Gibson Ripper Bass

• Solid alder or maple body • set maple neck • dual humbuckers • Q-system electronics • 34 1/2 inch scale

The Gibson Ripper bass was launched in 1973, as something new for the guitar buying public, who had began to tire of the EB basses that had dominated the 1960s. As one of their mid seventies adverts proclaimed, they haven't been hanging about for fifteen or twenty years. Mahogany was out - the earliest Ripper bodies were manufactured from maple, though in 1975 to 1976 alder was used before going back to maple in 1977. It was designed by Bill Lawrence who was working for Gibson at the time.

1976 Gibson Ripper

Economic pressures in the 1970s meant the L-9S had to be affordable. A good quality bass, certainly, but no expensive inlays or finishes, plastic pickup covers, and controls and pickups mounted on the scratchplate (reducing production time and costs, compared to mounting in the wood).

It was still a big bass, compared to Gibson's previous models. Long scale (there was no short-scale equivalent), with a big rounded body. All-maple ones can be quite heavy. Hardware consisted of the then brand new Ripper humbucking pickups, Gibson 3-point bridge, with chrome cover; and usually Schaller BM machines.

But the controls were interesting. Bill Lawrence developed the Ripper pickups and 'Q-system' electronics, which had an impressive array of tones, if a little difficult to find them all again... So Gibson put out a fantastic vinyl record with a demonstration of the bass; including suggested Q-system settings, and some funky live performances by Richard Evans and Dartanyan Brown of Chase.

The Ripper bass was available as a standard fretted instrument (left) and from 1975 as a fretless, though only 898 fretless Ripper were shipped between 1975 and 1979; around 10% of the total. Have a look and a listen to a fretless Ripper here

The exact Ripper specifications can be seen in the 1975 Gibson bass, 1978, 1980, and finally (as a close out model) 1981 catalogs.

Some more examples...

1974 L-9S Ripper

1977 L-9SF Fretless Ripper

1978 L-9S Ripper

Gibson Ripper bass shipping totals

The L-9S shipping figures are taken from Larry Meiners book Gibson Shipment Totals. This data stops at 1979, though small numbers were shipped at least as late as 1982.

The specifications listed below are taken from the 1975 Gibson bass catalogue

1975 Ripper L9-S

BODY SPECIFICATION
Solid alder body with contoured shape (maple 1973-74, and 1977 onwards)
Double cutaway design contoured shape
3-point adjustable Tune-o-matic bridge with handrest
Combination tailpiece (strings enter through body or connect at end of bridge)
Two Gibson "Super humbucking" pickups
Master volume, midrange and treble roll-off controls
4-position transfer switch for multiple tonal changes
Available in Natural or Ebony body finish Body size: Length 21 1/2", width 14 1/2", depth 1 1/4"

NECK SPECIFICATION
Laminated maple construction
Width at fingerboard nut 1 5/8"
Choice of Natural Maple or Ebony fingerboard with dot inlays
Chrome-plated individual machine heads
Gibson truss rod with moulded truss rod cover
20 frets 34 1/2" scale length

1975 Ripper Fretless

BODY SPECIFICATION

Solid alder body with contoured shape (maple 1973-74, and 1977 onwards)
Double cutaway design contoured shape
3-point adjustable Tune-o-matic bridge with handrest
Combination tailpiece (strings enter through body or connect at end of bridge)
Two Gibson "Super humbucking" pickups
Master volume, midrange and treble roll-off controls
4-position transfer switch for multiple tonal changes
Available in Sunburst finish (also ebony and natural by 1977)
Body size: Length 21 1/2", width 14 1/2, depth 1 1/4"

NECK SPECIFICATION
Laminated maple construction
Width at fingerboard nut 1 5/8"
Fretless Ebony fingerboard (also maple by 1978)
Chrome-plated individual machine heads
Gibson truss rod with moulded truss rod cover
34 1/2" scale length

Gibson Ripper bass variations

Gibson Ripper prototypes

Prototype A small batch of Ripper prototypes/samples were produced in 1973, with a different body style; a few of which have surfaced over the last few years. There were several variants, with differing circuitry, finishes and body woods. Perhaps other details too? Note the shallow 335-style top cutaway, and deep lower cutaway. These early basses had none of the money-saving components of the final production model; pickups and controls are mounted directly to the body, and the electronics are accessed from the back. The examples shown here include one that has been stripped entirely, one in Walnut (or is it a faded Cherry over mahogany?), and one in Cherry Sunburst. None appear to have had a maple fretboard.

These were the guitars demonstrated at the June '73 NAMM show in Chicago - UK music magazine Guitar reported the new L65 (sic) guitar and L95 (sic) bass; "the neo-cutaway design on these models is similar to the new semi-acoustic Les Paul Signature guitar and bass" - note at this stage there is no mention of the name 'Ripper'.

Prototype 2 The earliest photographed guitar clearly identifiable as a Ripper appeared in the January 1974 guitar magazines, and is pictured here. This would also have been built in 1973. This Ripper is very different from all later guitars featuring a smaller pickguard (only one pickup is mounted in it), 2 EB style humbuckers with surrounds and no bridge cover (also no strung through body?).

Dartanyan Brown, bass player with jazz rock group Chase was one of a number of artists given early Rippers to 'road-test'. He recalls this bass well.... "that was one of several 'first drafts' that Bruce (Bolen) reviewed with me, Greg Lake and probably a few others. The instrument pictured has a beveled edge; that's because it was originally flat-edged (like a telecaster bass) and I thought it very uncomfortable so they were bringing various bevel/contour designs. They needed something for the print ad (upcoming Christmas season) so they grabbed that one. It was just a mock-up for an ad that was produced way ahead of the actual guitars on the assembly line." Dartanyan went on to record a track called Base Meant for a Gibson Ripper publicity disk in 1974.

Gibson Ripper bass production models

There were some other differences between the earliest and latest Rippers other than choice of body wood. Most notably in body shape, but also varitone selector markings and pickup mounting. The earliest models were wider bodied, but with short rounded horns, and tortoiseshell pickguards ranging from deep red to almost black. By late 1974 with the change to an alder body, the horns were lengthened, and sharpened, whilst the body became slightly narrower.

The next modifications came in somewhere in late 1976, early 1977; the pickups had previously been mounted with 2 screws going through the centre of the pickup itself, however now this was replaced by 3 screws attaching it to the scratchplate. This required modification of the pickup routes; from rectangular, to a five-sided shape.

At around the same time, the varitone position labels were etched into the scratchplate, rather than using a label ring similar to an EB3 bass, and the back of the body now had a recessed black metal plate through which the strings pass, rather than individual string holes. Pickguards (at least on some instruments) were now five-ply b/w/b/w/b. All of these differences are illustrated in the pictures to the left.

The Ripper was still featured as late as the 1983 catalogue, with no changes in specification, except for an ultra-safe "Posi-Lok" strap button fitted to all Gibson basses of this period. Few guitars actually shipped in the 1980s.

Ripper bass copies and reissues

In the mid 1970s, Gibson 'lawsuit' copies were everywhere. On first glance, some guitars were hard to distinguish from the real thing, even using very similar hardware. Rippers branded Aria, Cortez, Shaftesbury, Ventura, Westminster - to name but a few - were being produced in Japan and imported by European and American dealers.

More recently, Gibson and Epiphone have both reissued the Ripper, if only in very limited runs.

Gibson Ripper bass for sale

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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.
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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
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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
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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

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

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

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
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