View Full Version : FA: Gibson Grabber G3
boardjunkie
05-09-2007, 07:18 PM
Ends tonight. Appears to be a rare variation on the G3. Sweet flame
maple neck.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Grabber-G3-bass-flame-maple-neck_W0QQitemZ280111162038QQihZ018QQcategoryZ64402 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
"boardjunkie" <boardjunkie@techie.com> wrote in message
news:1178749084.115378.132610@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
> Ends tonight. Appears to be a rare variation on the G3. Sweet flame
> maple neck.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Grabber-G3-bass-flame-maple-neck_W0QQitemZ280111162038QQihZ018QQcategoryZ64402 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>
While I wish I still had mine to put on Ebay.............I cant believe this
piece of garbage is fetching that kinda money. Guess its in the eye of the
beholder.
On 09 May 2007, "Don" <rath2@comcast.net> wrote in alt.guitar.bass:
> While I wish I still had mine to put on Ebay.............I cant
> believe this piece of garbage is fetching that kinda money. Guess
> its in the eye of the beholder.
What was wrong with it?
Neil N
05-09-2007, 11:42 PM
On May 9, 6:18 pm, boardjunkie <boardjun...@techie.com> wrote:
> Ends tonight. Appears to be a rare variation on the G3. Sweet flame
> maple neck.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Grabber-G3-bass-flame-maple-neck_W0QQitemZ...
That's an outrageous price for one of those IMHO ... Even if that one
is semi attractive.
I had a Grabber way back when, and I wouldn't mind another just for
nostalgia, but perhaps for a 1/4 of where I saw that auction at... and
it wasn't even over yet.
On May 9, 5:18 pm, boardjunkie <boardjun...@techie.com> wrote:
> Ends tonight. Appears to be a rare variation on the G3. Sweet flame
> maple neck.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Grabber-G3-bass-flame-maple-neck_W0QQitemZ...
I love old Gibson basses.
Price is too high for me.
Pt
iarwain
05-10-2007, 07:25 AM
I had a friend of mine way back when who had a Gibson Grabber, I loved
the sound of it. It played well, too. I'd like to have one myself,
but I don't want to pay the money and I'd rather have one in new
condition. Too bad they don't make them anymore.
WAY too heavy overall. bulky body. chunky neck. neck divey. Sound like crap.
That about covers it.
I can't believe how much this POS sold for. Unfortunately, these bases have
recently got an undeserved "classic" reputation (and the accompanying
inflated prices) because of that Green Day guy - who in all likelihood does
not use that bass in the studio.
I'm guessing that back in the day, it was the only bass in the pawn shop
that he could afford...
PS: It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone stuck a Jazz
pickup in there as well. Makes that price even more ridiculous.
--
Check out my band, West Eats Meat http://www.myspace.com/westeatsmeat
My Homepage, Back By Popular Demand: http://www.jmsjazz.com
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it
comes out."
- Bill Hicks
"Nil" <rednoise+news@REMOVETHIScomcast.net> wrote in message
news:Xns992BC60C7E66nilch1@216.196.97.136...
> On 09 May 2007, "Don" <rath2@comcast.net> wrote in alt.guitar.bass:
>
> > While I wish I still had mine to put on Ebay.............I cant
> > believe this piece of garbage is fetching that kinda money. Guess
> > its in the eye of the beholder.
>
> What was wrong with it?
iarwain
05-10-2007, 03:11 PM
Some people just don't like the sound of the Gibson basses. I always
thought they sound deep and fat, while others think they sound muddy.
It's a matter of taste I guess. Come to think of it, I've never owned
a Gibson bass before, although I have played a few and I would like to.
Stronger Than Dirt (John)
05-10-2007, 03:46 PM
On May 10, 2:11�pm, iarwain <iarwai...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Some people just don't like the sound of the Gibson basses. *I always
> thought they sound deep and fat, while others think they sound muddy.
> It's a matter of taste I guess. *Come to think of it, I've never owned
> a Gibson bass before, although I have played a few and I would like to.
My first bass was a 1993 Les Paul Special. I liked it at the time,
but a few months later I bought my first Alembic and never played the
Gibson again. A few years later I picked up a Gibson EB-1 for kicks.
That was a fart bass. One boomy tone that often didn't fit what I was
playing, but it was kinda fun to play. Wouldn't mind having one again.
boardjunkie
05-10-2007, 04:35 PM
On May 10, 10:34 am, "js" <NOS...@carolina.rr.com> wrote:
> PS: It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone stuck a Jazz
> pickup in there as well. Makes that price even more ridiculous.
>
Nope...no J pickup. They're all the stock Alnico bar magnet pickups. A
J p-up wouldn't fit the factory cavity. Old P and J basses sell for
similar amounts and they're bolt on neck just like the Gibson so
what's the difference? Just 'cause you don't like it dont make it
junk. I don't think *any* Gibson is worth what they go for these days.
The pres of the Co said himself that the prices are inflated "just
because they can" and it reflects a certain lifestyle. Whatever....its
a couple pieces of wood just like anything else whatever the name on
it.
You can polish a turd all you want. You might even find someone dumb enough
to pay a lot of money for it. But it's still a turd.
In the real world, I honesty can't think of any pro player that's had
anything good to say about them, or has used one on a gig, for the same
"preferences" I've listed here. Interesting that all those random opinions
would line up huh? It's also interesting to note that pre Green Day, you
couldn't GIVE those things away, even to Danko fans.
As we speak a friend of mine is performing major surgery on a 70's Ripper.
The neck was twisted like a pretzel, and the guy *had* to have the original
neck.
I saw the trussrod come out, and no bullshit, it was slightly thicker than a
coathanger, and as easy to bend. And that was just the start. In the end,
it's gonna wind up costing the guy more than he paid for the thing. But hey,
it's a "classic", right?
It's great that you got a nice chunk of change for that thing, I mean that
sincerely. But don't mistake price for quality. The Ripper is the current
Dutch Tulip of the bass world. Be glad you cashed out early.
--
Check out my band, West Eats Meat http://www.myspace.com/westeatsmeat
My Homepage, Back By Popular Demand: http://www.jmsjazz.com
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it
comes out."
- Bill Hicks
"boardjunkie" <boardjunkie@techie.com> wrote in message
news:1178825718.637133.81060@o5g2000hsb.googlegrou ps.com...
> On May 10, 10:34 am, "js" <NOS...@carolina.rr.com> wrote:
> > PS: It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone stuck a
Jazz
> > pickup in there as well. Makes that price even more ridiculous.
> >
>
> Nope...no J pickup. They're all the stock Alnico bar magnet pickups. A
> J p-up wouldn't fit the factory cavity. Old P and J basses sell for
> similar amounts and they're bolt on neck just like the Gibson so
> what's the difference? Just 'cause you don't like it dont make it
> junk. I don't think *any* Gibson is worth what they go for these days.
> The pres of the Co said himself that the prices are inflated "just
> because they can" and it reflects a certain lifestyle. Whatever....its
> a couple pieces of wood just like anything else whatever the name on
> it.
>
David Axt
05-10-2007, 06:41 PM
I have a Gibson G-3 and I love it!
It's got the best bass sound. Deep, ballsy and bright at the same time.
The neck is chunky but feels good to play. Een though I play my Geddy Lee
Jazz bass with a skinny neck, I like the G-3 neck.
The pickups are wired to be a "buck and a half". That is two are wired
humbucking and the other a single coil. Maybe that is why it sounds nice.
Actually instead of neck dive it has neck "rise" witch takes a little
getting used too. The body is wide and thin which is a little weird.
I have bought and sold 2 of these basses and regretted selling them. Rick
Koerner sold me the one I have now. I should dig it out and play it more
often.
BTW, Mike Dirnt of Green Day now plays a signature Fender
Telecaster/Precision hybrid bass.
-David
David Axt wrote:
> I have a Gibson G-3 and I love it!
>
> It's got the best bass sound. Deep, ballsy and bright at the same time.
> The neck is chunky but feels good to play. Een though I play my Geddy Lee
> Jazz bass with a skinny neck, I like the G-3 neck.
>
> The pickups are wired to be a "buck and a half". That is two are wired
> humbucking and the other a single coil. Maybe that is why it sounds nice.
>
> Actually instead of neck dive it has neck "rise" witch takes a little
> getting used too. The body is wide and thin which is a little weird.
>
> I have bought and sold 2 of these basses and regretted selling them. Rick
> Koerner sold me the one I have now. I should dig it out and play it more
> often.
>
> BTW, Mike Dirnt of Green Day now plays a signature Fender
> Telecaster/Precision hybrid bass.
>
> -David
>
>
A buddy of mine here in Austin played a Grabber for a few years to great
effect until he decided to switch to a Jack Cassady. Another bass
playing friend here is currently enamored with T-bird basses, enough so
that he bought a second after falling in love with the first. They both
get a great tone!
Les Cargill
05-10-2007, 09:43 PM
js wrote:
> WAY too heavy overall. bulky body. chunky neck. neck divey. Sound like crap.
> That about covers it.
>
> I can't believe how much this POS sold for. Unfortunately, these bases have
> recently got an undeserved "classic" reputation (and the accompanying
> inflated prices) because of that Green Day guy - who in all likelihood does
> not use that bass in the studio.
>
You mean Nirvana? Novoselic used a Ripper, anyway...
> I'm guessing that back in the day, it was the only bass in the pawn shop
> that he could afford...
>
They weren't cheap, new.
>
> PS: It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone stuck a Jazz
> pickup in there as well. Makes that price even more ridiculous.
>
--
Les Cargill
Les Cargill
05-10-2007, 09:45 PM
iarwain wrote:
> Some people just don't like the sound of the Gibson basses. I always
> thought they sound deep and fat, while others think they sound muddy.
> It's a matter of taste I guess. Come to think of it, I've never owned
> a Gibson bass before, although I have played a few and I would like to.
>
Grabbers and Rippers weren't bad. I never undertood
the appeal of an EB-3, or the EB-0 for that matter.
--
Les Cargill
1) No I mean Green day. No one seemed to care what kind of bass the guy in
Nirvana played, oddly enough. Not one student has ever asked me. They DO
talk about how cool Mike Dirnt's Ripper is though. Ah, youth...
2) They may not have been cheap new, but you couldn't give 'em away used..
Hell I remember back in the '80's there were music stores that refused to
take ANY Gibson bass in on trade. They were retail poison. A Ripper/Grabber
typically went for between $200-400 in EC; much less otherwise.
The punk guys played them because they were CHEAP, not for their pristine
tone or exceptional playability.
Hey, if you like 'em, more power to ya. I'm just stating the facts.
--
Check out my band, West Eats Meat http://www.myspace.com/westeatsmeat
My Homepage, Back By Popular Demand: http://www.jmsjazz.com
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it
comes out."
- Bill Hicks
"Les Cargill" <lcargill@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:4643bc42$0$15146$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> js wrote:
>
> > WAY too heavy overall. bulky body. chunky neck. neck divey. Sound like
crap.
> > That about covers it.
> >
> > I can't believe how much this POS sold for. Unfortunately, these bases
have
> > recently got an undeserved "classic" reputation (and the accompanying
> > inflated prices) because of that Green Day guy - who in all likelihood
does
> > not use that bass in the studio.
> >
>
> You mean Nirvana? Novoselic used a Ripper, anyway...
>
> > I'm guessing that back in the day, it was the only bass in the pawn shop
> > that he could afford...
> >
>
> They weren't cheap, new.
>
> >
> > PS: It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone stuck a
Jazz
> > pickup in there as well. Makes that price even more ridiculous.
> >
>
> --
> Les Cargill
boardjunkie
05-10-2007, 11:15 PM
On May 10, 5:30 pm, "js" <NOS...@carolina.rr.com> wrote:
> It's great that you got a nice chunk of change for that thing, I mean that
> sincerely. But don't mistake price for quality. The Ripper is the current
> Dutch Tulip of the bass world. Be glad you cashed out early.
>
Wasn't even my bass there skippy. Its former owner is pleased tho.
On 10 May 2007, Les Cargill <lcargill@cfl.rr.com> wrote in
alt.guitar.bass:
> Grabbers and Rippers weren't bad. I never undertood
> the appeal of an EB-3, or the EB-0 for that matter.
In an early rock band, I convinced my bass player buddy to buy an EB
bass because it matched the SG guitar I was playing. That was it's
appeal at the time. We figured that if Jack Bruce played one, it
couldn't be all bad. It didn't take long to find out that it played and
sounded very bad.
Les Cargill
05-11-2007, 12:05 AM
js wrote:
> 1) No I mean Green day.
*Kewl* I did not know that.
> No one seemed to care what kind of bass the guy in
> Nirvana played, oddly enough. Not one student has ever asked me. They DO
> talk about how cool Mike Dirnt's Ripper is though. Ah, youth...
>
Well, Green Day has held up better. Ode to Billie Joe, I guess.
> 2) They may not have been cheap new, but you couldn't give 'em away used..
Which makes the eBay value all the more mirthful.
> Hell I remember back in the '80's there were music stores that refused to
> take ANY Gibson bass in on trade. They were retail poison. A Ripper/Grabber
> typically went for between $200-400 in EC; much less otherwise.
>
> The punk guys played them because they were CHEAP, not for their pristine
> tone or exceptional playability.
>
> Hey, if you like 'em, more power to ya. I'm just stating the facts.
>
And you should. I sat out the '80s mostly, doing '50s country.
--
Les Cargill
SheaNC
05-12-2007, 05:12 PM
I'm a fan of old thunderbirds, EB1's (violin bass), and original (late
60's-early 70's) Les Paul basses. I had a Grabber for a while that I bought
for very cheap to use as a frankenstein bass. Wood-wise it was loaded with
dead spots, so it sounded crappy - no richness or sustain.
But here is the totally great thing about the Grabber: It has that huge
rectangular pickup routing and the pickup is mounted on a removable plate.
My idea was to make several different pickup-mouting plates with different
pickups in them and swap them around as desired - sort of like a "modular
pickup system". I had one with the original pickup, one with two danelectro
pickups, one with a pickup from an Ovation Magnum, one with a DiMarzio, etc.
Kind of fun for playing around with different pickup sounds.
vBulletin® v3.7.0, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.