1976 Gibson Ripper

• Solid alder body • set three-piece maple neck • maple fretboard • Q-system electronics • 34 1/2 inch scale

The Gibson Ripper changed subtly over the years of it's production. This particular Ripper was built soon after the changeover to the second, narrower body style (you can see the older style on this early 1974 Gibson Ripper). Another change from the earliest Rippers is that the body wood is now alder as opposed to maple. Like all Rippers, it was produced in the USA (Kalamazoo, MI) under Norlin's period of ownership.

Note that the serial number on the back of the headstock is in the form of a decal, which also includes the model name. Instruments with this numbering follow their own dating method. The first two digits give the year: 99 - 1975, 00 - 1976, 01 - 1977. This was a short-lived practise, and from late 1977 the eight digit stamped serial number that is used today replaced it.

The bass pictured has typical Ripper hardware Ripper humbucking pickups - mounted through the pickup rather than to the scratchplate (as in for example this 1978 Gibson Ripper). The bridge is the Gibson 3-point chrome bridge, with chrome cover; and Schaller BM machine heads.

The translucent Natural Satin finish was the best selling of 1976 - see the Gibson Ripper shipping totals for full details.

1976 zone 1 prices for this guitar were as follows: $469 in March 1976, rising to $499 in June 1976. The Ripper was more expensive than the Grabber and G3, less expensive than the Les Paul Triumph, and priced the same as the EB3.

Alder body, maple neck and fingerboard. Translucent satin finish. The L-9S Ripper had new electronics, called the Q-system, designed by Bill Lawrence.

The Ripper body changed in the mid 1970s, with a subtle shape change around the cutaways. This is the second, redesigned Ripper body shape - compare with the earlier version here. The Ripper was the first Gibson bass that could be strung through the body, using extra long scale strings; but it could also be strung just to the Gibson three point bridge using regular long scale strings.

This Ripper's body is made up of three pieces of alder, glued together - the joins are clearly visible. The neck is made from three pieces of maple, in turn set into the body. The string-through entry holes are situated towards the bottom of the body, and are just four holes. This is a feature of early Rippers -later they had a metal plate across all four holes - have a look at a 1977 Ripper from the same angle.

The Ripper humbuckers are mounted with just two screws, attached through the pickup itself into the guitar's body wood. These are the screws between the strings in this picture. Later examples had three screws, mounted onto the scratchplate (compare with a 1978 Ripper). The adjustable polepiece screws are the ones situated directly under the strings.

The Q-system consists of a four-way rotary switch, with chicken head knob, and three controls: volume, midrange, and tone, each with a speed knob. The output jack is also mounted onto the scratchplate, beside these controls. For a more detailed description of these controls see Gibson's own description here, and check out their 1974 promotional disk which suggests some interesting settings. The varitone position marker is still the circular metal plate familiar from the EB3 basses; although this was about to change to numbers engraved into the scratchplate. Have a closer look at the controls of a 1978 Ripper.

This bass is strung through the body. The strings come from the bass body, over the Gibson Three-point bridge with bridge cover, and over the pickup to the neck. Stringing through the body increases sustain and facilitates body resonance, but the strings may feel stiffer when played. The Gibson three-point fitted to all Ripper basses allowed normal stringing too. Have a look at this 1977 Fretless Ripper strung just to the bridge.

The Gibson three point bridge was first used in 1973. It can be seen here also fitted with chrome bridge cover. Note the black plastic spacers between body and cover. The Ripper was fitted with Ripper humbuckers, in this case mounted with two screws going through each pickup.

The use of light woods (alder, maple) and an almost clear natural finish give the Ripper a very clean look, a real contrast from the darker Cherry, Walnut and Sunburst finishes that were so typical of Gibson basses of the previous decades.

The model name, country of origin and serial number are shown as a decal, and within the serial number is a date code. The first two digits can be: 99 - 1975; 00 - 1976 or 01 - 1977. This is a mid-period feature - older Rippers still had the six digit impressed serial number (compare with a 1975 Ripper) whilst newer Rippers had an eight digit stamped number (compare with a 1978 Ripper).

1970s Gibson bass headstocks are typically bigger than 1960s headstocks. The truss rod cover designates the model "The Ripper". The truss rod cover is multi-ply with a white revealed edge at this time. Older basses have single ply truss rod covers. See a 1975 Ripper bass truss rod cover. Tuning keys are Schaller BM.

This Ripper bass is fitted with Schaller BM tuning keys - each with the Gibson logo engraved into it. The earliest Rippers had a slightly different tuner which looked very similar, with the same footprint, but without the word 'Gibson' and with a slightly different dimension post (and therefore) post holes.

1976 Ripper soundclips

Soundclips were recorded on a 1976 alder bodied Ripper with Labella flat wound strings, plugged directly into a mobilePre preamp.

Gibson Ripper basses for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
 
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... 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

Gibson L-9 S The Ripper Bass Guitar (Serial # 00157884)

Raleigh, North Carolina, 276**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

This vintage Gibson L9S RIPPER electric bass guitar is a rare find for any musician. Made in the United States in 1976, this guitar features a solid body type with a natural wood / clear body color. I inherited this bass and I am not a very musical person. I know it is in good shape and in working order. I will provide more pictures upon request. Serious inquiries only please
... more

1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony Black

San Antonio, Texas, 782**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1990

1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Black. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.
... more

Gibson L9S RIPPER 1976 Electric Guitar USA Vintage Rare Maple with Hard Case

Chesterfield, Virginia, 238**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

I bought this guitar around 1982. I played it in the high school marching band. It is a marvelous instrument that has always deserved a better player than myself. That being said, my only consolation in letting it go is that whoever owns it next plays the hell out it. They didn't call this model the Ripper for nothing and rock stars have long sought after this model built during this time. It sounds beautiful and it is painful for me to sell it. But I don't play it often and my home air ... more

1975 Gibson The Ripper L9-S Vintage Electric Bass Ebony, Alder Body w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

Up for sale, a 1975 Gibson "The Ripper" L9-S bass in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. One of the more unique and versatile Gibson basses ever produced, the Ripper comes equipped with its original pair of Bill Lawrence designed "Super Humbucker" pickups and a four-way rotary switch for series, parallel, and out of phase pickup settings
The contoured alder body (as opposed to maple) is a particularly uncommon option, only offered ... 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

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

€350

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

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co