1978 Gibson Ripper - Last drop – On Hold - *SOLD* £1895 Bristol

[Burns-bass]

Sad one this, but I didn’t play it…

 

Here’s my 1978 Gibson Ripper bass in the glorious black.

 

This sounds absolutely amazing. It’s been in the BC family for years (original FS ad posted below).

 

The bass has a couple of necessary changes. It’s wearing straplocks (standard) the bridge cover is a replacement and the pickup and cover are Kent Armstrong like-for-like swaps.

 

The bass sounds *incredible* and it’s got a lovely, full and rich tone. It’s currently wearing flats which inevitably add to that.

 

Gibsons notoriously have low frets and this one is no different. The reason for the (relatively) low price is that the frets at the nut are very low. A dress will help but it may be worth considering a replacement in the near future.

 

The bass is marked a Second. After asking some experts, consensus was it was likely a minor blemish. Could it be this freer marker dot? Quite possibly.

 

The bass comes with a Hiscox case. 
 

I will send the bass to you but you’re more than welcome to come and try it (encouraged, even!)

Price is £1895 £1650 £1550 which is reasonable for a bass that I admit may need a little work in the future.
 

Images here. More on request. I’ll be sad to see this go but my roof work is taking longer and costing more.

 

 

 

Edited October 14 by Burns-bass

[Burns-bass]

Original ad:

 

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/17879-1978-gibson-ripper-sold/#comment-182074

[walshy]

I LOVE these, well I have 4 of them 😍 GLWTS dude

[Gareth Hughes]

My old bass!!!! So cool. Wish I’d held on to it at that price! Good luck with the sale.

[three]

Criminally underrated basses with a unique tone. A great example here - paint looks pretty fabulous for the age. This is a great price IMO

[Burns-bass]

5 minutes ago, Gareth Hughes said:

My old bass!!!! So cool. Wish I’d held on to it at that price! Good luck with the sale.

Yes, I managed to find the listing from almost 20 years ago!

[Skybone]

Wow, would love one of these. GLWTS.

[Graham]

I've wanted one of these since seeing the video for Anchor by Cave In, GLWTS

 

https://youtu.be/9_wzzq_uyXQ?si=EscuQcoINtHjND0n

[von Braun]

Lovely, I am very partial to the Gibson basses from this era, the Ripper, Grabber and G3 especially.  The RD always seemed like a studio bass rather than a good all rounder like the others.  As an earlier poster said, much underrated.  GLWTS, this is very well priced.

[AndyTravis]

Oh my lord. They’re ace these - mine is my “go to” instrument…

 

I wish I had some extra money as I’d happily have another…

 

 

[SurroundedByManatees]

Very nice. I'd happily own a ripper or g3 again.

 

Decent price for nowadays too. Glwts

[Clarky]

Cool AF! Someone will ask the weight ...

[Burns-bass]

1 hour ago, Clarky said:

Cool AF! Someone will ask the weight ...

Indeed. 
 

It tips the scales at 5kg.

 

 

[Burns-bass]

Now £1850. 

[Burns-bass]

Now £1795.

 

I need this gone. Must be the cheapest one of these out there...

[Burns-bass]

I’m guessing the fret issue is causing a bit of concern here. I have two options: get this sorted myself or sell it at a price where you can have the confidence to do so yourself. 
 

How about £1650 as a weekend deal. That’s nearly a grand under what a shop would sell this for.

 

[bigthumb]

What a wonderful time to have no money! 😪

 

When I took my Ripper in to be set up the tech said that the frets were low but still ok. The price for a refret was about £200. Not sure whether that’s good, bad or average, didn’t seem excessive to me. So investing in getting a refret will get you a stunning Ripper still at a great price. 

[Burns-bass]

13 minutes ago, bigthumb said:

What a wonderful time to have no money! 😪

 

When I took my Ripper in to be set up the tech said that the frets were low but still ok. The price for a refret was about £200. Not sure whether that’s good, bad or average, didn’t seem excessive to me. So investing in getting a refret will get you a stunning Ripper still at a great price. 

That’s what I was quoted as well.

 

Gibsons are notorious for low profile frets and this one is no different.

 

Its a toss up between selling it at a fair price and getting it done and then probably keeping it. 
 

Let’s see what the market decides!

[AndyTravis]

Gigged mine twice this weekend - doesn’t half cause a stir with other bass players.

 

Especially in a sea of Ibanez’s and stuff.

[Burns-bass]

6 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Gigged mine twice this weekend - doesn’t half cause a stir with other bass players.

 

Especially in a sea of Ibanez’s and stuff.

The sound is something else. Proper deep bass. I’m going to see if I can get the frets sorted if it doesn’t sell this week and maybe it’ll become a keeper.

[Minininjarob]

2 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

The sound is something else. Proper deep bass. I’m going to see if I can get the frets sorted if it doesn’t sell this week and maybe it’ll become a keeper.

As much as I would like this bass (not quite got the cash) I reckon you’ll kick yourself later if you don’t get those frets sorted and keep it. 
It’s gonna keep its value and always sound amazing. 

[Burns-bass]

Last few days I think at this price. I'm off to see my guitar fixing fella this weekend with another bass (don't ask) and will probably bring this one as well for a fix up unless it's snapped up.

[walshy]

2 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

Last few days I think at this price. I'm off to see my guitar fixing fella this weekend with another bass (don't ask) and will probably bring this one as well for a fix up unless it's snapped up.

Thats what I would do tbh. Great basses

[Burns-bass]

To be honest it plays fine with no fret buzz I’ve just made it out to be a much bigger deal than it is because I don’t want to upset anyone. 

[walshy]

1 minute ago, Burns-bass said:

To be honest it plays fine with no fret buzz I’ve just made it out to be a much bigger deal than it is because I don’t want to upset anyone. 

Yeah one of mine is pretty low but plays perfectly fine