Gibson Ripper bass

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Just wanting to resurface this thread and ask…

1. Did Rippers have painted necks?
2. And did the black Rippers have only ebony fretboards or was maple an option with the black?

Thanks everyone for their expertise!

 

[ajkula66]

Just wanting to resurface this thread and ask…

1. Did Rippers have painted necks?
2. And did the black Rippers have only ebony fretboards or was maple an option with the black?

Thanks everyone for their expertise!

A black Ripper should have a painted neck, and I don't believe I've ever seen one with a maple fingerboard.

 

[mikeswals]

Yes is your answer on the question of "paint".
If it was natural it would still have had clear gloss finish on the neck. If it was sunburst, the gloss neck finish would also have a burst pattern on the back of neck. And as ajkula66 said above, if it was black, the neck would have been too.

As for ebony, it would have been ebony at the factory. However I have seen several refinished instruments that someone put a solid color on the body of a bass with maple board.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Ok, thank you @ajkula66 and @mikeswals !
This confirmed my suspicions of a bass I’ve seen locally.

photo of the headstock/fretboard attached.

I like the look of the maple on black, but I’m hesitant to make an offer as I’d imagine this has affected the value significantly.