Gibson Les Paul Jr. Tribute - Affordable Short Scale Redemption from Gibson? - LowEndLobster Review

[@RumblinMan]

Definitely has that classic Gibson tone to it. Doesn’t sound too much different than my old Grabber, but the LP has a slightly nicer brightness to it. That humbucker could really sound legit in a mix. Great review my friend!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks man!

[@angiep3883]

​@@LowEndLobster55

[@jeffmason8401]

I grabbed one of the blue ones of these when they cut the price to under $600. I have been gigging with it mostly since then. Gotta say, I am a fan. These things are light, no neck dive, the tone and coil splitting work great, the pickup is articulate. I use rounds on it and I can move from a 60s rock sound to something more contemporary through just diming the tone, pulling up the knob, and tweaking my amp (I use a Fender Rumble and switch from "Vintage" to "bright" and "contour" buttons, leaving EQ as is). Very very happy with mine.

[@LowEndLobster]

That's awesome! They're great little basses. Totally unexpected solidness out of left field from Gibson.

[@syngynm5237]

Jeff, I play with my thumb on the pick up and it fields kind of precarious. I love the this bass and I've been gigging with it for about 18 mos and playing my P bass less and less so I'm quite the fan, otherwise.

[@syngynm5237]

@@LowEndLobster Hey Lobster, did you notice if you play like I do and you press your thumb down on the pick up, it feels like it might move. I love this bass and gig with it a few times a month but I'm worried about damaging the pickup.

[@LowEndLobster]

@@syngynm5237 no. You might need better foam or springs if the pickup feels wobbly

[@syngynm5237]

@@LowEndLobster Thank you, Lobster... appreciate the response! There's still a local, privately owned music shop near me. The owner sets up my instruments and does the maintenance. Unless it is changing strings, I don't have the confidence to mess with things myself. Im going to ask him to look at it and I'll mention what you told me. I enjoy your vids. Lobster.

[@twinplane8735]

Oh man,this will be my next bass!! Thanks for this great review! Greetings from Gernany.

[@LowEndLobster]

Sweeet! It's one of my most favorite short scales, especially modded w/ the Serek pickup (in a different video)

[@twinplane8735]

@@LowEndLobster Now i also saw your review of the Sterling short scale bass,great too........ I ´m a Precision Player and I´m looking for a short scale bass for a new sound.Which one of the two,the Sterling or the Gibson,is your favourite?

[@LowEndLobster]

@@twinplane8735 The Gibson is my favorite (w/ serek pickup), but if you're looking for a different flavor from your P bass - go Sterling.

[@DanBerens2112]

Thanks LEL. Just what I was looking for and liked/subscribed. I look forward to checking out your other videos.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Dan! We actually have a mod project planned for this bass with a VERY special pickup :). Should be coming in the next handful of weeks!

[@a.k.9660]

Just played a Gibson SG bass and to my surprise I really liked the bridge pu sound. And the handling is awesome! A friend plays the SG with an Orange Terror Bass amp and an 8x10 cab in a psychedelic rock band and man... the air is moving :)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment! I've never played any of the Gibson SGs, but I have played an Epiphone EB-3 and was also surprised at the bridge pickup. Your friends setup sounds like it can really boom :).

[@rqkeating]

I think it would be really valuable to talk about neck dive when sitting and when using a strap for all your great bass reviews.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the suggestion Russell!

[@dinardo72]

Great review. You make me want to learn bass. I really liked the slapping...

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Joe!

[@tigerscott2966]

Another nice bass. The Jackson JS series is active and passive. Has dual humbuckers and a bypass switch. 4 string or 5 starting at $300.00

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Tiger! Definitely eyeing some jacksons for the future

[@dginta7932]

Another great review. Thanks!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks D!

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

My very first bass was a Memphis short scale. Would have loved to have one of these.

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice!

[@williamgwillam3908]

I have an eb3 strung with flats. But want to play one of these, sounds almost like a pbass.

[@LowEndLobster]

I'm not much of a Gibson fan, but these are really nice and well rounded for a short scale!

[@aleclynner1860]

What a sick bass!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Alec :)

[@snakeplissken44]

This one is right up my alley!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment Snake! What about it appeals to you?

[@therealpalo001]

I’ll be getting one and leaving the stock bridge on ,I love them.

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice! These are great basses. I have my opinions about the bridge, but the package overall for the bass is excellent.

[@noxtuboid1840]

@@LowEndLobster There's nothing wrong with the 3-point.

[@LowEndLobster]

@@noxtuboid1840 Eh, I disagree. However, at the end of the day we can choose to swap em or keep em! I'm glad there are great aftermarket options to replace the 3 point, and IMO I think it's a must but that's just my opinion :)

[@juliusschwencke142]

..hahaha I agree! The three point bridge is a side issue. It's all in the fingers anyway! Jack Bruce survived with a rudimentary bridge on his EB3 bass, why start moaning about it now? Does installing a Hipshot make one a better player? I doubt it. Onstage is where it happens, and I don't think people are going to judge me for being deficient for using a three point bridge. Live is where it's at..

[@LowEndLobster]

@@juliusschwencke142 Moaning about things is how improvements get implemented ;)

[@Zeleven87]

this is my favourite bass tone ever but I can't find any stock anywhere. damn this baby is a nice one.

[@LowEndLobster]

I know! These have disappeared from everywhere. I looove mine.

[@nigellacey559]

Wonder what the non tribute les paul bass is like.

[@therealpalo001]

I bought regular Ernie balls for my sg short scale they fit just cut the string ends.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! I know not all strings take kindly to being cut short.

[@ettolla1]

Hi LowEnd, Let me know if you ever get a chance to do a review on the Fender Japan junior collection Jb62 short scale? Thanks my man.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

If you want a fast, thin, neck on a Short Scale, try the Ibanez Mikro... 28.5" scale! The 5er is a surprisingly good bass @ ~$200

[@LowEndLobster]

I've been eyeing those. They look like fun! Those and the Talman short scale 5'ers look like good candidates for E-C tuning.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

@@LowEndLobster They are very fun, a bit of a challenge in the modding game, but if you check out some of the pics on the TB Mikro thread, some people have gone wild. I'm talking headless conversions and such...

[@thiagosiqueira9098]

Could someone help me by saying what are the width, depth and length measurements of this Les Paul Junior bass? I need this information to find out if I can use a guitar hardcase ...

[@LowEndLobster]

Sorry man, mine is with a friend otherwise I'd measure it out for you.

[@jeffmason8401]

I cannibalized a non branded Les Paul guitar case for mine and it was a perfect fit. I understand not all LP cases fit since it has the bigger tuners but you can definitely use some Les Paul cases to fit it.

[@armydilo13]

Another fantastic video! You ever plan on doing any giveaways? Or starting a paetreon

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Joel! I actually am planning several giveaways and contests, so keep your eyes peeled my friend! Patreon wise, definitely but going to wait to grow a bit more. I'm very fortunate to have a very solid full time job that allows me to have all these basses and free time, and I wouldn't feel right getting donations at this point in time especially when many others are struggling.

[@armydilo13]

@@LowEndLobster another reason to support you! You deserve more subs! I've been sharing you to anyone who i feel will enjoy !

[@LowEndLobster]

@@armydilo13 I appreciate that! Thanks again my friend!

[@aarondavis4341]

It'd be cool if you could make the pick up cover look chrome

[@LowEndLobster]

I believe you can by a chrome pickup cover that will swap in. The cover is not attached to the pickup, so it's an easy swap.

[@josephfelice8308]

I don't see why you couldn't carefully spray the plastic cover with chrome automotive paint. I have thought of that before reading your comment.

[@Fhurin]

These basses sound and look pretty killer, and I almost bought one. The thing that stopped me is that bloody floating three point bridge. I already have a Thunderbird with that bridge in my life, so why add more stress?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Major! Yeah the bridge design is really dumb, I wish they'd move past it already!

[@Fhurin]

@@LowEndLobster I've been looking at the Hipshot bridges that you installed on that Jack Casady bass. Seems like a small price to pay for a much more reliable bridge. Or, Gibson could listen to the critics and do it themselves

[@PorchBass]

Tried one, pulled all the notes out of tune with sausage fingers. Short scale needs a deft touch!

[@Basslightning666]

Any Gibson Bass is excellent, especially the SG Standard, T Bird, Les Paul, and Midtown Hollow body, etc.. I think the stock Babitz Bridges are fine, but to each their own.

[@PushSueAside]

Oh yeh!!! Not ibenez. Awesome. Yeh I think Gibson got this one right. Tho I like the ripper and gripper, they should stick to guitars. I'm not a big short scale fan, but the Jr. Seems really nice. Great video. Thank you for sharing. Have a great week. Still can't wait for the walnut Ric in depth vid. Btw hope you know I'm just playing with you about the ibenez's, I wouldn't comment just to complain. Cheers lobster

[@LowEndLobster]

Haha thanks Tommy! I should do that Ric Vic. I always appreciate your comments my friend!

[@PushSueAside]

LowEndLobster thank you rockstar, and I'm always happy to see a new video by lowEnd Lobster. 🤘

[@olivecool]

hey whats that gold one in the back with the white (chrome maybe, they just look white) pickups it looks pretty cool

[@LowEndLobster]

That's a Lakland Skyline Jerry Scheff signature, only made for a few years in the mid-2000's

[@golfboy83]

My second bass was also an EB-0, and I have the exact same opinions about it. I got rid of it about 15 years ago. I recently got another short scale though, a Gretch Junior Jet II, Its a much better instrument 👌

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Golfboy! I do noooot have fond memories of my Epi EB-0 hahahaha. I definitely want to check out those Gretch shorties, they look awesome and I hear great things!

[@golfboy83]

@@LowEndLobster the best thing about the EB-0 was how it looked, lol. It was beautiful.

[@keithpasculli7465]

Pretty cool bass but for the tones I heard I can think of quite a few other basses I would prefer although I will say that I was knocked out by the slap tone and I did not expect that; very different with that pickup and those strings.

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed. What impressed me most was the build quality (minus the fret ends but that was more of a mass storage issue with these) and the balance. The sale price of 6-700 makes these thing a very solid vintage-styled shortscale.

[@excismos8056]

LEL, I've just bought one of these because of this video! Could you tell me what gauge of Chrome Flats that you have going there, many thanks.

[@LowEndLobster]

45-100 short scale chromes :) congrats!

[@excismos8056]

@@LowEndLobster Now I've got the TI short scale flats and Hipshot 3 point bridge fitted, giving a nice range of very usable tones. I'm very happy with it apart from the less than good access to the very highest frets, but then I'm old school, so not too much of a problem..

[@LowEndLobster]

@@excismos8056 Nice! Enjoy the awesome bass!

[@therealpalo001]

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the stock bridge ,I never have any problems with my sg bass

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! I don't like the lack of individual string height adjustment, that being said they're less problematic here than the hollow body basses where the bridge and bridge ferrules would pull out of the body over time.

[@chuckblaisdell990]

oh boy , yeah ok , as a bassplayer that bought his first bass 56 years ago and has owned many a Gibson I can absolutely state that the stock bridge absolutely sucks , anybody that thinks this is swell is a definate candidate for a slot in a CreedenceClearwater Revival tribute band . Hipshot , hipshot or hipshot

[@m.f.3347]

Disagree, a Hipshot Supertone will run circles around the stock bridge

[@fredrikstadwhite]

Great review. I’m seriously considering one of these. Is that slab body comfortable to play?

[@LowEndLobster]

I find slabs comfortable, then again I also love playing my Stingray Classic with a slab body too haha. This one is comfy IMO, just popped it on my lap to confirm. The excellent balance and no neckdive is a nice plus as well

[@fredrikstadwhite]

@@LowEndLobster thanks for replying. Right, I think I need one. I love the sound of that bass bucker.

[@robertstapleton3598]

I Like that you compared to a P bass. That's very helpful. Thanks!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Robert!

[@vonicrimson3619]

Is it good for metal and or punk

[@LowEndLobster]

With some roundwounds, perhaps punk. IMO with Metal you'd want something a bit more aggressive sounding if it were up to me as the thunderbird style humbucker here is a bit warm and round overall.

[@vonicrimson3619]

@@LowEndLobster knowing myself I’d probably mod it, repaint it in a crazy color and throw a 2 band eq in it

[@LowEndLobster]

@@vonicrimson3619 hahaha I hear you man. I'm actually contemplating tossing a bisonic in this :)

[@savanaviolenta]

Sounds great

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks!

[@handybunny]

Nice bass!

[@bobt5778]

Great vid Lobster!I have an EB-0 now and love the neck profile, how does this compare with that?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Bob! Honestly, haven't played an EB-0 in like 15 years, and that was an Epi. I'd think this would be pretty true to the EB-0 neck profile. It feels really good.

[@bobt5778]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks Lobsta (I'm from Rhode Island).

[@LowEndLobster]

@@bobt5778 A newenglandah! Ahoy!

[@YvesBelliveau]

I'd say YOU slap pretty good

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Yves!

[@SonicXRage]

Don't hurt him!

[@ejmusicofficial]

What time of the year were they on sale?

[@LowEndLobster]

I think it was Summer. They had trouble moving these early on

[@henrysmithers7081]

Larry Graham! Get it son!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Henry!

[@jamesballinger5755]

What's the neck profile like?

[@LowEndLobster]

Very similar to a modern J-bass, kind of nice for a short scale.

[@dalemaus7189]

I have a 86 Gibson Epiphone 4 string bass

[@LowEndLobster]

Awesome! Which model? How do you like it?

[@dalemaus7189]

@@LowEndLobster it is a p bass and i picked it up for 70 bucks so i can learn because i'm disabled at the age of 53 so i thought i would try to learn the bass

[@LowEndLobster]

@@dalemaus7189 Awesome. Welcome to the wonderful world of bass :). Hope it brings you joy during this crazy time.

[@dalemaus7189]

@@LowEndLobster thank you and i love your Chanel

[@billybum417]

Balance on the lap hardly matters. Balance on a strap is the big question...?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Billy! I don't use a strap in my videos because there are many variables in strap balance including the type of strap and the build of the player. I think one can decently infer what the strap balance will be like when playing a bass on the lap, and this bass does balance extremely well!

[@billybum417]

@@LowEndLobster I disagree simply because the pivot point on your lap is completely different from the the suspension angle across the studs. But thanks for replying.

[@christophecasse1006]

What is the golden bass behind you ? (the one without a pickguard).... thank you

[@LowEndLobster]

Lakland Jerry Scheff. Vid coming on it soon :)

[@christophecasse1006]

@@LowEndLobster thank you

[@MegaBassfunk]

The Jam!

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes! And hair! I love me some Larry Graham. Good on you for noticing :)

[@andrewgriffiths315]

Hey Lobster, which bridge and flatwounds did you put on? I just picked one up, I love it but prefer flats!

[@ramshaar2597]

Cool.bass + cool bassist

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Ram!

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

What a righteous little bass. I must have one. I would love to see a version of this with 2 pickups, call it a Les Paul Special Tribute or whatever. But for the love of Calliope, Gibson, please put some covers on the Bass- bucker that are worthy of the Gibson name! It's a great pickup, sounds awesome, so don't hide it- give it a proper cover that we can all be proud of.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I've since modded this bass with a much more worthy pickup and pickup cover from Serek. LOVE the end result. Here's a link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiudYmqr9SbbZY

[@AlanAHAPartridge]

Sounds better than the P

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks David!

[@KPJohnson]

You seem to really like this one.

[@LowEndLobster]

I do. It always surprises me every time I pick it up. Very easy and fun to play.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

I predict neck dive!

[@kirtfulcher6288]

What the....?

[@LowEndLobster]

Right? RIGHT!?

[@kirtfulcher6288]

Okay so no dive when sitting, but I notice the lap position is pretty far up, to the point the the lower horn extends further than the upper. How does it balance when strapped and standing?

[@adriancruse3413]

kirt fulcher I tried one in a shop on a strap and it dived! They may vary, but that was my experience.

[@LowEndLobster]

@@kirtfulcher6288 Going to do a Q&A vid soon to address questions after reviews like these. I'll be sure to answer this one!

[@marunikusbakufu]

I have an Epiphone EB-0. Definitely has some neckdive and the "mudbucker" has a pretty heavy sound. That being said, the EB-0 does have a distinctive sound and, turned up loud, can really shake the walls. But yeah, I can see how many people wouldn't like the "mudbucker" sound.

[@LowEndLobster]

I had an Epi EB-0 as my second bass ever back in highschool. First time using it was in a pit orchestra... I was not ready for the neck dive lol.

[@Jitobass]

Good video as always, but I really dislike short scale basses 🙈. Most important, i think my gf parents have the same washing machine as you.... 😂😂😂

[@LowEndLobster]

Hahahaha it wanted to say "let me sing the song of my people"

[@deeliriyum]

Pfff... Pay a shitload of money, change the bridge, crown the frets and it fine guys!

[@LowEndLobster]

XD, I should automatically just remove a claw from any bass that has a 3 point bridge ahaha. I absolutely hate that design, but IMO it's so much worse in the hollow bodies because they pull out of the body over time. I still wish Gibson would just give up with this. I definitely stand by my rating here, it's a super fun short scale though I wouldn't pay the $999 full price, but the $699 sale price makes this palatable IMO.

[@deeliriyum]

@@LowEndLobster Hahah! Nah the claw stays! I see a LowEndLobster I click like. You conditioned me like Pavlov's Dog ffs! :D

[@보리-f3d]

당신의 리뷰를 보고 나는 한국에서 이 베이스를 구매했습니다 감사합니다

[@LowEndLobster]

즐겨!

[@보리-f3d]

@@LowEndLobster In Korea, there is a tendency to look at the Gibson bass below the Fender. What do you think?

[@LowEndLobster]

@@보리-f3d This is a rare good bass from Gibson. They usually do not make good ones. I would put Fender above Gibson, but I'm no fan of either as a company

[@보리-f3d]

@LowEndLobster thank you so much friend 💗

[@revlewisrees9880]

Harley Benton does a nice looking 6 string version of the LP Jnr for just under $300. If they did a bass version for $350 or less, I’d bite their hand off!! Personally, the slap tones on this hurt my ears! 🤔 and I’m not sure if I preferred the more focussed tone of the P bass over the bassbucker. I quite liked the single coil tone though!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Rev! An HB version of this would be awesome, though these at $600 on sale is quite the deal!

[@revlewisrees9880]

LowEndLobster - The cheapest I’ve seen in the U.K. would be around $1000

[@LowEndLobster]

Ah gotcha

[@PorchBass]

Gibsons are very hit and miss... Everyone wants the Andy Fraser burpy woody tone, but all the sg basses I've played have a hollow low E. If you find a good one, then you are in business though

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks James! I agree

[@VEEWNY]

$999 Made in USA! How much is the least expensive Fender US made Bass? Good for Gibson!

[@hanorokpony420]

Fret sprout should be unacceptable at this price range.

[@LowEndLobster]

Eh, I disagree. Fret sprout happens to all instruments at all price points, and says more about how these were stored long term than the quality of the instrument. People in varying or dry climates (like where I live) often deal with it, but it's usually a one-and-done fix.

[@hanorokpony420]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks for replying directly. I personally have only seen it on cheaper basses but I am somewhat new at this.

[@Omega21456]

No, I never wonder how it will ‘Slap’ ..

[@LowEndLobster]

That's good dude

[@jazzman1954]

Use a strap.

[@LowEndLobster]

I do when I play standing :)