NOS Ripper

[66Atlas]

Fresh out of the box, who wants to be the first one to put a scratch in it?

https://reverb.com/item/4931461-gibson-l-9s-1975-cherry-sunburst-nos-just-unboxed

I always wonder when I see these things, who sits on something like this for 40 years without opening it? 

[dadagoboi]

Price seems reasonable to me for someone into Rippers.  Fortunately I'm not one of them.

[Basvarken]

Wow.

[Alanko]

The pickguard screws are rusty, as are the knob pointer-washers. I assume the pickguard, pickup covers or something else has been quietly off-gassing while this has been in storage?

Either way, why are the prices on Reverb consistently insane? Case in point, this Kay 20-B bass: https://reverb.com/item/4512335-kay-k20-b-bass-guitar-early-seventies-three-colour-sunburst. Those Kay basses left the factory crappy, with crappy hardware and crappy electronics. They were cheap basses for kids to bang around on for a few months before they bought a serious bass. Everything on Reverb that can tick the 'vintage' box is now atrociously overpriced. I personally would buy one of those basses if one showed up at a far lower price, but this current fetishism for old and decrepit off-brand gear is maddening.

[Highlander]

Goodness me... does make you wonder...

[Dave W]

This one is reasonably priced for what it is, and Strait Music is very reputable. They aren't a vintage store, which may be why they aren't asking that high a price for it. My biggest concern would be to make sure the neck is straight. About a dozen years ago I saw a NOS Gibson IV that had been in a box in a small town shop that had gone out of business. The offgassing damage wasn't a surprise, but the neck had developed a noticeable hump in the 10th-12th fret area.

On the whole, I don't find prices on Reverb any more outrageous than on eBay or in many vintage shops. I've bought two basses on Reverb (one vintage) and both were real bargains.

[66Atlas]

Given the rarity of the finish and the NOS factor I think the price is pretty good, albeit more than I would ever pay.  The only other legit Cherry-Burst's I've seen have been the earlier body style and there were only a few of those made.   I prefer my instruments a little beat to start just so I don't feel bad the first time I bump in to something or feel guilty getting it dirty.

My 79 had a strap like that in the case when I got it.  I had always assumed it was something the previous owner had bought, not that it actually came with it.  I guess I should try to find it...

[Grog]

On the whole, I don't find prices on Reverb any more outrageous than on eBay or in many vintage shops. I've bought two basses on Reverb (one vintage) and both were real bargains.

I agree, & in most cases you can make an offer. I try to make reasonable offers & they usually have been accepted.

Sweet bass, but you sort of wonder where it was stored for the last 40 plus years.

[gearHed289]

Seems pretty reasonable for what it is. I wonder if they'd have sold more if that was a standard color? Looks great.

[4stringer77]

I like a little flame in a cherry burst. The Alan Woody article Dave shared got me thinking about 5 string Les Paul basses. Like finding hen's teeth but here's one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Bass-Guitar-USA-5-String-RARE-/112374232221?hash=item1a2a06b49d:g:n2EAAOSwWxNY1YbI

[uwe]

I'm not sure whether I like that type of clownburst, but it is rare on a Ripper. Worth it if you are in love with that fin, but I'd take a close look at the electronic innards that might have suffered under the pickguard gassing too.

I've seen more humps on Grabbers and G-3s than on Rippers, those three piece necks are very stable.

[Hörnisse]

I love the original Monel Flatwound strings that would come on these.

[Basvarken]

In the meanwhile the bass was sold...

[dadagoboi]

In the meanwhile the bass was sold...

...I'm surprised it took that long.

[Highlander]

Anyone here...?