This design patent no. 269,524, for 'Bass Guitar or Similar Article', filed in Jun 1981 and granted two years later, June 1983, refers to the Gibson Victory series of bass guitars, also launched in min-1981. Charles T Burge is named as inventor with Norlin as asignee.
The Victory series (ultimately three basses and two six string guitars) was designed in the Kalamazoo research and development department, by Charles (Chuck) Burge and Tim Shaw. Burge concentrated on the body design, Shaw the electronics - but the pair also hold the patent for the TRI-4 wedge bridge, first used on this bass, and a great step forward in adjustability.
The bass was quite different from Gibson models that had preceded it; Chuck discusses the rationale behind it's design in his interview with FlyGuitars here.
Gibson Victory bass for sale
Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'
Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR
Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1750
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Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville
Santa Ana, California, 927**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1300
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
GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR
Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1750
... more
Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock
Southend-on-Sea, SS1***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1999
VINTAGE 1982 USA GIBSON VICTORY BASS GUITAR TUNER
Monza, 20***, ITALY
€50
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
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