Gibson Ripper Bass

Features:
I've got a 1973 Gibson Ripper, my baby was born in the USA. It has the standard 20 frets, it's a long scale, but easy to get used to the stretch (it's worth it for this thing!). I have the glossed-ebony finish, and after all these years, it only has a few dings (but considering the punishment it went through, I am surprised it's not scrap!). It has one volume, one mid-range, treble roll-off, and the chicken switch. Ooo!--this baby has two sweet super humbuckers, courtesy of Gibson! They were designed solely for the Ripper, and have never been used since. It's a passive bass, as I am sure we've all caught on. The body is alder or maple, I do not honestly know, but the neck is surely ebony (no rosewood here!). The body is that classic Ripper shape, can't beat it, can't find it anywhere else (although Ibanez's GAX series resembles it...the punks). The bridge is the classic 3-point bridge that Gibson always used, mine has the cover over it still, and it's a string-thru body(SO handy for using a pick). The tuners are open-gear, massive as crap, and have Gibson carved into all four on the top of the plate. The neck is moderately thin at best and plays very well, but it's no where near those slabs of a neck you find on other basses today! Mine came with the case, and sure, I put a bit of duct tape on the side, it STILL has held up (and I mean through moving vans, on the road, in the rain--you name it!).

This was my first bass, and I started out pure rock! And I hate to admit it, but I thought the Ripper couldn't handle anything else, and when I switched to being a jazzman, I bought a second bass. But I found that with a little judicious adjusting of that sweet 3-point bridge, and a new set of Blue Steel strings by Dean Markley, I got the PERFECT jazzy-tone! So this baby can roar or just purr! I have a GK Backline 112, BOSS CEB-1, and a Digitech BP200. I hardly (if ever) use effects on this bass though, it has a natural sound that just kills! Mine can get a bit of fuzz if you turn down the volume nob TOO much, but I find that in most newer amps, I keep perfect sounds all the way! The Ripper has a very dark sound to it, I won't lie. But I love it, because you don't lose that full-body-bass sound when in the upper register, so soloing sounds SO unique! Well my chicken switch popped a wire last year, and the local repair guy said it could ruin the bass to mess with it too much, so I just do without, but before it did, this thing can hit a MASSIVE range of sounds! Even just using the tone controls, you can go from a low, thumping rock bass, to a high, thick classical bass! When I hit the stage, it just sends wave after wave of bass tone in the crowd, and we all love it! I am a big fan of acoustic sound (I am a upright player mainly), but I have no complaint here, the Ripper is a voice all it's own!

Well I got mine used from an old friend, so the action was set to his personal touch. But I myself changed the action a bit (as I said earlier with the bridge) and I love it, it's what I want a bass to sound like, and play like. The pickups are great, they were never moved or adjusted in any way, and I have no complaint. The chicken switch only ever really made that old clicking noise that you get when using any pickup selector, so it's good. After the hell it's been through, again, I am surprised it is still kicking--it's only real sign of age beside the few dings, is that there is the tiniest discoloration on the tuning heads.

It only failed me once live, and that was because while it was back stage, I had left it plugged in because I had to run on stage quickly, long story short someone tripped on the cable, and pulled the jack out the tiniest bit from the pickguard, and so when I went to go start our first song, the feed was dead, so I had to go grab one of my other basses. I got the pickguard replaced, and never had any other problem! The finish is as shiny as a new bass, I keep it clean though, so I guess that adds to it. I think this baby will last longer than I will, and I am only 18, so yeah, it's dependable and long-lasting. I only take backup basses for two reasons: 1) if a different song requires my acoustic bass 2) you never know when something can go wrong, as I found with that guy tripping on my cable--accidents happen!

I tried getting a new pickguard from them when my old one broke (see above story), they said they no longer made them...I had to go elsewhere (basspartsresource.com) they had just about any piece for a Ripper that I could ask for, and it was cheap too! Before I had it, the previous owner switched out the neck pickup for a Gibson Mini-Humbucker (what you find on the EB series in the bridge position), so repairs are a bit more difficult (hence the local repair guy I mentioned earlier telling me I might want to be careful about getting it repaired back to its full self). But it still plays and sounds like a dream, so I can't complain!

I've been playing for six years now. I own a Romanian Upright Bass, my Gibson Ripper (of course), a Yamaha RBX170 (it is perfect for customizing!), and an Epiphone Viola. If something happened to this bass, I would be on ebay in a heartbeat to get another one! Now yes, it would never be the same, each Ripper (I've seen two other ones in my time) is like wine, they seem to age differently, and have their own personalities, but I would get another one if I had to, I love Rippers! My favorite feature...hm...I'd say the treble roll-off knob, I love to get a big mid range sound, so I like being able to boost or cut the bass in order to get that sound. Newer basses seem to make every noise under the sun, but while that may be handy, I like the feel and look of the Ripper, and it has features you just don't find on other basses!

74, USA
long scale neck
solid and laminted
2 volume, 1 tone
passive
all maple
natural laquered
body style very original - I've not seen a bass with the same shape
String through body
not locking tuners no name on them - keeps tuning great
maple neck - long scale
mine came w/ohsc

I LOVE the sound of this bass - can't be duplicated, Loads of bottom.Used with swr400 , 1 Carvin18", 1 Eden 4x10" with horn. octave multiplexer - not noisy - I use it witha very round low tone (rock) but you can get a wide variety of sounds.

Been playing bass about 25 yrs, but am primarily a drummer. I had the opportunity to pick it up cheap privately almost 20 years ago. Recently had to sell it to pay bills. If ever I can afford another I'd replace it in a flash. I LOVE THS+E SOUND OF THIS GUITAR

1975, Pure USA Ripper. Natural finish with the standard humbuckers and chicken head knob.

I've been playing jazz, country, rock, and even ragtime since I purchased this bass in 75. This thing just gives me a rich, full bass sound unlike anything else I've played. Used this with a Kasino amp for years but now am playing through an Ampeg SVT3 Pro and 4X10 cab.

I typically don't change the setting of the chicken head...not that the other sounds aren't useful, but for the rock I'm currently playing the other settings don't help.

I'm getting ready to take to to the shop...some type of electronic short in it that I can't find. I can be playing along and all of a sudden I hear a electrical short sound through the amp (and yes I have determined its the bass). This is the FIRST problem I've had with this bass in 30 years of use.

Easy to play for a long neck. Personally I like it, but it does make me stretch my fingers. There are no flaws with this bass. Sure the body is starting to show nicks and some buckle rash, but that should be expected being on the road the way it is.

See note above about current problem

I use this baby live all the time. It just keeps on hammering out the music. The only problem with the design at all is the upper horn strap button. I get some rubbing sounds from the strap transmitted through the bass.

I've never had a backup and have never felt I needed one.

The case finally disintegrated this past year and I'm getting my exercise after having Anvil make a case for it (since a replacement is not available anywhere).

I've contacted the company several times over the years with questions and they have been very helpful and friendly.

I've been playing bass since the late 60's. I've loved this bass from the moment I first saw Dartanyan Brown of Chase playing one. Everywhere I go I get comments from other bass players asking about her. If this bass were lost, I'd definitely be in mourning. I'd also be on the market for another one. I've played a mid-60's EBO bass, Fender Jazz, Rick 4001 and I still love my Ripper.

This is a 1981 model, serial # and 'Made in U.S.A.' stamped on back of the headstock, so I assume it came from the Kalamazoo, MI factory. I believe the body and neck are maple. Mine is ebony finished with a rosewood fretboard and chrome hardware. One volume setting, two tone settings and a 4-way chicken head selector for two humbucker pick-ups complete the electronic features. The bridge is a 3 point string-through body style with a bridge cover. The headstock is as big as a meat cleaver, with four large clover leaf tuners. All pretty standard issue for the Ripper, I guess. The most common comment I hear is, "Hey, it's the Gene Simmons Bass!"

Anyone familiar with the Ripper knows it is well suited for just about any kind of loud, hard driving music, and this one fits that bill. However, I have also used it for softer, stripped down settings as well. My wife, a friend and I played a trio of romantic love songs for a church marriage retreat and 'Old Gene' fit right in(so I have a sensitive side...is that a crime?!)
My rig is a Peavey Classic 400 head and an Ampeg 410 HLF cabinet. I'm not much on bass effects, but I sometimes use a Boss 7 band EQ and a Boss Limiter/Enhancer. I can get pretty crunchy overdriven tones with the Classic 400, but at a neutral setting I find my bass is very warm and full. I hear people talk about string- thru bodies not having good sustain, but this one sustains well.
My biggest complaint about this bass is the pick-up selector. I'm no tech head at all, and am learning more about series/parallel settings, but I rate the 4 settings as follows:Position 1- CRAP(sounds 10 miles away) Position 2- CRAP(5 miles away) Position 3- WE HAVE A WINNER! Position 4- Distant 2nd As long as position 3 holds out, I think I'll be fine.

I bought this in 1999, so I have no idea about the factory set-up. I can say that the neck has remained very straight, not bowed or warped at all. The action is low, the neck is thin. The nut is 1 5/8 inches wide. It's fast, but not as fast as my Fender '51 P-bass. There are small dings in the finish, most notably on the back of the neck and the tuners are pretty well oxidized. The bridge and cover have fared much better.

This bass has served me with no backup for 6 years. For a 24 year old bass, this thing is tried and true. I bought it with a hard case, which probably needs replacing soon. The strap buttons are still originals and I have yet to slip a strap. I hope I never do, because this bass is heavy enough to anchor a good sized fishing boat.

Never dealt with Gibson. I think 1983 was the last Ripper model made.

I have benn playing bass since 1981, the year this bass was made. As I mentioned, I also have a Fender '51 P-Bass, an assortment of acoustic and electric 6 strings. I write my own songs on guitar, usually acoustic, but I LOVE playing bass in a band setting. If my Ripper were lost or stolen, I would probably have a hard time finding another, although I hear they don't have great resale value on the used market, so maybe. I love this bass and will likely keep it for 'vintage' value.

Bought new when it first came out, around 1974. Solid body, two humbucking pickups. Beautiful sunburst finish. I rewired the 4-position selector to give settings of series, bridge pickup only, parallel, and neck pickup only. This is an easy mod which I highly recommend as the out-of-phase setting sounds really terrible and the neck-only setting is useful. Otherwise all original.

Very versatile, lots of different sounds available from a piano-like (classic Squire/Lake) sound to punky or soul sounds. The humbucking pickups are quiet, quiet, quiet. The only drawback is that the pickups are somewhat weak. Although I can't get that "punch" that my Jazz Bass has, if you want a J-bass sound, then buy a J-bass. Do make the switch mod that I described earlier. The sound can change radically depending on the kind of strings you use. Nickel-plated roundwound strings (DR Sunbeams) give this bass a nice warmth while still providing clarity.

After 30 years, I can't comment on the factory setup! Action is good but not as fast as a Jazz Bass, much less a Rickenbacker. The Gibson 3-point bridge does not allow setting heights for individual strings. As for the finish, I still get compliments on the appearance of this instrument after all these years. The bass must be treated gently as the finish is somewhat soft and is easy to scratch (for example with a belt buckle).

Reliability? I've had it for 30 years and it still works great! Quality of pickups, pots, and so on is absolutely top notch -- never been replaced. That said, the output jack is mounted on the thin, flexible pickguard which allowed its connection to eventually fatigue. Five minutes with a soldering iron every 20 years or so is not a big deal.

Never used customer support.

I've been playing off and on for about 35 years, more off than on unfortunately. I also have an Epiphone Jack Casady Signature bass and a Fender Jazz Bass (with DiMarzio pickups) along with an Ampeg B2R head and a wonderful old Sunn 2x15 cab. The Ripper is a somewhat obscure instrument that has not held its value particularly well and as a result is an absolute steal on the used market. I'm not an active, professional player so if it were stolen I'm not sure I could justify buying another. But I do love this bass!

I have a 1982 Ripper, I believe the last year these were made. Fretted, alder body, standard pickups. The neck is super comfortable, and plays very fast. Plus, the owner, or owners before me broke it in very well, and the finish on the neck has been worn down, which doesn't bother me, even for a second.

I'm not sure why people feel they need to change the pickups, since for passive pickups, these are pretty powerful. I actually run this bass through the padded input on my amp.

I own two other basses, a mid-60's Apollo violin style (think Gibson EB-0, with an Ampeg scroll top), and a Fender American Deluxe P. Tha Apollo has really bright pickups, and the P has active electronics, both of which tend to feedback through my Mesa Boogie Bass 400. The Ripper cuts through the mix much better than either bass, without the uncontrollable feedback. The alder body produces a great tone that is so perfect for hard/stoner rock.

I tend to use position 2 on the pickup selector switch, although the variety of tones out of this bass is wide, and described much better in other users' posts.

I like to use DR Hi-Beams on this bass, but then again, I think those strings add warm tone to every bass I've ever owned.

I actually had a slight intonation problem on the 13 fret; it played a little sharp, but I recently had the bass strobe tuned and set up, and it is now perfect. The action was set very well when I got it, and I haven't adjusted it. I like the bridge, although I wish I had one of those cool looking bridge covers.

This is my main bass. I have to really play the hell out of it before it loses its tuning (I can not say the same thing about my Fender.).

I would use this bass without a backup, and often do. I actually really want to get a second, but first I've got to get rid of the Fender. Plus, I like the vintage gear anyway, especially Gibson, so maybe I'm biased. Oh, did I mention I'm a Gene Simmons and a Krist Noveselic fan as well?

The only complaint I would have is that the headstock is a bit heavy, and if I take my hands off of the bass, the balance is funky enough that the headstock will drop.

N/A

I've stated all of this above.

I have two Rippers, a natural maple wood '79 and a black '74 or '75. Gibson had a very bizarre way of serial numbering their products untill 1977. Then they came up with system you could understand. It is YDDDYPPP, which stands for :year, day day day, year, production numbers. So serial number 89057313 would mean it was manufactured on September 05 1978, and it was the 313th guitar made.The Ripper necks are very comfortable to play for me as I dont like long thick (Fender) type necks. I also love the string through body configuration and the 3 point bridge works perfectly when you have the intonation set.It's incredable how good they stay in tune.

The Ripper suits my music style which is classic rock, reggae, country rock, and blues. The 4 way chicken head selector gives you a wide variety of sounds when combined with the volume, tone and midrange knobs. The chicken head switch is: 1.both in series, 2.bridge pickup only, 3.both in parallel, 4.both in series out of phase. I use #1 position most of the time, or sometimes #3, because it gives you the signature "boomy" sound that Gibsons have been famous for. I use a SWR 400 watt head, and and old Sunn 2000s cab w/2 15" JBL D-140F speakers.

My '79 natural maple Ripper is in near mint condition, and the maple and factory finish is holding up well. My black one was dropped and it has a deep cosmetic blemish by the strap knob. I plan to repair it soon. No factory complaints of any kind. You take your chances with some brands, but Gibson guitars are the Cadillacs of the trade. Ive never seen, or heard any complaints about factory flaws

Rippers are work horses. The hardwear is bullit proof, the finish lasts unless you are clumsy, I mean these basses are 30 years old and still play like new. I have giged without a backup with full confidence.

This catagory is moot. I have bought both of my Rippers used and many years old.

I have been playing since 1967. I also have a '73 Gibson EB-3, and a '97 Peavy 5 string. I have a SWR workingmans 300, w/ 4-10 cab. It is finished in cream tolex so it looks like vintage Fender. And a Kustom black tuck & roll 200 watt head. If my Rippers were stolen, I would buy more. My favorite basses ever. I had a '67 EB-3 stolen. Thats why I bought the '73. When I started looking for another '67 I found out they are worth around $3000. I hope you get aids, thief.

Having commenced playing bass back in the late sixties, my recent purchase of an almost mint condition Gibson L9 "The Ripper" bass has been a revelation. The bass is natural colour alder with a maple fretboard. Everything is 100% original. The bass was imported into Australia in 1974, used occasionally for a few years, and then sat in a case for the last 25 or so - a real gem.

The bass can produce a really punchy sound well suited to a range of music. I play it through a Marshall solid state bass amp and it is great for older seventies/eighties music such as ELO and the like.

We have a saying in Australia - built like a brick shithouse - and this Gibson is exactly that. It is a high-quality instrument and the only real signs of age is some minor discolouration on the metal components. The action suits my style but I cannot say if it is still set at factory settings.

Compared with my 1967 Fender precision base and a Harmony semi-accoustic base of the same period, the Ripper is a very dependable instrument with no obvious flaws or weak points.

Have not tried.

This is really something worth owning and keeping and rather unique here in Australia. It will certainly be with me as long as I am around to enjoy it!

I own two Rippers, and both appear to have been made between '73-75. Gibson can't get any more specific than that, unfortunately. Fretted, twenty frets. Volume, and two tone, three-point bridge, and both are natural finish with natural maple fretboards. Two pickups, 4 way pickup selector switch (in/out of phase options,etc.), string through body, 34" scale, Gibson tuners.

I play mostly classic rock in the Yes/Rush/Led Zeppelin/ELP/Jethro Tull vein, and this thing amazes me with the amount of tones available. It's deep, punchy, and ballsy. Great for classic rock, blues, and heavy stuff. The only thing I really don't like is the bridge, but then I've never liked Gibson three point bridges. Add to that that there is no height adjustment on the bridge saddles, and you can see the limitations. It's fairly quiet, not bad for a 30 year old instrument. I play it through an Ampeg SVT4 Pro, Ampeg BXT115HL4 cabinet, Ampeg BXT410HL4 Cabinet, and an Ampeg BA115 amp. I use a Morley Power Wah, an Ibanez Bass Chorus, and a Carl Martin Compressor.

This is where there is a problem. The first one I bought .. well, let's just say it is set up challenged. On the first Ripper I bought, I tried every truss rod adjustment I could think of, and I still ended up raising the bridge height waaayyy up to get rid of buzz on the fretboard. The second one is a dream. Low action, no buzz. You tell me. Both were pretty beat up, e.g., lots of nicks and scratches, belt buckle wear, etc. I'm planning on having them re-finished.

Pickups are OK, but, the bridge pickup makes an annoying pop when you use fingers. I generally rest my thumb (right hand) on top of the rear pickup as a thumb rest, and the adjustment screw (for height) closest to the volume knob on the pickup registered a popping noise every time I played it. I ended up lowering the pickup to ameliorate this problem.

They are tanks. The two I have are beat to shit, but they still sound great. The first one's action isn't that great, but the second one is outstanding. I would be more than happy to use it alone without a backup. There is significant finish checking on the second Ripper I purchase, less so on the first.

Gibson for some reason can't give an exact date. Also, they don't stock parts for these. Aftermarket doesn't help either. Just try finding a four-way rotary switch with chicken-head knob if you don't believe me.

I've been playing over 25 years. I own a '76 Rickenbacker 4001, a '79 Musicman Stingray, a '94 Fender Jazz Bass, a '73 Fender Jazz Bass, and an '87 Gibson Thunderbird. Since I have two, I don't have to worry about it being stolen! LOL! I just love the way it looks, and it's really comfortable. It takes me back to when I was a teenager looking at ads in Guitar Player magazine, and seeing it advertised. Always wanted one, and now I own two! It probably will never be a collectors item, but who cares? It plays and sounds great for the most part. One could do a hell of a lot worse. The bottom line is they don't make them like this anymore (are you listening Ernie Ball/Music Man?). If you want that sound, you have to have the instrument. And the Ripper is one of those.

1976 Gibson Ripper Bass-USA Made , 20 frets, ebony fretboard, Black, maple body and neck...I have this bass since im 17 (1981) and couldn't think of life without it...My girlfriend at the time "stole" my crappy Guild (cant remember what model) on my birthday and traded it in plus a few bucks and brought me home "The Ripper". God I luv her!!! I have played this bass ever since. About 12 years ago I had a friend of mine at 48th st Custom Guitars in NYC install completely new electronics in it, with passive/active EMGs, 2 vol and 2 tone switches and copper shielding. Everything else is original.

This Bass is truly "The God Of Thunder" I have never heard deeper, fuller, fatter tone from any bass. Of course the pickup and electronics help here, as the old 4 position switch and weak humbuckers didnt do the superior construction of this bass any justice. I have a wide range of sounds on this bass but it espcialy fits my style of playing (blues & classic Rock) perfectly. I use a Mesa Boogie 400+ and 8x10 cab for giging and I dont have to tell you the damage the combo of the Ripper and the Boogie can do, Its just awsome.I use a SWR workingmans 15 for small gigs and practice around the house, which also sounds great with this bass

All I can say is "They sure dont make em like this anymore" THis Bass is indestructible. Mine shows heavy battle scars from the previous owner as well as 22 years of my own. Even though its all scratched, when cleaned it shines. The paint must have been beautiful when new. The pickups are placed perfect for me and allow many tone varaitions just with right hand movement from neck to bridge.

This is the only bass I have used in 22 years and it has never crackled even once...It has been through all climate conditions imaginable and the neck has barley ever budged. As far as staying in tune, this baby is amazing. I would and do gig with this as my only bass and never worry,

Never dealt with them...

I have been playing over 25 years and am also in the sound business. I know a little something about tone, this baby is all about it. Used with a good tube amp (ampeg or boogie) and nothing can touch it.

If this bass was STOLEN(God Forbid)I would go completly ballistic. After I came out of mourning I would spend the rest of my life hunting down the scum who did it, and belive me I would find you!!!