FS:Gibson Grabber Maple Neck-Defretted

Bofee · #1 05-23-2009, 07:37 PM

Long, ago (And far away actually.) I had a Gibson Grabber project bass. Over the years and through numerous moves, most of it has been lost. Only this neck and the case remain. The frets have been ground down to the fingerboard and the fret tangs left in place, a very clean job of it, though I can't recall who did it for me. Overall the neck and fingerboard are in good shape and the truss rod is functional. The nut is brass. There is a bit of discoloration on the backside, typical of maple necks, and some "greening" of the fret tangs. $70 shipped, cont. US only.

Bofee · #2 05-25-2009, 05:43 PM

Price drop!

GeneralElectric · #3 05-25-2009, 05:51 PM

Whats the heel dimensions? Think this could fit into a Fender pocket?

(Not a deal breaker as I've got a mystery body lying around.

Bofee · #4 05-25-2009, 08:57 PM

It's 2.42" at the widest point, 2.32" between the 15th and 16th "fret" where it would most likely meet the body.
For comparison I measured a Jazz neck I have. It's 2.43" and 2.35" at the same two point.
The Gibson neck is a little thicker, 1.06" vs. 1.02" at the end.

bradd · #5 05-25-2009, 10:26 PM

There are two features on this neck that I've never seen on a Grabber/G3 neck before. Gibson always put the truss rod in from the front, never through the back with a rosewood stripe. Also, the fingerboard ends at the nut on a Grabber/G3, while this one has a nut cut into the board.

Are you sure this is a Gibson neck or maybe just a Japanese knock off with a Gibson logo? I suppose this could be a prototype neck...

Bofee · #6 05-25-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradd

There are two features on this neck that I've never seen on a Grabber/G3 neck before. Gibson always put the truss rod in from the front, never through the back with a rosewood stripe. Also, the fingerboard ends at the nut on a Grabber/G3, while this one has a nut cut into the board.

Are you sure this is a Gibson neck or maybe just a Japanese knock off with a Gibson logo? I suppose this could be a prototype neck...

It's definately the real deal, I bought the bass new from Guitar Showcase in San Jose, CA around '73 or '74. I traded in my EB-3. (Unfortunate in retrospect, but I was looking for a more modern sound.) That makes it a G1 not a G3. The truss rod adjustment cover said "Grabber" on it, if I recall correctly. The serial number on the headstock is 512928, Made in USA. It became my fretless project a few years after that when I purchased a custom made Alembic. I never gave the skunk stripe a second thought until I saw your post. The interesting thing I see now on close inspection is that there is no separate fingerboard, it's a one piece neck with the top surface radiused and the frets and nut set in. That explains the rear loaded truss rod. Maybe this is from an early if not first run? The brass nut is interesting also, it looks like it was lost on the G3.
I sent the serial number to Gibson to see if I can gather some additional info.

Bofee · #7 05-26-2009, 09:08 AM

I received a quick reply from Gibson Customer Service. It turns out that their serial number archives only go back to the late 80's. (Probably when they computerized the system.) I sent photos they requested to try to determine the date of manufacture.

bradd · #8 05-26-2009, 11:38 PM

I just posted the G3 neck so you could see how the nut differs from your neck, which has a Fender style nut slot. Gibson made so many variations and prototypes that you never know what is out there.

They started production in late 73, so it's probably an early one.

Good luck with your sale. If the frets had been pulled out instead of filed I'd probably have bought it.

Bofee · #9 05-27-2009, 08:36 AM

Gibson Customer Service says it's a 1974. They could narrow it down further with the pot codes, but I don't have the originals.

Gord · #10 09-03-2009, 03:54 PM

This wouldn't still be for sale, would it?

LCW · #11 09-03-2009, 04:24 PM

i doubt it man that was a cheap price