Bass IV question

[FrankieTbird]

The Gibson Bass IV from 1987, did they all come with black hardware? Anyone know?

[the mojo hobo]

Mine had black hardware. It looked like this one:

https://reverb.com/item/5593050-vintage-1987-gibson-iv-electric-bass-guitar-w-original-case-rare-model

[Dave W]

I've seen three or four in person over the years, they all had black hardware.

It was the 80s. a decade that certain German bassist/attorneys have never quite left. 

[uwe]

I resent that unqualified statement, I'm an early 70ies kid, if anything, I'm stuck somewhere between 1970 und 1977!!!



The 80ies were way too bright and cheerful for me. I never had a mullet either.



Which is why black hardware made for a welcome change. Bass IV and chrome (shudders), never the twain met.

[FrankieTbird]

Thank you for the responses.  Just bought this one on Reverb, should get it Saturday.  I may have to go full chrome on this one.   

[uwe]

Please don't, it's lovely as is. The brown and black go well together, chrome cheapifies everything. I have a Bass V with the same fin.

[patman]

I always try to keep an instrument original unless, say a tuner is broken, or doesn't work.

[uwe]

Ugly ducklings they are, they make fine sounds and are great to play. Function and ultimate output over form and first impressions. Not bad priorities then.

[FrankieTbird]

Please don't, it's lovely as is. The brown and black go well together, chrome cheapifies everything. I have a Bass V with the same fin.

It needs something.  Maybe a competition stripe?

[amptech]

It needs something.  Maybe a competition stripe?

How 'bout a bar bridge?

[gearHed289]

Nice looking bass. I like those natural finish IVs. I kind of half agree with Uwe - black does look good against the maho. But nothing beats chrome tuners on a black headstock. My cherry sunburst Guild Pilot 5 currently has a black bridge and chrome tuners. Kind of messes with my OCD, but when it was time to replace the old Gotohs, I couldn't get myself to buy black ones. 

[FrankieTbird]

Nice looking bass. I like those natural finish IVs. I kind of half agree with Uwe - black does look good against the maho. But nothing beats chrome tuners on a black headstock. My cherry sunburst Guild Pilot 5 currently has a black bridge and chrome tuners. Kind of messes with my OCD, but when it was time to replace the old Gotohs, I couldn't get myself to buy black ones. 

That's an idea, but I'll most likely just leave it stock.  While I'm no fan of black hardware, it does look sorta elegant against the natural mahogany, and I got plenty axes with chrome. 

Looks like there's chrome strap buttons on there though.  Gibson, they can never fully commit. 

[Dave W]

At least you can buy black strap buttons even though they won't be from Gibson.

[FrankieTbird]

The bass came in on Sunday, no issues to speak of other than the missing knob.  Still has the plastic film on the cavity cover!
It just needed the truss rod tightened up a bit, and then I raised the saddles a hair.  Nice action, but there is a slight rise where the fretboard lays on the body.  Nice & light also, maybe about 7 lb.
The neck is very wide though, which I'm not a big fan of, so I most likely won't use it much or may just pass it on.  Anyway, I think I got a pretty good deal on it, so I'm happy.

[Ken]

One nice fairly subtle addition could be pickup rings.  I added them to my Thunderbird.