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.
Guitar: volume 10, tone 10, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Fingerstyle. 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. Fingerstyle. 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. Fingerstyle. 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 fingerstyle setting from the Ripper promo disk
Guitar: volume 10, tone 6, midrange 10. Amp: Volume 3, treble 5, bass 5. Fingerstyle. 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. Fingerstyle. 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. Fingerstyle. 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
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