Gibson Ripper

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Gibson Ripper
Manufacturer	Gibson
Period	1973-1983
Construction
Body type	Solid
Neck joint	Set
Woods
Body	Maple (early models) or Alder (later models)
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Maple
Hardware
Bridge	Fixed
Pickup(s)	2 super-humbucking
Colors available
?

The Gibson Ripper is a model of electric bass guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

The Ripper was manufactured from 1973 until 1983; the peak year being 1976. Most had a maple body with laminated maple neck, however a significant number manufactured in 75-76 had lighter alder bodies while retaining the maple necks.

They were equipped with two humbucking pickups - designed especially for the Ripper, and a four way varitone control; a familiar Gibson feature from the older Gibson EB-3 bass.

There was also a fretless version of the Ripper - identical in other respects.

Famous users of this bass are Mikey Welsh of Weezer, Krist Novoselic of Nirvana in the "Come as You Are" video, and Mike Dirnt of Green Day in the "Basket Case" video. Also, Jeese F. Keeler, from Death from Above 1979. Suzi Quatro Live in Japan 1975. Rick Danko used a Gibson Ripper bass for the farewell performance by The Band, commemorated in the The Last Waltz. Jerry Casale can be seen using a modified Ripper in Devo's Satisfaction video. Kenny Vasoli, bassist and vocalist of The Starting Line also uses this bass.

The original Gibson model is now rare although a cheaper Epiphone model is still in production. It comes in two colours, natural and black, both with a black pickguard.

[edit] External links

• Gibson Ripper — information, sound clips and pictures of the Gibson Ripper.