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Gibson Ripper technical reference information

Gibson bass guitars | Ripper bass main page | technical information

Gibson Ripper wiring and circuitry

The Ripper was fitted with Q-system electronics designed by Bill Lawrence

Gibson L9-S Ripper circuit schematic (1973) - including some description of the Q-filter
Gibson L9-S Ripper circuit photographs (1976, 78) - close ups of two Ripper wiring looms
L9-S Ripper pots - potentiometer details and part numbers

Gibson Ripper controls

Ripper controls (1978) - Gibson produced the following description of controls in 1978. What the varitone and three pots actually do.

Ripper hardware

Part 13679, Ripper L-9S humbucker - neck and bridge pickups are identical
Gibson three point bridge with cover - as used on all Rippers
Tuning keys were initially these unnamed early 70s open gear type and later Schaller BM.

Published part lists

Gibson Ripper parts list (1981) - All the components listed with part numbers

Gibson Ripper bass for sale

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Vintage 1978 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Yellow With Gator Hardcase

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
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Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan

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
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Vintage 1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Electric Bass Guitar w / Original Case

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
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Gibson Ripper Bass Natural, modified to fretless 1975-6

Gibson Ripper Bass Natural, modified to fretless 1975-6

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2450

This Ripper is in great condition, feels and sounds great. It was modified by the original owner to fretless
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
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Gibson The Ripper L-9S Bass 1973-83 doccasion

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
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Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony  ~  1976

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
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JAPANESE RIPPER BASS COPY GENUINE GIBSON NECK PLATE.

JAPANESE RIPPER BASS COPY GENUINE GIBSON NECK PLATE.

Ossett, WF5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£466

SELLING ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT, SO NO HOLDS OR TRADES, ANDTHE PRICE IS FIRM ?? NO OFFERS
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
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER  /  RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

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
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER  /  RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

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
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40Hz Comment left 22nd June 2019 06:06:14 reply
You said: “What the varitone and three pots actually do.” The switch is not a varitone control. It’s a transfer switch. Basically a glorified pickup selector. The coil is a mid choke or notch filter if you prefer. A true varitone circuit is a multi-capacitor switcher (usually 5 or 6 different values) and a coil. :-)