Gibson Grabber technical information

Body and neck

Alder or maple body, maple neck. Necks were typically two-piece maple, joined just below the headstock with a scarf joint. Later examples did away with this joint, and were produced in a more traditional style using three-piece lengthwise maple laminate.

Strings

The Grabber, like the G3 can only be strung through-body, i.e. the strings enter the bass from the body reverse before reaching the bass bridge. The bass can not be strung from the bridge alone. For this reason extra long scale strings are required.

Circuitry

Gibson Grabber circuit schematic (1973)

The Grabber circuitry is very simple, two potentiometers, a capacitor (.047 mfd part 70057 and the output jack. The 1977 Gibson parts list shows the same part (70023 250K audio taper) for volume and tone controls. The 1981 list shows two different pots: volume - 300K audio taper part 70031, tone - 100K audio taper part 70033.

The pickup is the single coil Grabber sliding pickup.

Gibson Grabber Hardware

Gibson Grabber parts lists - (1977, 1981) Components listed with part numbers

Pickup Grabber single coil
Machine heads Schaller BM, or occasionally (towards the end of production) Schaller M4
Pickguard Single ply. Early instruments had red or brown tortoiseshell pickguards, the bulk had plain black
Truss rod cover (Gibson part no. 80537). Mounted with either two, or three screws. Inscribed with 'THE GRABBER' in block capitals
Bridge Grabber / G3 plate bridge (Gibson part no. 81554).
Bridge cover Gibson part no. 80076. Smaller than the cover fitted to the EB/Ripper/Triumph basses. The very last examples shipped (1982-84) seem not to have had bridge covers.

Gibson Grabber Patent

The design patent for the Gibson Grabber was filed by Bruce Bolen and Edward Klein in August 1974, and granted in March 1976.

Gibson Grabber bass for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
 
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more

Gibson Grabber Bass 1983, Vintage Gibson Bass Guitar

Reno, Nevada, 895**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

Amazing Gibson Grabber bass, very nice condition, always stored in case, works well, sounds amazingRare bass guitar Serial #80973004April7, 1983Please ask if you have questions... more

Gibson Grabber / G-3 Body

Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$475

We have a Restored ( by myself) 1978 Gibson G-3 body. Body was refinished in Stew Mac Vintage nitro with 7 coats of clear and made to look Vintage not new. Body was originally black, then was stained a horrible brown. I stripped it down a gave her new life. I added blocks of you want to make it a grabber with sliding pickup. ( you will need to add a drop of wood glue on the bottom of them) I shielded cavity with shielding paint. It??s got some bruises but it??s a very nice body. Most of these ... more

1979 / 80 Gibson Grabber G-3 III bass guitar Ex Cond!

Reynolds Station, Kentucky, 423**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1995

Excellent condition! A beauty!


These are quite rare. And you will seldom find one in such fine condition as this. Even some nice flame in the back.
This was most likely stored in a closet or something?? amazing condition for 44-45 years old.
... more

Gibson Grabber & G3 Neck Plate

Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$175

We have a nice Gibson Grabber / G-3 neck plate with new screws. Perfect for restoration / Project.
... more

1979 / 80 Gibson Grabber G-3 III bass guitar Ex Cond!

Reynolds Station, Kentucky, 423**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1975

Excellent condition! A beauty!


These are quite rare. And you will seldom find one in such fine condition as this. Even some nice flame in the back.
This was most likely stored in a closet or something?? amazing condition for 44-45 years old.
... more

1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€350

1974 GIBSON case for RIPPER & GRABBER models:
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ rips & material missing at the plastic surround
+ strap that holds case open has a rip
+ deep purple interior, has some wear
+ all latches work fine
+ handle is gone
+ top of case is at headstock front resting on the bottom part=NOT OVRRLAPPING AS USUAL
+ all feet on back are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK ... more

1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€299

1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA:
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ bottom is loose=check pic 7
+ strap that holds case open is gone
+ deep purple interior, has stains
+ 1 latch is broken=check last pic
+ handle was replaced
+ all feet on bottom are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co