Pricing and availability

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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

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Ripper Bass like?

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.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Ripper Bass pickups?

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.

Is the Gibson Ripper Bass suitable for advanced players?

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.

How does the 3-way switching work on the Gibson Ripper Bass?

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.

What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Ripper Bass?

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.

Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter

A True Classic! - 1974 Gibson Ripper [Demo]

Video thumbnail for A True Classic! - 1974 Gibson Ripper [Demo] by Patrick Hunter

A True Classic! - 1974 Gibson Ripper [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter

Video thumbnail for NEW BASS DAY! [1974 Gibson Ripper] by Patrick Hunter

NEW BASS DAY! [1974 Gibson Ripper]

Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter

Video thumbnail for 1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural | CME Vintage Demo | Marc Najjar by Chicago Music Exchange

1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural | CME Vintage Demo | Marc Najjar

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for 1974 / 75 Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar by Dave Simpson

1974 / 75 Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar

Dave Simpson

Dave Simpson

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1981 Gibson L9-S Ripper Bass | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1981 Gibson L9-S Ripper Bass | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural 1975 USA by Loud Lemon Demo

Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural 1975 USA

Loud Lemon Demo

Loud Lemon Demo

Video thumbnail for Gibson Ripper Bass Krist Novoselic Nirvana Bass Guitar by guitarsmith

Gibson Ripper Bass Krist Novoselic Nirvana Bass Guitar

guitarsmith

guitarsmith

Video thumbnail for 1977 Fretless Gibson Ripper Bass Demo by Capsule Music

1977 Fretless Gibson Ripper Bass Demo

Capsule Music

Capsule Music

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

  • The Ripper's chicken-head pickup selector can toggle pickups in and out of phase, offering versatile sound options.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The 1974 models have tortoise guards known to decompose and release corrosive gases, affecting metal parts.

    Source
  • Some users recommend moving the strap button to the back of the body to address neck heaviness.

    Source
  • Incorrect winding of A and G strings can cause nut issues, such as becoming unseated, requiring careful string installation.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Ripper's 34.5" scale allows for excellent string tension, beneficial for drop tuning and metal genres.

    Source
  • The Grabber, G3, and Ripper each offer distinct sounds, with the G3 being used on early Green Day tracks.

    Source

User experience

  • The bridge's intonation screws can be uncomfortable, sticking out and digging into hands during play.

    Source
  • Owners often find Rippers with bent or warped necks, making it difficult to find one in good condition.

    Source
  • Some owners find the Ripper's neck to be unusually thick, which may require larger hands for comfortable playability.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Ripper is notably heavier and denser than many basses, which can be uncomfortable for long playing sessions.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices for the Gibson Ripper have significantly increased recently, making it challenging to justify without a good deal.

    Source
  • While typical values range from $2,000 to $3,500, unique modifications or conditions, like glitter finishes, can influence market value.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • It's recommended to replace the bridge for better action, enhancing playability and setup precision.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Known for its iconic tone, the Ripper has been used by Krist Novoselic of Nirvana and Suzi Quatro, highlighting its appeal in rock and punk music.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Complete Guide To The Gibson Ripper Bass | Gibson Ripper For Sale — Vintage Bass Room

vintagebassroom.co.uk

The Gibson Ripper bass is a 1970s classic, celebrated for its aggressive and versatile tonal range, courtesy of its Bill Lawrence "Super Humbucker" pickups. While its unique 'Q-system' electronics offer a wide palette of sounds, its rarity and vintage status make it highly collectible yet potentially costly. The Ripper's distinctive design, including a set neck and a three-point bridge, differentiates it from its Gibson siblings like the Grabber and G3. However, the Ripper's reissues haven't matched the allure or value of the originals, and fans may find the clones lacking in quality. The sentiment here is neutral, as the Ripper's strengths in tone and collectibility are offset by its variable market value and mixed reception of newer models.

Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
icicle_band

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!

peasinafookinpod420

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.

dbia
dbia

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
See how Jeremy Davis uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Jeremy Davis

Bassist

Paramore

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Greg Lake uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Greg Lake

Singer, Guitarist

King Crimson

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Greg can be seen with a Ripper bass.

See how Carol Kaye uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Carol Kaye

Bassist, Music Producer

The Grass Roots

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"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."

See how Ryan "Fluff" Bruce uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Ryan "Fluff" Bruce

Guitarist, Music Producer

Dragged Under

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Matt Sharp uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Matt Sharp

Bassist

Weezer

...
Verified

"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

See how Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud

Bassist

Mayhem

...
Verified via Photo

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

See how Rick Danko uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Rick Danko

Singer, Bassist

The Band

...
Verified via Talkbass

Danko can be seen playing a Gibson Ripper in this photo.

See how Quorthon uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Quorthon

Singer, Guitarist

Bathory

...
Verified via Photo

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
See how Louis Johnson uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Louis Johnson

Bassist

Michael Jackson (band)

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Canaan Dove Amber uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Canaan Dove Amber

Singer, Guitarist

Duster

...
Verified via Photo

jbrodawgg #thisisduster @thisisduster

See how Chad Channing uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Chad Channing

Guitarist, Drummer

Nirvana

...
Verified via Photo

In This Photo We See A Gibson Ripper Bass Krist Novoselic Had One But We Can See Here That Chad Channing Had One To.

See how Suzi Quatro uses Gibson Ripper Bass

Suzi Quatro

Singer, Bassist

The Pleasure Seekers

...
Verified via Flyguitars

"I used this bass for about 3 years.. very very big body... neck was also thick and long.. good woody sound.. but cumbersome... not sleek like some of the other big bodied bases... pretty colour.. tan... finally moved on."

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.

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Community setups

Show yours
colin

colin

Gear IQ 187

iannash

iannash

Gear IQ 274

1 alternative for Gibson Ripper Bass, curated by the Equipboard community.

Epiphone Ripper

$1,074.74

cheaper alternative

It is pretty much the same bass, just with cheaper components.

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