[ClapsburyCunningham]

Hello, this is actually my first post after lurking for a little while! It's a pleasure to be here..and I have come to seek your rich expertise.

I am looking to purchase either a Les Paul Bass or a Triumph soon but I'm leaning towards the original. Does anyone have both? How do they sound comparatively, given both at low impedance?

I saw that Les Paul bass go for $4000 on ebay last week..here's another one, a bit more damaged going for $2-3K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1969-71-...3A1|240%3A1318

I'd most likely keep looking for something in better condition, but is this a reasonable price? Historically, what have you seen them go for?

[jules]

Hi and welcome

Yeah, I have both. They are basically the same. Any sound difference is subtle. I don't have the same strings on mine, and that difference is far greater than any inherent difference in the two basses. Also i've only really used them at high impedance (using a converter on the LPB). I tried them at LI, and the tone changes a little - but I preferred th HI tone - YMMV

Did the Les Paul bass actually sell for 4k?

Theres been one (at least) relisted a lot of times for around that, and no one was buying it.
4k is way too much at the current time IMHO.

The Triumph also has the major advantage of being lighter (the first version is really heavy), and also has switch from low to high impedance, which is definately useful. I do feel the first version looks superb though... dark walnut with cream binding looks great. The only thing I don't like about my Triumph is that the natural mahaogany colour is a shade too orangey.

Let us know waht you do

[RUMBLEKAT]

Hi, I've got a 1971 Les Paul Bass which I've used with high impedance live and low impedance for recording (which I guess is what it was originally designed for). It's a really versatile bass and has some great tones.

I borrowed the Triumph that Jules has and can honestly say I prefer the one I have. I might be looking to sell mine and as Jules will vouch, it's in good condition.

G

www.motherlodeonline.co.uk

[ClapsburyCunningham]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The LPB actually did sell for $4k, but it was a buy it now by a new member with no feedback..so I would be skeptical (and wouldn't be surprised if it showed up again on ebay in a couple weeks!)

Jules, do you use the Shure A95U on the LPB? How does the LPB sound through an amp without the impedance converter? Is it just a much lower volume? (I'm a low-impedance virgin)

RumbleKat, I'd love to see some pictures..how much do you want for it?

[shadowcastaz]

I have a triumph,which I just got, and a triumph I got 5 years ago and set up with Gibby HB's. It had no controls or pups so I took the east route. I love the one I put the 2 hb's in . Its a real pleasant player.. That is why i bought the other triumph plus the new one has a crack/repair on the top back of the neck. i have some cosmetic work on that one plus I paid $600. for it.Its solid and feels like my other one.
-i have cleaned the pots and switches. It has a bad ass bridge so Im considering putting a 2 point ,orig ,bridge on her.
I like the origional triumph a lot . It is very versatile . Once I dialed in a sound on it ,just by switching the phase and tones in diff combinations you get a wide variety of sound from dark and muddy to high tight jazz bass tones . Im still kinda overwhelmed by the controls but it really is much more versatile than I thought it would be .
-I also have a double cut Gibby LP bass, long scale same HB's as my older triumph. Mice player and sound. Im leaning towards short scale bass's these days for some reason.
- I would watch for one like I got . This repair and clean up i have to do does not justify the extra $$ especially when you get above 12 -1500bucks. But that is just me.
My vote is the Triumph because of all the various sound you get in a small package. good Luck,M

[RUMBLEKAT]

Clapsbury Cunningham wrote: RumbleKat, I'd love to see some pictures..how much do you want for it?

I'll have to sort out some pictures and get Jules to post them for me. In terms of a price I'm not 100% sure yet as I hadn't definately decided to sell. Where are you based, UK or outside?

With regards to the Impedance transformer I use a Sure one with mine which works well. I have plugged the bass straight in to an amp without the transformer and that works well too as it allows you to open up the amp more, which with a valve amp is very nice.

G

www.motherlodeonline.co.uk

[jules]

Yes, I can vouch for Graham, and his bass. I borrowed it for a while, to compare to mine...

I took a couple snaps when I had it - see below

[barend]

Originally Posted by jules

The Triumph also has the major advantage of being lighter (the first version is really heavy),

how do recognize the first from the second version? and till what year was the first version made?

[Sturmvogel]

Originally Posted by barend

how do recognize the first from the second version? and till what year was the first version made?

The easiest way to tell a Triumph (2nd version) from the Recording Bass (1st version), is that there is a very large black plastic control plate that covers all switches and knobs.

According to the Vintage Guitar Price Guide, 2009, a Les Paul Triumph is listed at between $1350 and $1650. A white one dated in the late 70's tops at $1850.

That $4000 one was a joke.

[barend]

okay, I did know that. But I thought Jules meant there were two version (besides the two finishes of course) of the Triumph bass. So that's not the case?

I also thought Triumphs are also really heavy (?)