Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,168

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

The Gibson Victory Artist Bass is a distinguished instrument, merging the classic Gibson craftsmanship with innovative design, making it a favorite among bass players who value both style and substance. Released during the early 1980s, this electric bass is known for its versatility and powerful sound, catering to a broad range of musical genres. The Victory Artist Bass boasts a unique active electronics system, allowing players to achieve a wide array of tonal possibilities, from deep, resonant lows to crisp, articulate highs.

Crafted with precision, this bass guitar features a solid maple body and a three-piece maple neck, offering both durability and enhanced sustain. Its rosewood fingerboard ensures smooth playability, while the 24 frets provide ample range for expressive solos and complex riffs. The Gibson Victory Artist Bass is equipped with two humbucking pickups, which deliver a rich, full-bodied tone with minimal noise interference, perfect for both studio recording and live performances.

Aesthetically, the bass maintains a sleek and professional look, making it an attractive choice for musicians who appreciate both function and form. This instrument is designed to meet the demands of serious bassists, providing reliable performance and exceptional sound quality.

Key Features:

  • Solid maple body and three-piece maple neck
  • Active electronics system for versatile tonal options
  • Rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets
  • Two humbucking pickups for a rich, full-bodied sound
  • Sleek, professional design for stage and studio use

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Victory Artist Bass
Finish Antique Fireburst, Candy Apple Red
Year 1981 - 1985
Made In United States
Categories 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Active Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 10"
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 4-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson Victory Artist Bass?

The Gibson Victory Artist Bass features a comfortable maple neck with a double cutaway design, allowing for easy access to all 24 frets. The neck profile is designed to provide smooth playability and is suitable for various playing styles.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Gibson Victory Artist Bass?

The Gibson Victory Artist Bass is equipped with active humbucking pickups, offering a powerful and versatile tone. The active preamp enhances the bass and treble frequencies, making it suitable for a wide range of genres from rock to funk.

Is the Gibson Victory Artist Bass suitable for beginner bass players?

While the Gibson Victory Artist Bass is a high-quality instrument with advanced features, its comfortable neck and versatile tone make it accessible for beginners who are serious about learning and investing in a reliable bass guitar.

How does the active preamp on the Gibson Victory Artist Bass affect its sound?

The active preamp on the Gibson Victory Artist Bass boosts the bass and treble frequencies, providing a more dynamic and powerful sound. This feature allows for greater tonal flexibility and clarity, making it ideal for both live performances and studio recordings.

What are the body and neck materials used in the Gibson Victory Artist Bass?

The Gibson Victory Artist Bass features a body made from maple and a neck also crafted from maple, with a rosewood fretboard. This combination provides a bright, resonant tone with excellent sustain and playability.

Dengia64

Dengia64

Gibson Victory Artist bass 1981

Video thumbnail for Gibson Victory Artist bass 1981 by Dengia64

Gibson Victory Artist bass 1981

Dengia64

Dengia64

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Victory Artist Bass.

Features and functionality

  • The Tim Shaw-designed active electronics include a 2-band bass/treble EQ, offering a range of tones from P-bass thump to 80s black/thrash metal.

    Source
  • Removing the battery results in a dead system, highlighting the reliance on active electronics.

    Source
  • Holding the bass at a 45° angle makes the pickup level, providing a natural thumb rest, enhancing playability.

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Use cases and applications

  • The neck pickup produces a thick, doomy P-bass sound, while the bridge pickup can emulate a Steve Harris style with boosted treble and bass.

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Comparisons

  • The Gibson Victory Artist Bass is likened to a P-bass but with more thump, making it versatile for various genres like heavy metal, punk, and country.

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User experience

  • Despite its 12-pound weight, owners appreciate its versatility and power, using it for touring and recording across multiple genres.

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  • Owners experiencing quiet active/passive systems often find the neck pickup to be the problematic component.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Replacing capacitors on the board resolved volume issues, improving the active/passive system's function.

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  • Troubleshooting volume issues can involve a detailed board evaluation, often requiring custom solutions.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Custom circuit boards are being created to address active/passive system issues, but availability is limited.

    Source

Build quality

  • The finish on the 1981 Victory Standard is notably prone to color fading, transitioning from silver to a gold hue over time.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

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Artist usage

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B

Biréli Lagrène

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Bireli can be seen playing this bass on this photo.

See how Greg Christian uses Gibson Victory Artist Bass

Greg Christian

Bassist

Testament

...
Verified via YouTube

Greg play this bass from the start of when he joined Testament (called Legacy at that time). He also used this bass to record The Legacy. In the Over The Wall music video you see him playing the Gibson bass. The shown you can see him playing the bass during the performance. Greg retired the bass when he switch to a ESP p bass but quickly after switch to a Ibanez soundgear bass in the same year of 1987.

Album Usage

The Gibson Victory Artist Bass has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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sascha_petrovich

sascha_petrovich

Gear IQ 197

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