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Description

The Gibson Les Paul Special Bass is an embodiment of classic design fused with modern playability, crafted for both seasoned professionals and aspiring bassists. This electric bass guitar brings the iconic Les Paul aesthetic to the lower frequencies, delivering a rich, warm tone that is unmistakably Gibson. Its mahogany body provides a solid feel, resonating with deep, punchy sounds that cut through any mix. The set neck construction enhances sustain and stability, ensuring that every note you play is full-bodied and consistent.

Equipped with a pair of powerful pickups, the Les Paul Special Bass offers a versatile sonic palette. The neck pickup captures smooth, mellow tones perfect for jazz and blues, while the bridge pickup delivers sharp, biting sounds ideal for rock and funk. The bass features a user-friendly control layout, allowing for intuitive adjustments to volume and tone, enabling you to dial in your exact sound with ease. The rosewood fingerboard adds to the instrument's classic appeal and provides a smooth playing surface for fast, agile fingerwork.

Whether you're laying down grooves in the studio or commanding the stage, the Gibson Les Paul Special Bass is engineered to meet the demands of any musical setting. Its timeless design, coupled with modern enhancements, makes it a standout choice for musicians who seek both style and substance.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body for deep, resonant tones
  • Set neck construction for enhanced sustain
  • Dual pickups for versatile sound options
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Intuitive control layout for easy sound customization

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Special Bass.

Build quality

  • Some owners report the Les Paul Special Bass is unbalanced, despite having the same body size as the guitar version.

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  • The bass is noted for its heft, with solid mahogany construction contributing to its weight, making it less suitable for players with back issues.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The Babicz full contact bridge is praised for tone transfer but noted as complicated to install on certain models.

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  • Replacing stock pickups with humbucker-sized P90s and performing a full rewire can significantly improve sound quality.

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  • Some users recommend looking into Reverend Guitars, specifically the Dub King model, for a similar vibe with better ergonomics and comfort.

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Value and pricing

  • Gibson Les Paul basses from the 60s and 70s can command prices over $2,000, while Epiphone versions range from $300-$600.

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Features and functionality

  • The cherry sunburst finish is polarizing, with some preferring more subtle bursts like honey or tobacco.

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  • The short scale version has a neck pickup placed too close to the neck, resulting in a muddy tone that may not suit all styles.

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Comparisons

  • The Epiphone Embassy offers a similar body style to an LP Junior but with better balance and sound, making it a recommended alternative.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Les Paul Bass is praised for its unique tone in specific tracks like Fiona Apple's "Sleep to Dream," highlighting its strength in low midrange tones.

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User experience

  • Owners describe the bass as being "cool-looking" but not ideal for fast playing due to its heavy weight and chunky neck similar to a P bass.

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Critic Reviews

Les Paul Special Bass Review: The only other bass I want to add my collection (of... | Gibson | Bass Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Gibson Les Paul Special Bass delivers an impressive blend of reliability, durability, and playability that has won over its owner. With a flawless build quality and superb tonal versatility, it stands out against more common bass models. However, some may feel that its design, which closely resembles a guitar, detracts from its identity as a bass. While the owner has no regrets, they acknowledge that not everyone will appreciate the aesthetics. Ultimately, this bass shines in performance but might not win over traditionalists concerned with form over function.

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Artist usage

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See how Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud uses Gibson Les Paul Special Bass

Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud

Bassist

Mayhem

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Verified via Photo

Necrobutcher uses the early '90s era Gibson Les Paul Special bass. This bass is his original Les Paul bass from 90's.

See how Alec John Such uses Gibson Les Paul Special Bass

Alec John Such

Bassist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

In this life performance with Paul Rodgers, Such plays a Gibson Les Paul bass, most prominently shown off at 4:40.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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