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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Denis on September 09, 2011, 07:28:19 AM

Title: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Denis on September 09, 2011, 07:28:19 AM
Working on trying to finish up my early Ripper project and I have a couple of questions.
1. I think, but am not sure, that the pickups sat on foam padding adhered to the bottom of the pup cavities. Correct?
2. Did the pickups have springs underneath like T-bird pups?
3. Does anyone have any spare pup screws and the springs if required?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 09, 2011, 09:36:14 AM
1.  yes
2.  screws only, through the pickup
3.  if you source any, be sure to post, please. 

good luck!  I'd love to progress pics if you have 'em
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Denis on September 09, 2011, 12:59:17 PM
Thanks for the info!
If I find a source I'll definitely post it.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Dave W on September 09, 2011, 01:09:16 PM
Mouse pads make an excellent substitute for foam padding.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: dadagoboi on September 09, 2011, 01:42:22 PM
Mouse pads make an excellent substitute for foam padding.

closed cell heavy duty weather stripping 1/2" x1/2" also works

What do the screws look like and how long are they?
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: exiledarchangel on September 09, 2011, 02:01:35 PM
Must be very long screws, since they go thru the complete pickup. +1 for that mouse pad trick.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: dadagoboi on September 09, 2011, 04:00:20 PM
I use these on Thunderbird type pickups, 1.5 inches, 38mm, long.
http://www.allparts.com/Nickel-Soap-Bar-Pickup-Mounting-Screws-p/gs-3312-001.htm?CartID=3
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 09, 2011, 06:11:53 PM
those might work but I don't have any originals to match them against.  the screws I used on my ripper aren't quite right; the heads are too 'tall'.  

edit:  I went to place an order and didn't feel like paying 7 bills for shipping.  Carlo, you're a Allparts dealer?
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Denis on September 09, 2011, 06:53:51 PM
Something about the heads on those don't look right. First, I think they should be slotted for a Ripper, not Philips. They also sit low in the cavity so they don't sit above the pup body.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: dadagoboi on September 09, 2011, 07:45:41 PM
Something about the heads on those don't look right. First, I think they should be slotted for a Ripper, not Philips. They also sit low in the cavity so they don't sit above the pup body.

Pretty sure Gibson stopped using slotted screws before Rippers.  These are the smallest head screws out there and they have very small diameter threads, actually a tiny bit smaller than original Thunderbird screws.  Jumbodbasman has these screws on his JAEbirds, maybe he can help since he has a Ripper with hang tags.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Denis on September 09, 2011, 08:18:30 PM
Hmm, I could have been talking out my butt by accident. My '80 Ripper has Phillips heads to hold down the pups but the screws in the pups themselves (I guess for attaching the covers to the guts are slotted. I may be crossed up.
I'd love to know what Jumbodbasman says!
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 10, 2011, 04:23:40 AM
on the early rippers, the screws went through the pickup to secure them in place.  the later ones utilized three tabs.  2 on the sides, the third was centered on the front of the pickup.  the pole pieces are liked slotted set screws on both versions.  

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/IMG_0001-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: dadagoboi on September 10, 2011, 04:40:27 AM
Those are pretty big screws, much larger than the ones I was talking about. Shouldn't be that difficult to replace.  BTW, replacement pole piece screws are easy to find if necessary.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 10, 2011, 05:00:28 AM
yeah, I know.  the screws aren't original.  the heads should be flatter.  couldn't find anything better to use and I wanted to play the bass.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: PhilT on September 10, 2011, 09:39:43 AM
Screws on my '74 are slotted and countersunk with a shallow dome.

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff24/philtrory/Gibson%20Ripper/Ripper%20Rebuilt/IMG_1958a.jpg)

This is what was under the pickups when the bass came to me , though I don't know if that foam is original.

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff24/philtrory/Gibson%20Ripper/Natural%20Ripper/IMG_1867a.jpg)

The works of my pickups are loose in the covers, so if you don't pack them enough, the pole screws drop down below the holes. Is that usual? In my '78 they're firmly glued in.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 10, 2011, 12:02:36 PM
I've only seen them potted in epoxy, Phil.  of course that doesn't mean all of them were.  can you post a pic of the screw, please?
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: PhilT on September 11, 2011, 05:57:18 AM
It's 1 1/2" long and looks like #4.

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22047936/ripper%20screw1.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22047936/ripper%20screw%202.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22047936/ripper%20screw%203.jpg)
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: Denis on September 11, 2011, 12:21:43 PM
Close! The longest #4s I found were 1" long; just a little short.
Title: Re: Ripper pickup question
Post by: ramone57 on September 11, 2011, 01:19:21 PM
thanks, Phil!