The Gibson Ripper has three controls: volume, midrange and tone; and a four-way rotary tone switch; unfortunately these are not marked, so players have to learn and remember what they do! The varitone positions are as follows:
| Varitone position | Electronic description | Tonal description |
| 1 | Both pickups, in-phase, wired in series | More bite |
| 2 | Back pickup only | Maximum treble |
| 3 | Both pickups, in-phase, wired in parallel | More bottom end |
| 4 | Both pickups, out-of-phase, wired in series | Funky, dirty tonality |
The Ripper was designed to use all of these controls in conjunction with each other. Today, people that don't like Rippers (yes there are some!) have probably had a bad experience without really experiencing what this bass can do. But this is perhaps not surprising, especially if the pickup outputs are not balanced.. it is tempting to leave all controls on full and only change varitone positions. But this was not how Bill Lawrence designed the bass to be used. Pickup signal must be comparable for neck and bridge to get the correct out-of-phase signal. Any Ripper owner should listen to, and study the sleeve of Gibson's 1974 promo record which gives a number of examples of Ripper tones, and suggested Q-system settings to replicate them.
Because the controls for many Gibson bass instruments were not straight forward, aswell as the promo-record mentioned above, Gibson issued single-page summary sheets in 1978, detailing the precise operation of some of the more complicated models. The Ripper's is reproduced below.
The controls, as listed above, have no setting for solo neck pickup - according to Bill Lawrence's notes, this was not originally to be the case, and in many people's eyes is the one downfall of the production Ripper bass.
Gibson Ripper bass for sale
Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan
New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
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
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1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2299
Up for sale is a stunning 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass in its classic Natural finish, complete with its original hard-shell case. This vintage bass is in very good condition and is ready to deliver exceptional performance with that unmistakable classic Gibson tone
Condition & Features:
Cosmetic Wear: This bass shows some light scratches, dings, and general wear throughout, with noticeable wear on the ... more
Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar Natural Finish with Case Early 1970s
Hawleyville, Connecticut, 064**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2500
I am not a player looks to be all original but i can??t tell probably missing the tail cover
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Gibson Ripper Bass L-9S 1974 Ebony Black W OHSC ALL ORIGINAL
Stanford, Kentucky, 404**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
The frets are in great shape as well. Only defect I see is a chip at the pickguard typical of these basses, as well as a little wear / shapedness on the tuners from use.
OHSC included with key.
Offers considered !
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1976 Gibson L-9S The Ripper Bass Black Finish w / OHSC
San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3495
1976 Gibson L-9S The Ripper Bass
In Very Good Overall Condition - Shows Some Playwear Throughout - Small Nicks And Scratches - Pretty Nice For Being 49 Years Old
Original Pickups And Electronics
Original Frets In Very Good Condition - LOTS Of Life Left
Original Hardware - Shows Tarnish
Weighs In At: 10 Pounds 4 Ounces
Nut Width: 1 61 "
Neck Depth At The 1st Fret: .83" - 1 00" At The 12th Fret
Comes... more
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
Kaufman, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$370
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Gibson L-9S Ripper Bass - 1974-75 - Natural - Great shape with HSC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 532**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2800
Currently set up with new 40-100 DR Pure Blues which I think fit this bass really well . Plays perfectly for me
BUT, if you like a little more struggle in your strings, I'll include the barely played / new set of DR Half Rounds 50-110 that the previous owner installed right before I got it
8lbs 10oz - which is fantastic with this thin (32 5mm) ... more
Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€333
+ 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
Gibson L-9 S Ripper
LONDON, E3***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2353
Some body wear as you'd expect from a 51 year old bass, but overall in great shape, and the neck is especially clean.
Plays really well, with a straight neck low action and good truss rod. Electronics and pickup selector all in good working order.
Frets are in excellent shape, and I believe it has had a refret at some point in its life.
The pickguard comes from a ... more