1982 Gibson Victory Custom

• Solid maple body • Laminate maple bolt-on long-scale (34") neck • Rosewood fingerboard • Two type VIIIB humbuckers • Passive circuitry

Candy Apple Red finish was a metallic red, produced with a silver base-coat, with a translucent red above. The Victory Custom bass was also listed as available in Antique Fireburst, Ebony and Antique Gold. Although no shipping figures for the Victory series are available, it would seem that Candy Apple Red was the most commonly shipped of these finishes.

Note the offset position markers on the rosewood fretboard. The Gibson Victory custom is a two pickup version of the passive Victory Standard - both have a series/parallel switch giving two distinct tones. Available from 1982-84.

Victory Custom bass controls are as follows:
[1] Master volume control
[2] Bass control 0 to 10
[3] Treble control 0 to 10
[4] Pickup selector switch
[5] Series/parallel switch
up - coils in series, down - coils in parallel

The Victory Custom was equipped with two type VIIIB humbuckers, upright in the bridge position, and slanted at the neck. The Victory range was fitted with a new bridge TRI-4 wedge bridge, and previously unused Schaller open gear machine heads.

Need to see under the scratchplate? Gibson Victory circuit photos | Gibson Victory Custom schematic

The Victory bass series instruments (all versions) had long-scale 24 fret two-octave necks; reaching these highest frets did require a particularly deep lower cutaway. It is the contrast between long-top-horn and deep-lower-cutaway that makes this bass look so different to every Gibson bass that preceded it.

The reverse side of the Victory Custom has no battery compartment (unlike the Victory Artist, here), as this bass has no active mode. There was a point, during the development of this bass, that the Victory was going to have a set-neck, like the majority of Gibson instruments (see the Victory bass development page), however this never happened. The neck is bolt-on, using four bolts through the neck plate. The neck plate contains the same Gibson branding first seen on mid-seventies basses such as the Grabber and G-3.

Close up of the Gibson series VIIIB humbucker in the bridge position of this Victory Custom bass. The Series VIIIB pickups were only ever fitted to the Victory series of basses, but this is not to say that all three models used the same pickups; in fact with one exception, all Victory pickups, are unique for their required model and position. The exception is the pickup shown here: the bridge pickup (only) of the Custom was the same unit as fitted to the Victory Standard (see here), though the neck pickup is different again, and not used elsewhere. As is the case with the majority of Gibson instruments produced at this time, the pickups are scratchplate-mounted, with three height/tilt adjustment screws. Scratchplate mounting of pickups and controls allowed easier and more cost-effective production, but makes inspection of the electronics a little more awkward.

At first glance, the passive Victory Custom bass has a the same controls as the active Victory Artist, and there certainly are common features (compare with the controls of the Artist here). From top to bottom, the pots are: volume, bass and treble - the same layout as the Artist - but note each speed knob is marked 0-10 rather than the 5-0-5 of the Artist. Passive tone controls are "reductive", i.e. the natural passive sound is achieved with controls at full; turning them down reduces bass or treble respectively. In contrast, active controls have a natural passive sound at the mid (0) point; above this value they are "additive". The top switch, again like the Artist, is a three-way pickup selector switch; the lower switch, unlike the Artist is a two way series/parallel controller. In the up position, the pickup coils are in series for a single coil sound, down and the coils are in parallel for a traditional humbucking sound.

The Victory series was fitted with a bridge previously unknown on Gibson bass guitars, the TRI-4 wedge bridge; also later fitted to the Gibson Explorer bass. It was produced for gibson by Schaller in Germany. Gibson bass bridges had previously utilised their famous "sustain sister" mounting posts; extending deep into the body of the instrument. Sonically these were pretty successful, although many users found them difficult to adjust. A few low-end basses had been fitted with simpler designs, but this was the first bridge to maintain the mass of the high end predecessors, yet do away with the sound posts. This was also the first design to have side-to-side adjustment, to accurately set string spacing.

The pickguard is five-ply black-white-black-white-black, and held in place with 12 cross-head pickguard screws. The dual-pickup Custom was a purely passive bass, unlike the Victory Artist, and therefore had differing controls, but the pickup and control placings were identical; both models used the same scratchplate. Compare this image with an equivalent for the Victory Artist.

A closer look at the reverse side of a 1982 Gibson Victory Custom electric bass guitar. Basses finished in Candy Apple Red or Antique Fireburst had natural-finished (clearcoated) necks; only those instruments in Ebony or Antique Gold had matching coloured necks. The Custom lacked the back battery cavity of the otherwise very similar-looking Victory Artist.

Like all solid body Gibson bass guitars, the serial number is stamped on the reverse of the instrument's headstock. Unlike earlier six digit numbers that were applied sequentially (with exceptions) and had no data coded into the digits, eight digit serial numbers can be decoded. In this case, the number 82642607 tells us that it was stamped on the 21st September 1982 (day 264). 607 means that it was made at the Gibson Nashville plant (Kalamazoo numbers start at 0, Nashville numbers start at 500), and was the 107th instrument stamped that day. This numbering system was only introduced a few years earlier, in 1977, but is still in use by Gibson today. The headstock is, of course, eastern hard-rock maple, clear-coated after the serial number was stamped.

Headstock with Gibson decal logo. The Thunderbird-style headstock shape was about the only design feature taken from earlier Gibson bass models. Victory bass headstock motifs either read 'Gibson Victory' (as seen here) or 'Gibson Victory bass' (see an example here), seemingly at random. Note the brass nut, and rounded triangular truss-rod cover, with model designation.

Just like the Gibson Victory Artist, the Victory Custom used Schaller open gear machine heads. Note the three-piece maple neck, with two extra wings, making a five-piece headstock. The eight digit serial number and MADE IN USA are stamped beside the tuning keys. Victory series necks have no volute; quite unusual for maple-necked Gibsons of this vintage.

Gibson Victory sound clips

These sound clips are recorded directly into a mobilepre preamp. Recorded with round wound strings. Pickup volumes on 10. There are two distinct pickup modes on the Victory Custom bass, coils in series which gives the "most powerful, fattest sound", and coils in parallel which gives a "clean, piano bass tone". See the pickups and Victory Standard Controls sections of the 1981 Victory owners manual - although the Custom is not described, it follows the same basic principle as the Victory Standard.

You can compare these soundclips to the other Victory bass models on the Victory bass soundclip page

Gibson Victory bass for sale

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Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'

Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

This a killer bass and a total P bass killer. Gibson released these to compete with the p bass and they are far, far, better quality. Mahogany body, Mable neck, brass nut, active and passive humbuckers with MOOG electronics! All original with the original case. The original case is pretty beat up with a buckle replaced but still road Worthy. Original paperwork still with it. The guitar is set up to play easy with a low action and great sound. One bridge saddle is missing the riser but works ... more

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR

Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1750

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful original guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest https: / / authorityguitar com / gibson-serial-number-lookup-decoder /

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1981 Gibson Victory Bass Red

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1595

Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Bass in original red finish
A killer bass with a nice fat tone and superb playability
This baby is a RED BEAST!
Bass plays and sounds fantastic.
Some honest signs of age and wear throughout
Completely original
Comes with nice brown hardshell case
Guitar is exactly as pictured.
Buyer pays $125 shipping in the USA, $150 to Hawaii or Alaska, $400 International, $450 to Australia
Pay Pal Accepted
International Buyers ? Please Note: ... more

Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Bass in original red finish

O'Fallon, Illinois, 622**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

This vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Bass is a true gem for any musician. With its classic red finish, this bass is sure to make a statement in any band. The brand is well-known for its high-quality instruments, and this one is no exception.

The body color is a vibrant red that is sure to catch the eye of any collector or player. This bass is part of the Vintage series, which adds to its appeal. Whether you're a seasoned player or a collector, this Gibson Victory Bass is a must-have... more

1981 Gibson Victory bass guitar

Brighton, UNITED KINGDOM

£2200

Very rare 1981 Gibson Victory bass in gorgeous cherry red. Had a recent service in May 24. Comes with leather strap and a generic case to carry it in. Plays excellently, just some obvious cosmetic damage to paint as it was made over 40 years ago. Please inspect all photos and message for any questions
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Gibson Victory Standard Candy Apple Red Classic Bass Guitar USA 1981

Arnside, Cumbria, LA5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1100

Gibson Victory Candy Apple Red Classic Bass Guitar USA 1981
When I bought this some years ago, it was advertised as being manufactured in 1981 and with a special paintjob. The special paint job is a refinish, and I'm pretty sure they painted the back of the neck as I've never seen another like it. Looks quite nice but has some chips and knocks but overall, it's a very cool 43 year old bass. Plays great. sound great but I'll only be selling it to somebody that comes and plays it in person ... more

Gibson Victory Bass gebraucht

Leimen, 69***, GERMANY

€750

Gibson Victory BassSiehe Fotos Gebrauchsspuren an der Kopfplatte und an der Korpusrückseite.... more

VINTAGE 1982 USA GIBSON VICTORY BASS GUITAR TUNER

Monza, 20***, ITALY

€50

Early eighties Gotoh tuners part number 14102.
Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
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