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Gibson Grabber/Explorer pickup (70s-80s)

Gibson bass guitars | Part descriptions | Pickups | Gibson Grabber/Explorer pickup (70s-80s)

The single coil pickup used on the Gibson Grabber bass (part number 13691) was held to a slideable base with four screws; this sat in place in a shallow route beneath the pickguard (see pictures here). This allowed the pickup to be positioned nearer the bridge or nearer the neck very quickly indeed. Gibson described the tonal differences of these positions in the 1975 Gibson bass catalog: Slide it forward for a deep rhythm roar, backward for a full treble punch, or anywhere in between.

According to 1977 Gibson pickup literature, it was designed for a "dark" tonality. The pickup itself is a single coil wrapped around an Indox magnet core, and potted. The black plastic cover is not removable without damaging the pickup. The pickup unit attaches to the lower 'slide' plate via four bolts that screw directly into the pickup cover.

Dimensions: 3" x 1 3/8".

Some basses fitted with this pickup

1975 Gibson Grabber
1977 Gibson Grabber bass

Soundclips

Have a listen to a 1975 Grabber, with the pickup slid towards the neck. More Grabber soundclips here.

List of Gibson bass guitar pickups