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
You can see Joey's yellow Gibson Ripper Bass on a rack in the background of this video.
Joey was also seen with the Gibson more frequently on Paramore's This is Why Tour and opening act dates for Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. He mainly used it for the songs Misery Business and Ain't It Fun, resulting in the bass' tuning to be C#AGD.
In the video for ''Kick In The Teeth'', Tobin Esperance can be seen using a Black Gibson Ripper bass.
"... it’s a 1972 or ’73. The Gibson Ripper is a complete maple body and neck." He also says the Varitone switch was removed and the neck pickup was replaced with a Japanese single-coil before he got the bass.
The Gibson Ripper Black was used in the video for "Hash Pipe". Note: The source (http://bit.ly/1CINnvJ) states the bass might be from 1979.
Gerald occasionally used a heavily modified Ripper with the horns sawed off called the "Spudbass"
In the music video for the song “Anchor”, Caleb is playing a black Gibson Ripper bass. You can tell it’s not one of his usual Grabber basses due to the headstock and the two humbucker pickups that are exclusive to the Ripper model. It is unknown if he used this bass for anything else besides this video performance.
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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