1981 Gibson Victory Artist - restoration

[Basshappi]

Very nicely done, congrats!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Awesome job on saving it.

I love victory basses, if anyone knows of others in rather poor shape let me know , i wouldnt mind reworking one.

 

[neepheid]

Beautiful job on your restoration. From what I can tell your bass was made in Kalamazoo, Michigan in August of 1982. Nice bass!!!

Thanks for all the kind comments, folks.

Just to clear up this point, the serial number is 82801535 which makes it Nashville, TN on 7th October 1981 - production number 35.

 

[Jeff 66]

For great justice!

Very, very nice job there. Whatever Victory basses remain in existence should be so lucky!

I played a Victory Artist for several years back in the 1980s. At some point, I attempted to refinish it despite the fact that I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I managed to keep it playable, even though it looked really crappy. I had intentions of restoring it, but it got stolen from the place I was storing it.

I'd love to have another Victory

 

[warwick.hoy]

Wow,...as much I dislike those basses you really raised this one from the ashes. Nicely done sir.

 

[neepheid]

I see there were a few people interested in sound samples. I do intend to produce some, but at the moment I'm letting the neck settle after some much needed truss rod tweaking. I'll try and get them sorted out soon, hopefully next week.

 

[mongo2]

Nicely done!

 

[Zitch]

sweet bass!

 

[Wademeister63]

I LIKE THAT!

I've never played one but I've always love the looks of those Victory basses. Great job bringing that one back

 

[godofthunder59]

Great job on a bass many would not give the time of day! Looks beautiful.

 

[Tusec]

Wow, very impressive resto. That bass looks fantastic.

Just for the sake of visuals, here's a pic of a Victory next to a P bass:

 

[TimboZ]

Looks SWEET!!!!!

I just dug out my victory atist project the other day.
I don't think I will be able keep it all original due to I am in need of the pickups and electronics.

 

[Remus_Redbone]

I played a Victory back in the mid 80's briefly; the single pup model. I had to buy a matching back brace, it was about 14 pounds.

 

[neepheid]

Looks SWEET!!!!!

I just dug out my victory atist project the other day.
I don't think I will be able keep it all original due to I am in need of the pickups and electronics.

Yeah, that's really going to hamper you. Keep scouring ebay - a battered one will appear some time or someone will part one out. A while back I saw the special 5-0-5 numbered speed knobs on eBay. The parts are out there, just very rare. Also have you tried getting in touch with Gibson Restoration and Repair? [email protected] They managed to find me a pair of Posi-Lok strap buttons for my project.

I played a Victory back in the mid 80's briefly; the single pup model. I had to buy a matching back brace, it was about 14 pounds.

Aye, mine's pretty heavy too - haven't been brave enough to put it on the scales yet. I'm hoping that a Mono strap will spread the load well enough. Having said that, I'm going to man up to take the load, this bass can't sit around the house after all the work that's gone into it.

 

[Basvarken]

Wow what a labour of love!
It's beautiful.
I love that color. Looks like you nailed it.

 

[thumpbass1]

Sweeeeeeeeet! Nice job on saving a highly under rated Gibby. I am surprised however that the usual ' Everything Gibson made in regards to electric bass sucks! ' crowd, has been absent in this thread so far. Good job!

 

[The Growler]

Nice Job. Looks great. Congratulations!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

The rest of the story:

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[Instagator]

Nice Save...Congratulations.
Cheers.

 

[Barkless Dog]

Looks great in gold.