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Average Price: $950

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$1001+

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Description

Celebrating Gibson's 120th anniversary, the GIBSON SG SPECIAL BASS offers a blend of vintage charm and modern playability. Crafted from mahogany, this bass boasts a warm, resonant tone that complements its short-scale neck, making it an ideal choice for players seeking a comfortable and swift playing experience. Whether you're a guitarist dabbling in bass, a musician with smaller hands, or simply prefer a lighter instrument, this bass delivers with ease.

Equipped with a duo of Gibson's renowned humbucker pickups, this bass guitar provides a powerful and versatile sound. The TB+ and TB Mini pickups, driven by premium ceramic magnets, ensure your sound is as rich or as punchy as your music demands. With individual volume and tone controls, you have the flexibility to tailor your sound to any genre—be it rock, jazz, or metal.

The SG Special Bass features a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, evoking the aesthetics of a well-aged classic while enhancing the instrument's tonal qualities. The instrument's SG-style body not only provides a comfortable playing experience but also adds to its iconic look.

Key Features:

  • Short-scale (30") neck for ease of play and enhanced tonal richness
  • Mahogany body and neck offering a warm, resonant tone
  • Equipped with two powerful humbucking pickups for versatile sound
  • Nitrocellulose lacquer finish for a vintage feel and enhanced tonality
  • 120th Anniversary inlay at the 12th fret
  • Chrome 3-point bridge and Grover Shamrock tuners for tuning stability
  • Includes a hardshell case for protection
Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Gibson 2014 SG Special Bass Demo

Video thumbnail for Gibson 2014 SG Special Bass Demo by Guitar Center

Gibson 2014 SG Special Bass Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for 2014 Gibson SG Special Bass - Demo Review by That Dam Fly

2014 Gibson SG Special Bass - Demo Review

That Dam Fly

That Dam Fly

Video thumbnail for 2014 Gibson SG Bass Special Demo by Houstonbassdemo

2014 Gibson SG Bass Special Demo

Houstonbassdemo

Houstonbassdemo

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about GIBSON SG SPECIAL BASS 120TH ANNIVERSARY.

User experience

  • Owners note that the SG bass's short scale and tighter string spacing (around 17mm) are often more comfortable than the typical 19mm spacing of Fender basses.

    Source
  • Players note that while the SG bass excels in producing a fat, midrangy sound, it may not offer much tone variation, making it ideal for specific musical contexts.

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  • Some players find the neck dive concerns overblown, suggesting it may not affect all users equally.

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Comparisons

  • The Gibson SG bass's tone is likened to the bass sound on the "Wings Over America" album, providing a deep yet midrangy sonic character.

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  • Some owners find the Epiphone SG bass offers a similar experience at a more affordable price, with options for both short and full-scale versions.

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  • The EB-3 version of the SG bass features an additional bridge pickup for a brighter sound compared to the darker EB-0 model.

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Use cases and applications

  • The SG bass is praised for its ability to produce reggae/dub sounds, especially when paired with tape-wound strings for a less boomy tone.

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  • The SG bass is favored for its ability to produce a specific deep tone that works well for emulating 60s Cream and Jack Bruce sounds.

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  • The SG bass excels in providing a deep, muddy tone suitable for rock and grunge music but is less ideal for funk and slap styles.

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Features and functionality

  • The SG bass's neck humbucker is commonly known as the "Mudbucker," contributing to its signature deep, growling tone suitable for rock and hip hop.

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  • The SG Special Bass has a lightweight design that some find comfortable despite prevalent neck dive issues.

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  • The modern SG bass uses Thunderbird rail pickups, offering a more versatile sound than the original Mudbucker.

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Build quality

  • Some owners report that the headstock is susceptible to breakage, particularly due to the bass's tendency to fall over.

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  • Worn finish models may require fret dressing and exhibit inconsistent construction quality.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Hipshot bridges are recommended replacements for the stock bridge to address setup and tuning issues.

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  • Curtis Novak pickups are recommended for improved sound clarity, particularly if the bass has a gloss finish.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The 3-point bridge design is highly criticized and often replaced with a Hipshot bridge for better stability and intonation.

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  • One owner reported intonation problems after two weeks, especially above the 12th fret, necessitating self-maintenance skills.

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Artist usage

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See how Dave Dreiwitz uses GIBSON SG SPECIAL BASS 120TH ANNIVERSARY

Dave Dreiwitz

Bassist

Ween

...
Verified via Photo

In this instagram post uploaded by Dave, you can clearly see the 120th anniversary marker on the 12th fret of the SG Gibson Bass.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use GIBSON SG SPECIAL BASS 120TH ANNIVERSARY, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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thenerdbass

thenerdbass

Gear IQ 939

thenerdbass

thenerdbass

Gear IQ 939

thenerdbass

thenerdbass

Gear IQ 939

thenerdbass

thenerdbass

Gear IQ 939

thenerdbass

thenerdbass

Gear IQ 939

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