[StyleOverShow]

Just traded for a 77 Ripper, ebony fretless. Needs some fretwork and the pick guard is cracked at the input jack.

I like the long neck and the ebony fretboard. Was considering and EUB until I came across this baby. Wish the fretboard was a little longer.

This may be treason on a Vintage forum but has anyone modified a Ripper to add a Piezo? When I was trying out the EUB's the sound was fantastic. It requires replacing the bridge and adding a pre-amp (Don't think I'll use the midi output) and that will take some routing in a rather thin body. Fortunately the pick guard is the size of Scotland (this is a UK forum, right) so there's probably enough room.

Also, does anyone know how to put the shine back in the tuners. The bridge cleaned up nicely, but the turners are as gray as a Seattle sky.

BTW, hello all - I'm new.

[hollowbody]

I think a fretless Ripper would sound good with a piezo pickup installed. It's hard to imagine the sound if you were to use it in conjunction with the humbucker pickups, though.

If the bass is in good condition I wouldn't advise routing in the body, as these basses have jumped up in value as of late.

[StyleOverShow]

Originally Posted by hollowbody

It's hard to imagine the sound if you were to use it in conjunction with the humbucker pickups, though.

Would rewire/replace the chicken head switch to : neck; all; bridge; piezo.

Originally Posted by hollowbody

If the bass is in good condition I wouldn't advise routing in the body, as these basses have jumped up in value as of late.

Traded for a guitar valued at $1,800, but probably in this economy an easy $1.2 to $1.5k. Have looked at the innards that need to be placed and they are not big at all. Its the bridge that will have to be replaced and frankly I'm not all that thrilled with the chrome sucker on there.

To your point, have noticed a rapid and sharp increase in Ripper/Grabber basses recently, although I saw a Los Angeles craigslist-ing for a 73-74 Maple in Xlnt condition for $900 this week.

Have mixed feelings about the whole project.

[Redbird]

You can always hack off the neck and build something else!


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[jules]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Just traded for a 77 Ripper, ebony fretless

congratulations... you're first Gibson bass?

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

ebony fretless. Needs some fretwork

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

This may be treason on a Vintage forum but has anyone modified a Ripper to add a Piezo?

It is treason, but we won't report it to the authorities if you provide pictures.... What is the reason for this? To get an upright sound? Where are you putting it, at the bridge?

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Also, does anyone know how to put the shine back in the tuners.

I use duraglit/brasso. I strip them down, clean, oil, reassemble, replace

[StyleOverShow]

Took the Ripper to David Neely, a Hollywood Guitar tech guru.

He said "no" to the Piezo. Oh, he does that kind of work but thought that the axe was in such good shape that it shouldn't be tampered with.

He also said "no" to the Thomastik-Infields that I wanted to try. He said that the long scale needs more tension and I wouldn't be happy with them.

He also said "no" to leveling the fretboard rash. Thought that a setup (cheaper) and a new set of flats would do the trick.

I asked him as I left, is the customer always wrong?

Ordered a replacement pick guard on eBay. Will post some pictures when it is cleaned up.

[jules]

Well, it certainly saved you some money
See what you think when he's done