The Gibson SG-Z bass is one of the least known 'new' Gibson basses. When launched it was the first new bass model for over a decade. It was only available for a brief time between 1998-2002, though it does not seem to have sold well, and was most likely produced only in small numbers. It was built at Gibson's Nashville plant alongside it's sibling the SGZ six-string guitar. Both have the same 'Z' (assuming that is what it is) split diamond headstock inlays; the guitar version is actually strung through the body, and has a similar Z-style tailplate. The original specification was for an all-mahogany long scale bass with a 21 fret wenge fingerboard. By the 2001 catalogue, the specification had changed to rosewood. It was originally named the EB-Z as this Gibson Press Release from August 1998 confirms. Listed finishes were Heritage Cherry, Ebony and, Natural Oil.
A wickedly carved body and passive Z-bass pickup system combine for performance that sounds as sinister as it looks
This example hails from 2000. The style of SG body is more reminiscent of the 60s rather than 70s EB series basses, especially with the rich Cherry finish. But the pickup placement and hardware are quite different to any EB bass preceding it. And although long scale EB3s have been available as far back as 1970, they are still traditionally thought of as short scale instruments. The SG-Z is long scale, 34" with (perhaps?) a wenge rather than Gibson's more traditional rosewood fretboard. This example only has 20 frets, and it may be that the 20 fret boards are all rosewood? Gibson have always reserved the right to change specifications, and these woods are similar in appearance.


Tonally, the Gibson SG-Z bass is a long way from the sixties EB basses - and probably much more useful in a modern day band setting. The two pickups set far away from the neck. Each has a volume control, with one master tone. The mini toggles are series/parallel coil tap switches for each pickup, allowing quite a range of sounds. Though note, there is no pickup selector switch, this must be achieved via the volume controls.


Although the control cover on the back of this bass has the standard shape used by Gibson since 1965, the cavity itself is very different. The SG-Z circuitry consist three pots and two mini-toggles. Click on the image for a larger version.

This is how the SG-Z was advertised in the 2001 Gibson catalogue:
Gibson SG-Z Sound Clips
These sound clips are recorded directly into a mobilepre preamp. Recorded with round wound strings, and played finger style. All three clips have both pickups at full volume and tone at 10. Variations are changes in series / parallel switches. Turning off individual pickups and adjusting tone allows a wide range of sounds not reproduced here.
Gibson SG bass for sale
1963 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass, 100% Original w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3600
Featuring solid Honduran mahogany construction and a rosewood fretboard, this EB-0 weighs 7lbs 13oz. The famous ??Mudbucker?? pickup ... more
1972 Gibson EB-3 Slotted Headstock Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Walnut w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2900
Surprisingly versatile, the EB-3 delivers warm, midrange rich snarl from the mini humbucker in the bridge position, and powerful low end thump from the neck position "Mudbucker " The rotary pickup selector offers a bevy of tones at the flick of a ... more
1972 Gibson SB-350 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2200
1969 Gibson SG Bass All Original Serial Number 814003
Huntington, West Virginia, 257**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$10000
Gibson SG 4 String Made In USA Electric Bass Guitar (Blemished)
Greenwood, Mississippi, 389**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3000
Gibson SG bass Original Hard shell Case USED Old Condition.
La Vergne, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Gibson SG Bass Made in USA
Düsseldorf, 40***, GERMANY
€1900
Seriennummer: 897883
Silver Cases
Versand ist möglich nach genauer Absprache
... more
GIBSON Bass Guitar Saddles for 3-point Bridge (EB, SG, Thunderbird models)
Perugia, 06***, ITALY
€30
Bass Guitar Saddles for 3-point Bridge
(EB, SG, Thunderbird models)
Vendo un set di 4 sellette con relative viti per ponti con fissaggio a tre viti usati sui bassi Gibson ed Epiphone, modelli EB0 / EB3, SG, Thunderbird ed altri. Sono di marca sconosciuta, ma compatibili con quelle usate dalla Gibson
Lunghezza delle viti 35mm
Sono in ottimo stato, numerate sul retro 1-3-3-4, con le due esterne leggermente più basse e le centrali più alte. Le due sellette centrali sono ... more
Gibson SG Bass Faded Worn Ebony
Termoli, 86***, ITALY
€1490
Hipshot Bridge
DiMarzio Model One Pickup
DiMarzio Mini switch Series / Parallelo
Italian custom Pickguard
... more
Gibson Eb-3 Bassgitarre
Meisterschwanden, 5***, SWITZERLAND
CHF2250
basso elettrico Gibson SG SUPREME edizione limitata
Tortona, 15***, ITALY
€1100
Ogni modello era prodotto in 400 pezzi rendendolo un vero oggetto da collezione
Questo è il basso SG Supreme Maple top
Il classico doppio pickup Gibson, scala corta, rivisitato con un bellissimo top in acero fiammato AAA e finitura satinata naturale
Manico sottile per una suonabilità senza sforzo. Veloce e potente
Tiratura limitata di 400 pezzi ... more
Gibson SG Special Phelam Blue 2022
SASSARI , 07***, ITALY
€2100
Splendida SG special in rara colorazione phelam blue, in ottime condizioni tenuta maniacalmente, la chitarra è stata dotata di un sistema maestro vibrola Gibson il che la rende davvero unica e versatile in combinazione con i p90
La chitarra è completa del suo corredo (custodia, documenti, tracolla)
!!! Contattare per verificare la disponibilità prima dell'acquisto !!!
... more
Gibson SG Standard Bass in Cherry Red
Saxmundham, IP17***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1400
Gibson SG Ebony Short Scale Bass with hard case
Woking, GU24***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1200
Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar - SG - Vintage
Edinburgh, EH7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2404
Gibson SG Standard Bass 2023 Ebony
St. Albans, AL4***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1399
Comes in weighing 7lbs 11oz
Spec wise you get;
Rounded Neck ProfileRosewood Fingerboard2 x Original Gibson SG Bass PickupsThe bass is in great shape with a very small amount of wear to the edge of the body if you look super close and a little wear to the top of the headstock. All can be seen clearly in the photo set
The frets are all good and the electronics work as they should
Comes complete with its original Gibson hard ... more
Basso Elettrico Gibson SG (Diavoletto) Faded
Napoli, 80***, ITALY
€1200
2023 Gibson SG Standard Bass in Heritage Cherry - Unused and Mint
Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1249
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Thanks for checking out ourListing for
2023 Gibson SG Standard Bass in Heritage Cherry -Unused and Mint
Purchased for a project and only used to test, thisbass is in as new condition. It is supplied with the original hard case, carepack and strap. Plays perfectly
Shipping to the... more


























