The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Basvarken on February 17, 2018, 08:00:25 AM

Title: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Basvarken on February 17, 2018, 08:00:25 AM
https://www.ebay.de/i/232637952401?chn=ps

Not much information about this bass.
I have a hard time believing this is a bass that Gibson built. The neck pocket doesn't seem to fit very well. And the pickup ring looks home made.
Looks like somebody made a different body for an old Grabber.

(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/MPYAAOSwEW9aZF8m/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/iP4AAOSwYNxaZF8h/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/Tj4AAOSwuN5aZF8r/s-l1600.jpg)

Anyone seen this before?
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: amptech on February 17, 2018, 08:36:31 AM
Extremely rare, nothing less! But Gibson?
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: FrankieTbird on February 17, 2018, 09:48:58 AM

It looks like one of the old Kramer aluminum necks, but with a Grabber neck.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: gearHed289 on February 17, 2018, 10:11:27 AM
It looks like one of the old Kramer aluminum necks, but with a Grabber neck.

I was thinking someone traced an Alembic Spoiler.

(http://www.bbmia.org/members/archives/bb_basses/alembicspoiler4/alembicspoiler4_whole.jpg)
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on February 17, 2018, 10:13:14 AM
"IT HAS OF COURSE DINGS AND DONGS" -- not sure I want a bass with a dong, much less multiple dongs.

"NICE OLD GREAT SOUNDING DRY WOOD" -- is he referring to the dong?

Agreed, Grabber neck, Grabber pickup, non-Gibson body. Looks like a mahogany substitute, so probably from an Asian bass. Amateur strip and spray refinish. Not the worst thing in the world. I hope anyone who buys it understands what it is. OTOH anyone who would pay that asking price might not.

Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: 66Atlas on February 17, 2018, 03:03:39 PM
It looks a lot like some of the Aria Pro II's from the early-mid 80s.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: doombass on February 19, 2018, 12:54:28 AM
I wonder if the neck has been exposed to a lot of heat in the past? The finish has darkened a lot.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Basvarken on February 19, 2018, 05:07:06 AM
Maybe the neck was dug up from a grave? It looks extremely dirty.  :o

(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/tCgAAOSw8RZaZF8x/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on February 19, 2018, 09:06:21 AM
Could be. More likely that it was exposed to the elements.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: uwe on February 19, 2018, 10:17:57 AM
The original bridge lets it down. That was one holy piece of crap.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: lowend1 on February 19, 2018, 11:21:16 AM
Well, my grasp of "Teutonics" is somewhat shaky, but it seems that the phrase "Das ist scheiße" should be included somewhere in the listing. ;D
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Basvarken on February 19, 2018, 11:29:10 AM
And what is with the logo decal? It looks like there is no lacquer on top of the decal.
Ideally there would be a few layers of lacquer and some sanding in between, leaving no visible edge of the decal, would there?
Did Gibson ever put them on top of an already finished headstock? Can't remember I've seen that before.

(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/fwUAAOSwaR9aZF85/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: doombass on February 19, 2018, 03:29:58 PM
Yeah, the emerged decal outlines was also one of the details (apart from the tan top coat) which helped ignite the excessive heat exposure theory.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on February 19, 2018, 05:21:05 PM
Poor thing should be taken outside and put out of its misery... :sad:
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: uwe on February 21, 2018, 04:08:14 PM
And what is with the logo decal? It looks like there is no lacquer on top of the decal.
Ideally there would be a few layers of lacquer and some sanding in between, leaving no visible edge of the decal, would there?
Did Gibson ever put them on top of an already finished headstock? Can't remember I've seen that before.

(https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/fwUAAOSwaR9aZF85/s-l1600.jpg)

The neck looks legit, the decal might have been reapplied. That said, I have a few 70ies Gibsons where there is hardly any finish on the decal, I wouldn't discount it totally.
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Alanko on March 01, 2018, 05:47:10 AM
The neck pocket doesn't seem to fit very well. And the pickup ring looks home made.

Alright. And what makes you think it isn't a '70s Gibson?  :P
Title: Re: strange Grabber on Ebay
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2018, 05:51:50 AM
pffff...