'78 Gibson Grabber Repair

[Mi11Scott]

I have a '78 Gibson Grabber whose neck split at the headstock due to humidity. Finding a replacement neck for that guitar can be pretty hard and usually the seller is ask more for the neck than I am willing to pay.

I was talking to a friend of mine who says he knows of someone who put a Fender Jazz Bass neck on their Grabber. I was hoping someone here could tell me if that would really work?

 

[Webtroll]

Neck split doesn't sound like a difficult repair and I think the value of the instrument (for what it is) would be retained better that way. If you want a Jazz see if someone will trade you a Jazz for your bass that needs repairs.

 

[Mi11Scott]

Well I have taken it to a few places in town and everyone just passes on it, saying its not worth it. The bass is heavily modified as the original owner cut the horns off to make it lighter. The bass has some sentimental value though as it is the first bass I ever bought... for about $50.

As far as Jazz basses go I already have one, so thats not the issue.

Fixing up the Grabber is just a fun project idea that the conversation with my friend spawned. Just trying to do it without breaking the bank so to speak.

 

[Webtroll]

ah gotcha. why not a Warmoth neck with the proper headstock shape? if it matters.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Well I have taken it to a few places in town and everyone just passes on it, saying its not worth it. The bass is heavily modified as the original owner cut the horns off to make it lighter. The bass has some sentimental value though as it is the first bass I ever bought... for about $50.

As far as Jazz basses go I already have one, so thats not the issue.

Fixing up the Grabber is just a fun project idea that the conversation with my friend spawned. Just trying to do it without breaking the bank so to speak.

spending a lot of time and money on a fifty dollar bass that's been cut up like that would be folly....it's all about sentimental value now.....hang it on the wall and play the jazz......

 

[Beej]

Or, if you're into learning to do repairs, you can use this bass as a practice bass. Attach and carve new horns, do a refinish on it and a complete neck repair. If it needs major neck work, have a hand at building your own replacement. What the hey...

 

[Musiclogic]

Grabber, ripper and eb necks have been showing up on ebay a lot lately(just to note)

Putting a jazz neck on is no big deal as long as the scale is kept proper and a new bridge put on, as the string spacing for a jazz and a grabber are 1 mm different with the grabber being narrower.

 

[Musiclogic]

To clarify...1 mm per string different