Grabber Bass with one piece neck

Hörnisse · January 01, 2016, 03:19:45 PM

I managed to snag this one recently. Had tried to buy it last year but the guy never shipped it so I got my $$ back. This time it took a while to get to me (two weeks) but was worth the wait. This is the 3rd one piece neck Grabber to pass through my hands. All have been pretty much similar in neck shape and weight. This one is no exception. Some changed parts of course but plays and sounds super even with the Model 1 pickup. I've got the bridge cover too but have it off for adjustment access. It is refinished and has changed tuners although they fit exactly as the old ones did. I have a truss rod cover on the way but will have to modify it to fit as there is a curved area in front of the truss rod adjustment. Note the Fender type truss rod screw! Here are some pics.

Highlander · January 01, 2016, 03:31:31 PM

Curiosity... why (if you have) did you let them come-and-go and what keeps bring you back...?

Hörnisse · January 01, 2016, 04:56:35 PM

The first one I let go in the late 1990's because I wanted a Fender Noel Redding Jazz. Bought one new and used it in the top 40 country band I was in. I found a second one in the 2000's and needed a 5 string bass for my then current top 40 band. Traded it for a 1989 SR5 bass. Just wanted to find another one as they rarely come up for sale. They used the 1 piece neck version in the 1975 catalog but I would think that not many were made. I know of 1 other one besides the 3 I've owned and Uwe's. Gene Simmons had 2 of them as well.

godofthunder · January 02, 2016, 06:47:39 AM

And it's Burgundy! Any plans to restore it?

lowend1 · January 02, 2016, 01:38:04 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on January 02, 2016, 06:47:39 AM
And it's Burgundy! Any plans to restore it?

Is it burgundy? Looks more like a walnut-ish stain. The grain is visible on the back.

Hörnisse · January 02, 2016, 08:22:06 PM

It is a walnut stain. I want to eventually refinish it the sparkle red color like Gene's bass. Have to find a pickup too.

mrb327 · January 02, 2016, 10:25:38 PM

Beautiful!

Highlander · January 03, 2016, 05:05:25 AM

Sparkly...?

lowend1 · January 03, 2016, 08:36:53 AM

Quote from: Hörnisse on January 02, 2016, 08:22:06 PM
It is a walnut stain. I want to eventually refinish it the sparkle red color like Gene's bass. Have to find a pickup too.

Hard to tell from the pics, but does it have an angled headstock?

nofi · January 03, 2016, 08:40:05 AM

walnut. hornisee would know.

Hörnisse · January 03, 2016, 09:01:31 AM

Quote from: lowend1 on January 03, 2016, 08:36:53 AM
Hard to tell from the pics, but does it have an angled headstock?

No angle on the headstock.

godofthunder · January 03, 2016, 09:02:13 AM

Yeah defo walnut was looking at it on my phone.

godofthunder · January 03, 2016, 09:05:37 AM

Are you going to keep the Dimarzio in it or try and put back the sliding pickup? I have a NOS sliding pickup mounting plate if you want it.

lowend1 · January 03, 2016, 04:03:55 PM

Quote from: Hörnisse on January 03, 2016, 09:01:31 AM

No angle on the headstock.

IIRC, those are earlier production. Gene's burgundy Grabber did not have the angled headstock, while the black one did. I think the skunk stripe is only on the earlier basses as well.

uwe · January 04, 2016, 03:55:41 AM

Skunk stripe, no neck angle, Fender nut, curved trc and alder body are all characteristics of the 73/early 74 Grabbers. Maple Grabbers have more sub-woof thud, I guess you can say that the alder ones are a bit more "expressive" in their bluriness.

Anyway, a good find. Not very common.