Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
3.5 (3)
$1,999.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (3)
$1,999.00
Musician's Friend
4.0 (6)
$1,999.00
zZounds
5.0 (3)
$1,999.00
Thomann
4.4 (5)
$1,745.00 $1,733.00 $12.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£1,699.00

Average Price: $1,946

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson SG Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony, an iconic solidbody bass that's a favorite among avid musicians and beginners alike. Known for its distinctive looks, sound, and feel, the Gibson SG Bass is a must-have addition to any music collection.

This SG Bass features a short 30" scale length, a signature characteristic that contributes to its unique, robust tone. Preferred by smaller players for its comfortable size, this short scale bass is also recognized for its strong fundamental tone.

To complement its distinctive sound, the Gibson SG Bass is fitted with a pair of calibrated SG bass pickups at the neck and bridge. These dual humbucking pickups deliver the classic Gibson bass growl, making this instrument perfect for any music genre. Each pickup comes with individual volume and master tone controls, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities.

The Gibson SG Bass is not just about sound; it's also about comfort and playability. The solid mahogany body comes with deeply sculpted scarfing, while the rounded profile mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard provide a familiar, comfortable feel.

The vintage-looking nitrocellulose finish adds to the authenticity of this bass, making it a true classic. Lastly, each Gibson SG Bass comes with a hardshell case with plush interior and sturdy latches, ensuring your bass is protected whether on the road or in storage.

Key Features:

  • Short 30" scale for solid, fundamental tone
  • Solid mahogany body with deeply sculpted scarfing
  • Rounded profile mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard
  • Dual humbucking pickups with individual volume and master tone controls
  • Vintage-looking nitrocellulose finish
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection during travel and storage

Product specs

Available since October 2018
Colour Black
Body Mahogany
Neck Mahogany
Fretboard Rosewood
Frets 20
Pickup System HH
Elektronic Passive
Incl. Case Yes
Incl. Gigbag No

FAQs

Is the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony is suitable for beginners due to its short 30-inch scale length, which makes it easier to play and more comfortable for those with smaller hands.

What type of pickups does the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony have?

The Gibson SG Bass - Ebony features a humbucking pickup system, providing a warm and rich tone with plenty of output for a variety of musical styles.

What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony?

The Gibson SG Bass - Ebony is constructed with a mahogany body and neck, and a rosewood fretboard, contributing to its warm and resonant sound.

Does the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony come with a case?

Yes, the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony includes a case, but it does not come with a gigbag.

How many frets does the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony have?

The Gibson SG Bass - Ebony features 20 frets, providing a comfortable range for playing various musical styles.

Is the Gibson SG Bass - Ebony a passive or active bass?

The Gibson SG Bass - Ebony is a passive bass, which means it does not require a battery for the electronics and offers a traditional, straightforward tonal character.

Reviews

PROS

  • Outstanding tone across the entire downscaled neck

  • Comes with a high-quality case and additional accessories

  • Lightweight and comfortable to play

  • Offers deep thump and vintage tone

  • Versatile sound, can mimic jazz bass tones

  • Aesthetically beautiful design

  • Comes perfectly set up upon arrival

  • Relatively affordable for a high-end instrument

CONS

  • Some units have poor finish quality, including wavy varnish

  • Neck dive issue, typical for this design

  • Neck pickup may be insecurely attached, causing clunking sounds

  • Some quality control issues with fretwork and varnish dripping

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • The bass features Thunderbird pickups which, unlike the classic EB-X series, provide a sound that's articulate with the bridge pickup and a powerful, velvety tone with the neck pickup.

    Source
  • The neck pickup position remains consistent with older models, maintaining a deep low end without the extreme muddiness of earlier versions.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Gibson SG Bass uses a three-point screw system for height adjustments, which is considered outdated and can lead to the bridge falling off during string changes.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners suggest replacing the neck pickup with a Dimarzio model for improved clarity.

    Source
  • Owners frequently replace the stock bridge with a Hipshot due to dissatisfaction with the original design.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The bass excels in genres like jazz, dub reggae, blues, and country with its neck pickup, while the bridge pickup adds punch suitable for punk and prog rock.

    Source
  • The bass can achieve a distinct low midrange, clicky tone that some players favor in certain musical contexts.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that neck dive is not an issue with a 3-inch suede strap and when the bass is worn higher on the body.

    Source
  • Due to its compact and lightweight design, some users find the SG Bass to be very comfortable for extended play sessions.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Gibson SG Bass is noted for being susceptible to headstock breakage, and some owners report that the thick poly finish can be brittle.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The EB-3 version with a bridge pickup offers a wider tone range than the EB-0, which is known for its darker sound.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Lemmy Kilmister uses Gibson SG Bass

Lemmy Kilmister

Bassist, Guitarist

Motörhead

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Cherry

In this user-uploaded photo, Lemmy Kilmister is performing live with a Gibson SG bass guitar.

See how Tobacco uses Gibson SG Bass

Tobacco

Singer, Guitarist

Black Moth Super Rainbow

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Walnut

In the live video "Tobacco - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)," Tobacco is seen performing with a Gibson SG Bass throughout the session. This performance was recorded in the KEXP studio on October 7, 2016.

See how Chris Baio uses Gibson SG Bass

Chris Baio

Singer, Guitarist

Vampire Weekend

...
Verified via Photo

This is a picture from a Vampire Weekend concert where you can see Chris playing a black SG bass

See how Bob Casale uses Gibson SG Bass

Bob Casale

Guitarist, Bassist

Devo

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video Bob Casale can he seen using Gerald Casale's bass guitar, a Gibson SG Bass Black.

See how Gerald Casale uses Gibson SG Bass

Gerald Casale

Singer, Bassist

Devo

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo Gerald Casale can be seen using Gibson SG Black Bass, he used this bass guitar for a majority of 1977 Devo performances.

See how Negative XP uses Gibson SG Bass

Negative XP

Guitarist

...
Verified via Twitter

Negative XP is known to use the Gibson SG Bass in Ebony for his recordings, as mentioned in his tweet.

See how Ricardo Iorio uses Gibson SG Bass

Ricardo Iorio

Singer, Bassist

Almafuerte

...
Verified via YouTube

During a rehearsal with the band Hermética, at 5:55 in the video titled "HERMETICA 91 ensayo Lomas del Mirador VIDEO JOAQUIN AMAT," Ricardo Iorio is seen using a Gibson SG Bass - Ebony. This footage is provided by canalcero on YouTube.

See how vincent rompies uses Gibson SG Bass

vincent rompies

Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the music video for "Gita Cinta" by Clubeighties, Vincent Rompies plays a Gibson SG Bass in Ebony.

L

Lorna Doom

Bassist, Composer

Germs

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Black

In the book, Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs, Pat Smear provides an excerpt on the origin of Lorna Dooms bass, >Lorna eventually bought a vintage Gibson SG bass for $100. The salesperson misread the tag, because the prices were all in code. A few days later, the store noticed the mistake and called us up, saying that the bass was stolen property, and to bring it back and they'd give us $100. Darby's mom called them and said, "If you sold these kids stolen property, I'm reporting you to the police!" They let us keep the bass.> (Mullen, Brendan, Don Bolles, and Adam Parfrey. Port Townsend, WA: Feral House, 2002, p. 45)

See how Matt Maust uses Gibson SG Bass

Matt Maust

Bassist

Cold War Kids

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture you can see Maust playing a black SG bass

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson SG Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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abrahamzetz

abrahamzetz

Gear IQ 130

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