Epiphone Ripper. Good or Bad?

[Din Of Win]

Hey gang.

A friend is offering me an Epiphone Ripper for $300.

I can't, for the life of me, find out much of anything on them.

Does anyone here have experience with them? If so, is $300 reasonable?

Thanks!

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

Epiphone Ripper?

The only Ripper ever being made, that I was aware of, was the Gibson.

I'm intrigued. Pics?

EDIT:

Invalid Link Removed

That's a cool lookin' bass! Looks like it has a different bridge from the traditional 3-point, too.

Go for it, I say.

 

[Barkless Dog]

If its mint, its not a bad deal. They are supposed to sound really good from what others have said. One person who owns all versions said that the Epi version actually sounds the best. The new Gibson Ripper re-issue is not out yet, no one has played it either.

Spy photo Gibson re-issue

 

[4stringman]

The epi's were a limited run custom shop
I've never played one, but from what I hear they are a great bass. and for $300 its a great deal

 

[bh2]

I had a Ripper... might have been a Grabber... for a while... it was a pile of crap... this looks like an improvement, with the p/j pup arrangement.

I did try Gibsons but they just were not up to Fenders for the vibe... mind you we're talking 70's here!

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

I had a Ripper... might have been a Grabber... for a while... it was a pile of crap... this looks like an improvement, with the p/j pup arrangement.

I did try Gibsons but they just were not up to Fenders for the vibe... mind you we're talking 70's here!

I would have rather had the original soapbar style pickups, to be honest.

A maple body/neck/fingerboard combo with brighter pickups just seems a little unbalanced to me.

To each their own, though.

 

[nataku]

I played one in a store and absolutely loved it, if I could've afforded it right then I would've walked out with it .

 

[Fly Guitars]

If so, is $300 reasonable?

Yes, that's about what they go for in moderately good, but used condition.

If you don't buy it, he'll probably get that for it on ebay quite easily. I've never heard anyone say they didn't like these (as far as I can recall)

 

[Johnny Alien]

There were actually two Epiphone Rippers and neither of them were right.

The one pictured above is a nice bass that sounds more like a Precision than a Ripper. If all you want is the general body shape then that Epiphone is fine.

THere was another one done a few years before that one that had one soapbar pickup in the center position. Not at all a Ripper sounding bass but it could mock a good Grabber sound. That one is worth tracking down IMO.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Here's is one of the early version.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[parsons]

ive read several threads on the Epi Ripper when I was looking for a Gibby Ripper. From what I read, online places blew them out at like $250 or less when they were clearance.

As far as tonal reviews: Not anything like the real Ripper.

 

[Orpheus55]

I wrote a very detailed review of this instrument on Harmony a year or two ago; I liked it. The pickguard was thin and warped, but all other details were fine--very much a P-bass in disguise.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

If its mint, its not a bad deal. They are supposed to sound really good from what others have said. One person who owns all versions said that the Epi version actually sounds the best. The new Gibson Ripper re-issue is not out yet, no one has played it either.

Spy photo Gibson re-issue

hold it...HOLD IT
theres a new ripper as well?!?!?!
holy s***!

 

[Thorsoundcore]

to the OP,i say take it.that was a limited edition run,which didn't even last that long,so now is probably your only chance to get this bass.there are some that come around here and there im sure,but i say take it up

 

[Thorsoundcore]

I had a Ripper... might have been a Grabber... for a while... it was a pile of crap... this looks like an improvement, with the p/j pup arrangement.

I did try Gibsons but they just were not up to Fenders for the vibe... mind you we're talking 70's here!

rippers>grabbers..by a longshot

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

hold it...HOLD IT
theres a new ripper as well?!?!?!
holy s***!

Yeah, and it's grossly overpriced.

 

[Johnny Alien]

rippers>grabbers..by a longshot

I could not disagree more. I have owned a Ripper and two Grabbers and the Grabbers were far better. Much lighter (the Ripper weighed a ton) and much more articulate. The Ripper never could get out of mud phase for me. Basically the Ripper was a typical Gibson bass and the Grabber was not.

 

[vegas532]

I could not disagree more. I have owned a Ripper and two Grabbers and the Grabbers were far better. Much lighter (the Ripper weighed a ton) and much more articulate. The Ripper never could get out of mud phase for me. Basically the Ripper was a typical Gibson bass and the Grabber was not.

And strangely, my experience with both was the exact opposite to this description. I guess I'm probably going to save up for this reissue.

 

[little-ripper]

well, if this is the bass I think you're talking about, i own it and it's a fantastic bass for the money. it's pretty bright being made of all maple, but it has a nice tone and the PJ configuration works well with it. i have the same on as the one in the first picture. It is pretty heavy though, but a nice thick strap will make it work.

 

[Din Of Win]

Awesome replies... and at this point all they are is salt in a wound

I told the guy i could pick it up after band practice and he sold it to someone offering $350 while i was at practice...

kay serra serra i suppose.

But i DO love the body style, and i'll just be on the lookout now!

The one i was going to get has, like the first picture, the wood finish/black pick guard.

A friend of mine has one that is black on black. Sounds rad, but he also plays out of a monster rig so it was hard to gague what was the bass and what was the wall of amps.

All the feedback helps. Thanks!!