1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!

[TBird1958]

This was in my FB news feed, Uwe if you're interested and need help with shipping to ze Fatherland happy to help out.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/322255838565?rmvSB=true

[Dave W]

I'm guessing he won't be interested unless he spots something different about it, which I don't see. He already has two, doesn't he?

[TBird1958]

I think there are at least 3 in ze collection. I'd never seen that neck stamp before. 

[Dave W]

Me neither. Maybe it was displayed at NAMM or another industry show and then put up for sale.

[Granny Gremlin]

The knobs are different (prod models used speed knobs vs witch hats) ;P

[exiledarchangel]

He doesn't collect for fins, but maybe he does for knobs, who knows?

[uwe]

Knobs aren't important enough to me. Dave's right, nothing noteworthy about this prototype of one of Gibson's most unnoteworthy basses. I have two - the magnetic pup one and the piezo version (plus assorted other one-off or later than 80ies Explorers, still have to get the new Epi).

But thank you for spotting it, Mark!

[FrankieTbird]

What are those pickups?  Are they the same as the LP Signature bass pickup?  Are they the same in your Explorer, Uwe?  Pretty decent?

[lowend1]

The knobs are different (prod models used speed knobs vs witch hats) ;P

Being the pedant that I am...
Those are not witch hats - they are top hats (or "bell" knobs to some of us). Witch hats are the ones that you find on SG/EB instruments that look similar to Fender amp knobs.
This has been a public service announcement.

[doombass]

What are those pickups?  Are they the same as the LP Signature bass pickup?  Are they the same in your Explorer, Uwe?  Pretty decent?

Those are regular Grabber pickups.

[Granny Gremlin]

Being the pedant that I am...
Those are not witch hats - they are top hats (or "bell" knobs to some of us). Witch hats are the ones that you find on SG/EB instruments that look similar to Fender amp knobs.
This has been a public service announcement.

Yeah, I know.  Tried to edit that and then browser crashed and I forgot. 

[uwe]

Those are regular Grabber pickups.

Exactly. And they sound okay'ish in one bass only: The Grabber, where they provide a raunchy, middish, slightly nasal sound without much bass that at least gets heard. On Explorers and Q-80ies they sound indistinct and unremarkable.

[gearHed289]

Don't you mean Ripper? C'mon guys, you're slipping! 

[Basvarken]

No Tom, it is really a Grabber pickup. Without the sliding plate.

Grabber:


Explorer:

[FrankieTbird]

So, different than the LP Signature?  They look very similar.