A look at some of the influential bass players with some association with the Gibson Ripper bass. Many of these players have given interviews about their basses to Fly Guitars. Follow the links to read the full interviews.
Ralphe Armstrong
Speaking to FlyGuitars.com, June 2007 I met Bruce Bolen and designer Walt Johnston and they asked me to write down what I wanted; and thats how they came up with this bass called the Ripper and the G-3 more
Dartanyan Brown
Gibson promotion record for the Ripper bass featuring Dartanyan Brown of Chase, and the Ripper bass.
Greg Lake
Feature in Guitar Player magazine, September 1974A new prototype model distributed by Gibson called "The Ripper," Lake's instrument embodies more powerful pickups than the standard bass humbuckings, as well as a mid-range choke to wring greater highs from the instrument. Greg feels it is the most "reliable and accurate" instrument on the market. He likes a bass that is electronically well-designed with an absolutely precise neck in perfect tune all the way up to the 22nd fret of the low E string. He also prefers for nothing to be heard resonating in sympathy with a particular note; that is, the bottom E string is of the same intensity as the high G. Lake feels the main feature of his instrument is its capacity to produce four entirely different sounds. With a front and back pickup producing two different signals.
Bobby Valentín
Bobby Valetin, or 'El Rey del Bajo' as he is often known, is one of Americas leading Latin Jazz / Salsa bassists.
Rick Danko
Rick Danko of The Band
Louis Johnson
Louis and guitarist brother George Johnson, of the Brothers Johnson were Gibson endorsing artists - there are photographs of them posing for Gibson using the Grabber, G3 and Ripper basses and the S-1 guitar. Although this picture is still posed, the lack of bridge cover and changed out knobs suggest this bass was not something he just picked up at the Gibson photoshoot.
Suzi Quatro
Speaking to FlyGuitars.com, June 2006 ..used this bass for about 3 years - very, very big body. The neck was also thick and long. It had a good woody sound, but cumbersome - not sleek like some of the other big bodied bases ...pretty colour..tan ...finally moved on more
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Speaking to FlyGuitars.com I've got two mid '70's Rippers; one maple, one black. Love those. more
Krist Novoselic
Dave Kiswiney
Dave Kiswiney playing a Gibson Ripper with Ted Nugent
Speaking to FlyGuitars.com the Gibson Ripper was like a godsend for me. It was balanced, different variations of what you could do with the tone, it just worked for the amplification I was using, it just worked. And it had that big body, that big maple body, right? it just was a fantastic bass. moreBill Wyman
Rolling Stones bassplayer Bill Wyman with a Gibson Ripper bass. According to (the excellent) Rolling Stones Gear by Andy Babiuk, Wyman was Given the Ripper by Gibson in 1975, and he used it through 1976 to promote his Stone Alone solo album.
Gibson Ripper bass for sale
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
1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
Kaufman, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$370
... more
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
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 !
... 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
... more
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 (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
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
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
+ 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
Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
... more