I just noticed: They are no longer string-thru! Those cheats.
Gibson faith in the continued production of extra-long scale strings must be very weak.
Another difference is that the body is one-piece, most Rippers were three-piece, though I have a one piece 76 Grabber which speaks for the fact that some one piece body Rippers must also exist.
Just heard from my dealer that he is expecting shipment of one of those and that this will be the first one going to Germany ... guess who'll be the end consumer?
Jawohl, ze gravitational force of ze kölleckshün, ze black hole of Gibson basses!