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Gibson Grabber/Ripper/G-3 club

#821
The other night I A/B’d my Grabber against my still-new-to-me Epiphone Thunderbird classic IV. I just haven’t glued to the Thunderbird yet, as much as I always wanted one.
The Grabber makes the T-bird sound like it has a cold. I am debating whether to hold onto the T-bird or just let it go and accept that it never met my expectations.
Shhhh..... Don’t tell the Thunderbird Club....
 
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#822
Skerrvydog said:
The other night I A/B’d my Grabber against my still-new-to-me Epiphone Thunderbird classic IV. I just haven’t glued to the Thunderbird yet, as much as I always wanted one.
The Grabber makes the T-bird sound like it has a cold. I am debating whether to hold onto the T-bird or just let it go and accept that it never met my expectations.
Shhhh..... Don’t tell the Thunderbird Club....
Click to expand...

WHAT?!

:)
 
#823
cornfarmer said:
Good to know. I plugged it into a Sunn Beta Bass with a 2x15 (Faitals) and it can thump or do some nasal grindy things depending on the pickup selector. It's a light one too, broken in nicely, balances good....which is the kind of bass I love. Smells like moth balls! Pic from the Reverb listing:

View attachment 2847492
Click to expand...
So glad you got the G3.
 
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#825
The tuners on mine are pretty stiff. I don't know if they just need to be lubed or something is binding somewhere. They feel like they've never been serviced. Going to hit them with some white lith grease.

I was thinking about painting the pickups black like the later basses.....
 
#826
cornfarmer said:
I was thinking about painting the pickups black like the later basses.....
Click to expand...
Nooooo!!! Those are worth so much more clear than those black ones, and I personally thing they look better. Look up the history on them, you will probably change your mind. I've had mine since 1978 when I got it new, still plays like original, might have to clean the switch every once and a while. You can see mine at post #795
 
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#827
cornfarmer said:
I was thinking about painting the pickups black like the later basses.....
Click to expand...

Good god, man! Please reconsider! Totally unique and awesome pickup design. I will only get another G3 if they have those pickups!
 
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#830
Skerrvydog said:
Oh No! I’ve been found out! Dang it Dukerock!
:eek:
Honestly though I’m wondering if I’m getting all I’m suppsed to out of my T-bird. I can’t seem to get rid of the blanket over the sound.
When I get a few minutes (which won’t be for a few days) I’ll post some sound clips and you can tell me what you think.
Click to expand...


Do the pickups look like these below? If so try replacing them. There's not a lot a great options though, unless you route bigger holes. I put these Lace pickups in mine, they don't blow me away but they're not as dark as the stock pickups - Metal and Rock Guitar Pickup | The Bassbar by Lace. Hi Definition bass pickup made special for low noise and huge output, gain and sound. for 4, 5, and 6 string basses.

epi_tbird1-jpg.jpg
 
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#831
Skerrvydog said:
Oh No! I’ve been found out! Dang it Dukerock!
:eek:
Honestly though I’m wondering if I’m getting all I’m suppsed to out of my T-bird. I can’t seem to get rid of the blanket over the sound.
When I get a few minutes (which won’t be for a few days) I’ll post some sound clips and you can tell me what you think.
Click to expand...

That sounds fun! T Bird pickups often can sound a bit dark. Mine are a bit dark too, but there’s been times where that’s what I want. When I’m able to secure a second ‘Bird, I intend to put in a set of Lollars. Much clearer for when that sound is needed.
What strings are you running?
 
#835
The pics "hide" some war wounds and battle scars---she is no case queen.
I contacted Gibson directly as the number confused me but I was told it was an '81 ---which I THOUGHT Burst G3's where not made after 79.......and NOT in Kalamazoo .........but the fella told me it was certainly an 81 and a Kalamazoo made bass....which is GROOVy because I have an "Epiphone Spirit" 81 --- from the same Kalamazoo Gibbo plant...lots of Michigan in da house! ----wait Im a Buckeyes fan --- oh this is all going HORRIBLY WRONG -------its the Capulets and the Montagues all over a gain .................
 
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