Epiphone Ripper

Maple neck and body, nice clear coated fretboard. Has very simple controls. One volume, one tone. The tone knob does a lot to the sound of the bass.

I play mostly punk but I of course play all sorts of music occasionally. I run it through a hartke 4x10 and get a very nice sound with a little bit of trebly growl but that was the sound I was looking for when I bought it.

I don't know about the factory setup, but when I got the bass the setup was horrible. I lowered the bridge and the A string was really buzzy. Come to find out, the saddle of the A string had been worn down, causing the buzzes. This would explain why the action was sso high. I easily found replacement saddles on ebay. Some fret wear when I got it because of someone having the bridge low and A string buzzing but playing it anyway. Still very playable.

This bass is the perfect live bass because of it's departure from the classic punk pbass look. I will be gigging with it as my main bass with no backup.

I haven't had to deal with them.

I have been playing for almost 2 years and have this is my second bass. I tried a lot of other basses and just couldn't find the sound i wanted for a reasonable price. I plan to eventually replace the entire electronics/pickup set up with original gibson g3 electronics if i can get a hold of them.

This bass doesnt have allot of features it has a humbucking pickup and one volume and one tone control. it has 20 frets and is made of maple it holds a tune well. the best part about this bass is definitely the neck its very comfortable.

The tone is good for nearly every type of music it can be used for slap and blues and rock. i dont recomend this bass to people who like to slap allot because the neck is pretty thin. the only problem in the sound of this bass is that the D and G strings soound different from the E and A strings.

this bass is really nice looking the finish is nice and is pretty rugged it wont wear off quickly.the tuners dont easily either.

This bass is the most reliable bass on the planet it is very simple so dont expect wiring problems id definitely tour without a backup!

I love my Ripper. Made 1999 in Korea. Got a huge humbucking pick-up
(I think) towards the neck. Natural finish. Maple fretboard, 20 frets. Paid $220 w/hardshell case. NO factory flaws except the pickgaurd is kinda scratched.

It suites all my playing styles. It can distort with a rough tone and play smooth and thick. I use a Crate BX-100 with a SansAmp Bass Overdrive. The slap is good with the right settings, just turn the tone up to 10 and it'll sound good.

The C on the low E buzzes. The pick up is really good. The best I've ever played. The finish is beautiful. The only flaw was the pickgaurd: Scratched and it's bent near the bridge. The pots kinda make noise(I think they just cleaning).

I think the bass was practicly made for live playing. The hardware would last forever, it refuses to go outta tune. I tune up maybe once a week and then it's barely outta tune. My sweat has not even blemished the finish. The strap buttons are solid. I would definitly gig without a back-up. I do everytime our church's youth group plays.

I love this bass. My favorite bass that I own. If it were stolen I would definitly buy it again. I wish it had another pick-up.

made in Korea, not sure of the year. Has a volume and tone (that actually is a tone knob, not a muddy/clear knob) knobs. One massive passive pickup almost in the center but leaning towards the neck. 4 strings, 20 frets, very very slim neck. In fact, the neck is my favorite thing about it, it just fits in your hand perfectly.

very nice sound. The D and G strings have the coolest sound in the worlds, like a clicky snapy sound. The E and A strings sound really cool too, but they don't sound like the D and G strings which is my only complaint. I play with the tone knob on 10 and when I'm playing with my band the low end kind of gets lost in the mix (but then again we have two guitarists, and my amp is the only one that dosn't go thru the PA). It's not as loud as my P-Bass but I just turn my amp up to compensate. It sounds very bright with the tone up.

The action was really low (the A string touched the first fret...) but I had the tech guy fix that right away. There was a curious flaw when I bought it. The pickguard was arched by the bridge, which I didn't mind (secret pick storag). From what I know all the Gibson Rippers had the same problem. The finish was chipped a bit on the top of the body (that's why it was on sale...) but other than that it was perfect

as soon as I picked this bass up I knew it could take anything I could throw at it. The body is really big and durable. The strap buttons look small, but I havn't had any problems. It simply refuses to go out of tune. I havn't had it for too long and havn't played a gig with it yet but I would definatly gig without a back up.

never had to deal with them

this bass looks very odd, massive body, skinny neck, big headstock. I have always wanted a real Gibson Ripper, but never could find one. I stopped by mars and saw this one and bought it the same day. I wish it had another pickup and that cool 4 way switch the Gibson's had, but it does the job the way it is. Pretty much my only problem with it is that all 4 strings don't sound exaclty alike, but I am a bit obsessed in that category. I prefer this bass over my p-bass and almost every other bass I have played. It's a bit tricky to play sitting down (huge body)but this is a superior instrument.

Mine is a brand newie, build date recent. Black as black with a nice three ply plate (black, white, black).
Everything the other guys have described.
A second pickup would be good, but methinks after a while I might just install another near the bridge. I'll get another humbucker to match or two new ones, setup another tone and volume and a switch. Sweet :)

Sounds awesome. I am of the inclination of the previous posters. Afflicted with a liking of Rickenbacker basses. I would dearly like an early 70s 4001... Alas they are thin on the ground and expensive in Australia :(

My first bass was a cheapie that I did up and she is now professionally fretless. The bands I were in were demanding a sharper sound to cut through more easily, just more punch. I needed a fretted bass fast.

My eye was on a Gibson Ripper, the money demanded and its relatively poor state was a turn off. So I spotted the Epiphone. I was immediately impressed even with the factory crappy strings on it, I figured I would fit my favourite Rotosounds anyway :)
The tone was not unlike the Gibson at all, except the Gibson was a bit fatter and more lo-fi, which can be a negative, and the Epi doesn't have that neat sliding pickup. But the tone knob works! I mucked around with the pickup height and screwed it down a bit more, there is probably too much gain if anything.

Watch your rig, this bass will produce gobs and gobs of bottom end. I am running a Trace Elliot AH250 (think earthquake) through a 2x12 cab. The cab can't handle the lows even on preamp 8, power 3! I go hunting soon for cabinet.

Everything the other guys have said.
A guitarist friend has an Epiphone Les Paul and it is a nice piece of kit too, mine just feels a little better, the two sounds go well together. I can feed the bottom end, nice and phat or go the growly trebly way and have a little fun :)

I lowered the action but noticed that the A string was too high. To get a decent action on the A, the E was too low and buzzed like mad. So I took it back to the dealer and the techo (Finn) set it up properly, not the strings are flatter and play better.
I am now happy with the action, she plays sweet :)

I am amazed how light and well balanced it is for Maple. You can tell it is maple, it doesn't feel soft like ply and when you put your ear up against the body and hit an E be prepared to be deafened!
Keys are smooth, bridge reasonably adjustable. I have thought about getting a luthier to drill some holes and brass ends and try through body stringing like the Gibson.

Don't know yet, hopefully won't.
Their website isn't all that helpful (at time of writing) but I hear they are an alright mob to deal with.

Excellent stuff.
Very versatile beastie.

1998 Korean made, inspected and set up in the US, Nashville TN. Standard 4 string, gloss black, 20 frets, solid body, bolt on neck...both maple I believe. 1 passive pickup mounted near the center closer to the neck. Similar to a MusicMan Stingray. In fact the bass kind of looks like some sort of mutation of a Stingray. The neck is natural smooth finish, maple fretboard with abalone like dot inlays. The neck if very slim and slender especially at the nut...only an inch and half width at the nut going to 2 and 1/4th at the body...slim and fast. One volume, one tone but both...especiall the tone are very effective. Basically I'd say this was Gibsons answer to the PBass in its design and sound...basic form and function that gets the job done. No frills....just function and tone. I give it a 7 because what it does do it does well. Its big, black, ugly, and sounds amazing.

For only having 2 controls...its only real "features" it can run the gamut on styles. Very versatile...just use the tone control. Can do everything from funk slap to rock and everything in between in my opinion. I play punk/new wave/goth type stuff but dabble in a little of everything here and there. This is probably the most versatile sounding bass I've ever had...like I said, the tone knob does a lot. Goes from bright and punchy to low and thumpy. No matter what setting you use though it always retains a tight low growly depth...I love it. It gets a little toppy on the high notes but that's cure by playing with the tone rolled back ever so slightly or adjusting your treble or presence on your amp. I've played it through a Peavey TNT 130, an SWR Workingman's 15, and several Ampegs...it always sounds great. I'd describe the sound as something like a hybrid between a Rickenbacker and a Stingray...can get a bit edgy sounding but always has an underlying low end tightness that growls a bit like Jazz bass. I can pretty much cop the Simon Gallup tone on the Cure's Fascination Street dead on with this bass. I never thought much about trying a Gibson Ripper but when I saw this Epiphone version for $300 including case I gave it go just for the heck of, not expecting much at all. Damn was I suprised! First off I didn't think it would be all that great playing since it was an Epi, but they've come a long way and make good stuff now days. I immediately couldn't put this bass down and had to buy it right then and there. I've played quite a few basses...some nice expensive ones like my Ric 4003. I can honestly say this bass has THE tone I've always wanted. More so than basses that cost 3 times as much. What a sobering humbling experience for someone who's always had a thing for $$$ basses...Rics, Fenders, Musicman's etc. This bass actually sounds more like a recorded Ric with compression and good EQ'ing than my Ric does on its own!

I bought it used...but practically new so I don't know how it was originally set up. When I bought the action was just a tad higher than prefer but still comfortable to play. I lowered it just a little and its very nice now. No buzzing or dead spots. The finish and fit are pretty much flawless. Beautiful gloss black finish. Tight neck fit. Frets are great. I can't find anything wrong anywhere. I've seen some Epi's that had some finish flaws and were out of whack when it came to action and set up but this one is flawless. The bridge it a Gibson bass style just like they use on the Firebirds and LP basses...big sturdy and ugly like the bass.

This thing is built like a friggin' tank! Could double as a mideval weapon of war...SMACK! Now I see why Gene Simmons favored the Rippers in the 70s. The bass seems to be 100% solid. I know the orig. Gibsons were set neck but I actually prefer this bolt on. I know that if something happens to the neck it won't be a hassle to repair, I can just get a replacement neck. Holds it tune like a rock. Truly dependable.

I haven't dealt with Epiphone but I know they offer a limited lifetime warranty on their guitars now, not too shabby. I plan on contacting them and registering mine with them. A friend of mine had an Epiphone bolt on neck SG copy, not a very good guitar but he was just using it as a beater). He managed to smack the headstock off in a frenzied moment. He was able to get a new neck from Epiphone in no time and said they were very easy to deal with. Of course he had to pay for the neck which wasn't expensive. So I'd say they're a good company...been around long enough. Since I've never dealt with them though I have no opinion.

I've been playing guitar and bass off and on for going on 14 years. Like I mentioned previously, I've owned my fair share of expensive "real" basses and this one definitely gives them a run for their money. No, it probably wouldn't appeal to everyone and bass snobs with Alembics, Wals, etc would sneer at me for giving it such good marks but its simply a great bass, hands down. Its worth every penny I paid for it due to its tough as nails construction and awsome tone. I really could't see any way they could improve on it. If you play punk or hard rock definitely give these a go. Like I said...it will even do the slap thing pretty damn good. I'm satisfied with it and love it...and I'm a very fickle picky buyer/player.

This is a Korean re-issue of an old favorite. It's new, but I don't know what year ('99? 00? 01?) It has four strings, and 20 frets, one volume and one tone control, single passive pickup. The neck is unfinished maple, but very smooth, much smoother than some of the mexican fenders I've tried, very nice fit and finish on the body, necks and really nice fretwork. I don't know what kind of wood the body is made of, it's not quite as heavy as ash, but still pretty heavy. The guitar is finished "natural" with a shiny probably polyurethane clear lacquer, and the body seems to be a two piece laminate, more evident from the back than the front of the instrument.
The body style is a double cutaway, think Gene Simmon's old Gibson Grabber with only one pickup, and you've got this one. The neck is thin, with a long scale, is very comfy. Non-locking tuners, individually adjuwstable string saddles on a stopbar-style tail piece.
A gig bag was included.

Suits our style fairly well, classic rock/southern rock. No effects used with the bass, just an old Peavey 400 series solid state Mark IV head and Sonic cab with one 15 and 2 10's. The E string can be buzzy with round wounds, but most lower cost basses I've played are, Flat wounds take that out, but I like the livelier (not sure about that spelling) sound of the roundwounds. The tone control can take you from a bright Rickenbacker sound to a deep dark bassy sound, quite versatile for passive electronics, I think. It's definitely suited for the stage better than the studio - this thing can bark! The thing I like best about it is it's very easy to play. I initially didn't like the fact that it was made in Korea, but they actually did a decent job here. Again, good fit and excellent finish on the guitar; I wish the neck had the same finish as the body, but that's a bit on the subjective side...

The bas was actually set up very well when I got it, have not had to adjust intonation or anything! Pickup height seems to be right on, have not found any finish flaws, loose screws, etc.

This bass holds up well to live playing, appears to be tough, although I haven't dropped it or anything like that. It's very solid. Would definitely use it without a backup.

I've never dealt with Epiphone directly, so I wouldn't know; I have owned and played other Epiphone guitars in the past - some were great and some sucked.

have been playing guitar 28 years now. own a myriad of gear - 2 CS800's, 2 mixing boards, tons of stage speakers, stage monitors, various multi effects and stompboxes, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Jagstang, Peavey T-60, LTD 5 string bass, various keyboard equipment, mics, etc., etc., you know, all the stuff you acquire/have to have to gig with and seem to acquire over the years... bought this bass to give to my daughter (18 and wants to learn a new instrument) for her birthday, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality I got for the money. I do wish it had two pickups, and a finish on the neck like on the body, but the neck is really slick for an unfinished one