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Gibson Grabber/Ripper -influenced build.

joseplluissans

joseplluissans

May 31, 2013
252
102
Tampere, Finland
#1
Alright, it's time for the next build. I'll be starting it in september and so far I have the majority of the woods and some parts.

Here are the specs:
- Neck through, 5 pcs laminate, maple and purple heart
- Body wings of maple, stripes of purple heart between neck and body
- V-style headstock, 2L+2R-tuners.
- 34½" scale, 20 frets.

What I still haven't decided on:
- Pups. I have two humbuckers which I might use, but then again, I'm also intrigued by the three single coil -idea :P
- Finish. It will be a see through finish, but oil or PU, not decided yet.

I'll post pics when I take them, and as I mentioned, the build will start in sept.

Here's the page I use for specs:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#2
Alright, finishing plans.
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Still not sure wether to use a pickguard or not. Especially with the purple heart stripes.
Sure would appreciate comments from Grabber/Ripper owners and people who have experience playing one.
As you see, I decided to put three single coils, I'll probably wind them up myself come spring time. Yes, it will be a slow build ;)

P.S. Forgot to edit out company logo from the plan, I hope it doesn't bother anyone. Company not connected in any way with the drawing...
 
#3
Cool project, I'm definitely a fan of the Grabber/Ripper/G3 body shape. I had a Grabber that I fixed up and ended up selling years ago, but I liked the look and feel more than the sound. I'd still like to buy a Ripper or maybe make something similar one of these days.

Personally, if it's a neckthrough with some nice purpleheart stripes going through, I'd like to see it without a pickguard. Show it off a bit. If you're aiming to make it look more like a traditional straightforward copy though, you certainly can't go wrong with a singly ply black pickguard and some speed knobs.
 
#4
I will probably keep the pickguard as an option untill the end :P I would really like the combination of yellowish wood plus a single ply pickguard, but as you said, the purple heart stripes will look too good to cover. Also, the number of knobs will be a secret until it's finished :D
 
#5
joseplluissans said:
I will probably keep the pickguard as an option untill the end :P I would really like the combination of yellowish wood plus a single ply pickguard, but as you said, the purple heart stripes will look too good to cover. Also, the number of knobs will be a secret until it's finished :D
Click to expand...

For the hardware I recommend hipshot. If you're going for a true copy, a pickguard is a must. Good luck with the build.

Here's my thread where I brought a gibson ripper back to life.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/abandoned-abused-gibson-ripper-brought-life-903890/
 
#6
That restauration project is way cool!
As you have an original, could you take a few measures for me?:
- Bridge and string spacing
- Pole spacing on pickups
As my build is not going to be 100% accurate, rather a "custom", I'm not aiming it to be a "true copy". I have some parts, namely the bridge and tuner, but if they show up too heavy, I'll get some ultra lights for it. I guess the instrument has a bit of nose dive?
All help is appreciated and welcome!
 
#9
Alright, made some progress today:
-Went to local wood dealer and found some nice maple for the wings. Gonna get them tomorrow, as I was in a hurry and didn't know how much I needed exactly.
-Cut a "prototype" body for experiment purposes (contour, weight etc.) from a birch desk top.
-Took also some pictures, to keep you guys interested in this "snail project" :P

Here are the neck woods, minus fret board:
20130722_204445_zpsebdee1ac.jpg


Close up:
20130722_204455_zpsaa47656d.jpg


And the "practice" or "prototype" body:
20130722_204517_zps0f0b5f2f.jpg
 
#11
This project has started well, but slowly. Progress so far:
cut maple and purple heart blank into smaller pieces (maple into 15mm thick and PH into 8mm thick pieces), glued together 3x maple plus 2x purple heart to form a neck through "element". Cut a piece from the element to make head blank. Sanded 10,5 degree angle to the neck element. Next time will join the head to the neck and route the truss rod in :)

Pics:
20130926_200831_zps97ea7010.jpg


20130926_211628_zps26c0f751.jpg


20131005_180806_zpsd21e86de.jpg
 
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#15
Long time no see. Some progress, and a few pics:

Yesterday I made the grooves for frets on the fingerboard, by hand as the scale is 34,5" and there wasn't any template for that scale. I also thinned the neck through "element" with a safe-t planer to 32mm on the body length. And some smoothing of the body wings, which are ready to be planed and shaped, before attached to the neck. The neck also has a groove/slot for the truss rod, it only has to be finished for the rod to fit.

The only thing uncertain is the fingerboard inlaying. I have a guy that promised me a CNC router for use, as I have a maple fingerboard and blocks to be inlaid. We'll see how that goes...

Now, pictures of the progress:
20131031_194855_zps50df48fe.jpg

20131102_184910_zpsba42ddcb.jpg

20131102_184920_zps21e031b0.jpg

20131102_185007_zps580a1b1c.jpg
 
#17
AHH, i envy people who own, or are building their own ripper/grabber. I have the plans to all of the ones im going to build (body templates, both are different). And i know how i want both of them to look. But i dont have money to acquire anything to start building them. SO yeha, but looking good so far man. Cant wait til it's done!
 

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