Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $1,825
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Embrace the thunderous growl of the Gibson Ripper Bass, a beloved relic from the '70s that has found favor with musicians seeking a robust and flexible sound palette. With its lean body and beveled edges that bear the classic Gibson signature, this bass guitar not only looks the part but also delivers on performance. The unique six-position switch gives you the freedom to control the humbuckers independently, together, or split for a punchier single-coil sound. Famed for being the weapon of choice for legends like Gene Simmons and Krist Novoselic, this model stands tall as a powerhouse of heavy bass tones.
Key Features:
- Versatile six-position switch for varied tonal outputs
- Classic Gibson design with beveled edges
- Humbuckers that can be operated separately, in tandem, or split for a single-coil sound
- Notable association with legendary bassists Gene Simmons and Krist Novoselic
- Heavily favored for its aggressive character and flexible sound options
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Ripper Bass like?
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The Gibson Ripper Bass features a hard maple neck with a satin finish, providing a smooth playing experience. The neck is designed for comfort and playability, suitable for various playing styles.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Ripper Bass pickups?
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The Gibson Ripper Bass uses a single-coil/split-coil pickup combination, offering a versatile range of tones from bright and punchy to warm and mellow, making it suitable for rock, funk, and jazz genres.
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Is the Gibson Ripper Bass suitable for advanced players?
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Yes, the Gibson Ripper Bass is well-suited for advanced players, featuring high-quality materials like a hard maple body and neck, brass nut for sustain, and versatile pickup configuration, which allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities.
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How does the 3-way switching work on the Gibson Ripper Bass?
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The 3-way switching on the Gibson Ripper Bass allows players to select between different pickup configurations, offering a variety of tonal options to suit different musical styles and preferences.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Ripper Bass?
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The Gibson Ripper Bass is constructed with a hard maple body and neck, a maple fingerboard, and features a durable polyurethane finish on the fretboard, ensuring longevity and excellent playability.
Videos
Patrick Hunter
A True Classic! - 1974 Gibson Ripper [Demo]
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Ripper Bass.
Features and functionality
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The Ripper's chicken-head pickup selector can toggle pickups in and out of phase, offering versatile sound options.
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Setup and maintenance
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The 1974 models have tortoise guards known to decompose and release corrosive gases, affecting metal parts.
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Some users recommend moving the strap button to the back of the body to address neck heaviness.
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Incorrect winding of A and G strings can cause nut issues, such as becoming unseated, requiring careful string installation.
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Comparisons
User experience
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The bridge's intonation screws can be uncomfortable, sticking out and digging into hands during play.
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Owners often find Rippers with bent or warped necks, making it difficult to find one in good condition.
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Some owners find the Ripper's neck to be unusually thick, which may require larger hands for comfortable playability.
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Build quality
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The Ripper is notably heavier and denser than many basses, which can be uncomfortable for long playing sessions.
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Value and pricing
Mods and upgrades
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It's recommended to replace the bridge for better action, enhancing playability and setup precision.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 14 Ratings
76
Smooth as butter!
Smooth as butter neck makes it a real joy to play! The sound is awesome - full of bite, growl and edge. It's the real deal!
2423
The name says it all
It was gifted to me by Hannah as she did not need it because she had just bought the Non Reverse Thunderbird. its a great bass, and every time I play the first thing I play is the bass riff to "Breed" by Nirvana.
166
Really mixed feelings
I played a '73 Ripper for a couple years. It had a great "tuba" sort of sound. Partly due to the longer scale and partly to those fat single coils. Plus...it looks cool as hell. But it was the biggest neck diver I have ever played. I tried everything to get it to sit right around my neck so my hand could move, but nothing worked and I finally sold it.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a video interview by Bonedo on YouTube, Jeremy Davis discusses his use of a Gibson Ripper Bass, specifically mentioning at 0:44 that he plays it on "The Only Exception." He notes that this model is from the '70s and has a factory refinish.
"I’d been a Fender endorser since the late ’60s, but went to a Gibson Ripper bass when I stepped out to play live jazz again with Hampton Hawes in ’74. At first I was impressed with the Ripper’s easy neck and its sounds. Gibson took some publicity shots, and I was going to be their endorser, but they simply couldn’t get the bass to have the punchiness I liked. They also tried with the Grabber, but I kept changing my mind as to where to put the pickup, hence that bass came out with a sliding pickup. I finally just gave up and went back to Fender."
In an Instagram post by Ryan Bruce, also known as Fluff, a Gibson Ripper Bass is clearly visible on his sofa. This photograph, shared by Bruce on July 30, 2024, is captioned "Work fiddles. (They are on their lunch break)" and tagged with #gibsonripper, confirming his use of the instrument.
"Matt went through a number of borrowed basses, trying to get closer to what he wanted. ... and a Gibson Ripper (Brian's, of Black Market Flowers)." - Karl Koch, weezer.com
You can see Necrobutcher with a Gibson Ripper bass although this could be a different brand like maybe Aria because the shape is a little different
https://gearspotting.com/musician/quorthon/
"I still think that the Aria Pro II bass is the best bass ever made."
"However for the NORDLAND session, we used a Gibson Ripper because it has that 70's sound I enjoy very much these days."
- Quorthon
Louis Johnson at 1:13 can be seen clearly playing a natural Gibson Ripper bass in the music video of "Strawberry Letter 23". Although it should be known that the Gibson Ripper was not actually used on this recording, as the audio is the studio release of this song and that was recorded with an early Leo Fender Music Man bass.
Album Usage
The Gibson Ripper Bass has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Ripper Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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Add recommendation1 alternative for Gibson Ripper Bass, curated by the Equipboard community.
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