1977 Gibson fretless Ripper - more images and sound clips of this middle-period alder bodied bassGibson Ripper wiring and circuitry
The Ripper was fitted with Q-system electronics designed by Bill Lawrence
Gibson L9-S Ripper circuit schematic (1973) - including some description of the Q-filter
Gibson L9-S Ripper circuit photographs (1976, 78) - close ups of two Ripper wiring looms
L9-S Ripper pots - potentiometer details and part numbers
Gibson Ripper controls
Ripper controls (1978) - Gibson produced the following description of controls in 1978. What the varitone and three pots actually do.
Ripper hardware
Part 13679, Ripper L-9S humbucker - neck and bridge pickups are identical
Gibson three point bridge with cover - as used on all Rippers
Tuning keys were initially these unnamed early 70s open gear type and later Schaller BM.
Published part lists
Gibson Ripper parts list (1981) - All the components listed with part numbers
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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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
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
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
+ 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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There are 1 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
40Hz Comment left 22nd June 2019 06:06:14 reply
You said: “What the varitone and three pots actually do.” The switch is not a varitone control. It’s a transfer switch. Basically a glorified pickup selector. The coil is a mid choke or notch filter if you prefer. A true varitone circuit is a multi-capacitor switcher (usually 5 or 6 different values) and a coil. :-)
You said: “What the varitone and three pots actually do.” The switch is not a varitone control. It’s a transfer switch. Basically a glorified pickup selector. The coil is a mid choke or notch filter if you prefer. A true varitone circuit is a multi-capacitor switcher (usually 5 or 6 different values) and a coil. :-)