Epi T-bird, LP Sp. or Ripper???

[JazzyJames]

Id say go with the Ripper.

 

[Oberion]

...
All in all, the Ripper is a nice bass that does not get the props it deserves.

... it would be easy to upgrade the Ripper's pickups with all the P's & J's available. maybe that's the way to go.

Id say go with the Ripper.

The Epi Ltd Ripper with P/J configuration is comparable to my 08 4003 Ric not only in body and neck, toggle switch but ring sustain punch. Other words it cuts through the mix But seriously it does

When sold brand new it retailed for $399.99 it was and is worth every penny and more. The pickups are hotter than any MIM Fenders. I upgraded my P pups to Fender 62 P's and left the stock J which is really, really loud also like a Ric bridge pup

I said back then the first came out that Epi couldn't keep up the quality at that price. Check out the features: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Ripper-Bass?sku=519379&src=3SOSWXXA

RIPPPER ALL THE WAY

 

[rodl2005]

So U reckon the Ripper then- by a nose????

Dunno.with the $$$ I'm leaning towards the Middle price & GREAT lloks of the T-BIRD

What are the replacement pups 4 these??? Anyone know?? Not that I'd definately replace 'em. Of course I'd see what they're like 1st.

 

[Oberion]

So U reckon the Ripper then- by a nose????

Dunno.with the $$$ I'm leaning towards the Middle price & GREAT lloks of the T-BIRD

What are the replacement pups 4 these??? Anyone know?? Not that I'd definately replace 'em. Of course I'd see what they're like 1st.

The T-Bird's pups has an original voice no replacement required hombre. It has a unique sound that comes from the pups. The three basses in questions each have very different necks, sounds, and except the Ripper, a limited voice. And of those three Epis the Ripper is custom shop quality in comparison.

You can walk into any GC, Sam Ash or music store and possibly find a T-Bird or LP special but an Epi Ripper.... Do wats Uze gotta Do

 

[rodl2005]

OK, Duly noted. Thanks, yeah I thought the Rippa would be the most versatile & easy to upgrade(w/ the PJ pups) but when I tried out a Epi Rippa AND an Epi T-bird early last year, I didn't notice that the Rippa was any better quality than the T-bird. I actually tried the Epi T-bird & a couple of GIBSON T-birds-just to see if the almost $2K(Aus) price difference was justified. Then, I thought they weren't THAT much different-sure the Gibby had a set neck(or neck-thru???) &, no doubt, better quality components, but SOUNDWISE..... I couldn't tell a lotta difference-hardly ANY actually!!!! Buildwise- the Epi was as good or better!!!!!! The Gibsons had a few imperfections that I thought either qualified them for "B" stock or 2nds-maybe that particular shop was........ hmmm???!!! I KNOW they're pretty different basses,, but a few HUNDRED $$$ more , & OK, but $2000 more!!! NO GO JOE!!!
The Epi Ripper's I've tried were OK too. Not astounding, but not bad. Worth the $$$ I thought-which is pretty rare in Aus $$ prices for new guitars!! ;-(
I-SORT OF- don't like the idea of a guitar sized body on a 34" scale bass tho... so am leaning AWAY from a LP Sp. atm. pity!
So as of now Ripper & T-bird are pretty closely running in my mind. Remember I want this for a Hard rock band- Kiss, Sabbath, Led Zep, ACDC etc....

Keep those views coming. They're extremely helpful-no salesman BS ;-)

Thanx to all that've replied so far!

 

[rodl2005]

Any more adds to this here Question.... Or...................................................



...bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Barkless Dog]

I'm thinking you will look cooler with a Tbird, but the Ripper will give you a broader tone pallet but have a more Fenderish tone, if thats bad or good?

 

[rodl2005]

AHHH well. Yes T-birds DO LOOK GREAT!! But IMHO SO does the Ripper!! We'll see! Thanks

 

[Left Left Goose]

AHHH well. Yes T-birds DO LOOK GREAT!! But IMHO SO does the Ripper!! We'll see! Thanks

i recently went to GC and tried EVERYTHING they had to offer
i played them all first without plugging them in
i tried MM, warwicks, fender MIA through squier vm CIC, yamaha, ibanez, schecter, spector, gibson and lastly epipone
ill spare you the details of the other brands

i tried the gibson SG they had and it just felt WRONG - the strings were spaced too close for me and the pups were placed too far - i dont like playing at the neck and i didnt like playing at the bridge (used to the P setup in the middle)

so i picked up the epiphone T bird and boy did it fell RIGHT - i LOVED the pickups as a thumbrest cause they curve UP instead of just sit at a 90 degree angle

the neck was thick and fast
it sat kinda akward on my thigh but it wasnt terrible
i didnt get a chance to play with a pick but im saving that for when i buy it

it was pretty light and well put together

so i plugged it in (looked like an ampeg head and SWR cab)
OH BOY
rock grooves that lulled out of my P - SOARED out this bad boy
i cant remember what exactly i had it set at - but i toyed with the pots VERY little and got a pretty wide array of tones without touching the amp

T-BIRD gets my vote and i look forward to owning one soon and hopefully a gibson sometime in the future

hope i ed

 

[gibsonbassist45]

id go with either the thunderbird or les paul. the les paul is pretty good but i like the thunderbird better. so id suggest that. the ripper id have no idea where to find. i think it looks ok but the gibson is definatly better...humbuckers>p/j pickups

 

[rodl2005]

GREAT!! Thanks again. Keep 'em comin' More views on this the better!!!
T-bird in front by a BEAK atm. ;-) Can't stretch the $$$ for a Gibson now, so Epi it is. Yeah I CAN get more options of where to get a T-bird, but I have a line on a EBAY Ripper also. T-birds are cool .... Will wait a while tho!

 

[shane6969]

G'day,

I have an Epiphone ltd ed Ripper bass. Bought it new while on holiday in Queensland for $425 shipped to Melbourne. I modded the pup's with Seymour Duncan 1/4 pound P and J's. Turned a good bass into an awesome bass IMHO. I had to buy a Coffin case to fit it though. I use this bass as my main live bass, ahead of my Fender Hwy one P-Bass and yammy BB. Once you get used to it, its quite a nice bass to play. Like I said, with the Seymour Duncans it kick arse, BIG TIME..(dunno about the LP or TB, I only played the TB in a shop briefly. I heard it suffers from 'neck dive' though).

Cheers,

Shane.

 

[Laredo]

Id say go with the Ripper.

...............I have one, and if you want it for rock, this will do it! Not a bad bass for the money, and you don't see them a lot either!

 

[gibsonbassist45]

yeah actually id give the ripper a throw while you still can. i think it looks like it would be pretty cool. i kinda actually want one myself so i can pair it up with my Tbird.but theres no obvious hope for me finding one here in upstate new york




but id say go with the ripper if you can find it.then Tbird second.then LP third. honestly. i like them all.

 

[donstrenz]

i kinda actually want one myself so i can pair it up with my Tbird.but theres no obvious hope for me finding one here in upstate new york

As a matter of fact I saw one yesterday on Craiglist/Rochester.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[waynobass]

Get the Ripper because it's more unusual.

Every metal bozo sports a Thunderbird slung down around his knees. And I tried out the LP and it felt like a toy.

Plus the Ripper has a maple fingerboard!