Gibson bass guitars

Justin with Gibson RD Artist bass
"It's got flatwounds that are ancient...great, 'cardboard' sort of tone"

FlyGuitars What was your first Gibson bass or Gibson bass experience?

JMJ A very weird one. I saw an RD Artist at a shop in LA years ago and was blown away by how it looked. Then I picked it up and felt immediately disheartened, because it weighed as much as an SVT cabinet. But the tone was very attractive, and I've used it on various records to good effect...Beck stuff, Ima Robot, and a nice prominent feature on Marianne Faithful's single Sex With Strangers from a few years back. It's got flatwounds that are ancient...great, "cardboard" sort of tone.

FlyGuitars What Gibson basses do you own now and can you tell us what you like or dislike about them?

JMJ I found another RD artist that looked the same as my other one, and I bought it so I could do one with roundwounds. Turns out it is a sequential serial number after my original one. It's rad, but also heavy beyond compare. Those are great basses, just kind of noisy. The compressor and treble boost are useless to me, but the basic tone is cool, particularly with flats. I've got two mid '70's Rippers; one maple, one black. Love those. Also three Thunderbirds that are from around 1999-2000 eras. One is pelham blue, another natural burst, another natural. They have been worked over pretty severely, with bone nuts, Badass bridges, and chrome new old stock pickups I got from Japan. They sound and play incredible. Oh - and I've got an Epiphone Newport - kind of like an EB-0. Nice.

Ebony Ripper and late 90s natural Thunderbird.
The thunderbird has "been worked over pretty severely, with bone nut, Badass bridge, and chrome new old stock pickups"

FlyGuitars Do you find yourself having a favorite Gibson bass?

JMJ My favorite is the natural T-Bird, which is by now quite beat up, but I feel very close to it, and seem to have the ability to play things on it that I can't do on other basses.

FlyGuitars Do you do your own work on your basses?

JMJ I can do setups, but not much else. I have a guy who can really do fine things for me and put back together broken stuff, things like that.

FlyGuitars What recordings have you used Gibson basses on?

JMJ Ima Robot, Beck, Marianne Faithful, Garbage, Macy Gray, Ken Andrews, and quite a few more. They are in constant use. When I do a session, I have my cartage company bring a couple of Gibsons along always.

FlyGuitars Do you ever use Gibson basses in the live setting and with what bands?

JMJ Yeah, with Beck I use my '74 maple Ripper live, my natural T-Bird, and my RD Artist with flatwounds. With Ima Robot, I almost exclusively used the T-Bird; I think most all footage or photos from my time in the band feature me with that bass.

[See youtube clips]

FlyGuitars What varitone (or other) settings do you use with your Rippers? How would you describe it's tone?

JMJ Ripping. Lots of midrange "note", and a warm, round bottom. Position one on chicken head, treble knob rolled down to 7.

Playing live with Beck - image courtesy of Losanjealous.com

FlyGuitars Do you find a big tone difference between the Ebony & Maple Rippers? Which is your favourite?

JMJ Not at all, surprisingly. The natural one is best, it plays better and is a little less beat.

FlyGuitars One other Gibson bass that you own is a 1980s model, the headless 20:20. Tell us about that.

JMJ My 20/20 is living in the garage. Plays good. It has a very punchy sound, good for live, it's not my bag in the studio, because the DI sound has that "active" tone that I dislike, but it sounds pretty rad going through an SVT and two 8x10's. It looks pretty retarded, i'm quite fond of it in that Roland G-77/Steinberger way, both of which I also own and have played live. The problem is, when my tech and I do bass changes, the preamp has a 4-5 second delay before it starts functioning after you plug in a 1/4". Strange.

FlyGuitars Do you raise eyebrows by bringing a Gibson Bass to a studio gig in a Fender world and have you run into Gibson bass prejudice?

JMJ No, not really. In LA, the people I work with are very open-minded. It's an easy-going scene, and people love hearing different tones too.

FlyGuitars Have you tried any of Gibsons newer basses? Any Gibson basses you have your eye on acquiring?

JMJ Just the T-birds I mentioned. I like super deep sounds, so an EB2 is probably in my future as is an EB-0, if I can find some for reasonable prices someday. I also like the Casady.

Youtube Video Clips
Justin with Ima Robot - click the images to view clips

Two videos by the Ima Robot in which Justin uses a 1999 Thunderbird. Left - Alive. Right - Dynomite

Gibson bass guitars for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
 
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more

Gibson L9S RIPPER 1976 Electric Guitar USA Vintage Rare Maple with Hard Case

Chesterfield, Virginia, 238**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

I bought this guitar around 1982. I played it in the high school marching band. It is a marvelous instrument that has always deserved a better player than myself. That being said, my only consolation in letting it go is that whoever owns it next plays the hell out it. They didn't call this model the Ripper for nothing and rock stars have long sought after this model built during this time. It sounds beautiful and it is painful for me to sell it. But I don't play it often and my home air ... more

Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan

New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan.
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
... more

1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13495

These 2nd issue ??Non-Reverse?? Thunderbird??s & Firebird??s were so far ahead of time & very few were ever made comparatively to Fender??s P & J Basses. Most all T??bird??s were available in a Sunburst finish. But some were ordered in their select Custom Colors. This particular example was ordered in Gibson??s most luv??d optional color of Pelham Blue all over its neck & body. Very little yellowing but she??s has plenty of playtime wear. These tend to get funky from playing in ... more

2022 Gibson Thunderbird IV "Rex Brown" Signature Bass cool clean & unplayed !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

Multi-instrumentalist Rex Brown is well-known for his work with legendary metal bands Pantera, Down, and Kill Devil Hill, and his hard-rocking solo album, Smoke on Thisâ??¦ His mint Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird bass features a mahogany neck and body, and gold hardware with a Hipshot bridge and tuners (including a Drop D Xtender). A pair of powerful Rexbucker T-Bird pickups provide plenty of output and low-end punch. The master tone control is equipped with a push / pull switch that ... more

Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
Crafted with precision and care, this mute is made to last. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar ... more

1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass Sunburst

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3999

Very good condition 1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass. All original, outside of the removal of the Moog electronics. Original pickups sound MASSIVE and have tons of low end on tap. Really a special bass from Gibson that was not made that long. Original sunburst finish looks great on this specific bass. Some signs of play as pictured, but nothing crazy. All electronics have been tested to be working perfectly. Recently set up as well. Kept in a smoke free, pet free studio for recording purposes. Comes ... more

Gibson Nikki Sixx Signature Blackbird Thunderbird Bass

Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

This Gibson Nikki Sixx Signature Blackbird Thunderbird is a dream come true for any rockstar. With a right-handed design, this electric bass guitar is perfect for those who want to take their music to the next level. The body is made of mahogany, giving it a warm and rich sound that is perfect for any occasion. The satin black color adds a touch of elegance to the instrument, making it a true beauty
The fretboard is made of ebony, which adds a unique touch to the guitar. The neck material ... more

1978 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric (MOOG) Bass + OHSC

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

1978 Gibson RD Artist Bass Guitar + Original Gibson Hardshell Case
" NATURAL BLONDE" FINISH
GIBSON NORLIN-ERA
Original MOOG ELECTRONICS
Made in USA (Kalamazoo Plant, MI)
Production # 102 (April 17th release)
Adult owned only. Children-free, Pet-free household. Kept inside case when not used

Up for sale is a BEAUTIFUL LATE-70's Gibson Bass Guitar (RD ARTIST)
EXCELLENT overall vintage condition. Standard surface scratches, light dings, marks on front / back body / ... more

Gibson RD Artist MOOG 1978 Natural Maple 4-String Bass w / HSC (Used)

Sedalia, Missouri, 653**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Has light wear and scratches from being played. Overall in great condition with no major wear or dings. Has typical flat Gibson style frets. Overall in great condition. Have some light wear but no divoting or anything to worry about. Screws for battery compartment cover have been swapped with flat head screws (as seen in photos). Corner of back plate is chipped (as seen in photos). Expander Sensitivity Control on back plate is missing the plastic cap. It does work and is accessible. Strap ... more

1978 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric (MOOG) Bass + OHSC

Healdsburg, California, 954**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2800

The 1977 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric Bass. fantastic shape for it's age Guitar is a vintage instrument known for its association with Moog synthesizers. This right-handed bass features a solid maple body in a natural blonde finish, with a maple fretboard. The 4-string configuration and Artist series designation indicate a high-quality build, made in the United States. This bass comes with its original hardshell case, adding to its collectible value. A classic choice... more

Gibson RD Standard bass Maple Wood 1977 PERFECT

Oakland, California, 946**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2895

RD Standard Gibson electric bass, all maple wood
This fantastic instrument was made in 1977, is all original and is in superb almost-new condition!
It has very easy action but does not buzz on the neck. In my opinion it does not need an action set-up. It plays perfectly as is. It was my best friend's brother's who was the sole owner and it has spent most of its time stored in its case
The serial Number is 72697004. This means it was made on the 269th day of 1977 (September 26th,... more

Gibson RD Artist Bass

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 279**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999

1978 (February 25, #117) Gibson RD Artist Series Bass Guitar in very good condition. Lightly played with all original parts and electronics. All switches and knobs work smoothly without crackle or static. Minor blemishes and scuffs from playing, no deep gouges or scrapes. Hamer brand case is clean inside, needs some hardware but is functional. Medium heavy flat-wound strings on it now. Sounds like a beast!! Case kept, non-smoking home.
... more

Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976

Balanod, 39***, FRANCE

€2550

Superbe basse Fretless Gibson "The Ripper" L-9-SF Black, touche ébène, en très bon état. ~ 1976Configuration d'origine passive avec 2 micros humbuckers Bill Lawrence d'origine, sélecteur 4 positions d'origine, réglages Volume, Treble et Tone. Potentiomètres "CTS" et condensateurs "TAD Mustard" neufs. Chevalet d'origine avec pontets laiton réglables en hauteur individuellement. Etui d'origine usagé inclus
... more

Metallica??s Jason Newsted Owned And Played Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1987

Meidrim, SA33***, UNITED KINGDOM

£7900

This bass was owned and played by Jason Newsted. I bought this bass from a renowned auction house in the US in 2022. I have documents to prove authenticity and legitimacy. Please ask if you are seriously interested

The bass is in excellent condition. It has some marks of use, but I guess this is what you are looking for when owing a celebrity owned instrument

I am a huge Metallica fan, but I am a guitarist and do not play bass very often. An instrument needs to be used, ... more

Gibson Thunderbird non reverse Inverness green

London, W5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1400

i m selling this beautyful gibson thunderbird non reverse in MINT condition, action low very good playability, low action thunderous tone, is complete with all the papers and cerification, i bought the bass new from guitar guitar.... more

Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial 1979 - Natural

London, N13***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3185

Weight: 9 73 lbs
Brilliant Thunderbird that has seen some action plays and sounds incredible, it's definitely not for the faint hearted. The neck has small crack repair which has been very solid for long time, viewing strongly recommended on this one. Comes in a suitable but not original hard case
... more

Gibson Thunderbird IV READY TO GIG

Nocera Superiore, 84***, ITALY

€6990

Thunderbird IV Bass, READY TO GIG This instrument has had its neck and headstock replaced , repainted in black ,the diameter of the nut is 10 cm 1\2 on the first fretthe serial number, engraved on the replaced headstock, is 21 81 20, the frets have been transferred on the new neck, Everything else, regarding the body it has been repositioned .The potentiometers have been replaced, they are not the original onesThe "soapbar" pickups are original and unmistakable in sound, I supply the replaced ... more

Orginal Gibson Thunderbird Bass 76

Göppingen, 73***, GERMANY

€3690

Gibson Bass Thunderbird 76 in Sunburst !
Zum 200 jährigen Unabhängigkeitstag der USA brachte Gibson 1976 den " Limitierte Thunderbird Bass" auf den Markt
Er zeichnet sich mit seinem kellertiefen Basssound perfekt aus Ein angenehmer " Jott Bass" ähnlicher Ton der Wohlbefinden auslöst
Dieser Bass ist eine aus der " Limitierten Ausgabe" mit der Serien-Nr. 06240249 von 1977 von der nur 605 gebaut wurden
Der Bass ist eine Rarität im guten Zustand, der kaum noch zu finden ist ... more

1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€333

1974 GIBSON case for RIPPER & GRABBER models:
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ rips & material missing at the plastic surround
+ strap that holds case open has a rip
+ deep purple interior, has some wear
+ all latches work fine
+ handle is gone
+ top of case is at headstock front resting on the bottom part=NOT OVRRLAPPING AS USUAL
+ all feet on back are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK ... more

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co