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
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Nick Movshon's bass guitars are listed in this Bass Player magazine article and includes the 1973 Gibson Ripper.
Johanna Söderberg used a Gibson Ripper Bass during a performance at the Bridge Festival in Eindhoven, as evidenced by a photo shared by Instagram user jasjajohanna, captioned "this Gibson = fam now ❤️🔥 yesterday with @jbmeijers and @joost_kroon at @bridge_festival_eindhoven #gibson #gibsonripper" on June 3rd 2024
Also used in Pilsen on June 3rd 2026
Johan can be seen playing a Gibson Ripper Bass throughout the "156" music video.
In a Twitter post by BassMagOnline, Hagar Ben Ari is pictured holding a Gibson Ripper Bass, highlighting her use of this instrument.
What was your go-to bass on those albums and tours? Early on, I was playing Fender P basses. I had trashed one during a gig the first month I was with AC/DC, and I went to a repair shop to have some work done when I came across a cherry-burst Gibson Ripper that I fell in love with. The moment I picked it up, I thought it was such a cool bass. I went back to the Precisions for a while, but I also used a couple of [Gibson] T-birds. Just like guitars, basses are very instinctive things. If you pick one up and don’t know in the first minute if it’s for you, it’s not for you.
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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