I am the same veebass as on TB AND Ozbass, so some of you might know me already.
This is my first post here, although I have been lurking for a while, good info here. I love of basses, including Gibson basses.
I live in Queensland, am over 50, married with a son. I have been playing bass in pub rock bands in Australia since the mid 70s, for the last 5 years have been doing the covers thing and my son plays lead in the band- he is also a pretty good bass player. I have a number of basses, including some old Gibsons- RDs, Victorys, a Ripper etc. If people are interested I will post some pics.
It is the Ripper that I need some advice with. I sought advice on TB and some of the good folk there suggested I post the question here.
I have an issue with my 74 Ripper- nothing out of the neck pickup- not even when the poles are tapped with a screwdriver. Also nothing at all on positions 1 and 4 of the varitone. (The wiring is standard, as far as I know). I have checked under the guard visually and the all wires are now attached (one was off the varitone- the one to the vol pot- but I have now resoldered it). The problem remains after resoldering that lead. I am fairly electronics illiterate but can use a multimeter and can solder, so be gentle with me. (I have replaced pickups, pots and inputs in Fenders but there is a fair bit happening under the hood of the Ripper!)
Is there a simple way I can electronically test the pickup in the bass without disconnecting it? I have a multimeter.
How do I test whether the varitone is the problem?
If I need a replacement pickup, what is the opinion on the Seymour Duncan Ripper replacement?
Thanks.
