Project: 1976 Gibson Grabber resurrection

[fenderhutz]

I am in the process of "fixing" a Gibson Grabber that has been sitting dormant for a while I got from a fellow TB'er. He had tried to spraypaint it and it fell into the grass and he let it sit for a while and was going to cut it down (that's why there are lines drawn). Thank goodness he didn't.

From the Guitar ReRanch site what color would you paint this bass?

I also have a rosewood fretless unlined fretboard I may put on this as well since the frets have been yanked.

Any suggestions for color or pickups? The original is no where to be found according to the person I bought it from.

I will probably paint the headstock to match.

 

[Insanity^2]

I like it how it is

But Gibson Cherry if you gotta
Normally I'd say olympic white + tort p/guard but don't think it would fit the Grabber

 

[aquateen]

maybe throw a darkstar in it, if the pickup cavity is deep enough? or maybe some tv jones or rio grandes? what ever you decide, be sure to post some in progress pics, please.

 

[fenderhutz]

I would add my personal preference right now I think is Vintage Cream with matching headstock and the unlined rosewood fingerboard.

 

[John Wentzien]

What about natural?
I had one just like that. The body is maple and looks good with a clear finish.
If you can find an original Low impedence pickup that came in those; they sound pretty darn good!

 

[John Wentzien]

I think the pickup in a "Jack Cassidy" bass is pretty close to the original in a grabber..
It looks like you are missing the pickup mounting plate.
The pickup is designed to slide forward and back in the control cavity...
You could probably make one out of plexi-glass and paint the underside black to match the pick-guard.

 

[envika]

TV Yellow. Sexiest color ever for a guitar.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Seafoam Green... without a doubt.

 

[detracti]

I'd make a "Gripper" out of it!

Paint it black...

Get it routed for Ripper pups, get a Ripper pickguard and the Seymour Duncan Ripper pickups. And then figure out how you want the rest of the electronics to work.

Also, maybe upgrade the bridge, and get some Hipshot Ultralites.

 

[bassman10096]

I'd go Gibby Black, perhaps with a Dark Star (once you replace the guard, your options are open). You can get replica Gibson decals in gold cheap on the 'bay. They take nitro clearcoat fine, but anything else will eat them.

 

[fenderhutz]

I am probably going to get WD Music to create a new guard for whatever pickup I decide on.

 

[p0k]

go vintage cream...that would look so hot.

 

[sensible68]

reckon it'll look super sweet in cherry

 

[kris pung]

Coral all the way

 

[fenderhutz]

Black and Cherry in the lead.

I am going to give this about a week before I order the supplies.

 

[RedemptionBass]

Seafoam green. That would just be rad.

 

[73jbass]

Two tone burst,black headstock. I'd be looking for an original pickup before I'd go aftermarket.There has to be one floating around somewhere.The "Gripper" idea is pretty cool too.

 

[TheGrizz]

I think either cherry or sherwood green would look totally sick. Or Maybe even a candy apple red finish. Especially with a black headstock.

The sliding pickup bezel should be fairly easy to make. I think you should try to keep the routing to a minimum. A sliding Darkstar would be interesting, especially with a Varitone

 

[Hawaii Islander]

What about natural?
I had one just like that. The body is maple and looks good with a clear finish.
If you can find an original Low impedence pickup that came in those; they sound pretty darn good!

+1000

I had one too. It would look strange with a rosewood board and painted. How about new frets on the maple board?

I saw a Grabber sliding pups advertized on eBay a while back.

 

[HT Paul]

Years ago I found a Grabber in a pawn shop that had been through much tragady. Eventually I got around to stripping the strage splotchy brown stain off it, it was damn nice wood under there. So I finished it off with a basic, and easy to use tung oil, it was beautiful. Then I sold it.