I just stumbled across these today. Nice looking Ripper inspired bass. Made in Vietnam. Just curious if anyone has heard of these or possibly has played one.
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Anyone have knowledge on these Iron Label Ripper style basses?
- Thread starter blacktocomm
- Start date
Those were my thoughts on it. That’s why I was asking. I wouldn’t expect it to sound anything like a Ripper, but sometimes these basses with the cheap hardware can be quite nice with a little modding. Build quality is the great unknown.
Sometimes the hardware choices alone indicate all you need to know about the build quality.
I can't remember who, but a guitar channel just did a review of their guitars. Honestly that ripper looks way better than the guitar I saw in the video, but I would expect too much from it.
Never heard of them.
But just from the picture posted it looks ok to me. Hardware and pickups just look as generic as any old Fender. Headstock is not to ugly, paintwork seems to be ok too..
Vietnam isn't exactly known for building instruments, however just positivly assuming that this company understands that they can no longer deliver junk in 2025, as competitive pressure is very high and they have to put some effort into the manufacturing, this could be a real bargain at $800.
But just from the picture posted it looks ok to me. Hardware and pickups just look as generic as any old Fender. Headstock is not to ugly, paintwork seems to be ok too..
Vietnam isn't exactly known for building instruments, however just positivly assuming that this company understands that they can no longer deliver junk in 2025, as competitive pressure is very high and they have to put some effort into the manufacturing, this could be a real bargain at $800.
What made the Ripper special wasn't the body shape, it was the pickups and electronics designed by Bill Lawrence.
Without that, it's just a generic two-soapbar bass with a nice finish.
Without that, it's just a generic two-soapbar bass with a nice finish.
I love the burst but it seems a little expensive to take a flyer on it. Bide your time, someone here, or elsewhere, might buy one and give a review.
From what I've heard about the IYV stuff, I think this may change. Reviews of their stuff seem pretty glowing. That said, they don't cost nearly as much as this (their more basic models, and even some of their nicer looking stuff, go for about $2-300.)
The price is right but the electronics are definitely lacking. Also , the body went though some changes, I can’t really make out what version this one is.
I really like this style of Gibson basses (I’ve owned a ripper before and I own a grabber now ). Be advised that the body looks huge even if it really isn’t than much larger than a fender. It’s a couple of inches wider at the wides part and the shape is much rounder, so it looks as big as a hollow body.
I really like this style of Gibson basses (I’ve owned a ripper before and I own a grabber now ). Be advised that the body looks huge even if it really isn’t than much larger than a fender. It’s a couple of inches wider at the wides part and the shape is much rounder, so it looks as big as a hollow body.
It's Grzenia Guitars sub brand. Supposedly solid built but with basic hardware/electronics with the knowledge that they're likely to be changed out for better stuff, regardless.
For half the price I'd be interested in it as a mod platform. As it is, it's too much money for a bass to change out the hardware, pickups and electronics, and make a new pickguard.
This. Hard to find interesting/unique basses in the sub $500 range. I get that's just how it is but still...
OP did you pull the trigger on these? I'm looking at them myself and have the same questions on quality and such.
Just pulled the trigger. Will post some updates once I receive.
Vietnamese quality started iffy with the Peavey Grind basses when they first came out, mostly rushed finishing and Q.C. Stuff i have seen lately are much improved.
There's no reason people in Vietnam couldn't make instruments as well as people anywhere else. Of course, most of us know that by now and those who refuse to accept that won't be convinced by me or anyone else rambling on about it.
As I said previously, without having tried one I think the price is a little too much for me personally, as I'd want to change a lot of components to turn it into a more accurate Ripper-clone (or something else entirely...). Still, I'm curious to hear @GodlessMolecule opinion of it once he receives his! For all we know, it may be of superior quality and then the price may not be so steep after all, even for someone with the intention to mod it.
As I said previously, without having tried one I think the price is a little too much for me personally, as I'd want to change a lot of components to turn it into a more accurate Ripper-clone (or something else entirely...). Still, I'm curious to hear @GodlessMolecule opinion of it once he receives his! For all we know, it may be of superior quality and then the price may not be so steep after all, even for someone with the intention to mod it.
