gibson basses

[rhfactor4]

how much do gibson grabbers go for? like a 1980's one that is in good condition?

[Aussie Mark]

Up to around $800 in good condition. Personally, I'd go for a Ripper if I were you, since the Grabber is bolt on instead of having a set neck, and has only one pickup.

[rhfactor4]

yeah waht is the set difference bewtween grabbers and rippers? i like thicker necks... and im guessing the grabber has that...

[Aussie Mark]

Grabber has a bolt on neck, which gives less sustain than the Ripper's set (glued) neck. The necks are the same profile, essentially "precision" style - the same width as a Stingray, but are a little "fatter" than a Stingray neck. A set neck gives you more sustain and is regarded as a higher quality instrument.

The Ripper has two fixed humbuckers, and Grabber has a single moveable humbucker that slides in it's mount.

Both have alder bodies with maple necks and fingerboards.

The G3 is another variant, and has 3 single coil pickups (Strat style), bolt on neck, and a rosewood fingerboard.

As I said, the Ripper is the one to get. Great rock bass (eg. Gene Simmons). See my sig for pics of my Ripper (and some action shots in my band gallery).

[SGMan88]

I too would also go for the ripper if i were you.

[rhfactor4]

well, i found a grabber for 900, its in really good condition "like new" and is a G3, what do you think?

and is it normal for a gibon instrment not to say "the grabber" or something like thaton the headstock?

[Aussie Mark]

The G3 doesn't have the same reputation as a Ripper or Grabber, but I suspect that's only because the single coil pickups don't have the "Gibson" sound. If you like the sound it's likely to be just as good a buy as a comparable Ripper or Grabber. For that price ($900) I hope it includes a hard case.

The Ripper/Grabber/G3 usually has the model name on the truss rod cover, but sometimes the truss rod cover is just plain black with no words on it.

[dlloyd]

Originally posted by Aussie Mark
The G3 doesn't have the same reputation as a Ripper or Grabber, but I suspect that's only because the single coil pickups don't have the "Gibson" sound. If you like the sound it's likely to be just as good a buy as a comparable Ripper or Grabber. For that price ($900) I hope it includes a hard case.

The Ripper/Grabber/G3 usually has the model name on the truss rod cover, but sometimes the truss rod cover is just plain black with no words on it.

I used one for a while that had no model name on it... think it was a ripper.

Not bad basses, but I'd probably pass at that price.

[johans]

for bass
i really doubt gibson

they may be better off staying in guitar making rather than stepping into bass world ...

[bovinehost]

for bass
i really doubt gibson

Somebody better call Jack Bruce and ask him to turn back time.

[Aussie Mark]

and John Entwistle, Jack Casady .....

[Disquieter]

Originally posted by Aussie Mark
and John Entwistle, Jack Casady .....

and aussie mark...

[Aussie Mark]

Originally posted by Disquieter
and aussie mark...

Well, I own 3 Musicmans, 3 Gibsons, and only 1 Fender, so read into that whatever you want to.

[johans]

hey aussie mark

cool basses you have there!

[mike jewels]

I owned a Gibson G3 back in the late 70s.

It wasn't a bad bass. It had its own sound, much more Fender-like than the Ripper, which had the two humbuckers, and a 4 way varitone switch. The G3's pickups were wired: Neck & middle, bridge & middle, or ALL THREE! The middle position was my least favorite; not enough definition. It was a very "different" sounding bass. I sold it to a friend of mine who installed mini switches so he could isolate any pickup, then it sounded something like a Jazz bass. The pickups also had blade-type pole pieces, and were encased in clear plastic. I do miss it sometimes.

If I were in your shoes, and had a choice, I'd take a Ripper.

I also have an Epiphone Jack Casady. If anyone wants any info on them, let me know.

Very nice basses.

Mike