers). Coral Pink, Coral Blue and Canary Yellow. Check here for availability. The latest colors are Heritage Cherry Sunburst and Silverburst >more

Gibson have now put out a limited SG Faded bass. Available in Worn Brown (shown) and Worn Cherry. Really reminiscent of the early seventies walnut basses. These have the same hardware as the other basses, yet sell for a few hundred dollars cheaper, simply by having a thinner finish. >more

Gibson SG Supreme Bass

This bass came out in 2007 as Gibsons 1st Guitar of the Week. It really is diferent from the Reissues – the thick maple top gives this bass far more punch than its all mahogany sibling, but it is also more ornate, with an inlaid headstock, and block inlays. As a GOW it is limited to a production run of just 400. >more

The fireburst version is Gibsons Guitar of the Week from week 18, although in other respects is the same as the Natural version. Again just 400 were made. >more

 So there we have it. An absoutely iconic design, with versions to suit traditionalists, those on a budget, and those who prefer the brightness of maple, over the warmth of mahogany

Try one out!

• Read about classic Gibson basses at the FlyGuitars.com