Tuesday, June 16, 2009

1983 Gibson Invader near Portland OR for $465




I don't remember if these Invaders have bolt-on or set necks - and these photos conveniently don't show the neck joint - but you might still like this guitar if you want a lighter version of a Les Paul Studio with a high gain pickup. I don't believe these are actual "Dirty Fingers" (498T/500T) pickups - more likely they are the same Zebras that Willem Lorenz (Bill Lawrence) had made in Germany for the Sonex guitars around this time. Those pickups do sound good if you like a punchy high 13K type tone. I personally put them in my Epi Explorer and was happy with the results.


1983 GIBSON "INVADER" w/HARDSHELL CASE - $460 (SE Portland)
Reply to: mailto:sale-zrvjg-1220554332@craigslist.org?subject=1983%20GIBSON%20%22INVADER%22%20w%2FHARDSHELL%20CASE%20-%20%24460%20(SE%20Portland) [Errors when replying to ads?]Date: 2009-06-13, 8:59PM PDT
1983 GIBSON INVADEROriginal Gibson "Dirty Fingers" Zebra Pickups.Don't buy an EPIPHONE when you could get a VINTAGE GIBSON for the same price!!!$460 CASH, VERY FIRM!!!
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12 comments:

  1. scottJanuary 29, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    sorry to be a gear geek, but Bill didn't start making pickups in Germany until 86...not sure that he had a hand in these pickups.

    love this site! cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jim ChristopherJanuary 29, 2010 at 3:48 PM

    If that is true then they probably are actual "Dirty Fingers" pickups in this guitar. I have an 1983 Les Paul XR-1 and it has the Dirty Fingers in it so if thse are original then they probably are the same. Don't worry, if you can't be a gear geek here then where can you? Thanks for the info. - Jim C

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 8:41 AM

      those are dirty fingers!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 10, 2017 at 8:06 AM

      Nope, you guys are just guessing, let me set the record straight, INvaders came with Gibson SONEX pickups. I have been told they were designed by Bill Lawrence, I have been told MIJ. If you have a Invader (yes, its a bolt on neck) remove the pickguard with the whole electronics assembly, you will see the pickups are INK Stamped "SONEX" on the bottom....

      Delete
    3. UnknownMay 10, 2017 at 8:07 AM

      No they are SONEX velvet bricks

      Delete
  3. scottFebruary 20, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    hi Jim,
    could also be 'velvet bricks' (used in some of Gibsons lower end guitars, saving Dirty fingers for the higher end versions)

    example, Sonnex Deluxe = velvet bricks, Sonnex Custom = Dirty fingers

    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 12, 2010 at 4:22 AM

    I have this particular Gibson, and yes they are Bolt on necks and velvet bricks... :) great sound and nice and light... Corey

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    I own a guitar identical to "The Paul" by Gibson in every way (finish, color, pick-ups, pots, wiring, body etc.) except it has a "bolt on neck". Could this be a "transitional" instrument between Gibson's switch from to the "The Paul" over to the "Invader"production. The headstock is the "open book" shape and the tuners are identical to "The Paul". The finish appears original, and the base side of the body is "beveled". Someone commented that it could be an "employee" guitar assembled by a Gibson employee as their own personal instrument, as evidenced by the lack of any visible serial. It was suggested that the serial number may be stamped on the heal of the neck. (I would prefer not to upset my set-up and do this.) Any Ideal as to what I have? A rare "Paul" with a bolt-on neck, an "Invader" finished like a "Paul", an"employee" guitar, or a "transitional" guitar built by Gibson to use up old "Paul" stock before they switched over to making "Invaders". Any Idea as to what I have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim ChristopherJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:38 PM

      Never heard of a "The Paul" wit a bolt on. if it is in deed a real Gibson then it must be a one off. The Invader didn't show up until about 1986 and Gibson stopped making "the Paul" in 1982. I've also never heard of a Gibby with the serial number anywhere but on the back of the headstock. - JC

      Delete
  6. ccozicFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:02 PM

    There are some advantages to bolt-on, such as using a shim. High humidity could really do some harm to a set-neck. I've heard one of these Invaders, and they sound REALLY good. The one I saw had the toggle switch to the left of the knobs pictured above.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 19, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    this picture is NOT Gibson Invader. It has a set neck. I have this instrument mine has same paint, oem dirty fingers & chain saw case. I am the 2nd owner it was purchased in Arizona new.
    This is the only other picture I have EVER found on this guitar, id really like to find out if its walnut like other "the Pauls" and Firebrands or if it mahogany?
    az_pd@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 10, 2017 at 8:11 AM

      As I remember, invaders are Maple, did you notice how light it is? Walnut and Mahogany are very heavy. BTW the neck is also Maple. I was an owner of a Red Invader and they do NOT come with Dirty fingers, they come with Sonex Velvet Bricks, not my favorite sounding PUs so I sold mine and got a Sonex Custom that DOES come standard with Dirtys..Very nice tone, better than a LPS IMHO

      Delete

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