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Which ripper?

1

11skin

Nov 25, 2013
9
0
#1
Hello guys,
I've always wanted a bass of my own but when it comes to choosing, my head really hurts so basses with so limited cash.
These 2 basses caught my attention.
Gibson ripper- they say it's really nice, loved the body shape too
Epi-ripper - similar to gibson ripper but with a cheaper price.
Didn't know which of the 2 sounds great, which feels better. Anybody know which one is worth buying? I'm willing to spend but not for 2
Thanks ^^
 
#2
I have a vintage Gibson Grabber and a 2007 Epi Ripper reissue. the reissue can be had for $300-400 and sounds great. with quarter pound P/J's, Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Ripper, or even Bartolini P/J pickups it would sound fantastic. but you are considering two heavier than most, more cumbersome than most basses that have a very specific tone because of the long scale and wood. these guitars will have lots of bark and attack, or lots of wood and woof, depending on your settings. Even with the P/J setup, it doesn't sound like a Fender anything. closer to a Rickenbacker (non-magnetized horseshoe) or an original Ripper than anything...
 
#3
I used to own a '76 Gibson Ripper — great bass, very underrated. Everything about the bass is huge: the body, the neck, and the tone. Mine had the varitone dial replaced with a 3 way switch, which made it more useful in my opinion. If you can find a 70's Ripper for a reasonable price (they're going for around $1k nowadays, at least here in LA, but I got mine 5 years ago for $450), get it. They're really versatile. Everyone from Krist Novoselic of Nirvana to Mikey Shuman from QOTSA to the bass player of Dawes and Rick Danko of The Band have used them.
 
#5
if you are handy with a drill and soldering iron, you should be able to get a reissue Ripper for $300 and the period/output correct pickups from the Seymour Duncan custom shop for $160. you'll need a new pick guard, but you'll have a monster for under five hundred.
 

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