gibson vs. epiphone T-bird bass

[12Ax7]

so i was thinking of picking up a new bass when i get my tax return check and have always liked the t-bird style bass. I have looked at both brands and so far the only thing i can really see in difference is about $900 u.s.d. in price. So my question to you guys and gals is. Is the gibson worth the extra money or should i just get the epiphone and save a huge chunk of change? Also does anyone own one or has played one and if so what are your thoughts? Or should i just forget the t-bird and just get a music man stingray HH bass? Your thoughts and comments are welcome

[Horselover Fat]

I would get the music man, the epiphone t-bird is not that great, it's alright but not that great. Or maby look into an ibanez.

[EssJay]

Go try out some t-birds at stores and see what you think, most people will complain about the neck dive, but I'm used to it since my current bass is a little neck heavy.
They're the kind of basses that do sound muddy when played fingerstyle but great with a pick, so keep that in mind, but I have heard a couple of people say that the epiphone sounds better for fingerstyle playing. And alot of people will say they're not very good basses for slap playing, just depends on how they're set up I've found.
I don't personally like active pickups, so to me that would rule out the stingray (as far as I know they're all active). But just go and try both out, I think they're great basses. I'd buy a gibson if I had the cash, but recently I've been drawn more towards the fender P's.

[Horselover Fat]

Go try out some t-birds at stores and see what you think, most people will complain about the neck dive, but I'm used to it since my current bass is a little neck heavy.
They're the kind of basses that do sound muddy when played fingerstyle but great with a pick, so keep that in mind, but I have heard a couple of people say that the epiphone sounds better for fingerstyle playing. And alot of people will say they're not very good basses for slap playing, just depends on how they're set up I've found.
I don't personally like active pickups, so to me that would rule out the stingray (as far as I know they're all active). But just go and try both out, I think they're great basses. I'd buy a gibson if I had the cash, but recently I've been drawn more towards the fender P's.

why have you been drawn to fender p's? they are utter shit, basically the worst bass on the market.

[12Ax7]

Go try out some t-birds at stores and see what you think, most people will complain about the neck dive, but I'm used to it since my current bass is a little neck heavy.
They're the kind of basses that do sound muddy when played fingerstyle but great with a pick, so keep that in mind, but I have heard a couple of people say that the epiphone sounds better for fingerstyle playing. And alot of people will say they're not very good basses for slap playing, just depends on how they're set up I've found.
I don't personally like active pickups, so to me that would rule out the stingray (as far as I know they're all active). But just go and try both out, I think they're great basses. I'd buy a gibson if I had the cash, but recently I've been drawn more towards the fender P's.

thanks, I already own a fender american P bass and its a good bass for what it's worth( a simple good sounding bass with minimal features) but i think ill go with the stingray and pick up the old ampeg SVT amp sitting at the music local music store while i'm at it

[EssJay]

why have you been drawn to fender p's? they are utter shit, basically the worst bass on the market.

I love the body shape, neck and the tone. It's simple yet works for just about any style of music and has a little bit of a muddy sound, which I like. I don't play slap, just fingerstyle and mostly blues/hard rock/metal music, which are styles I don't think a completely clean tone sound too well in.
If they didn't cost so much I'd love to get a Rickenbaker 4003 though.

[Hyper-dimension]

If you want a great bass, that also looks swell, do yourself a favor and save up the money for a Rickenbacher 4000-series.

[psycho_8b]

I'm not a bass player...I'll get that out in the open now.

However I am an avid Gibson fan...I have an SG and God damn do I fucking love it!
I also have an Epiphone Les Paul...Allbeit it's been in pieces for the past 6 months (waiting for spring to lacquer the thing properly. Long story.) but out of the two I got a better sound from the SG.

Best advice I can give is what Essjay said...Go to a shop and try some out to find one you like.

On he whole, Gibson vs Epiphone is like this...Epiphone are Gibsons that didn't meet the quality check...Gibsons have better materials, better build quality and better parts.

My personal advice...Listen to Essjay.

[Hyper-dimension]

I'm not a bass player...I'll get that out in the open now.

However I am an avid Gibson fan...I have an SG and God damn do I fucking love it!
I also have an Epiphone Les Paul...Allbeit it's been in pieces for the past 6 months (waiting for spring to lacquer the thing properly. Long story.) but out of the two I got a better sound from the SG.

Best advice I can give is what Essjay said...Go to a shop and try some out to find one you like.

On he whole, Gibson vs Epiphone is like this...Epiphone are Gibsons that didn't meet the quality check...Gibsons have better materials, better build quality and better parts.

My personal advice...Listen to Essjay.

I don't remember the model name for Gibson's SG-type bass, but I do know it is a short-scale bass, having a 32" neck, versus your typical 36". The overall sound it produces is odd. Of course, the greatest bassist to ever live, Jack Bruce, plays one, so I guess it can't be all that bad.

[Lanny]

When it comes to basses go for the fender jazz, It's fun as shit to play and pretty damn versital, don't let the name fool you, its good for a LOT more then just jazz.

[EssJay]

I don't remember the model name for Gibson's SG-type bass, but I do know it is a short-scale bass, having a 32" neck, versus your typical 36". The overall sound it produces is odd. Of course, the greatest bassist to ever live, Jack Bruce, plays one, so I guess it can't be all that bad.

Gibson EB. I don't mind them, the old ones sound fucking awesome, but after trying one out I just found the neck to be rather uncomfortable, just seem a bit too wide I thought. The Ibanez EB rip off was actually even worse, the neck was thick as a mother fucker and wide.