• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gibson Grabber/Ripper/G-3 club

#501
I have been tinkering with a recently purchased G3 fretless. Somebody had wired it up wrong, one pickup was dead (since replaced) but I've now got it functioning as Gibson intended. I'm considering some sort of series/parallel switching. Has anybody tried this? I put a series/parallel switch in a Jazzmaster and it sounds awesome! I'd probably use a rotary switch in place of the toggle to give extra options without any new holes in the pickguard. Of course, their are many options with 3 pickups. I'm just interested to hear what other people have tried. Thanks.
 
#503
so i got my Grabber today and i'm a little bummed about the condition it was in. i got it from a reputable dealer of vintage instruments so i didn't think i was going to have to mess with it too much. huge gap in the neck pocket and the action is really high. i have to straighten the neck but i can't figure out how to do it on this bass seeing as how i've only i've only used fender style basses, can anyone help me out on that? the saddles on the bridge are down as low as they can go. also, the neck was really sticky when i got it, luckily i went over the whole bass with some gibson pump polish and it feels a lot better now.

here's some pics:
 

Attachments

  • downsized_0304031627grabber.jpg
    downsized_0304031627grabber.jpg
    24.9 KB · Views: 175
  • downsized_0304031726grabber.jpg
    downsized_0304031726grabber.jpg
    26.8 KB · Views: 176
#505
Yeah my Grabber (82) has a huge gap on the E side of the neck, though my G3 (78) is as tight as they can get. As far as adjusting the neck, gibson makes a special tool, it's a little metal screw driver with the proper sized wrench on the end. You can find them online for like $5 or $6. I've got the saddles pretty low on mine as well to get the action where I like it, but once I got mine straightened out it plays pretty nice.
 
#506
Any complaints about the G3 Tributes? I can't seem to find a reasonably priced Vintage one. But I could get a new G3 Tribute for about $700USD and that is seriously tempting. :hmm: I know the pickups are Gibson and not Bill Lawrence and a couple other minor things are different.
 
#507
Love me some Rippers!
Here's my Ripper fretless (currently up for sale in the classifieds):
Ripper7_zps67986604.jpg

Also have a Maple/Maple fretted (as opposed to the Alder/Maple fretless) and a "FrankenRipper" with all original neck, electronics, etc... that some bozo put a homemade body on. That neck is amazing, but the body...ugh.
 
#509
sam adams said:
Any complaints about the G3 Tributes? I can't seem to find a reasonably priced Vintage one. But I could get a new G3 Tribute for about $700USD and that is seriously tempting. :hmm: I know the pickups are Gibson and not Bill Lawrence and a couple other minor things are different.
Click to expand...

Hoping someone with experience can chime in. I'd love to hear thoughts of vintage vs tribute.
 
#510
sam adams said:
Hoping someone with experience can chime in. I'd love to hear thoughts of vintage vs tribute.
Click to expand...

I've never seen or played a re-issue but I picked up 1976 fretless for only $600. It went cheap because it'd been stripped but otherwise it's all original. It's a killer player too! Fortunately I have a friend who'se a professional guitar refinisher and he did an awesome sunburst for free.
 
#511
sam adams said:
Any complaints about the G3 Tributes? I can't seem to find a reasonably priced Vintage one. But I could get a new G3 Tribute for about $700USD and that is seriously tempting. :hmm: I know the pickups are Gibson and not Bill Lawrence and a couple other minor things are different.
Click to expand...
I own one and i don't have anything bad to say about the bass. But still i'd recommend to go and see it in a music store to be sure. Sounds awesome and is pretty easy to play even with my small fingers.
 
#513
Just found this thread via google and here are some photo's of mine. Has a few scratches and there are some chips in the scratchplate, but that's what we call mojo, don't we?:D

Link Removed

In action
Link Removed

Only a few problems:
1. almost all the tops of the saddle height screws are broken off. Anyone here who knows where to get replacements in Europe?
2. The day I got the G3, I immediately replaced the strings and took the scratchplate off and what I saw was a mess of cables and Invalid Link Removed sticker. Anyone who's got some information on this?
 
#515
Cloff said:
Just found this thread via google and here are some photo's of mine. Has a few scratches and there are some chips in the scratchplate, but that's what we call mojo, isn't it?:D

Link Removed

In action
Link Removed

Only a few problems:
1. almost all the tops of the saddle height screws are broken off. Anyone here who knows where to get replacements in Europe?
2. The day I got the G3, I immediately replaced the strings and took the scratchplate off and what I saw was a mess of cables and Invalid Link Removed sticker. Anyone who's got some information on this?
Click to expand...

You have the third prototype G3. A small piece of Gibson history. Made in Kalamazoo MI USA in 1973. Send a picture to Gibson and they can help give you more info. Very nice surprise you found!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back