The Gibson Ripper has three controls: volume, midrange and tone; and a four-way rotary tone switch; unfortunately these are not marked, so players have to learn and remember what they do! The varitone positions are as follows:
| Varitone position | Electronic description | Tonal description |
| 1 | Both pickups, in-phase, wired in series | More bite |
| 2 | Back pickup only | Maximum treble |
| 3 | Both pickups, in-phase, wired in parallel | More bottom end |
| 4 | Both pickups, out-of-phase, wired in series | Funky, dirty tonality |
The Ripper was designed to use all of these controls in conjunction with each other. Today, people that don't like Rippers (yes there are some!) have probably had a bad experience without really experiencing what this bass can do. But this is perhaps not surprising, especially if the pickup outputs are not balanced.. it is tempting to leave all controls on full and only change varitone positions. But this was not how Bill Lawrence designed the bass to be used. Pickup signal must be comparable for neck and bridge to get the correct out-of-phase signal. Any Ripper owner should listen to, and study the sleeve of Gibson's 1974 promo record which gives a number of examples of Ripper tones, and suggested Q-system settings to replicate them.
Because the controls for many Gibson bass instruments were not straight forward, aswell as the promo-record mentioned above, Gibson issued single-page summary sheets in 1978, detailing the precise operation of some of the more complicated models. The Ripper's is reproduced below.
The controls, as listed above, have no setting for solo neck pickup - according to Bill Lawrence's notes, this was not originally to be the case, and in many people's eyes is the one downfall of the production Ripper bass.
Gibson Ripper bass for sale
Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan
New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
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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1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$9000
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 L9S RIPPER 1976 Electric Guitar USA Vintage Rare Maple with Hard Case
Chesterfield, Virginia, 238**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony Black
San Antonio, Texas, 782**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1990
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1975 Gibson The Ripper L9-S Vintage Electric Bass Ebony, Alder Body w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
The contoured alder body (as opposed to maple) is a particularly uncommon option, only offered ... 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
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Basse Gibson Ripper Fretless Black Ebony ~ 1976
Balanod, 39***, FRANCE
€2550
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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 !!!!
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€350
+ 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