Gibson Victory, Gibson Explorer

As well as an artist, Dave is known for his publicity work for Gibson, particularly the Gibson Victory adverts of 1981. In fact Dave had three Victory basses from Gibson: a red Victory Artist (that appears in the advertisements), a white single pickup Artist (single pickup like a Standard, but with active circuitry like a Artist) which was stolen, and another identical replacement.

FlyGuitars When did you first hear about the Gibson Victory?

Dave Kiswiney Pat Aldworth, the artist rep, told me they were making a bass, more like a Fender type of thing, and did I have any input. And i'd get with Chuck (Burge - read his interview on the development of the Victory bass) and and we'd talk about it, and he'd say what do I like, you know. The V came from the way the pickup configuration is that's how they named it Victory... because they had a slanted front and straight treble one, and they slanted it like that and got 24 frets out of the first string.. and then they looked at it and it looks like a V, so they just decided that's why they call it the Victory. That's what they told me because it looks like you're holding a letter V.

FlyGuitars Can you remember what input you gave Chuck back then?

Dave Kiswiney A bigger, more massive, more adjustable bridge... the thing they ended up with, that's a Schaller. And active pickups. Lots of boost on the low end, and on the high end I liked a lot more variations. I like active basses, just wanted it to be active. Other than that, balance; some of the Gibsons i've had fall down.

Chuck Burge was the king, and if you went to his shop.. my gosh.. he would make some incredible stuff.. he was an artist, really a genius.. just a way lot of stuff going on in his brain, you know, he was really something. And he made that Victory bass, and he gave it to me and I did the ad with it, and they let me leave the property with it. Chuck said it's yours, get it out of here. That’s prototype number 8. It's a monster.

We did it in a theatre in Kalamazoo, I think it's the State. It was an old movie theatre and they had a proscenium stage, and that's where we did it. I was at the edge of the stage wearing that same jacket; it was the same photo shoot.. I was holding that thing up in the air. It's not a candy apple red either, it's an awful tomato soup red.

FlyGuitars Is the back of the neck red?

Dave Kiswiney No not on that one, the back of the neck is Maple and it's got a stamp on it that says 'Gibson prototype' 08.

Two Gibson Victory basses, both active. The 1983 single pickup Artist, and the original dual pickup Artist, #08

Headstock front view, with 'Dave' truss rod cover

The reverse has Chuck Burge's 'Original Gibson Prototype' stamp, and serial number 08. This is probably one of the 'eight rack' of show instruments built before production started in full see Chuck Burge interview

FlyGuitars How did you lose your first white Victory bass?

Dave Kiswiney I took a flight to Fort Lauderdale to do an album with Pat Travers, (Hot Shot) 1983 - and I had two basses a Fender and Gibson; that white (single pickup) Gibson Artist that he made for me - and it never came off the plane. It just never came from Detroit.. and I had metal cases, hardshell cases. The Fender came off the plane but the Gibson did not.

He (Chuck Burge) started making another for me right away. There was a tour that we did where we all had white Gibsons. It was the Bound and Gagged tour I believe, anyway, at the end of the show we all stood in the middle and held up our guitars in a three-way. Ted had a skull crossbones painted on the back of his. It wasn't a Byrdland, it was a Howard Roberts Fusion maybe, and they painted on the back, it had this big skull and crossbones and he stood in the middle with that holding it by the neck, up in the air, and Derek and I would cross in front of it with our white.. he painted the neck white on that, you know, so that was the reason for that.

FlyGuitars How did your Victorys differ from stock instruments?

Dave Kiswiney Well Chuck carved the heel out on the white one; where the neck joins the body and it's square, he rounded that off so your hand fit on it really nice. The one that got stolen was even more so, and where your hand fits up like on the 21st, 22nd fret on the first string it's indented a little bit more and leaned in, carved in. He did that for me. Chuck was an artist and genius. He didn't talk much, he was a Michigan Guy and an artisan, and he built some really cool stuff. (It's) a single pickup but it's got activate electronics in it. The only other one out there Tim Shaw's got. I said "I've got the only one you made for me", he said "no you don't, I've got two!". Who knows what he walked out of Gibson with. The single pickup artist is beautiful, you should see it.. the patina on it, it's absolutely amazing what's happened to these basses over the years, you know it's 45 years old

FlyGuitars Is that the one in the bass frontiers video?

Dave Kiswiney Yes that's it, yep that's it

FlyGuitars I noticed that, unusually, it's got the black hardware, the black bridge. Is that something you asked for?

Dave Kiswiney No. I may have, but I don't think I did, I think they just did it for me that way. And it's beautiful, it's got a brass nut, it's an absolutely gorgeous bass, and not only that, they gave me a fretless neck for it. For both the guitars I have a fretless neck. just bolts on perfectly. how about that?

But I mean I love the bass.. they're the heaviest things i've ever owned but you get used to it after a while you don't even realize; they play so good. The Victory's not light, but it's lighter than the RD I think. It's 12/4 lbs, the red one. That's pretty heavy. But I can stand with it. I actually perform better standing, my parts I might learn them sitting down but, I like to stand up when I play.

FlyGuitars The red Victory had serial number #08. What about the white one?

Dave Kiswiney No serial number. It just says Gibson custom shop original, but no serial number. How about that? And this is the replacement. This one (the accompanying fretless neck) has a serial number, it's very faded 82741573 that's what it looks like. It was stamped and then it was heavily lacquered.

Gibson Explorer

Single pickup active Explorer bass. The bass appears to have a 1986 serial number (80566525) which doesn't quite make sense! See text.

Dave Kiswiney I've got an Explorer bass here, that's medium scale. I told Tim (Shaw) I said "can you make it active?" and he said "well, yeah, we don't have anything that would fit in there, but..." so they took the circuit board out of a Chet Atkins acoustic gut string. He took the circuit board from that and plopped it in this Explorer bass; cut it out and put it in the back. And it's ungodly. Like something from another planet. I played it in 1984, it was just the coolest bass, it plays so good and it's louder than bejesus. I mean it's just a monster. It's absolutely a monster. The paint job on it is a cherry red.. everything but the neck has rolled up, the body rolled up on the back and the front, and the paint, if you're not careful with it, will fall off it.. it's absolutely beautiful but the neck didn't do that, just the body

This Is what kills me about that Explorer. I got it for the '84 tour because Dave Amato was in the band, he now plays with REO Speedwagon, and he had Gibsons, and all kinds of weird shape things, Flying Vs and stuff like that, and it just seems like '84 was the year for that to come back with Ted. He didn't tour in '83, and going back out there with Brian Howe, who was the singer who went on to Bad Company. But I had that red guitar; they built it for me. Tim Shaw put the electronics in it from a Chet Atkins acoustic electric. I said wanted it active, and they didn't have anything, so Tim Shaw figured out how to wire it into that bass. I've got extra boards for it; he said I don't know what will happen but if this gets screwed up you've got a couple extra circuit boards. And they're still here some place, i've got them even to this day. When you plug that thing in it takes a second for it to fire up, you can strike a note it doesn't come out it goes...... (makes noise). And it's goes through batteries you know, I take the batteries out of it when it's on display. I don't want anything to go wrong with it, any ones that are active I go and check the batteries on them, you know like those Victorys, because I don't want this stuff to rot especially that Explorer. But I got it in 84, I swear to God I don't know why it's got a number on it like that. I got that in Kalamazoo. They gave it to me in '84. I'd moved back from Maui in '83. My father had passed away I moved back, and moved all my stuff back and had an apartment in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and that's where Nugent headquarters were, so we rehearsed for the tour in like January, February, and I was going to Gibson I was driving to Kalamazoo and they made that bass for me.. and yeah there was no talk of Heritage or any of that, so I went out on the road with the Ripper, the Explorer, and a Fender. The Fender had an 8 string conversion bridge called 'Octopus' - I cannot find another like it. I always took the Ripper out, but it was not my primary. In '84 the Explorer was the primary. I had those three basses. it's all I had and I played it for the whole tour.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

CLEAN! Vintage Gibson Grabber Bass!! Plays great! W / alt Pickguard

Monticello, New York, 127**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

This vintage Gibson Grabber Bass is a dream come true for any right-handed player looking for a solid body electric bass guitar. With its natural body color and 4-string configuration, this bass is perfect for any music genre. The alt pickguard adds a unique touch to this 1974 model year, making it a must-have for collectors and musicians alike.

The bass plays great and has been well-maintained, ensuring its quality and reliability. Whether you're a seasoned player or a ... more

Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Artist Bass Guitar, Black

Hampton, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Artist bass guitar.
The Victory Artist has two Series VIIIB humbuckers, three-ply maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fretboard, and passive / active electronics with one volume and one tone knob, bass and treble controls, a pickup selector switch, a series / parallel switch, and a three-position passive / active switch
Does not include case.... more

Vintage 1967 Gibson EB-0 Short Scale 4 String Bass - Cherry - Don Storck Custom

Edmond, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Awesome bass. Original electronics and hardware. Still has the string dampener and it works! Great tone. This is a two-owner guitar from Oklahoma City. It was played lovingly by its original owner, Don Storck, from the time that he purchased it new by in 1967 at different gigs over the years. It has earned its wonderful patina from years of playing, and it looks great. It has all the expected finish checking that you would expect to see on a guitar of this vintage. The second pick guard was ... more

1963 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass With Gigbag

Lincoln, Nebraska, 685**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

The 1963 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass is a highly sought-after electric bass guitar known for its classic design and superior craftsmanship. Made in the United States with a solid mahogany body, this vintage Gibson bass instrument exudes a timeless charm with its rich cherry color and vintage appeal. As a part of Gibson's renowned series of electric bass guitars, the EB-0 model delivers exceptional sound quality and playability, making it a versatile and reliable choice ... more

1970 or 1971 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar With Epiphone Case

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 731**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1700

The 1970 or 1971 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar is a vintage musical instrument that exudes classic style and timeless appeal. With its solid body and right-handed design, this 4-string bass guitar is perfect for musicians looking to add a touch of vintage flair to their collection. The Gibson brand ensures high quality craftsmanship and exceptional sound, making it a sought-after choice for bass players looking to rock out on a classic instrument. Complete with an Epiphone case, this vintage ... more

Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass

Union, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

The Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass is a classic right-handed solid wood electric bass guitar with a 4-string configuration. This vintage model, known as the Les Paul, was made in the United States and features a solid brown body color, making it both visually appealing and high-quality in terms of sound and playability. With its durable construction and iconic design, this guitar is a popular choice among bass players looking for a reliable and timeless instrument.... more

1961 Gibson EB-3 the cleanest original extent w / hang tags 1 of a kind & Minty !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11495

This is a beautiful 1st year produced example of the exactly ??Cream Era?? Gibson EB-3 bass, pretty much identical the primary one used extensively by Jack Bruce from 1966 into the mid-70s. These expensive double pickup EB basses were made in fairly small quantities from 1961 into the mid-1960s but most examples that surface now are the later ??60s and early ??70s models, when they were produced in much greater numbers ?? at least partially due to the popularity of Cream ! Those are fine ... more

1976 RD Standard Gibson Jazz Bass Guitar

Mission Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

The 1976 RD Standard Gibson Jazz Bass Guitar is a classic electric bass guitar by Gibson, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and iconic design. With a sleek black body color, this guitar is sure to make a stylish statement in any musician's collection. Featuring the renowned Standard series, this bass guitar is known for its versatile sound and exceptional playability, making it a popular choice among bass players in various genres of music
PICK UP ONLY Mission Hills, CA (LA ... more

1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Rare Vintage Electric Bass

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

€1300

1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass ?? All Original - Near Mint Condition
This rare 1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial bass is in exceptionally well-preserved, near mint condition. Everything on the instrument is 100% original, including the electronics ?? with potentiometers dated to 1976. Importantly, the neck is completely intact, with no breaks or repairs, which is uncommon for this model. It comes with the original Gibson hardshell case
? Historical Background:In 1976, to... more

Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar

Anderson, Indiana, 460**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5790

Double cut a way Sun Burst Serial Number is 408061I purchased this bass in the sixties. I am the original owner Has been played very little. Has original strings except "G " Original hard caseOriginal cordHippie strap includedEXCELLENT CONDITION... more

gibson bass guitar 4 string

Maple Shade, New Jersey, 080**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1188

The Gibson Bass Guitar 4 String is a high-quality electric bass guitar designed for musicians looking for a powerful and versatile sound. With its solid body construction and distinctive red color, this SG model delivers rich bass tones that are perfect for both live performances and studio recordings. Featuring four strings, this bass guitar offers a wide range of notes and harmonies, making it ideal for bass players looking to explore different genres and styles of music. Built by the renowned... more

Gibson SG style Bass - Vintage REVO Series 'Callan' Bass See Thru Cherry Red

Boulder, Colorado, 803**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$499

I have a MINT Vintage Revo Bass for sale. Short scale Gibson style
I only played it a handful of times so it's in perfect condition
Body: Mahogany, edge radius 6mm
Neck: Mahogany, Set Neck
Fingerboard: Jatoba
Frets: 22
Scale Length: 30"
Tuners: Wilkinson WJBL175
Pickups: Alan Entwistle EB4 plus Alan Entwistle Bass Mini humbucker
Controls: Volume / Tone 1 / Tone 2 with 3 way TE Switch
Top Nut: GraphTech®
... more

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case

Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.

The Gibson comes with a stellar silver and gold very early flight case you could ship it overseas in that thing and I wouldn't be afraid. It came from a very high end Collection and is in extremely good condition and will not find one in better shape. Plays and sounds amazing, has the stock bass boost switch that gets super deep tones and a very very cool bass!!!!  It is so clean you can eat off of it!!! Jimmy page... more

1967 / 68 / 69 Gibson USA EB Bass Husk - Routed

Garland, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$795

1967 / 68 or 69 GIBSON USA EB bass husk. No parts included. Routed and extra holes for pots and switches as you can see in the pictures. Truss rod turns both ways. Could make a cool project bass. No case. Please review pictures carefully.
Buyer pays $60 shipping and insurance.
Thanks for looking.
... more

1980 Gibson Grabber Bass (Natural, OHSC) ?? All Original

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2699

For Sale: 1980 Gibson Grabber Bass ?? Natural | Original Hard-Shell Case
Up for sale is a vintage 1980 Gibson Grabber Bass in its classic Natural finish, complete with the original Gibson hard-shell case. A true product of Gibson??s bold ?70s / ?80s design era, this bass delivers the punchy, versatile tones that made the Grabber a favorite among rock and punk players
This instrument is marked ??second?? on the back of the headstock ?? a common Gibson factory practice in the ?70s and ?80s ... more

Vintage 1960s Gibson Kalamazoo KB-1 Bass Guitar Very Early Low Serial #000316

Kansas City, Missouri, 641**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Please read all of this and ask questions BEFORE YOU BID!

Vintage 1960s, probably 1966, Kalamazoo bass guitar. Super low serial number: 000316. Made in the Kalamazoo Michigan Gibson factory. Same exact pickup as the Gibson EB0 bass guitars

Works and plays great great shape with minor scrapes, digs and an obligatory cigarette burn on the pick guard. Currently has black flat would strings installed. No case. Will be pro packed in a sturdy guitar box


As ... more

Gibson EB-O Electric Bass Guitar 1972 Walnut Kalamazoo Short Scale Humbucker

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 089**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1700

Not Being A Bass Maven, The Specs On This Is The Closest That I Could Find Online So Don??t Hold Me To Every Single Detail. First Off I??ve Had This Bass For A Long Time & Used It Sparingly. It??s Been Kept In A Case & Is In Great Condition. Plays Good, Sounds Awesome, Electronics Are Quiet, No Frets Buzz & Really Has No Issues. Seems Like It??s All Original So Let??s Get Into The Details
Gibson 1972 EB-O Mahogany Body(Walnut Finish), 3 Piece Maple Neck w / 22?? Short Scale 21 ... more

1976 Gibson EB-3 Mahogany Bass Guitar W / Ohsc Veritone

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1850

1976 Gibson EB-3 Mahogany Bass Guitar W / Ohsc Veritone. Guitars in good condition has a few little minor scratches here and there
Tuners have been changed. Everything else is 100% original. Sounds great. Will ship FedEx ground fully insured with tracking shipping to the lower 48 states only. No Alaska Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam or PO boxes international shipping provided by eBay Global
... more

Epiphone by Gibson Power Bass guitar With Case

San Tan Valley, Arizona, 851**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$600

In good condition with minor wear. Please view all photos for condition. It includes the case and cords. The case has the carrying strap
... more

1978 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric (MOOG) Bass + OHSC

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

1978 Gibson RD Artist Bass Guitar + Original Gibson Hardshell Case
" NATURAL BLONDE" FINISH
GIBSON NORLIN-ERA
Original MOOG ELECTRONICS
Made in USA (Kalamazoo Plant, MI)
Production # 102 (April 17th release)
Adult owned only. Children-free, Pet-free household. Kept inside case when not used

Up for sale is a BEAUTIFUL LATE-70's Gibson Bass Guitar (RD ARTIST)
EXCELLENT overall vintage condition. Standard surface scratches, light dings, marks on front / back body / ... more

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co