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1978 Gibson Ripper

#21
I've got a '77 ALDER G3 & I LOVE it!!! One of 9 EVER made!!!!!

The 3 Single Coil Bill Lawrence Pups work in Humbucker mode always- via a 3 way switch- neck & middle/ all 3 (called "buck & a half) & Middle & Bridge.

'tis definately a GNARLY sounding bass. SUPERB!!! but played lightly it does become more 'polite' & I've done the occasional 'jazz' styled gig with it.
Mines String-thru also- can't remember off-hand whether U can actually string it via bridge only. Will look tonite.
 
#23
After rereading these posts a bit I decided to research the g3 a bit too... it seems this is an all around better bass than the ripper, and maybe even with the grabber. I'd love to get my hands on any of these basses at a shop and see it its a good match for me. I don't only want this bass for its awesome look. I'm a big dude. I'm 6'2" and 310 lbs lol, most basses look dwarfed on me and when other people say a bass is heavy I'm swinging it around like a guitar hero controller. I truly need a sizeable bass of good quality. I'd prefer a vintage classic rock style p bass and haven't really found a fender that suits me yet. This is just one of those dream basses for me that is within reach now that I'm making insane exec chef wages again, and have a chance to spend a little on some upgrades.
 
#31
I had one when they were new. It does look cool but the sound is really boxy. Thie first couple of kiss albums have the typical grabber/ svt sound. Not a very versatile instrument as far as tonal range. I think it was $300 new back in the day. I'm surprised people value them so highly.
 
#33
I have a 74 Ripper, which I bought new in (oddly enough) 1974. Still have it. And it's still going strong. It was my main instrument right up until the late-90's when I finally caved in and got a 5-string so I wouldn't have to detune to get a low D.

I got mine shortly after reading a Guitar Player (no separate BP mag back then) interview with Greg Lake where he was discussing his Ripper. The comment that convinced me was where he mentioned the neck intonation was "true" all the way up to the top fret, and that you could hear the bottom four notes of the E-string as four distinct notes. (Turned out both statements were true BTW.)

Of all the basses I've ever owned (which includes instruments by Fender, Spector, Yamaha, Epiphone, Memphis, Godin, and Alembic) it probably has the most unique sound of all. Very clear but smooth. And sonically unlike anything Gibson has made before of since. Probably what made the sound so unique was its ability to be heard through the mix without getting "in your face" like a Rickenbacker. Strung with a set of (sadly discontinued) copper-wound D'Addario XL Reds produced a sound to die for.

AFAIC it doesn't sound anything at all like its cousin the Grabber despite being frequently equated to it.

About the only other Gibson that came close to the classic Ripper sound IMO was the equally short-lived (1981-1986) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (see below) in the single pickup configuration.

Invalid Link Removed


The Victory Bass was also the only time in its history where Gibson actually produced an instrument that looked as cool as it sounded. Still kicking myself for not getting one of those new when I had the chance...

Guess I have a weak spot for quickly discontinued instruments that are destined to become obscure footnotes in the history of electric bass. ;)
 
#34
40Hz said:
Strung with a set of (sadly discontinued) copper-wound D'Addario XL Reds produced a sound to die for.
Click to expand...
+1 :(
I've occasionally thought that we might be able to get that sound back by going with the proper guage piano strings and cutting them to length. :) Fazioli makes some great sounding strings that are copper wound on a steel core....?
 
#35
@Scatterblak - I don't think p-strings would work too well. The metallurgy is different. They're engineered for much higher tension and stiffness than a bass string. I'm guessing they'd likely damage the instrument assuming they were even playable on a bass neck.

Too bad.

Hey D'Addario! Please bring back your XL Reds! Pretty please? With sugar on it? :-)
 
#36
40Hz said:
@Scatterblak - I don't think p-strings would work too well. The metallurgy is different. They're engineered for much higher tension and stiffness than a bass string. I'm guessing they'd likely damage the instrument assuming they were even playable on a bass neck.

Too bad.

Hey D'Addario! Please bring back your XL Reds! Pretty please? With sugar on it? :-)
Click to expand...
Probably correct, unfortunately. I've got an OLP I may use as a test bed someday.... :( Sure miss those reds, though = they cut through and had some sizzle on them. :)
 
#37
I sold my 70's Ripper a couple of years ago. It played well, but the neck was pretty big. I felt that I could not get a useful sound from it for Classic Rock.

It was mint, as I had bought it in the late 70's in the OSHC and it had been used only a handful of times since then, so I got a pretty penny for her from a collector in Florida.
 

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#38
BigOldHarry said:
Hmmmm

A gamble based purely on "it looks cool" seems like a poor gamble indeed. If the OP has played one in the past and has a wild hair to get one, I get that. But just based on appearance for this bass is not a good idea unless the deal is crazy good and he can flip it.
Click to expand...

I suppose. It was a little different for me I guess. My favorite band at the time's bassist used the grabber, and I absolutely loved his tone. I also scavenged the internet for it so I wasn't betting completely blind.
 
#39
Fellas I just had one of these land in my lap (along with an American Strat!). My wife's friend asked me to sell 4 guitars for her, I initially thought the bass looked like a beater but when I googled it I was surprised at the high asking prices. It's sort of beat up, needs a good cleaning and doesn't put out any sound (no biggy I'm good with electronics), so it needs TLC. I'm trying to figure out a fair price to offer her. I'm pretty sure she'd take anything, but I don't want to be a d*ck. n The strat also needs strings and cleaning, I was thinking of offering $500 for both. :)

I'll post some pics after dinner.


Luke
 

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