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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1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
Kaufman, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$370
Good working condition, all the latches and hindge work, lots of wear around the edge see pics
... more
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1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2299
For Sale: 1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
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
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 L-9S Ripper Bass - 1974-75 - Natural - Great shape with HSC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 532**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2800
the stripped truss rod nut and put a new one on. I also added some double sided tape to the choke so it's not rolling around in the cavity
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
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
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
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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 Ripper Bass L-9S 1974 Ebony Black W OHSC ALL ORIGINAL
Stanford, Kentucky, 404**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
Incredible bass, almost like a time capsule this one is. Plays like butter, with all original parts. minimal play wear;
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 !
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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
Good Working Condition
I am not a player looks to be all original but i can??t tell probably missing the tail cover
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I am not a player looks to be all original but i can??t tell probably missing the tail cover
... more
1976 Gibson L-9S The Ripper Bass Black Finish w / OHSC
San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3495
This Is Located At Our Brick'n'Mortar Store In San Diego, CA
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
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
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
+ 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
Gibson L-9 S Ripper
LONDON, E3***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2353
Very nice 1974 Gibson Ripper, recently serviced by the Bass Gallery in Camden.
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
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
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
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There are 1 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
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. :-)
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. :-)