{"product_id":"1979-gibson-the-grabber-bass-73549013","title":"1979 Gibson The Grabber Bass","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the mid-'70s, one brand (take a guess...) dominated the solid-body bass market, but that didn't stop Gibson from producing one of the more interesting bass designs of the decade: The Grabber. Introduced alongside the Ripper in 1974, the Grabber was Gibson's first bolt-on neck bass. Instead of multiple pickups and a selector switch, the Grabber sports a single pickup that can be physically moved to change its position and tonal character. Whacky, innovative, and eye-catching, right down to the pointed Gibson peghead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 1979 Grabber features an Alder body, so it's relatively light and comfortable compared to some of Gibson's other solid-body designs of the period. The maple neck and fingerboard, 34-1\/2\" scale, and bolt-on construction gave the Grabber a feel that was closer to the familiar American bass designs than Gibson's traditional set-neck instruments, too. With only a volume and tone control, the design was remarkably simple on paper, but the sliding pickup was an innovative attempt to deliver something different within the 1970s bass market.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 1979 Gibson Grabber is in nice, playable condition and weighs a very manageable 9 lbs. 6.2 oz. There is some general wear all around the body and some scuffing and chipping to the black finish around the edge of the peghead. Some of the pickguard screws are missing, and the bridge cover is gone. The strap button has been relocated to the neck pocket from the bass-side cutaway, which makes for better balance on a strap. The original tuners, bridge, and electronics are all fully functional, and the setup feels great. The original frets have plenty of life left with no buzzing, quirks, or dead spots. It includes a basic gig bag.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Grabber is a fascinating design because its pickup can be positioned anywhere along the track. To be fair, the range isn't especially wide, but as you play around with the slider, you'll hear the transition from a fuller, rounder neck position to a brighter, more immediate bridge position. It is a clever system that makes the Grabber feel more interactive than a conventional bass, and it was certainly an unconventional approach in the 1970s. Nowadays, the Grabber and Ripper both have a distinctive Gibson vibe, but the more compact Grabber—with its straightforward bolt-on maple neck—is an easy bass to pick up and play.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54637325811925,"sku":"1979-gibson-the-grabber-bass-#73549013","price":2799.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0080\/2930\/6939\/files\/1979GibsonTheGrabberBass_73549013_-Detail05.jpg?v=1787769596","url":"https:\/\/telluridemusiccompany.com\/products\/1979-gibson-the-grabber-bass-73549013","provider":"Telluride Music Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}