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
Vintage 1978 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Yellow With Gator Hardcase
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3999
The Vintage 1978 Gibson Ripper Bass in Natural Yellow with a Gator Hardcase is a highly sought-after electric bass guitar for right-handed players. This unique instrument features a solid body design, maple fretboard and neck, and 20 frets, delivering a classic sound that is perfect for vintage music enthusiasts. With the iconic Gibson brand and quality craftsmanship, this bass guitar is a must-have for collectors and musicians looking to add a unique piece to their collection.... more
Vintage 1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Electric Bass Guitar w / Original Case
Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
American Music is proud to present this beautiful Gibson Ripper Bass!
Bass was kept in its ORIGINAL case, as the case is pretty beat up
Brand New StringsTruss Rod worksNo warping in neckWeighs roughly 9lbsFret board is in good shape for a instrument of its age, but could use some fret work.... more
Bass was kept in its ORIGINAL case, as the case is pretty beat up
Brand New StringsTruss Rod worksNo warping in neckWeighs roughly 9lbsFret board is in good shape for a instrument of its age, but could use some fret work.... more
1976 Gibson The Ripper Fretless L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony w / Case, Hangtag
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
Up for sale, a 1976 Gibson ??The Ripper?? Fretless L9-S in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtag. One of the more unique and versatile Gibson basses ever produced, this is the uncommon fretless version of the Ripper, equipped with its original pair of Bill Lawrence-designed ??Super Humbucking?? pickups and a four-way rotary switch for series, parallel, and out-of-phase pickup settings.
The set neck and ... more
The set neck and ... more
1977 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural
Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2799
Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson L-9S ??The Ripper?? Bass in natural
Quick Details
Make ?? Gibson
Model ?? The Ripper
Year -1977
Color -Natural
Weight ?? 10 72lbs
Nut Width ?? 1 9 / 16ths??
Neck Depth at 1st fret ?? 0 83??
Neck Depth at 12th fret ?? 0 98??
Case ??Original hard case
Serial # 73047092
Description
Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson ??The Ripper?? bass. This bass is in ... more
Quick Details
Make ?? Gibson
Model ?? The Ripper
Year -1977
Color -Natural
Weight ?? 10 72lbs
Nut Width ?? 1 9 / 16ths??
Neck Depth at 1st fret ?? 0 83??
Neck Depth at 12th fret ?? 0 98??
Case ??Original hard case
Serial # 73047092
Description
Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson ??The Ripper?? bass. This bass is in ... more
1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless Ebony Black OHSC Rare
Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
For Sale: 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless ?? Ebony Black w / OHSC
Up for sale is a 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless in Ebony Black, complete with its original hard-shell case
This is a very cool and very rare original fretless Gibson bass from the late ??70s. Original fretless Rippers do not come up often, and this one has all the bold visual presence and unmistakable feel that make these basses so appealing. With its long-scale Gibson design, ebony fingerboard, and classic Ebony Black finish, it... more
Up for sale is a 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless in Ebony Black, complete with its original hard-shell case
This is a very cool and very rare original fretless Gibson bass from the late ??70s. Original fretless Rippers do not come up often, and this one has all the bold visual presence and unmistakable feel that make these basses so appealing. With its long-scale Gibson design, ebony fingerboard, and classic Ebony Black finish, it... more
Gibson "The Ripper" L-9s Original Bass Guitar 1970's
Marquette, Wisconsin, 539**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1550
Very good condition, made from 1973-1983. A favorite of rock musicians of the era. Serial number scratched out indicating minor imperfections that made it a factory second quality. Great playing bass guitar with incredible sound
... more
... 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
... more
... more
Gibson The Ripper L-9S Bass 1973-83 d'occasion
Berck, 62***, FRANCE
€4500
Gibson The Ripper L-9S Bass 1973-83 d'occasion
Vendu avec un étui fait maison et non l'étui d'origine
... more
Vendu avec un étui fait maison et non l'étui d'origine
... more
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€333
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
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€279
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
€333
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