Gibson Left-Handed L9S Ripper Bass

[LeftyRipperBass]

Hello Guys, I am new to the forum. I have a Gibson Left-Handed Ripper Bass Serial# 80810062  Black, Engraved USA. w/ Original Gibson case.
The story is back when I ordered the bass left-handed my friend owned a musical instrument retail store (Bandstand Music) and he was a new Gibson dealer. They told him they did not make the Ripper anymore but since it was a left handed order and they had to special setup for it anyway and that he was a new dealer they would make one more. It was to take 6 months, apparently did not pass inspection, and took another 6 months, but after 1 year and almost giving up it was delivered. I have never looked into trying to validate the story. I played bass in the late 70's to the mid 80's then started my own Used Guitar Shop and Recording Studio in Augusta GA in 1985. which I closed in 1990, got married, and with 2 kids later, the bass has been stored under my bed for 25 years with just bringing it out a few times a year. I decided to finally look into the story of it being the last one made and from what I have been told there were no left handed Ripper Basses known to be made? Well I have one. So, is it the only left-handed Ripper in existence? Can anyone here add to the mystery? I would like to validate with Gibson if anyone can lead me to the right person. Thanks in advance for any feedback. http://www.leftybassist.com/download/file.php?id=5056
http://www.leftybassist.com/download/file.php?id=5057
http://www.leftybassist.com/download/file.php?id=5058

[Basvarken]

Welcome aboard.
Very cool story. You must be the only one on the planet with a lefty Ripper.
Certainly the first I have ever seen.

[Granny Gremlin]

Don't know anything about it, but she's a beaut.  Welcome.

[Dave W]

If my eyesight is right, that serial number is from Kalamazoo. I doubt that Gibson would be of much help, but there are still a few people working at Heritage Guitar in Kalamazoo who worked for Gibson back then. You could contact them and ask.

[Denis]

Damn, I wondered if any of those were ever built. Very cool and congrats on having a rare bass!

[veebass]

Has to make your bass one of the rarest Gibson basses. Very special.

[uwe]

I have an (early) 81 righty Ripper, my understanding was that they were built until 81 with a few possibly creeping out still in 82, there were Grabbers and G-3s still being built as late as late 1982 (though not many) when Gibson was already pushing the Victory as the follow-up to RDs (which had already been intended to replace the Ripper as the "variable bass" for the more discerning player, but failed to generate the necessary sales) and Rippers. They had modifications such as ebony boards or three piece necks to the previous maple board and one-piece-neck Grabbers and G-3s.

That doesn't make your model any less rare, I've never laid eyes on a leftie Rippie before nor am I aware of a lefty Ripper-playing name musician (except you of course!) who might have had the luck that Gibson would have built him one.

[A.D.Fairhurst]

The guy from Devo would not be proud...unless you mangled it and cut off the horns. Then he'd be proud...I still don't recommend it.