Hi- My First Post and A Question

[veebass]

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.

[Highlander]

Howdy and welcome... (another Oztralian... two in a day...! Dave...! )

You might need to desolder one side of the pup's wire to be sure but does it have any resistance value at all - I checked the schematic at Jule's site and the number 2 position should disconnect the pup so you can get a resistance value - should be a low value but not open circuit (no reading at all) or dead short (zero ohms)...

The rule re instruments is simple here... pics or she don't exist... my RD is a legend here, in her own shed-time...

Kenny

[veebass]

Hey Kenny,
Thanks for that, I'll give that a go.

Here is my 74 (as best I can tell) Ripper. The guard is an original but from a later Ripper.



I'll dig up some pics of my other Gibsons, plus my old V, which I think of as an honorary Gibson.

[veebass]

Since you asked- here they are.

78 RD Standard- All original.


79 RD Artist- All original, incl the Moog


09 Bird- Stock


81 Victory Standard- all original


81 Victory Artist- all original


75 approx- Ibanez V- had her since 77.


Just sold this early Maple Grabber.

[Denis]

Welcome!
Wow, those are beautiful basses!

I just went through months long hell with my '73 Ripper. The original pickups registered decent output when they weren't IN the bass. Once in, they sounded like half dead kittens. The original 4 way switch was dead in one of the positions and was difficult to operate (knob wouldn't turn easily). Found an aftermarket replacement but my luthier spent along time trying to get it right but it refused. Finally I found a nice original and in she went. We changed position 4 so now I can used each pickup separately if I want. Sounds great!

[Nocturnal]

Welcome Veebass!! Nice collection you have!!!

[Aussie Mark]

For those playing at home, that Ripper was ex-Steve Barr, via me ....

[veebass]

Hi Mark,
Indeed it is. Been the custodian of that lovely bass for a few years now.
Absolutely beautiful neck.
Just gotta get that neck pickup issue fixed.

[TBird1958]

Great to see you here Veebass!

The Gibsons all look great!

[veebass]

Thanks for the great welcome.
I thought I would try and some advice from people who appreciate the finer things.

[Highlander]

My RD Artist (exact same spec as yours) has had everything junked bar the neck pup and a volume pot, and she's fretless... presently significantly stalled rebuild...

Some "honorary" instruments exist here... my T'Bird was built by Peter Cook in '72 and I've owned her since '77 too...

[amptech]

Welcome!

That V bass is beautiful! That's the way gibson should have made them!

Is it short scale?

[veebass]

Thanks.
My old V actually predates the first Gibson V Basses. Ibanez only made them for a few years in the mid 70s.
I was lucky enough to get this one in 1977 second hand. It was my first "good" bass, gigged it for years and I still have it.
Only thing I still have from those days.
Yes it is a full scale and packs one hell of a punch. The pickups are very powerful, clear and articulate.
It used give my old Bassman a hard time.

[Basvarken]

Welcome. Nice collection you got there!

[georgestrings]

Welcome, and nice Gibsons...


   - georgestrings