Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. The Matsumoku factory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass (alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. So it is hard to generalise, although some might argue that the darker sound of humbucking pickups in a mahogany body and neck with rosewood fingerboard is the signature sound of a Gibson bass.īy the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). The original machine heads were replaced with Schaller tuners by the previous owner The original Gibson bridge was upgraded to a fully adjustable chrome hipshot for easier intonation and better sustain/response. There are humbuckers and single coil pickups. This bass is an original Gibson Grabber but includes several key upgrades that make it a unique one-of-a-kind instrument. There are mahogany, maple and alder bodies. Models with set-necks, bolt-on necks, and through-body necks. There are long scale and short scale basses. As a result, there is significant variation across the range of basses Gibson created, in looks, build, electronics, and ultimately sound. Unlike Fender, who produced just a few bass models, but continuously over 50 years ( Fender Precision, Fender Jazz bass), Gibson was continually creating new bass models, most with relatively short production periods. So the Gibson bass was shaped, and finished like an upright, and with an extendable pole at the bass so it could even be played upright.

Unbeatable prices and next day delivery from the UKs no1 instrument store. The fact that they made a solid-body bass at all in this climate is surprising, but Fender solid body sales were sufficiently high to make Gibson take notice. Buy Gibson Grabber 3 70s Tribute Bass (Satin Honeyburst) online from GAK.co.uk. Their view was that guitars should be large jazz boxes, and the bass should be upright and acoustic solid body instruments were for Fender, not Gibson. This was very much in the ethos of Gibson at the time. Gibson have been producing bass guitars since 1953, starting with the violin-shaped EB bass.

Gibson grabber