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
Vintage 1978 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Yellow With Gator Hardcase
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3999
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 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
Gibson Ripper Bass Natural, modified to fretless 1975-6
New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2450
I haven't changed the strings in a while because I haven't been using it. Other than that, it doesn't need anything
... 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
Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
... more
JAPANESE RIPPER BASS COPY GENUINE GIBSON NECK PLATE.
Ossett, WF5***, UNITED KINGDOM
£466
JAPANESE RIPPER BASS COPY.
WITH GENUINE GIBSON NECK PLATE
This is a Japanese manufactured copy of the Gibson Ripperbass, which was introduced in 1973, and this dates from around the same time, so over 50 years old
All maple construction, with a brass nut
I have seen similar basses branded as Kimbara, Shaftsbury, and Avon. It??s impossible to say what name this came with when new, as ... 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
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