Attached is the only picture I have from that time of me + Ripper. 1975.
In 1975 I had been 4 years on the road with bands, crossing Canada in tour buses and overfilled RVs, playing a Hagstrom short scale which had lots of pickup combinations and many sounds. I was using an Acoustic 150b amp at the time.
We had just returned home and had got paid out by the manager (not just the road stipend). I was flush and was really tired of the short scale, so went to the local store and tried out a Precision. The Precision had only one sound (but sure felt nice). I tried a a bunch of no-name basses but rejected them as knock-offs. I tried an EB0 but again felt it was not flexible. Finally, the clerk hauled out this piece of last years stock and said try this. He had not been able to sell it because it was twice the weight (maple) of the Precision. I loved it at first play and it was a Gibson, a respected name. All sorts of different pickup combinations. Long scale. Solid. Tone from heaven (Rotosounds).
I have played it ever since, but replaced the 150b with an Acoustic 370. Last year I got a Kinal 5-string, but the Ripper is my primary bass. Italways will be because it has tone that cuts through everything elsewhen I need it, enough low end for anybody (but not like the Barts onthe Kinal) and satisfies jazz, country and rock listeners alike, all
saying how good the sound is.
Thanks,
Clare
Here's Clare's website for a bit more info
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