Help me track down a Gibson Grabber copy!

[MarkG3]

I need some help tracking one of these bad boys down. I've been looking for a while now. I've put up a wanted ad but hope I could get some help here too.

I've seen quite a few different brand names for the copies, Cimar, Avon, MIA, Eagle and Melody

I've searched here and continue to check almost every hour or so to see if ones for sale but no luck. Just been up to Denmark Street for a look but no luck there either.

I'm also searching eBay with all the different names and brands too but again no luck. Gumtree has been pretty useless, unless I'm doing something wrong....

If anyone knows of anyone selling one please let me know!

Edited October 3, 2017 by MarkG3

[uk_lefty]

I saw an Aria one recently, might have been on gumtree. Was in the last few days. Sorry I can't be more specific, it was right handed and not what I was looking for, but it did catch my eye. I haven't looked anywhere other than gumtree or eBay recently so it was one or the other.

[Woodinblack]

Was going to say the facebook bass players market place, but that is a ripper, not a grabber. I always thought they were the same!

[Painy]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1507048282' post='3383018']
Was going to say the facebook bass players market place, but that is a ripper, not a grabber. I always thought they were the same!
[/quote]

Was going to say I'd seen one advertised somewhere online very recently but pretty sure now it was this that I'd seen.
Seem to remember it's actually an Epi.

[MarkG3]

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1507046517' post='3383008']
I saw an Aria one recently, might have been on gumtree. Was in the last few days. Sorry I can't be more specific, it was right handed and not what I was looking for, but it did catch my eye. I haven't looked anywhere other than gumtree or eBay recently so it was one or the other.
[/quote]

Thanks! Just seen what I think is the one you're talking about. It's got a p pickup in it sadly and I think maybe was a ripper too judging by the headstock? Obviously I could be wrong lol but thanks though

Didn't know Aria did some so that's another name to search for

[uk_lefty]

[quote name='MarkG3' timestamp='1507052412' post='3383058']


Thanks! Just seen what I think is the one you're talking about. It's got a p pickup in it sadly and I think maybe was a ripper too judging by the headstock? Obviously I could be wrong lol but thanks though

Didn't know Aria did some so that's another name to search for
[/quote]

Sorry mate, I don't know my Rippers from my Grabbers! Being left handed it's hard to get excited or interested in Gibson basses.

[Bassassin]

I'm familiar with the MIJ copies (typically Avon in the UK, & the same bass as Cimar & probably made by Chushin Gakki) & had one myself a few years back. These are very, very accurate copies and could almost pass for the real deal.

I've not encountered MIA or Eagle (suspect they're not UK brands) but the Melody copies are actually Italian-made & quite different - I've heard mixed reports about these, and they're a lot less common.

There are Kimbara & Aria-branded Ripper copies (both Matsumoku builds, AFAIK) and these are both rare and expensive!

Will keep my eyes peeled for an MIJ Grabber & if one turns up will give a heads-up.

Assuming I can manage to not buy it myself - I miss my old one!

[url="https://postimg.org/image/6ko8gph8ij/"][/url] [url="https://postimg.org/image/3iscfhjr7f/"][/url] [url="https://postimg.org/image/66uk40l0jf/"][/url]

[MarkG3]

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1507108903' post='3383309']


Sorry mate, I don't know my Rippers from my Grabbers! Being left handed it's hard to get excited or interested in Gibson basses.
[/quote]

It's fine don't worry that must be annoying!

[MarkG3]

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1507110354' post='3383321']
I'm familiar with the MIJ copies (typically Avon in the UK, & the same bass as Cimar & probably made by Chushin Gakki) & had one myself a few years back. These are very, very accurate copies and could almost pass for the real deal.

I've not encountered MIA or Eagle (suspect they're not UK brands) but the Melody copies are actually Italian-made & quite different - I've heard mixed reports about these, and they're a lot less common.

There are Kimbara & Aria-branded Ripper copies (both Matsumoku builds, AFAIK) and these are both rare and expensive!

Will keep my eyes peeled for an MIJ Grabber & if one turns up will give a heads-up.

Assuming I can manage to not buy it myself - I miss my old one!

[url="https://postimg.org/image/6ko8gph8ij/"][/url] [url="https://postimg.org/image/3iscfhjr7f/"][/url] [url="https://postimg.org/image/66uk40l0jf/"][/url]
[/quote]

Brilliant thanks! Yours is/was lovely, that's what I'm after. Fingers crossed a good one turns up

[DGD]

Hi Mark:

I have a Melody "Grabber" - I bought it new in the early '80's and it's just going through an electronics restoration now (new pots and rewiring) as well a general clean-up since it's been sitting in my studio in the USA for 30 odd years!   It is in pretty decent shape though with just some dings, notably on the bottom bout. I do plan to bring it back to the UK later this year, so if you are interested, drop me a note.  Dave.

[luypasin]

Interested as well, mate !

 

[DGD]

I put it up on eBay if you want a shot at it!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292625473121?_trksid=p2471758.m4704

Dave.

 

[Bassassin]

Couple of things @DGD - you can expect that post to get pulled since BC does not allow the promotion of members' Ebay auctions. Also being in the US it's a bit of a chocolate teapot for most of us.

Melody is not a Japanese brand and your bass is absolutely not MIJ so I would suggest you modify your auction text - these are from Recanti, in Italy and while it's an intersting copy-era instrument (note - not "lawsuit") it's pretty crude compared to the MIJ versions.

http://www.fetishguitars.com/castelfidardo-recanati/melody/