Gibson Les Paul Jr. Revisited - A Fireside Chat with an Old Friend - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
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Hey Everyone! Today we're revisiting one of my most favorite short scale basses, my modified Gibson Les Paul Jr. Tribute. This bass has been modified with a Serek Lazen B-90 Pickup and a Hipshot Gibson Bridge, and it's rocking a set of short scale D'addario Chromes gauges 45-100. Let's take this bass for a spin and find out why it's one of my favorites.
Serek Basses- www.serekbasses.com/
Hipshot Bridge- hipshotproducts.com/products/...
Stock Gibson LP Jr. Tribute Review- • Gibson Les Paul Jr. Tr...
Stock vs. Modded Gibson LP Jr. Tribute- • Serek Lazen-B90 Pickup...
Modded Gibson LP Tribute Vs. Serek Midwestern- • Serek Midwestern vs. G...
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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I got this in blue at $550. Only change I have made is putting in the Babicz bridge. It has basically become my most used bass over time. I gig outdoors a lot for the main band I am in and with the push pull, I get more flexibility than you might expect. I returned to being on my church's worship team last week and used this there for the first time, and everyone loved it, made a great impression. This is a seriously underrated bass.
Wow! What a deal! So glad you're enjoying yours, Jeff!
That was a GREAT buy!
The stock pickup really did sound good, especially at the price point. But this Serek pickup with those flats is (chef’s kiss).
Thanks Rob! I agree
I agree...
And I'll let rounds on it will really roar, esp w a loud tube amp!
Man that bass is AWESOME! I get excited every time I see it pop up here.
Don't be afraid to play that bass with the claw!! I think the tone may be outstanding.
This is such a great bass! I purchased one six months ago, swapped the bridge and absolutely love it! The balance, weight, and flavor is so nice..... I'm surprised by the name on the headstock.
Glad you brought this gem out for a fireside chat!
Thanks John! Glad you're loving yours. These are special instruments for sure.
Love the look with silver cover on that pickup - and the tone too! Very nice Lobster - I'm going to start hunting for one now! 🦞
This exact config is what I'll be purchasing, this sounds soooo good with the flatwounds. Love it!
I wish I would have bought one when they were still making them. I plan on picking up a used one eventually.
Just rewatched this vid. Your passion for this instrument and your words about it are poetic and high brow! Bravo! 😆
Hey Lobster! Thanks for showing off this cool axe! (again!). I got one (in red) when I saw it reviewed in a mag, with the old Jr. double-cut shape I love. It is actually a tribute to the '59 EB-0 bass which had this shape and a single "mudbucker". Like the 6-string LP standard and custom (single-cut) the body shape changed to the "devils-horned" double-cut SG shape in '61 while retaining the same model name (to confuse the innocent). Most folks (my former self included) assumed the EB-0 was an SG-shaped single humbucker instrument period. I have an SG-shaped 2 pickup EB-3 re-issue that I also love... well, truth told, I love ALL my basses!
BTW, I put flats on this old-school gal and what an improvement!!! I also have its sister double-cut 6-string from this tribute run (I got the 2 p-90 '58 "LP Special" version in blue). It had serious issues with the bridge which I swapped out with a StewMac drop-in replacement that online described the original problems to a "T" (somebody been there?). Fixed it good, now it feels and plays (and looks!) great. Thanks again for the re-review!
Another great video Lobster. I have the same bass in blue with a Babicz 3 point bridge and, thanks to you, that same Serek pickup. Got mine when they were marked way down. Had to clean up the fret ends but it's now one great bass that is So much fun to play and sounds fantastic as you demonstrate here.
Thank you Michrun! Dude awesome! Great mods and I'm so glad you're enjoying the Serek pickup. Just sounds sooo gooood!
Sounds so good Great Bass especially with the mods you made Lobster!
I love that tone. Hipshot products are incredible. Never knew there was a LP Jr DC. bass. 100% win!
I have one in red and love it! Such a comfortable bass, like you said about it being an old friend. I really like the pickup position compared to where it is on the EB series, much more useful.
Thanks Pete! I agree
What a crazy toned bass. I can see why you like it so much.
Thanks Rick!
Awesome tone man
The bass sounds great LEL !!!
Just purchased the Worn Brown Les Paul Jr Tribute Bass. Your fantastic review made the difference. Thanks.
Awesome! Enjoy!
Great sounds from that little bass.
Thanks Phil!
Thank you for the awesome fresh look.
Glad you enjoyed it Philip!
That thing is seriously old school and I love it!
Literally went to pick up a Fender Pawnshop Mustang and one of these happened to be there. The Gibson was lighter and sounded So Much Better! For me, this is a passable Firebird tone without the ergonomic issues. Love it! The Hipshot bridge was definitely worth it to get rid of the buzz on the A string.
Congratulations, Mr.Lobster! got a very rare instrument! As they say here, "a white fly"!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks Ricardo :)
I know this has nothing to do with the video,but my first bass was a epiphone embassy.
I've always loved epiphone bass's, i still have my embassy and i have two more,an epiphone Thunderbird pro series 4 and the dreaded SG.
I hardly ever play any of them any more (except for the thunder bird) but i have a collection of bass's and i just love having em around.
Oh by the way, just came across your channel,and it's great.
You have another subscriber sir.✌🏻
Sounds great!
Good morning Lobster 🦞 🎸🎸
It does give you that old school, funky or motown kind of sound, which would really be a great arsenal if you're into old music, great looking and sounds awesome, I rarely like Gibson or Epiphone when it comes to basses but this one I think does the job by the sound of it 😊😊😊
Thanks Ernest!
Hi lobster, what a great instrument! Beautiful classic sound. Also, I miss Transcription Tuesday. When's the next one?
Thanks Breakit! Next week :)
I agree about that Hipshot bridge. Got the exact same one installed on a recently-inherited 1974 EB-3L I'm still in the process of overhauling (new custom-made wiring harness from Kelling Sound on E-Bay, new custom-made brass nut from AxeMasters, and a new set of D'Addario ETB92s are all that's left to do on it). Damn shame Gibson won't just cave in and get a licensed deal done with Hipshot when it comes to that awful 3-point "floating" bass bridge they should've left buried at the end of that 70s decade for good! If not for them and Babicz (latter of which Gibson has slowly begun to work with in the hardware dept in recent years), hardly anybody would ever give their basses the time of day anymore. By the way, that Les Paul Jr. bass was indeed a short-scale beast! Bridge and pickup upgrades definitely made quite a difference on that one, YOU STILL LISTENING OUT THERE GIBSON📣!?!?!?
love the tone of the high end.
Thanks Gringo!
The replacement pickup sounds awesome
That’s a classic tone! I really like Jake Serek’s basses too. He’s building some real nice instruments. A long while ago I played an EB3 for a short time and this reminds me a little bit of that. I liked the scale but the tone just didn’t do it for me. It was a comfortable neck though. I’m still looking for the ultimate short scale! And I really liked your preamp series! I didn’t get a chance to tell you. Not enough time in the day lately…
Thanks Jeff!
The Serek Lazen B-90 is a sweet sounding pickup, well rounded in series or single coil, much better demo than the one on Serek's channel which doesn't do the pickup justice. It would great if you could have a Varitone switch (a la Gibson's EB3) so you could choose Series/Parallel/Single Coil modes. The bass looks cool & sounds cool, what more could you want? Rock on Lobster
He has the humbucking model LZN B-90, not the B-90 single coil. I'm wondering how those two compare, because I'm thinking of buying one or the other to put in a Les Paul Junior DC bass, which I've been planning to get for awhile. I usually like single coil guitar pickups, but maybe with bass the hum bucker makes more sense for a fatter, softer tone...or maybe not? Sometimes single coil pickups have more character than humbucking models.
I would contact Serek and see if they have more sound samples of the B90 & LZN B90. Personally the sound LEL gets with the bass & pickup configuration is great, a single coil I think would make it sound similar to the original DC pickup, which to my ears sounds inferior to the LZN B90
I'd love to get one of these to have a mudbucker installed in the bridge, the body refinished in gloss black, the neck stripped and oiled, (the headstock cleared over if it won't wipe out the silkscreen), and a new pickguard shape created. But unfortunately, the band I'm in tunes to B standard and I'm already planning a custom build for a B standard instrument. If I ever have a side project, or find one of these for $500 or less, I would be able to justify making this a project.
Hey Lobster, thanks for another amazing review! This is gonna be a hard one to get but do you think you'd ever be able to review a Washburn Taurus T24/T25?
I played one a long time ago and I could never get over how much I loved it! I'd be very interested to see what your thoughts would be on it. Keep up the great work and stay awesome!
yep, Im going to get one of these. For a one and only bass in my small studio it seems compelling. If Lobster here is saying it is Id say it is.
Sweet! Enjoy it! They're awesome basses!
I love my stock lefty.
Can we hear it with roundwounds next? Thank you!
Lobby,,it's like a warm blanket!
with a cup of cocoa!
My joy is almost similar tone range with Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat and Hipshot bridge. Try that one with Pressurewound strings. Killer bass.
!
I wholeheartedly advocate for Jake's basses and pickups but the pickups are right at the $$ summit for handwounds. These Jr's are around $1K used, I'd replace the bridge first and stabilize the strings and see what the stock pickup can do.
Got a classic creamy tone. A real killer.
Hi, thanks for that interesting review...Did you have to change the pickguard for the Serek?
4:35 playing starts
The hero we need
I just swapped the stock strings for GHS flats and they are smoooooooth. The E and A strings sound almost like an upright double bass if I have the tone control at 50%... I suspect the D and G would come a long over time. Love it.
Btw, did you notice an improvement in the sound with the hipshot bridge upgrade?
Awesome! Thank you :). I believe I swapped the bridge ASAP after getting it sometime in early-mid 2020. Can't attribute any tonal changes to the bridge, but I appreciate the heft and adjustability of the unit
@@LowEndLobster Any more sustain w the hipshot?
Love Gibson and Epiphone basses (even the dreaded SG bass). They are so warm and fat sounding. Nice!
Thank you! My second bass ever was an Epi EB-0. Neck dive city hahahaha. First time I actually played it was on my first performance ever in a pit orchestra. Neck dive + close quarters + music stands are not a good mix ahaha
@@LowEndLobster If you swap out that lame pup on the EBO in would be a HUGE improv. Mine had a good neck and was EZ to play. Just had no sustain or balls.
@@bflo1000 I've played sg basses, both gibson and epi, and from my experience not all have neck dive, if that's a concern, definitely try before you buy
@@jasondorsey7110 I have a Gibby and had an Epi EBO. I'm referring mainly to the full scale EB3.
Epi EB0 review tomorrow ;)
Great review Lobster! If you were to put roundwound strings on it what would be your choice? Thanks!
I love my Gibson Les Paul jr. it has a very distinctive sound and is a lot of fun. question: are the knobs "tight" there is a little wiggle in mine and i saw the same on at GC (used)
Thank you! My knobs are tight and have no play
A beautiful outcome! How did you wire the replacement pickup to the existing harness?
Really liked the video and surprisingly good sounds. Excellent work! I checked the Serek pickup too. There are options to choose, and i wanted to ask your advice which is the one for this bass: neck or bridge (or does it matter?) and 18 or 19mm string spacing?
Thank you! I'd recommend reaching out to Serek. I honestly don't know which one this is haha
Very nice, thanks for the video! Did you have any experience with this bass in a band setting, with the stock pickup or the B90? How does the Serek pickup fare in a band mix?
Great question! I'll bring it to my next band practice. A bunch of people have done this mod and I've heard nothing but good things.
Idk why but I feel like that would be good for some doom metal.
Was the Serek pickup a drop-in replacement?
What is the finish on the hipshot bridge? chrome or nickel? I'm going to do the same mods but I want to match the bridge to the tuners. Thanks in advance lobster :D
Great question! The finish on mine is Chrome, but the tuners are indeed Nickel with chrome ears (I don't think they do matte for the ears). Hope that helps!
Love the PUBG shirt lobster
Thanks! I've been playing since it came out. It's so dead now lol
@@LowEndLobster Yup I use to play. Hell now I play bass lol. Had to put away the mouse and keyboard 😂. I love your vids man. Literally easily the best bass youtuber imo. Keep on rocking brother.
Hey Lobster. I'm a lefty and the Tribute DC does come left handed, but I'm having a heck of a time finding one. Any suggestions?
Here's a suggestion: just get a RH one, reverse the strings (HIGHLY recommend getting a Hipshot 3-point Gibson replacement bridge before doing this), swap out the nut for a LH one, and have a strap button installed on the other horn. Gibson's not been known for catering to the southpaw crowd on a regular basis (like most other well-known brands out there unfortunately 😒) , so I don't see that changing anytime soon. However, their double-cut guitar/bass models do make it easier for us lefties to tweak them a bit more in our favor. Truth be told, I'd rather have one of those LH 2013 Gibson EB basses (reminds me of a G&L L-2000, but TOTALLY passive which I honestly prefer). Until then, I'm definitely holding on to my 1974 EB-3L in the meantime. I feel your pain buddy, but sometimes you just gotta make do with what is available. It's still a RH world and an unforgiving one at that...
😑
Hey brother, love the vids as always but had a question that I thought you could help with. I’m really interested in a Supro Huntington 1 or 2 bass but can’t find one ANYWHERE. Any advice on how to make sure I can snag one when it’s available?
Hey Gabriel! Wish I could help. There's a couple used ones on Reverb, but other than that I'm not sure. Production setbacks due to supply chain issues from covid are hitting most manufacturers pretty hard
@@LowEndLobster I saw the hunting ii fretless on reverb. Would be badass to own but I’m not good enough to gig a fretless bass yet by any means hahaha. Maybe one day 👍🏽
The Supro basses (and guitars too I think) have been discontinued, sadly. I really want one too.
The LP Tribute sounds like my SG bass. I thought of upgrading my neck pup apso to a REAL mud bucker. IYO, how do they compare?
BTW, Do I hear vintage Gibson / beefed up P-Bass tone??
What do you think about LTD FBJ 400? It looks great on paper
Never played one yet!
I’ve watched a lot of these reviews and I think it needs to be pointed out that the intro promises cats and the cat content has been pretty lacking. More cat reviews please.
Thanks Jordan! You're absolutely right! Bebe will be back in this Friday's video :)
Roundwound sound/review?
Is the Serek pickup a drop in replacement?
It is! This one is in a T-bird housing that fit perfectly.
@@LowEndLobster Thanks man, I reached out to serek as well. I may grab one !
new bfr bass if you can get your hands on it
I saw! Not a fan of the MM 5's because the G string always falls off the edge of the fingerboard for me
@@LowEndLobster yeah that's a fair assessment
beard review when?
0:00 so why does this not have a serek pickup in it yet?
1:05 lol okay then
There's a gibson EB completely intact husk except electronics out there for $250+ship that I've been on the fence about. If restored I can maybe get 375-450 for it so it's been a hard sell.
Roland Go Mixer Pro expected by Friday. I'll throw up a thing so people can be completely reviled...there's no point in having a redemption story or two if you don't look like absolute dogshit when you started... ;-)
4:35 oh my big ol round and rubbery mmmmmmmm that's some smooth and thicc low end
5:30 this note....lol so bassy, so punchy, so penetrating. this must be making your teeth tickle in the room
This bass in its current form is near perfect. Tone for days and it's so warm
One of these days you are going to ask for a like to lose your claw and you will just end the video saying you did not get a like. Good April Fool prank.
LOL Thanks David
Ectrodactley is a seriously tragic condition, it's certainly not a fit subject for mockery.
Indeed it is! I'm not mocking it though :)
You do not need 40+ basses.
Except they're all p basses.
Okay, one Rick is acceptable
The crappy 3 point bridge was the thing that kept me from considering it but with the Hipshot option I may reconsider. Thanks Lobster! 🦞
Thanks Sparks!