Bass Guitar
Gibson L-9S Ripper
Price: 270 EUR – 4.778 EUR
Price history
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Most expensive seen
Availability: 8/10 (Common)
Gibson's aggressive-voiced solidbody bass from 1973, designed by Bill Lawrence, produced at the Kalamazoo plant through the following decade.
About the Gibson L-9S Ripper
The L-9S Ripper was designed by Bill Lawrence, who joined Gibson in 1972 and worked on several solidbody designs of the era including the S-1 and L-6S. First shipped in small numbers in late 1973, the Ripper became widely available in 1974, which turned out to be its peak production year. Early examples used a wide, slab-style maple body with a laminated maple neck; from around 1975 onward, many Rippers switched to lighter alder bodies while keeping the maple neck, altering the balance and tonal character slightly.
The Ripper's active-passive switching and dual-humbucker layout gave it a more aggressive, cutting voice than Gibson's earlier bass designs, which built a following among heavier players over the following decade of production. It remains a cult-favorite among vintage Gibson basses rather than a mainstream reissue-driven model, valued specifically for the tonal character of its 1970s-era electronics and construction.
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Reverb 1970s Gibson Grabber G-3 L-9S Ripper Vintage Electric 4-String Bass Guitar Hard Shell Case Purple Interior 270 EUR Best price View details
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Reverb ULTRA RARE 1970's Aria Pro II LB-650 ... SET NECK version (Bill Lawrence Gibson Grabber Humbuckers / 4 Way Gibson Ripper L-9S Rotary Switch / ...) + GIG BAG 1.395 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S The Ripper Fretless 1975 - Black 2.399 EUR View details
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eBay Authentische GIBSON RIPPER BASS L-9s #270-004-250-7137 2.533 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S Ripper 2.577 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S the Ripper 1974 - Blonde 2.944 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S Ripper 1976 3.000 EUR View details
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eBay Authentische GIBSON RIPPER BASS L-9s #270-004-250-7137 3.061 EUR View details
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eBay Authentische GIBSON RIPPER BASS L-9s #270-004-250-7137 3.061 EUR View details
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eBay Authentische GIBSON RIPPER BASS L-9s #270-004-250-7137 3.061 EUR View details
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Reverb 1976 Gibson The Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Natural 100% Original w/ Case 3.168 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S Ripper Bass c 1973 Natural maple original vintage USA 3.247 EUR View details
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Reverb 1975 Gibson Ripper L-9S - Natural 3.470 EUR View details
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Reverb Gibson L-9S Ripper 1974 - Natural 3.500 EUR View details
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eBay Gibson The Ripper Bass L-9S 1975 Vintage EB Musikinstrument 3.660 EUR View details
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eBay Gibson Ripper Bass L-9s E-Bass gebraucht B Original Hartschalenkoffer 4.550 EUR View details
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eBay Gibson Ripper Bass L-9s E-Bass gebraucht B-Ware mit Hartschalenkoffer 4.778 EUR View details
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Source: https://reverb.com/item/97801373-gibson-l-9s-ripper-1974-natural
Sound character of the Gibson L-9S Ripper
The Ripper's dual humbuckers and (on original-spec models) active/passive switchable electronics give it more output and midrange growl than a typical single-pickup Gibson bass - humbuckers inherently reject hum but also emphasize a thicker, more compressed low-mid character than single-coil Fender-style pickups, giving the Ripper an aggressive, rock-oriented voice.
Technical data for the Gibson L-9S Ripper
| Designer | Bill Lawrence |
|---|---|
| Body (early) | Maple, wide slab |
| Body (from ~1975) | Alder |
| Neck | Laminated maple |
| Pickups | 2x humbucker, active/passive switching |
| Production | 1973-early 1980s |
Price history for the Gibson L-9S Ripper
Cheapest seen: 270 EUR · Most expensive seen: 4.778 EUR
Cheapest seen
Most expensive seen
The history of the Gibson L-9S Ripper
Designed by Bill Lawrence and first shipped in late 1973, the Gibson Ripper became widely available in 1974 and stayed in production at Gibson's Kalamazoo plant into the following decade.
