Gibson G3 Tribute Review and Pics

[coreyfyfe]

So is the width at the nut 1.6" or 1.5" like a jazz?

Not used to nut width vs fingerboard width.

I'm guessing either one of the two numbers is a typo or they measured string to string for the smaller number and edge to edge for the larger. If it's like the original, it's 1.6, just about modern P-bass width, but different feel in terms of roundness/front-to-back thickness.

 

[Dave W]

It baffles me why this thing is so despised by so many...

You can't adjust individual string height. It's also not a Fender style bridge, which many people are used to.

So is the width at the nut 1.6" or 1.5" like a jazz?

1.6"

If it's like the original, it's 1.6, just about modern P-bass width, but different feel in terms of roundness/front-to-back thickness.

Yep, exactly. The G3 is a little rounder/thicker than a P. It's a very nice feeling neck, especially with the satin finish.

 

[swamp2]

You can't adjust individual string height. It's also not a Fender style bridge, which many people are used to.

Well, if the bridge/saddle is designed to match the fretboard radius, there's really no need to adjust individual string heights, right? It just adds unnecessary degrees of freedom.

And as for the style of bridge, well... I have lots of basses that don't have Fender style bridges. I just don't find the bridge to be worthy of that much passion. If you can set the intonation properly and set up for a good action across all strings, I'm satisfied...

To each his own, I guess.

 

[RoughNightOut]

Major problem in need of urgent advice from anybody who has purchased the Gibson Grabber G3 Tribute. Last week American Musical Supply had an amazing 4 hour flash sale, and I grabbed this bass new in satin black for $749! Needless to say this has been the longest weekend waiting for the bass to arrive. It came in today, and I could not believe this made-in-the-U.S.A. bass passed Gibson inspection.

First and foremost, none of these flaws are shipping damage or anything to do with AMS, who I still love. I'll try to make this short. I too have the mysterious zipper marks, with a huge wood gash. Both are UNDER THE FINISH (painted over). The fretboard sticks out sharply from the neck, as do the actual frets. The pickguard is bowing, making my pick-ups angle weird and my bridge pick-up right against the strings. I'd like to think raising the bridge would fix this... oh wait. The bridge is already WAY up (more than I've seen in any promo pictures) and the strings are still buzzing on the frets like crazy!!!

Talked to AMS and they said they will exchange or refund, but were helpful in telling me that NONE of these have been returned. Did I just get the worst Gibson ever? If I could read the scribbled signature of the inspector I would blast him here, but unless someone can convince me that I just got a fluke, I'm getting a Fender Jaguar Bass.

Please help. I need to make a decision A.S.A.P. I want to believe that the tribute really is like the 70's Grabber and Ripper basses... but this particular bass is the worst I have ever played. A shame, because I did plug it in for a sec and the pick-ups sounded great.

 

[marklaforest]

Well, if the bridge/saddle is designed to match the fretboard radius, there's really no need to adjust individual string heights, right? It just adds unnecessary degrees of freedom.

And as for the style of bridge, well... I have lots of basses that don't have Fender style bridges. I just don't find the bridge to be worthy of that much passion. If you can set the intonation properly and set up for a good action across all strings, I'm satisfied...

To each his own, I guess.

I guess my biggest beef with the bridge is that when I went to change the strings I took all the old ones off, then the bridge slipped out when I slightly moved the bass. So the bridge hit the floor and the little saddles flew everywhere because they're not held in by anything but gravity. So then I had to put them all back in and re-intonate the whole bass. The bridge is just seems very mickey mouse to me and I can't see why they don't just put something more stable on it.

 

[marklaforest]

Major problem in need of urgent advice from anybody who has purchased the Gibson Grabber G3 Tribute. Last week American Musical Supply had an amazing 4 hour flash sale, and I grabbed this bass new in satin black for $749! Needless to say this has been the longest weekend waiting for the bass to arrive. It came in today, and I could not believe this made-in-the-U.S.A. bass passed Gibson inspection.

First and foremost, none of these flaws are shipping damage or anything to do with AMS, who I still love. I'll try to make this short. I too have the mysterious zipper marks, with a huge wood gash. Both are UNDER THE FINISH (painted over). The fretboard sticks out sharply from the neck, as do the actual frets. The pickguard is bowing, making my pick-ups angle weird and my bridge pick-up right against the strings. I'd like to think raising the bridge would fix this... oh wait. The bridge is already WAY up (more than I've seen in any promo pictures) and the strings are still buzzing on the frets like crazy!!!

Talked to AMS and they said they will exchange or refund, but were helpful in telling me that NONE of these have been returned. Did I just get the worst Gibson ever? If I could read the scribbled signature of the inspector I would blast him here, but unless someone can convince me that I just got a fluke, I'm getting a Fender Jaguar Bass.

Please help. I need to make a decision A.S.A.P. I want to believe that the tribute really is like the 70's Grabber and Ripper basses... but this particular bass is the worst I have ever played. A shame, because I did plug it in for a sec and the pick-ups sounded great.

Sounds like you got a lemon! That sucks man. I've had the same thing from Fender with their american line though (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-olympic-white-p-bass-some-issues-765286/), it can happen anywhere.

 

[RoughNightOut]

Sounds like you got a lemon! That sucks man. I've had the same thing from Fender with their american line though (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-olympic-white-p-bass-some-issues-765286/), it can happen anywhere.

It seems other people are happy with theirs. If I did trade it for one without the flaws, I would definitely look into that Hipshot Supertone bridge. I hate how high the bridge sits on the G3 Tribute. It's much more likely that I'm just trading it back and getting the Fender Modern Player Jaguar Bass.

Also, a few people in this thread mentioned this bass a being limited to 400. This is a myth that Gibson isn't in a hurry to bust, but they did confirm there are way more than 400.

 

[sam adams]

I have the G3 in burst.

An Epiphone explorer hardshell case is a PERFECT fit.

I have one. They are about $100 at Muscians Friend.

Enjoy

Perfect perfect? Like it doesn't swim in the case? Is it too snug in any way? Would you mind taking a picture?

I'm probably buying a G3 Tribute soon and want a hardcase that isn't a Coffin Case.

 

[Dave W]

Well, if the bridge/saddle is designed to match the fretboard radius, there's really no need to adjust individual string heights, right? It just adds unnecessary degrees of freedom.

I wouldn't call it necessary at all, it's not to me. Many swap out the 3 point bridge because you can't adjust individual heights. It's all personal preference of course.

If you're happy with it that's all that matters.

And as for the style of bridge, well... I have lots of basses that don't have Fender style bridges.

So do I. All I was saying is that most bassists are more comfortable with a bridge that adjusts in a similar way to Fender because that's what comes on the majority of instruments.

 

[G3Johnny]

Hey i own one of these in black. It sounds killer and plays great!

[/IMG]

hope the pic works...

 

[mistergoats]

Man, I dig mine. It's really my main bass right now. As for the case, I have that Epiphone Rivoli one from Barry Clark Music. I'm checking out a Epiphone Jack Casady case because man, that Rivoli case is HUGE.

G3

• mistergoats
• Aug 13, 2014

2012 Gibson Grabber G3 70's Tribute

 

[dukeorock]

While I like the reissues, I recently stumbled across a 1983 G3 at a price I couldn't pass up. Even better than I remembered

 

[marklaforest]

Man, I dig mine. It's really my main bass right now. As for the case, I have that Epiphone Rivoli one from Barry Clark Music. I'm checking out a Epiphone Jack Casady case because man, that Rivoli case is HUGE.

G3

• mistergoats
• Aug 13, 2014

2012 Gibson Grabber G3 70's Tribute

Looks awesome on that wall!

 

[bholder]

If you don't like the Gibson 3 point bridge, both Hipshot and now Babicz make drop-in replacements (which do feature things like individual string height adjustments) - can even get Ghost piezos for the Hipshot Supertune (just ordered one with).

 

[bholder]

Those big polepieces are the reissue stock pickups? They sure look different than the old ones, wonder how the sounds compare.

 

[mistergoats]

Those big polepieces are the reissue stock pickups? They sure look different than the old ones, wonder how the sounds compare.

Those are stock. If you look at the recently released 2015 Thunderbird, it has the same giant pole pieces.

One of my friends has a 1976 G3 with the Bill Lawrence blade style buck and a half pickups in it and it sounds totally different. Next time I visit him, I'll bring my G3 and A/B them and report back.

 

[marklaforest]

Those are stock. If you look at the recently released 2015 Thunderbird, it has the same giant pole pieces.

One of my friends has a 1976 G3 with the Bill Lawrence blade style buck and a half pickups in it and it sounds totally different. Next time I visit him, I'll bring my G3 and A/B them and report back.

I have both and I can confirm they are worlds apart. Not just because of the pickups but the placement of them too. Both are pretty cool sounding, but nothing like eachother. The Tribute has a sound of it's own that I'm not sure how to describe.

 

[dukeorock]

The reissues sound really good to me, but they don't have the same grunt and punch of the the good vintage ones. I really do like em though