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Gibson Grabber/Ripper/G-3 club

#781
40Hz said:
Did a little checking, and so far there doesn't appear to have been any changes introduced in the pickup windings or magnets during the production time of the Grabber.

I suppose the OP could email Gibson and ask them directly. They're usually pretty good at answering interesting questions like this one.
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I think I'll do that! It's definitely a little confusing as I'm still A'Bing those videos. Found a few Thrice videos where you can hear just bass at parts and again no honk so I'm not sure at this point.
 
#782
godofthunder59 said:
Here is my 75-76 G3. Unplugged this bass iView attachment 1008756 View attachment 1008757 s really loud and resonate , I attribute it to the large alder body with all that routing.
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Our basses are twins and indeed there is a good bit of volume and resonance on those basses, I have had engineers Mic it from time to time and mix a bit in. One player I met told me that he had issues with resonance and feedback so he filled the chamber with batting, the bass had a real in your face punch but not much sustain but that worked with the style of music.
 
#784
rodl2005 said:
My 77 G3 can be a little honky on the rear pup setting. ... def no more than any other bridge pup basses but.
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Also true for my Ripper if I solo the bridge pickup, especially if the Q-filter is turned up and not cutting mids. It's great! And very different from neck only, especially with the Q-filter down around 2 and cutting some mids to create a deep tone.

Otto
 
#785
Right-i-oh then.
My G3 I'm USUALLY dialing between front (neck n middle) & middle ("buck & a half" - or all 3 pups) & rarely do I use the bridge pos only. I do use it, but far more rarely than the other 2 positions.
I'm actually using my G3 at the mo. .. thru my new Berg B-amp. And, gee it sounds great thru it. It's got Labella flats on and it gives such a terrific old school tone.
Sadly, mine needs a bitta work at present. All the pick guard screws are rusted...as are the pup height screws. ..& it buzzes a bit etc etc. ..typical of a 39 y.o. instrument really.
I'm gonna give it to a local guy who's a genius in these matters. ...not that it's rocket science. ... but I ain't got the time and he'll do a great job.
So. .....I'll post pics when she's back to her glorious best again. She deserves it!
 
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#788
Here it is! Plays like a dream, works really well for the style my band is.
Any suggestions for a new bridge? Could use a little more sustain plus those screws suck haha. Leo Quan III fits if I'm not mistaken
 

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#789
Here's my blond bare assed addition. She came with one dead pick up, a bad brushed on black finish and the ebony fret board had been filed fretless and then heavily coated with a metal impregnated substance that ruined the tools used to strip and refret it. I think it was a tobacco burst from the state of the neck and the fact that it had an ebony fret board and I don't think it was a factory fretless as you could see the little metal tangs left over from the former frets which then served as fret markers. I had wanted a Ripper since 1973 or 74 whenever "Welcome Back My Friends" came out but did want a fretted version and with the pickups in the state they were in it really sounded bad as a fretless so it's got beautiful new chunky frets and pickups.
I don't think she can really pass as a natural blond at this point with the multiple strap button holes and the weird lamination on the upper horn but it looks like she would make a nice sunburst of some sort. I wouldn't want to get too far away from tasteful variations on the sunbursts they did use but there's some nice wood grain in there.
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#790
Pauly 4001 said:
Here's my blond bare assed addition. She came with one dead pick up, a bad brushed on black finish and the ebony fret board had been filed fretless and then heavily coated with a metal impregnated substance that ruined the tools used to strip and refret it. I think it was a tobacco burst from the state of the neck and the fact that it had an ebony fret board and I don't think it was a factory fretless as you could see the little metal tangs left over from the former frets which then served as fret markers. I had wanted a Ripper since 1973 or 74 whenever "Welcome Back My Friends" came out but did want a fretted version and with the pickups in the state they were in it really sounded bad as a fretless so it's got beautiful new chunky frets and pickups.
I don't think she can really pass as a natural blond at this point with the multiple strap button holes and the weird lamination on the upper horn but it looks like she would make a nice sunburst of some sort. I wouldn't want to get too far away from tasteful variations on the sunbursts they did use but there's some nice wood grain in there.View attachment 1047925 View attachment 1047927 View attachment 1047928
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That's a sweet grain there!
I need to get some beauty shots up asap. I've refinished my G3 in oly white as she was completely nude and unfinished (either black or sunburst originally). From a post on FB, apparently 6 digit serials meant the G3's with these serial numbers meant they were pre production. Any truth to this?
 
#791
How about Watco danish oil finish or some other oil? That could darken it enough better match the neck and still complement the black pickguard and headstock.

I got my Ripper in about 1984 and it already had enough buckle rash and other scratches and scrapes, so I sanded the body down and then just put a Watco oil finish on. It looks fine for being a player, rather than a collector's item.

Otto
 
#793
ofajen said:
How about Watco danish oil finish or some other oil? That could darken it enough better match the neck and still complement the black pickguard and headstock.

I got my Ripper in about 1984 and it already had enough buckle rash and other scratches and scrapes, so I sanded the body down and then just put a Watco oil finish on. It looks fine for being a player, rather than a collector's item.

Otto
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There's actually filler in the weird lamination on the upper horn and 4 empty screw holes for the strap buttons and I think the back of the neck is the original tobacco burst and with those nice grains I feel the best way to honor her at this point is a tobacco burst that's not too pukey looking.
 
#794
Pauly 4001 said:
There's actually filler in the weird lamination on the upper horn and 4 empty screw holes for the strap buttons and I think the back of the neck is the original tobacco burst and with those nice grains I feel the best way to honor her at this point is a tobacco burst that's not too pukey looking.
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Sounds like a plan! You are probably right about sunburst matching the neck better. Mine was natural on body and neck and has maple fretboard. I was maybe just trying to suggest the easy way out, since I'm not brave enough to do a sunburst!

Otto
 
#797
Does anybody know where I could find a pickup slider plate for my '76 Grabber G1? I know Chandler Music can make one out of regular pickguard material, or I found a 3D printed one with the ridges like the original, but in a rougher plastic and the price is pretty steep...
 

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