Gibson G3
Encyclopedia
The Gibson
G3 bass was a companion model to the Gibson Grabber
, and a bass version of the S-1
. It debuted in 1975 with the same body shape and styling as the Grabber but a different (and innovative) pickup configuration. It still had a maple or alder body and maple bolt-on neck with the Flying V- like arrow headstock, but had three single-coil Bill Lawrence pickups, wired in humbucking configuration.
Sonically it was much more like a Fender than a Gibson, and was perhaps aimed at taking some of their market share. It was a popular bass with a much brighter sound than Gibson basses were usually associated with.
Similar models include the Ripper
and the G3's cousin, the Gibson Grabber
, which both looked similar, but had a set neck rather than a bolt-on. The Grabber had a bolt-on neck, but had one sliding pickup.
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
G3 bass was a companion model to the Gibson Grabber
Gibson Grabber
The Gibson Grabber was a bass guitar introduced in 1973 along with the Gibson Ripper. The Grabber featured a bolt-on 34½" neck like the Fender basses and shared a similar body with the Ripper. The Grabber also had a V-shaped headstock like the Gibson Flying V guitar. What made the Grabber truly...
, and a bass version of the S-1
Gibson S-1
The Gibson S-1 is an electric guitar, made by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.Gibson started producing the S-1 in mid-1975, but released it on the market in 1976. Its production lifespan was 1975-1980. Like the Gibson Marauder, the S-1 was an attempt to break through into the single-coil guitar...
. It debuted in 1975 with the same body shape and styling as the Grabber but a different (and innovative) pickup configuration. It still had a maple or alder body and maple bolt-on neck with the Flying V- like arrow headstock, but had three single-coil Bill Lawrence pickups, wired in humbucking configuration.
Sonically it was much more like a Fender than a Gibson, and was perhaps aimed at taking some of their market share. It was a popular bass with a much brighter sound than Gibson basses were usually associated with.
Similar models include the Ripper
Gibson Ripper
The Gibson L9-S Ripper is a model of electric bass guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation.The Ripper was manufactured from 1973 until 1983; the peak year being 1976. Most had a maple body with laminated maple neck, however a significant number manufactured in 1975 had lighter alder bodies while...
and the G3's cousin, the Gibson Grabber
Gibson Grabber
The Gibson Grabber was a bass guitar introduced in 1973 along with the Gibson Ripper. The Grabber featured a bolt-on 34½" neck like the Fender basses and shared a similar body with the Ripper. The Grabber also had a V-shaped headstock like the Gibson Flying V guitar. What made the Grabber truly...
, which both looked similar, but had a set neck rather than a bolt-on. The Grabber had a bolt-on neck, but had one sliding pickup.
External links
- Gibson G3– Information, sound clips and pictures of the Gibson G3.