Gibson SG Bass Review
Picture of the bass before it came to me from Sweetwater. Note the original Gibson three-point bridge.
Pros:
High-quality mahogany body for warm and resonant tone
Short 30.5” scale length makes quick, intricate runs a breeze
Thick, chunky neck for a great feel in hands
Medium jumbo frets help with playing ease and speed
Comes with hardshell case for protection during transport
Cons:
Original Gibson three-point bridge was a letdown, but easily replaceable with a Hipshot bridge
Expensive ($1799 Including Hardshell Case)
My SG bass post bridge and string replacement.
I recently acquired the Gibson SG Bass and I have to say, I am blown away by this instrument! It's my first 30.5" short-scale 4-string bass guitar, and I couldn't be happier with it. The body of the bass is made from high-quality mahogany, which gives it a warm and resonant tone. The glossy nitrocellulose lacquer finish in the classic ebony color is absolutely stunning and adds a touch of class to the overall design. The lightweight design of the bass makes it incredibly comfortable to play, even for long periods of time, and the thick, chunky neck gives it a great feel in your hands.
The fingerboard is crafted from rosewood and features acrylic trapezoid inlays. The medium jumbo frets, which are much thinner than what I've seen on other basses, help with playing ease and speed. This is a huge plus for me, as I find it easier to navigate the neck and play faster solos. The rosewood fingerboard provides a warm and inviting tone that is sure to delight any player.
The replacement Hipshot bridge that I installed really improves the overall tone and playability of the bass, as well as makes string changes and set-up so much less painful.
The pickups on the Gibson SG Bass are something else! The rhythm SG Bass Humbucker in the neck position has a nice, warm tone that is perfect for laying down the foundation of your sound. The lead SG Bass Humbucker in the bridge position is punchy and cuts through with clarity, making it ideal for solos and lead lines. Although the original Gibson three-point bridge was a bit of a letdown, I quickly swapped it out for a Hipshot bridge, and the difference was night and day. The Hipshot bridge made the bass easier to play and improved the overall tone. I think Gibson should consider using these as standard on all their basses.
The Gibson short-scale right next to my Warwick medium-scale bass (check out the review I wrote for it HERE)
I replaced the stock strings with a set of lighter Rotosound strings, and it was the best decision I've made for this instrument. The lighter strings made a huge difference in the overall sound, bringing out the hidden bright tones of the neck pickup. The strings were incredibly easy to install, and I was able to get back to playing in no time.
Absolutely gorgeous inlay work on the headstock!
In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Gibson SG Bass to any player looking for a fantastic short-scale bass. It comes with a hardshell case and all the specs you need to get started. The attention to detail in the design and construction of this bass is evident in every aspect, from the mahogany body to the glossy nitrocellulose lacquer finish. If you're in the market for a new bass, do yourself a favor and give the Gibson SG Bass a try!
Thank you again to Sweetwater for sending along professional-quality pictures of the bass when I purchased it!
