The Ripper is a really great example of Gibson's seventies bass design; nothing like the EBs and Thunderbirds that came before. A natural finish over a light wood like maple or alder, and a maple fretboard; in complete contrast to the sunburst and cherry mahogany/rosewood basses of the previous decade. But it didn't sound anything like an EB either. It 'chimes' in a way only maple can. Listen to these soundclips of a 1974 Gibson Ripper played through various vintage amplifiers. Click on the buttons to play the clips.
Vintage Guitar Soundclip:
1974 Gibson L-9S Ripper
through a
1964 Ampeg B-15N
Recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone, into an M-audio mobile pre USB interface.
Pos 1 - both pickups in series
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. With the Q system controls all on 10/10 the Ripper has plenty of tonal bite in position 1.
Guitar: volume 10, tone 5, midrange 0. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. With the midrange turned right down and the treble at 50%, we get the 'walking bass' sound, as described in the 1974 promo disk
Pos 2 - bridge pickup
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. The bridge pickup alone is the 'entirely new bass sound' described on the 1974 Ripper promo disk
Guitar: volume 10, tone 7, midrange10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. This setting is described in the promo disk as a great pick sound
Pos 3 - both pickups in parallel
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. With all controls at 10/10 we get a very full tone: plenty of bass, mid and treble.
Guitar: volume 10, tone 6, midrange 6 Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. By backing off the tone and midrange we get the suggested finger style setting from the Ripper promo disk
Guitar: volume 10, tone 6, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. This is the suggested 'double stop' sound as described in the 1974 promo disk
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 5. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. This is the 'popular electric bass sound' as detailed in the 1974 Ripper promo disk
Pos 4 - both pickups in series (out of phase)
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Finger style. This is the 'funky fingerpicking sound' as demonstrated in the 1974 Ripper promo disk
Guitar: volume 10, tone 4, midrange 8. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Turning the tone down a little reduces the clankiness of this setting
Gibson Ripper basses for sale
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Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan
New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan.
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
... more
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
... more
1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$9000
1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more
Gibson L9S RIPPER 1976 Electric Guitar USA Vintage Rare Maple with Hard Case
Chesterfield, Virginia, 238**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
I bought this guitar around 1982. I played it in the high school marching band. It is a marvelous instrument that has always deserved a better player than myself. That being said, my only consolation in letting it go is that whoever owns it next plays the hell out it. They didn't call this model the Ripper for nothing and rock stars have long sought after this model built during this time. It sounds beautiful and it is painful for me to sell it. But I don't play it often and my home air ... more
1974 Gibson Ripper Bass
Coudersport, Pennsylvania, 169**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3200
A serious bass for a discriminating collector or player. Very versatile tone options. Solid maple body and neck. Comes with original case. Equipped with flatwound strings for a darker tone but sounds great with roundwound strings. Some minor finish checking as can be expected on a nearly 50 year old instrument. I've played this bass regularly for decades and always get compliments on its great sound and uniqueness. I've made a minor alteration to the strap pin location. The original locations ... more
Vintage 1974 Gibson The Ripper L9S Natural W / Good Hard Case
New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3295
Vintage original circa 1974 Gibson The Ripper Model L9S in original Natural finish
A real nice example with a good straight neck, and great sounding pickups
Original Natural finish is clean and looks great. Some honest signs of wear and use
Comes with a Gretsch hardshell case that fits it well and protects it well
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 ... more
A real nice example with a good straight neck, and great sounding pickups
Original Natural finish is clean and looks great. Some honest signs of wear and use
Comes with a Gretsch hardshell case that fits it well and protects it well
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 ... more
1975 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Sunburst, Alder Body w / Case, Hangtag
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
Up for sale, a 1975 Gibson "The Ripper" L9-S bass in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and warranty card. One of the more unique and versatile Gibson basses ever produced, the Ripper comes equipped with its original pair of Bill Lawrence designed "Super Humbucker" pickups and a four-way rotary switch for series, parallel, and out of phase pickup settings
The contoured alder body is a particularly rare option, only offered on the ... more
The contoured alder body is a particularly rare option, only offered on the ... more
Original 1970s Gibson Ripper electric bass guitar case plush lined
Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$300
Original 1970s Gibson Ripper electric bass guitar case plush lined. Case is in good shape. It does have some black tape along the edge where it was starting to peel. Very solid . Will ship FedEx ground fully insured with tracking shipping to the lower 48 states only. No Alaska Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam or PO boxes. No international shipping
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Replacement 1970s Gibson Ripper electric bass guitar bridge with studs
Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$66
Replacement 1970s Gibson Ripper electric bass guitar bridge with studs. This is an aftermarket replacement. Great condition. No damage will ship USPS priority mail
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1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony Black
San Antonio, Texas, 782**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1990
1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Black. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.
... more
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Gibson Ripper LS9 1973 Natural
Port St. Mary, IM9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
1973 Gibson Ripper
One of the first 20 in Maple Gloss made in 1973 for 1974 release; the second one sold in the UK
This bass is in an original "restored" condition having been lovingly refurbished and re-fretted
Plays and sounds superb, low action, flats, all wonderful
New Hiscox HSC
I have stated "Collection Only" However this will not be possible given my location - I can easily arrange Fully Insured UK / EU / Worldwide shipping, please contact me to arrange a quote or ... more
One of the first 20 in Maple Gloss made in 1973 for 1974 release; the second one sold in the UK
This bass is in an original "restored" condition having been lovingly refurbished and re-fretted
Plays and sounds superb, low action, flats, all wonderful
New Hiscox HSC
I have stated "Collection Only" However this will not be possible given my location - I can easily arrange Fully Insured UK / EU / Worldwide shipping, please contact me to arrange a quote or ... more
Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
Superbe basse Fretless Gibson "The Ripper" L-9-SF Black, touche ébène, en très bon état. ~ 1976Configuration d'origine passive avec 2 micros humbuckers Bill Lawrence d'origine, sélecteur 4 positions d'origine, réglages Volume, Treble et Tone. Potentiomètres "CTS" et condensateurs "TAD Mustard" neufs. Chevalet d'origine avec pontets laiton réglables en hauteur individuellement. Etui d'origine usagé inclus
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€299
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA:
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ bottom is loose=check pic 7
+ strap that holds case open is gone
+ deep purple interior, has stains
+ 1 latch is broken=check last pic
+ handle was replaced
+ all feet on bottom are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€350
1974 GIBSON case for RIPPER & GRABBER models:
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ rips & material missing at the plastic surround
+ strap that holds case open has a rip
+ deep purple interior, has some wear
+ all latches work fine
+ handle is gone
+ top of case is at headstock front resting on the bottom part=NOT OVRRLAPPING AS USUAL
+ all feet on back are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK ... more
+ black tolex, has a lot of wear & rips
+ rips & material missing at the plastic surround
+ strap that holds case open has a rip
+ deep purple interior, has some wear
+ all latches work fine
+ handle is gone
+ top of case is at headstock front resting on the bottom part=NOT OVRRLAPPING AS USUAL
+ all feet on back are missing
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK ... more
There are 1 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
Alex Fez Comment left 8th November 2017 20:08:50 reply
Hi mate. It sounds to me like all your Rippers except the 1976 have the pickups wired out of phase, as in positions 1 and 3 they have that barky, dirty sound, and only on position 4 do they have the deep, scooped Jazz bass-like sound that these basses are known for. Compare it to this guy's demo of his 1982 Ripper and I think you'll hear what I mean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyPBFSZmci4
Hi mate. It sounds to me like all your Rippers except the 1976 have the pickups wired out of phase, as in positions 1 and 3 they have that barky, dirty sound, and only on position 4 do they have the deep, scooped Jazz bass-like sound that these basses are known for. Compare it to this guy's demo of his 1982 Ripper and I think you'll hear what I mean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyPBFSZmci4