So, I found this poor mug on Craigslist and went to look at it. It's missing the electronics and pg but everything else is there. Serial number is 968277, which I believe dates it as a very early one. Though some yahoo painted the body a hideous shade of blue, he had the sense to not mess with the neck and headstock, even taping off the neck so the grotesque blue paint didn't get on the fretboard. Classy, eh?
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05879a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05880a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05889a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05888a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05882a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05887a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05881a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05886a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05885a.jpg)
Looks like a cool project. Sure you want to change the paint? ;)
It has potential.
I'm sure I would want to change the paint. :)
Congrats.
The hideous paint looks like it's gouache; easy to remove.
But I think the frets need to be dressed?
Very nice potential, in pretty good condition really. Keep us posted.
Thanks, guys. Hmm, goauche, eh? What's the best way to remove that? I was going to attack it with naptha, like I did with the p-bass. I just don't think I could let this thing be known as The Smurf Ripper. :P
The photo of the frets is pretty deceptive. Those are marks, not indentions, on them and they are actually pretty even all the way across. I suspect it was taken pretty good care of for most of it's life, until some dingleberry got hold of it.
Questions: 1) I imagine finding the right electronics for early Rippers isn't easy but would the electronics from say, an EB-3 work? 2) Unless I luck across them, should I even bother with trying to find those pups, or should I just monster it out?
I did a Ripper project It turned into my Blueshawk.
What pickups are you thinking of using?
Here are some pics I have collected & some done for my project-
This wasa my favorite one (not mine) A G-3 Ripper in trans Wine/ Cherry
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/G3Ripper021.jpg)
Some really rough quick photochops I did for mine
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/pickguard.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/whitebirdrio.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/tortbirdpickguard.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/blueripper76GF.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/ripper3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/ripper4.jpg)
Never heard too much good talking about the original Ripper P.U.'s. I think it'll be killer with the TB+ selling on the bay, those are the same as the Les paul and moneybass uses, very sweet sounding IMO.
Make it a G4! ;D
Greatdealz on Ebay has these pickups NOS.
(http://www.superfloor.net/G4BODY.jpg)
That trans wine/cherry Ripper is beautiful and that G4 is cool as hell! Is that a Fender bridge?
I'm not sure how I'm going to approach the pup situation, although I love the way they sound in my black Ripper. A few months ago I went to see the Olympic Ass-kicking Team and one of the guys was playing a Les Paul bass and it sounded fantastic; literally shaking the concrete floor. Iome, I've seen the Tb pickups on eBay and wondered about them.
One thing I do know, I don't want to drill any more holes in the body or modify the cavities in case I come across original electronics for it. Sort of a weirdo about originality if possible...
Thoughts?
That looks like a fun project ! Looks like you could put two mudbuckers in there ! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/ripper74.jpg)
I would put the G3 pups in there, I always found Rippers kind of tame.
Great score!
I think that Seymour Duncan sells repro pups? Barring that you could could easily use TB Plus pickups like Iome said and this most likely wouldn't require routing. Repro pick guards are easy to come by as well.
Maybe two G3 pups and a mudbucker on the neck? Something like a Gibson version of the Tractor.
Quote from: exiledarchangel on November 25, 2009, 07:45:51 AM
Maybe two G3 pups and a mudbucker on the neck? Something like a Gibson version of the Tractor.
Oh yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: godofthunder on November 25, 2009, 07:23:40 AM
That looks like a fun project ! Looks like you could put two mudbuckers in there ! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/ripper74.jpg)
Do I need to have hair, mustache and a suit like that to play a Ripper with two mudbuckers in it?
Quote from: Denis on November 25, 2009, 09:07:44 AM
Do I need to have hair, mustache and a suit like that to play a Ripper with two mudbuckers in it?
Yes, and a time machine to take you to the mid 70s.
I hear Rob is working on a G5. Sort of like the Gillette Fusion, the more blades (or blade pickups) the better. ;D
Quote from: Denis on November 25, 2009, 09:07:44 AM
Do I need to have hair, mustache and a suit like that to play a Ripper with two mudbuckers in it?
Absolutely! You'll be faaaaaaaabulous!
I have a theory that 1000 years from now, the only trace of our civilization surviving in trash dumps will be polyester leisure suits. They're indestructible by anything short of a nuclear strike.
Quote from: exiledarchangel on November 25, 2009, 07:45:51 AM
Maybe two G3 pups and a mudbucker on the neck? Something like a Gibson version of the Tractor.
Yes!! That would be so cool!
I think a pair of Darkstars would turn that into a serious ass-kicker!
Looking forward to seeing the finished project!
Interesting one Mr D...
Not so up on these... hasn't Uwe got a Blue one... vaguely remember a car related thread... ("Ripper Blue")
Quote from: Kenny Five-O on November 25, 2009, 04:10:55 PM
Interesting one Mr D...
Not so up on these... hasn't Uwe got a Blue one... vaguely remember a car related thread... ("Ripper Blue")
He does have a blue Ripper (or is it a Grabber?) but it might be a factory paint job or a pro refin.
"GRABBER BLUE" was the one... he thought it may have been a special for a (NAMM) show...
I love the trans wine color. Very cool on one of these!
The mudbuckers would probably fit in without routing. The mudbuckers are quite narrow under the cover.
I'm not going to say how much routing I had to do on my T'bird to fit mine... :o
i've got Guild "Sludgebuckers" in my Ripper
Quote from: SKATE RAT on November 27, 2009, 06:56:37 AM
i've got Guild "Sludgebuckers" in my Ripper
LOL! I just googled Sludgebuckers again, and you and chromium are still the only two people on the planet who use that term.
Being a trendsetter is hard work! :mrgreen:
Quote from: Basvarken on November 26, 2009, 07:25:56 AM
The mudbuckers would probably fit in without routing. The mudbuckers are quite narrow under the cover.
it's true, mudbuckers will fit but the factory route isn't quite deep enough for them.
Quote from: godofthunder on November 25, 2009, 07:23:40 AM
i always wondered what two mudbuckers on there would sound like.doesnt one of the switching options put them in series/now that could be scary. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/ripper74.jpg)
If u need some ol'pahts, I got some with no plans. I also have a couple ripper pups you could try to jump some wires onto . Some birdbrain cut them short! . I have the rear string plate for a G-3, some single coils for a G3 and a g3 bridge in pretty nice shape. hey this may get bumped to the wanted /for sale forum. Sorry, bed time ....work early :mrgreen:
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP1069.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP1070.jpg)
I too love the wine colored G3
Quote from: shadowcastaz on November 28, 2009, 08:22:07 PM
If u need some ol'pahts, I got some with no plans. I also have a couple ripper pups you could try to jump some wires onto . Some birdbrain cut them short! . I have the rear string plate for a G-3, some single coils for a G3 and a g3 bridge in pretty nice shape. hey this may get bumped to the wanted /for sale forum. Sorry, bed time ....work early :mrgreen:
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP1069.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP1070.jpg)
I too love the wine colored G3
Sweet, I'll PM you!
Glad to help.M
Thanks!
Here's the body as it stands now. Underneath the blue was red, then white. The white was nicely done and I wonder if it was professionally refinished years ago. It's also TOUGH to get off.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05896a.jpg)
Quote from: Denis on November 30, 2009, 07:13:28 AMIt's also TOUGH to get off.
You should have tried the "crispy" stuff under my T'bird's "Tequilafin"...
now that was a porker...
Are you a serial-luthier, Denis...? ;)
Found some pics of that gorgeous Ripper G-3. First class job with great details. I forgot who made this bass?
It was someone from here?
The only color I have ever liked on this body style other than black
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/PelhamBlueOrville63-65clone015.jpg)
Killer neck paint
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/PelhamBlueOrville63-65clone020.jpg)
Quote from: Kenny Five-O on November 30, 2009, 01:55:54 PM
You should have tried the "crispy" stuff under my T'bird's "Tequilafin"... now that was a porker...
Are you a serial-luthier, Denis...? ;)
Hahah, I'm no luthier, but it's pretty satisfying working on these things. It's a similar feeling to working on old motorcycles, my older addictive hobby... This is cheaper though!
Barklessdog, that is gorgeous indeed! Thanks for posting more pics!
Quote from: Barklessdog on December 01, 2009, 05:09:28 AM
Found some pics of that gorgeous Ripper G-3. First class job with great details. I forgot who made this bass?
It was someone from here?
That was made by "Bass VI" Scott.
He hasn't logged in for awhile.
Thank you John... you have given me a beautiful idea for the neck of my T'bird...
Still stripping the paint off! All the blue is now gone, but that bottom coat of white is hard as a whore at an arctic naval base. It MUST have been professionally applied years ago because it just does not want to give it up. I'm really resisting sanding and have been using naptha with a kitchen dish scrubber. Can't use naptha inside and with the weather the way it is, I can't do it outside so I have to wait for the odd day in the 60s.
Shadowcastaz sent me some electronics for an early Ripper (Many thanks!) so I'm getting there. Have a new pg on the way.
Here's a pic of the body thus far, partially undressed. And yeah, it doesn't look that much different than the last pics I posted!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/DSC05954a.jpg)
Since it's so difficult to sand, I wouldn't be surprised if the white coat is some kind of epoxy based seal coat.
Quote from: Denis on February 06, 2010, 06:04:14 PM
I'm really resisting sanding and have been using naptha with a kitchen dish scrubber.
You might want to check places like AutoZone, Checker, Napa, etc... for some aircraft stripper (Methylene Chloride). That stuff made real easy work of stripping most of the original finish off my Bachbird (http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=2773.msg39536#msg39536).
From what I garnered from folks here and at the refinishing forums, the chemical peel won't always work - but when it does the paint just blisters and gives way with gentle scraping. When it doesn't do the trick folks were having to sand and use heat guns to soften and scrape the epoxy paint off. The latter approach looked pretty treacherous, as you have to be careful with the heat to avoid causing damage.
You're making good progress! That and the finish sanding/polishing really took a lot of elbow grease.
I use an orange based stripper in the past . It really takes stuff off in layers ,which for an impatient bastard like me is a real ball knocker. It reminds me of stripping the Guild StarfireII. I hate red paint.& that blue is not far behind ,M :mrgreen:
Saturday I ran the Ripper pups Shadowcastaz mailed me over to Harry's Guitar shop. On one pup the wires had been snipped down to the solder so the tech rewired it and both pups tested out A-OK, saying they should be pretty hot. Step 1 of the electronics complete! Also picked up a replacement input jack and a chickenhead knob but I still need to get the other knobs (allparts sells direct replacements but my shop was out of them). Have a replacement pg on the way as well. Once that arrives I'll begin putting all those electronics together and seeing what's what.
It's been too cold to take the body outside for stripping though.
Im glad the pups worked out.M
Quote from: shadowcastaz on February 18, 2010, 04:34:57 AM
Im glad the pups worked out.M
Me too, thanks for sending them along!
Here's the Ripper easing up on the finishing stages. Still have some stubborn epoxy-based paint to remove and I need to find the pup mounting screws and do the wiring.
As I suspected, it's a lot lighter than my '80, which comes in at 10.1lbs. This one as shown weighs around 9lbs.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/P9100547a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/P9100549a.jpg)
Looking great Denis!
Very sharp looking, nice work so far!
+2
Good work. You have some world class patience, 3 days in I'd have had the power sander out.
Where did you get the pickguard?
Quote from: PhilT on September 12, 2011, 03:33:32 PM
Good work. You have some world class patience, 3 days in I'd have had the power sander out.
Where did you get the pickguard?
Thanks, everyone! A couple of times I nearly gave up and got out the sander but maintained my composure, putting it away when I got tired of messing with it. Glad I've been patient! Still some work to go (inside of horns). The areas that look like reflections are where the original finish is worn off and the white paint/epoxy got down into the grain. Not sure how to handle those. Ideas?
I got that pickguard off a guy on eBay selling a Ripper case. In the background the pickguard was just sitting there so I offered him $30 for it, I think. It's a nice one!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/PB270009a.jpg)
nice! it's hard to find guards for the early Rippers.
Quote from: ramone57 on September 13, 2011, 08:47:28 AM
nice! it's hard to find guards for the early Rippers.
It is! I lucked out with this one. I think I ended up with 3 Ripper pgs, 2 of which were sold to me as being for early Rippers but were really for the later 3 screw pups. :P
Lookin Gud!
i may make my ripper my next project after seeing this getting close to being finished. Just can't decide what to do with the dead pups.
You should do it!
Quote from: jumbodbassman on September 16, 2011, 03:07:41 PM
i may make my ripper my next project after seeing this getting close to being finished. Just can't decide what to do with the dead pups.
Get 'em rewound.
i would be tempted to get the pickups rewound with more turns.not all the way into mudbucker territory but with a bit more grunt.
Quote from: tubehead on September 17, 2011, 05:42:30 PM
i would be tempted to get the pickups rewound with more turns.not all the way into mudbucker territory but with a bit more grunt.
I had a bum Ripper pup that I had rewound to about 10k. It sounds a little blurrier than it did originally, but still very sterile.