70's Gibson Grabber in sad shape...what would you pay for it?

[mcrawfordmusic]

I recently came across this sorry old 70's Gibson Grabber G3 online and the shop (a pawn shop) is asking a pretty high price for it.

From what I can tell from the terrible photos, the Gibson logo has been sanded off the headstock, it has had the fret's removed and the body has been re-shaped and refinished.

I've always wanted a G3, and I'm toying with the idea of buying it as a project, perhaps having a new body built for it.

My question is, what would you pay for this poor old thing?

 

[ThaCoast]

For that sad a state, i wouldnt pay more than 50$. Honestly ask if you can check it out fully to see if everything works (truss rod included, make sure its not broken).

 

[Les Fret]

Ouch! I wouldn’t pay more than 250 or 300 for it. The pickups and neck might be worth it. The body is useless. What does the shop ask?

 

[blacktocomm]

Zero point zero dollars.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Buck two-eighty and, even then, it better be signed by Gene Simmons.

Riis

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I would gladly let them pay me $75 to haul it away.

If you do decide to check it out make sure the electronics all work. I had an S1 guitar with essentially the same pickups and even 20-25 years ago they were unobtaimium.

 

[MattZilla]

Kinda seems like you’re just buying a loaded pickguard with worthless wood screwed to it.

 

[J Wilson]

Kinda seems like you’re just buying a loaded pickguard with worthless wood screwed to it.

THIS. MattZ has it exactly right.

For me, this is one more unschooled seller with the 'hey, it's a VINTAGE Gibson' mindset. No, it's an old butchered tired guitar that needs to have its suffering ended.

Wait until you can find.an original, unmodified example. For me, this bass is a firm NO at any price.

 

[packhowitzer]

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Ugh. If those pickups are good and you’re looking for an original set it might be worth 450. So maybe 550 to the right person but it’s just gonna be parts. Those bridges were not the greatest. I love my G3. I would keep my eye out for one in better condition.

 

[Sharko]

Please please please…





just don’t buy this.

 

[ejaggers]

Did you play it?
If so, what did you thing?
057912

 

[REMBO]

It would be helpful if you can tell us what they are asking for it? You don’t mention it. So, we are all just guessing what it may be worth in parts. The neck can be re-fretted (if the truss rod works) it looks like you have all the original pickups there! Bodies are not plentiful, but, I have seen them for sale. So, there may be some good options. But, what is the asking price?

 

[Iridescentone]

Whatever the parts are worth, then divide that by 4.

 

[Semi Actuated]

I had a black G3 I purchased in 1979, and was my only bass for three years. Very sad what's happened to this one. I've got a lot of nostalgia now for mine (traded in 1982 for a 1979 MM Sabre I still have). But I wouldn't pay a dime for that travesty.

 

[2thAche]

I would pay someone to remove it from my sight

 

[One_Dude]

My first bass purchase was a Gibson Grabber and I will never sell it, or the Ripper that was my third bass purchase. With the unit you're considering, I'd say that no matter how much money you put in it, it will never be worth more than a one-of-a-kind rebuild.

So unless you already own a Grabber and would buy this one for the various parts, I'd pass on it and keep looking for an unaltered original. What someone did to this one is a shame.

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[Microbass]

Absolute max would be 400 imo. ASSUMING the hardware/electronics is in good condition and original.

I would look at this as the body being a total write off. Neck, assuming TR works and no other warping/twists, will cost you 200-300 to get fixed up with frets etc.

The pickups are worth something, again, if they work. So the value of this POS really comes down to, in a worst case scenario, could you flip the pick ups for a profit?

Another aspect to this, especially if you'll need a luthier to fix/make a bodt and fret work etc, is even if you get the bass at a realistic price point, you probably have at least 1k worth of work to be done, at which point including the cost of the bass, you're going to be in the ballpark of a mint condition Grabber/G3 or even a custom build from Baard or Decibel.

 

[Five or Six]

Well, if you are going on a canoe trip there is that option. Back up comes to mind in that application.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi mate

From what I can tell from the terrible photos, the Gibson logo has been sanded off the headstock, it has had the fret's removed and the body has been re-shaped and refinished.

and here goes the money down the drain!

My question is, what would you pay for this poor old thing?

First: You are not a supporting TB member => no how much is it worth question!!!

Second: Since the body has been butchered the value is only a sum of parts (guts and hardware)


greetings

Wise(b)ass