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
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
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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
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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
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Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
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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
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. :-)









