Gibson Grabber authentic?

[CaptainGrog]

Hi everyone, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

I just received a Gibson Grabber that I ordered from a Guitar Center in Florida. Everything looks good on it except it looks like the headstock logo is a decal that was put on. This worries me and makes me think that maybe this is not an authentic Grabber. I attached a picture of the headstock and the serial number. Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I think the Gibson logo on maple front headstocks from that era were just decals, but I have never seen one that actually looks like a decal.

That #2 above the serial indicates it was a factory second.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[christpncher]

don't be a tease, lets see the rest of her

 

[Gaolee]

My EB-2 has a decal on the headstock. Gibson has been using decals for their headstock logo for a long time. I'm not sure when they started, but I would expect it was in the '40s or '50s.

 

[Blackjac97]

Is this an original Grabber, as opposed to the post yr 2000 reissue? I owned an original run Grabber, and the headstock logo was most certainly a decal. I think the ones that have the black painted headstock might be finished on, otherwise it is a decal.

 

[CaptainGrog]

I'll get more pictures up in a bit. The store said it was from 1975, which from what I've seen makes sense from the serial number. What does a factory second mean?

 

[jd56hawk]

Small defect that prevented it from being sold as 100%. Might not be anything to worry about.

 

[mpdd]

mine didn't look like that, it was gold on black, with a smaller font stamp that didn't say usa, but it had a 73 in the numerals, can't remember the sequence though

 

[CaptainGrog]

Here are some more pictures. My phone really sucks but I tried to get some good ones. It looks like the small factory defect may be the nut?

I appreciate all the info and feedback so far.

 

[Immigrant]

That's totally cool!

It's a dead ringer for my first bass, purchased in 1975 for $400 brand new from Hospe's Music in Omaha, Nebraska.

Nice score!

 

[Stevorebob]

Yep, maple-neck Grabbers wore a decal. Mine did.

 

[christpncher]

the nut probably just slipped and could probably be pushed back into place. I think factory second usually has to do with finish or other cosmetic defects

 

[bholder]

Looks right to me.

 

[CaptainGrog]

Hello again, reviving this topic because I ran into some bad luck. I was playing a show last weekend in a very hot basement. I took a look at this bass during it and noticed some of the decal came off. I realize that this is probably because of the wood expanding from the heat. Any advice on how I can prevent that from happening again? Or maybe if there is a way I can get another decal just in case the whole thing falls off. Very upset about this.

 

[ThaCoast]

It's authentic. The 2009 reissues were all black with a 3 point & rosewood fretboard. Chrome TB plus pickup. & copies of the grabber mostly had a 3 point bridge before being swapped for a badass by owners. Nice purchase BTW

 

[CaptainGrog]

I know its definitely authentic now. I'm just wondering what I can do about the decal flaking off.

 

[ThaCoast]

No idea how to prevent it, but you can always either find another decal for it & apply some clear lacquer over top to secure it. or you can simply stencil out the gibson logo, paint black & clear overtop.

 

[CaptainGrog]

Any good sites to get these decals? Cant really find any.

 

[bholder]

I know its definitely authentic now. I'm just wondering what I can do about the decal flaking off.

try to flatten out any bubbles or lifts as best you can then give it a light coat of spray lacquer to glue it down from the top, ought to do it.