• Solid maple body • Laminate maple bolt-on long-scale (34") neck • Rosewood fingerboard • One type VIIIB humbucker • Passive circuitry • Ebony finish, body and neck
The Gibson Victory Standard bass was also available in Candy Apple Red, by far the most commonly seen finish, followed by Silver. Antique Gold was available by 1983, and, towards the end of production, Ferrari Red. Unfortunately, precise shipping data is not available for the Victory series. Ebony (black finish) basses, as shown here, are not exactly rare, though come up far less than Red or Silver. And what a great looking bass; the revealed edges of that unique scratchplate work perfectly over the black body, really accentuating the repeating themes between the two. This bass is visually striking, all the better for it's matching Ebony finished neck.
The Victory Standard was produced was at Gibson's second plant, in Nashville; the model was officially available between 1981 and 1986, though the vast majority of production occurred in the first year, mid '81 - mid '82. Initially, only Candy Apple Red and Silver were offered, with an April 1981 list price of $599. Ebony was not listed until the price list of 1982, though examples were certainly shipping as early as July 1981. Choice of finish had no impact on list price. The example shown here comes from October 1981, and is typical of the early Victory production.
The bass was designed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge (see development of the Victory Bass), who perfectly matched the sweep and flow of the guitars cutaways with the sloped pickup, fretboard edge and oddly curved scratchplate. A pickguard template is available here.
The innovative TRI-4 wedge bridge was designed by Tim Shaw and Chuck Burge especially for the Victory bass series, though it went on to be used by the Explorer bass too. It was certainly an improvement on the seventies three-point bridge used on so many other Gibson basses, not only offering an extra plane of adjustment (laterally) but the adjustments were also far simpler to perform.
The Victory Standard was equipped with one series VIIIB humbucker, tilted towards the neck; parallel with the edge of the fretboard. It is mounted to the scratchplate with three bolts to adjust height and angle, and positioned more-or-less centrally, just like a Fender Precision. It was not the same pickup as used on the Victory Artist, being described in the 1981 owners manual as "having less highs than the Artist", but being "louder and punchier".
The Thunderbird-esque Victory headstock with triangular 'Standard' truss rod cover and 'Gibson Victory Bass' branding. The machine heads fitted to this bass are by Gotoh, part number 14102. Note, this bass has been fitted with a plastic nut; this is typical of '81 Standards; by the end of January 1982, like the Artist, they were being shipped with brass nuts,
The headstock held the eight digit serial number, and the words 'MADE IN U.S.A.'. In this case, the serial number 82811528 tells us that the bass was stamped on the 8th October 1981 (day 281). 528 means that it was a product of the Gibson Nashville plant (Kalamazoo numbers start at 0, Nashville numbers start at 500), and was the 28th instrument stamped that day.
For details of the circuitry employed in this bass, see the wiring photographs and schematic.
Gibson Victory bass for sale
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Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville
Santa Ana, California, 927**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1300
Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville
Model: 1981 Gibson Victory Standard bassPickups: One Series VIIB humbucker Scale: 34 " Body: Eastern hard-rock maple. 19 1 / 2" long, 13" wide, 1 3 / 4" thick. Overall length 47 " Neck: 24 fret, two-octave maple bolt-on neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Width at nut 1 6875 " Hardware: Chrome throughout: TRI-4 wedge bridge, Gotah machine heads
Pleasetake advantage of the zoom feature on the photos to judge ... more
Model: 1981 Gibson Victory Standard bassPickups: One Series VIIB humbucker Scale: 34 " Body: Eastern hard-rock maple. 19 1 / 2" long, 13" wide, 1 3 / 4" thick. Overall length 47 " Neck: 24 fret, two-octave maple bolt-on neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Width at nut 1 6875 " Hardware: Chrome throughout: TRI-4 wedge bridge, Gotah machine heads
Pleasetake advantage of the zoom feature on the photos to judge ... more
Vintage 1981 Gibson VICTORY STANDARD BASS with Original Case Candy Apple Red
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1295
This bass has been heavily played but it's almost all original. The only non-original items I can find are the pickguard screws and strap buttons. There are lots of nicks, dings, and paint chips on the body. There is a lot of belt buckle wear. There's pitting on the bridge. The frets and fingerboard are in surprisingly nice shape. The action is good for a vintage bass. Pots date 1378046 and 1377??? (can't read last 3 digits) There is heavy checking, some loss of the finish, and some delamination... more
Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'
Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
This a killer bass and a total P bass killer. Gibson released these to compete with the p bass and they are far, far, better quality. Mahogany body, Mable neck, brass nut, active and passive humbuckers with MOOG electronics! All original with the original case. The original case is pretty beat up with a buckle replaced but still road Worthy. Original paperwork still with it. The guitar is set up to play easy with a low action and great sound. One bridge saddle is missing the riser but works ... more
GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR
Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1750
GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful original guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest https: / / authorityguitar com / gibson-serial-number-lookup-decoder /
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VINTAGE 1982 USA GIBSON VICTORY BASS GUITAR TUNER
Monza, 20***, ITALY
€50
Early eighties Gotoh tuners part number 14102.
Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
... more
Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
... more
Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock
Southend-on-Sea, SS1***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1999
1981 Gibson Victory Bass with Thunderbird headstock and a USA Kahler bass tremolo system in a stunning natural finish. This is simply the coolest bass guitar we have ever had at the studio. This is a rare model that looks epic, sounds epic and plays amazingly well! Very rare to get an 80's bass with a Kahler tremolo. The few we've ever had have sold instantly, as these systems are valuable and highly sought after. The Thunderbird headstock looks so cool, and you can't go wrong with a name like ... more