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
... more
Vintage 1978 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Yellow With Gator Hardcase
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3999
1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless Ebony Black OHSC Rare
Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
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
1977 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural
Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2799
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
Gibson "The Ripper" L-9s Original Bass Guitar 1970's
Marquette, Wisconsin, 539**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1550
... more
1976 Gibson The Ripper Fretless L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony w / Case, Hangtag
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
The set neck and ... more
Vintage 1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Electric Bass Guitar w / Original Case
Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
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
Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
... 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 The Ripper L-9S Bass 1973-83 d'occasion
Berck, 62***, FRANCE
€4500
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
+ 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