• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

G3 or Grabber?

Grabber or G3?

  • Gibson G3

    Votes: 16 43.2%
  • Gibson Grabber

    Votes: 21 56.8%

  • Total voters
    37
I voted Grabber even though I have a G3 that I love. The G3 is a great sounding bass in its own right, but to me, it's really a one trick pony. It's a very very mid-heavy bass, like almost all mids, and it cuts through the mix like no other. It sounds a lot like a jazz bass without the bottom. If you're playing with a pick (or even if you aren't), you could probably get some real heavy tones from one if you EQ it right.

That said, I got the G3 because I was looking for a Grabber. I'm not saying I'm disappointed with it, I'm just saying that IMO people are looking for a G3 because of a Grabber, and they aren't exactly the same. How many bands do you know where the bass player is playing a grabber? How many for a G3? It's probably around 100:1. I can only come up with Dirnt, Entwistle, and Signs. And I only know the last two played one because of the the fly guitars website haha.
 
JUst going off of general opinions, it seems the Gibsons are kind of a niche bass. Those who love their GIbson (any model) really love em, but they are not overly popular in the bass community. I am not saying just go with the pack all the time, but there is probably a reason why that is. I'd get a ray. Every Gibson I have had experiences with has been quirky and kind of odd. SOme people love them despite or because of their quirks, but for a general purpose bass, I'd go ray all day. +1 on that being null and void if you can compare them all side by side first. YOu may be a Gibson guy and not know it, but like Rics, some people spend all the money and find out they just hate the things.
 
G-3 definately. More tonal variation than the Grabber. If you play with the relative pickup heights, you can change the tone a lot. The sliding Grabber pickup doesn't do a lot.

It's true Gibson basses have their fans and detractors... These basses are about as Fendery as Gibson get (i'm talking choice of woods and construction) and are worlds away from other Gibson bass output. My personal favourite of these basses was the Ripper, but with the set neck and humbuckers, it leans closer to Gibson tradition, and a darker sound.

Buy a G-3, and if you don't like it, flip it on ebay. You certainly won't lose any money doing that. (as long as you don't overpay), and you'll have no problems selling it either
 
i haven't had enough play time on a G3.. although, my Grabber *was* a G3 at one time, a previous owner changed the guard/electronics and it's a Grabber now..

i'm happy with my Grabber.. and i feel there is a bit of tonal change with the sliding pickup.. i suppose it depends on what your playing through, and how you have it strung up..

get what you can afford..
 
Another vote for the G3. It's not everyday you find a 3 pickup bass, so that's interesting in itself, though I've heard you can't get every possible pickup combo with a stock G3.

the switch does neck/mid, all three, mid/bridge. I feel like the front and back positions are really weak so I pretty much only keep it on the middle position. Although, when I switch it to the mid/bridge setting and play close to the bridge it sounds a lot like the stevie wonder "superstition" tone.
 
best poll I've seen in a while. I went with the G3 just because it's got a bit more versatility. I've got a Grabber right now, but it doesn't get that much attention, just because IMO it's a bit too aggressive for most applications. However, If I was playing metal or heavy rock that's a completely different story altogether:bassist: