Gibson basses

Ralphe talks about his music, playing, and his endorsement of Gibson bass guitars. By John Fertig

Ralphe Armstrong with Gibson L9-S.Photo Armando Gallo, courtesy www.armandogallo.com

FlyGuitars So the first Gibson bass you tried was the EB-2?

Ralphe Armstrong I always liked the sound of it. Being a bass violinist, I like its mellow tone. Some guys had it sounding mushy, but the guys in Detroit that played around here, they had a sound! Labella strings, they had a big sound going through Ampegs.

FlyGuitars You soon got a contract endorsing Gibson basses. How did that come about?

How I got with Gibson guitars was with John McLaughlin, he took me to Lincolnwood, Illinois, in 1975. I met Bruce Bolen and designer Walt Johnston and they asked me to write down what I wanted; and that’s how they came up with this bass called the Ripper and the G-3 with three pickups. And we had the RD Artist, that was a great bass. It was a whole lot of wood and a whole lot of sound! It had a hell of a sound. I had a mahogany fretless RD too, with an ebony fingerboard!

FlyGuitars Tell me about your fretless Ripper you used.

Ralphe Armstrong Oh, that bass had a good sound. It had a real deep sound; then it had a very high legato, which is very long. I could do glissandos on it. It had a lot of sustain.

FlyGuitars I noticed you had ebony and maple Rippers; did you find any differences?

Ralphe Armstrong The ebony is always closer to the bass violin, the tonality of it.

FlyGuitars Tell me more about the RD Artists.

Ralphe Armstrong That to me, it was one of the best ones ever made. A lot of people did not like it because it was heavy, but I liked because it was big and it had a long fingerboard; you can play a G harmonic on it and it had a big sound. It was a well-made piece of machinery.

1978 advert for the Gibson RD Artist. This RD is a real rarity in that it is mahogany, with a fretless ebony fretboard. Production models were maple-bodied, and rarely fretless

1981 advert for the Gibson Victory. Ralphe remembers owning fretted and fretless Victory Artists, though perhaps also the one-pickup Standard. In 1982 a Gibson Gazette edition claims he had phoned in 'to let us know how pleased he is with his Victory Standard bass... says it gets down, but never lets him down'

FlyGuitars Ever use the Moog options on it?

Ralphe Armstrong Oh, of course! I used everything on that bass!

FlyGuitars Did you have more than one Mahogany RD? Where is it now?

Ralphe Armstrong No, just that one and a maple fretted one. I sold it years ago to Marion Hayden. She still has it today; she still plays it. She's an excellent musician. She also teaches at University of Michigan.

Demonstrating the Gibson Victory bass (fretless in this case) at the Atlanta NAMM show, 1982

FlyGuitars Another bass you endorsed was the Gibson Victory; appearing in a 1981 advert along with a number of other musicians.

Ralphe Armstrong (thinking) Oh yeah, the Victory, a great maple bass. All Gibsons are great sounding basses. It was heavy, but that never bothered me. I had the two pickup one, I had a fretted & fretless version.

FlyGuitars Do you still own your original Gibson basses or other Gibson basses? What basses do you play now?

Ralphe Armstrong No, I got rid of them, but I still have the last two they made for a Jimi Hendrix and me special. You know they are making some really great basses now. I really want to get a 5 string Thunderbird. That bass is amazing. They make some fine instruments. I play some Fenders: a P bass, a Jazz Bass fretless. Also a Thunderbird, the black Les Paul with Bartolinis, an acoustic Hohner bass and a Yamaha 6 string.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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1979 Vintage Maple Gibson RD Artist Bass Gtr with a History

Bloomfield, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

A Vintage Guitar with a History
From the private collection of artist / songwriter Martin Briley, this Gibson RD Artist bass was used exclusively on tour, in videos and in the studio by Martin Briley with the Ian Hunter / Mick Ronson Band in 1979 and 1980. It also appears on the Ian Hunter albums ?Welcome to the Club?? and ?Short Back ??n?? Sides??, it has been kept safely in storage ever since.
Considering it??s age the instrument is in excellent condition, with a little cosmetic damage ... more

Tobias 1987 Fretless Pre Gibson 4-String Bass Neck Through Guitar Zebrawood Mint

Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6000

Thanks for your interest!
Up for sale is my personal, and very much adored, Tobias Fretless Pre-Gibson Bass Guitar (Serial Number 812). I personally know Michael from when I lived in Orlando back in the 90s, when I purchased a Prototype Bass from him, which I will be putting up for sale as well. I am second owner of this Fretless beauty, and have lovingly taken care of her. I would put her up as in near mint condition as possible for an almost 40 year old beautiful girl. She was purchased... more

Vintage Gibson RD Standard Bass Natural 1977

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499

Vintage Gibson RD Standard Bass Natural 1977
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
Made for only a brief moment in the late '70s, this lovely RD Standard bass offers excellent tone & feel with passive electronics. Professionally set up with fresh strings & low action so it's ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic Condition: Various nicks, chips, dents & dings; scratches & some finish wear
Neck: Semi-chunky maple neck with... more

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

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

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

1976 RD Standard Gibson Jazz Bass Guitar

Mission Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

The 1976 RD Standard Gibson Jazz Bass Guitar is a classic electric bass guitar by Gibson, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and iconic design. With a sleek black body color, this guitar is sure to make a stylish statement in any musician's collection. Featuring the renowned Standard series, this bass guitar is known for its versatile sound and exceptional playability, making it a popular choice among bass players in various genres of music
PICK UP ONLY Mission Hills, CA (LA ... more

Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag! -LL

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

Item: Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag!
Description: You are purchasing a Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag!Neck had a break but has been repaired. See PhotoIT has some wear and tear from normal usage Beautiful flamed wood finish Plays and sounds Please ask any questions before buying if you have any Shipping: $100 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for your ... more

All Original Vintage 1977 Gibson Grabber G-3 Bass Guitar

Fort Worth, Texas, 761**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2995

All original vintage 1977 Gibson Grabber G-3 bass guitar. Nice bright with depth tone. A lot of presence. G-3's were the Cadillac Grabber of it's day. This one is in remarkably good condition, especially for it's age. Kiss, Grand Funk, Nirvana, Green Day, The Who, etc BODY: Sculpted maple NECK: Maple with maple fingerboard and MOP dots BRIDGE: Original string through the body bridge, so the strings are really throwing a signal. Surprisingly still has the original bridge cover (that's rare for ... more

1978 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric (MOOG) Bass + OHSC

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

1978 Gibson RD Artist Bass Guitar + Original Gibson Hardshell Case
" NATURAL BLONDE" FINISH
GIBSON NORLIN-ERA
Original MOOG ELECTRONICS
Made in USA (Kalamazoo Plant, MI)
Production # 102 (April 17th release)
Adult owned only. Children-free, Pet-free household. Kept inside case when not used

Up for sale is a BEAUTIFUL LATE-70's Gibson Bass Guitar (RD ARTIST)
EXCELLENT overall vintage condition. Standard surface scratches, light dings, marks on front / back body / ... more

Vintage 1976 Gibson G3 Grabber Electric Bass with original hard Gibson Case

East Amherst, New York, 140**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3200

This vintage Gibson G3 Grabber Electric Bass is a rare gem for any musician. With a beautiful blond body made of alder and maple, this right-handed bass guitar features a rosewood, ebony, and maple fretboard, making it a dream come true for any player. The 4-string configuration and vintage series add to its uniqueness, making it a must-have for any collector. This bass guitar comes with its original hard Gibson case, making it easy to transport and store. Perfect for any musician or collector, ... 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
... 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

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

Gibson RD Artist (MOOG) Bass (Simms Custom repaint) + Original Hard Case

London, NW5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£4837

Quite clearly a one-of-a-kind instrument. The bass was overhauled by Feline Guitars, and then repainted by Simms Customs. All Moog electronics intact. If you have ever played one of these before you will know that no other bass sounds like these. Thunderous, but completely defined and tight. Collection, please.... 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

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

Gibson Fretless Basse 4-cordes

Saint-Boes , 64***, FRANCE

€2799

Gibson The Ripper, 4-cordes fretless basse, couleur: noir, année: 1979, fabrication: Etats-Unis, Neck : ebony fingerboard. Tout est original, sauf le corp à été revernis. Action basse, électronique fonctionne parfaitement. Réglée par luthierTrussrod et manche sont en très bon état. (très stable). Originale Hardcase mais pas en bon état. (Plusieurs photos sur demande)Livraison possible (emballage solide)
#Basse #Gibson #Fretless #Bass... more

Gibson G-3 Used Electric Bass Guitar

Porth, CF39***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2557

Rarely available this U S.made Gibson 'Grabber' G-3 is a superbly made qualiiy instrument with a unique sound dating from the mid 1970's. Excellent condition given its age and in perfect working order
Serial numbner: 06167800
3 position switch controlling the 3 pick-ups with volume and tone controls
This instrument was purchased by me in Cardiff south Wales in early 1982.... 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
... more

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