The late Rick Danko playing a Gibson Ripper bass

[IMMUSICRULZ]

If anyone has seen The Last Waltz, many people would know that this was the bass Rick played for much of that legendary gig. Natural finish Ripper, and I believe it was used on The Band’s Northern Lights Southern Cross and Islands albums.


It’s a very holy looking Ripper that’s for sure. I believe Rick used this during his gigging with Paul Butterfield, and also used the Ripper up until 1083, when he switched to playing acoustic guitar. He was also still using the Ampeg fretless during this time. Rick was always using his Ampeg for amps, as well as an extremely old Bassman.
Rick would usually put Fender precision bass and Fender Jazz Bass pickups in his Ripper. He wasn’t that bad of a violin player either.

The Ripper, like most of Rick’s basses, was auctioned a few years after his death from heart failure in 1999. I hope there are some country rock nuts who will appreciate this post.

 

[El Gringo]

If anyone has seen The Last Waltz, many people would know that this was the bass Rick played for much of that legendary gig. Natural finish Ripper, and I believe it was used on The Band’s Northern Lights Southern Cross and Islands albums.

View attachment 16865
It’s a very holy looking Ripper that’s for sure. I believe Rick used this during his gigging with Paul Butterfield, and also used the Ripper up until 1083, when he switched to playing acoustic guitar. He was also still using the Ampeg fretless during this time. Rick was always using his Ampeg for amps, as well as an extremely old Bassman.
Rick would usually put Fender precision bass and Fender Jazz Bass pickups in his Ripper. He wasn’t that bad of a violin player either.

The Ripper, like most of Rick’s basses, was auctioned a few years after his death from heart failure in 1999. I hope there are some country rock nuts who will appreciate this post.

I got to meet him after he got sprung from the Pokie in Japan and was taken to his house late one night in 97 when we came back from seeing Bob Dylan . Very surreal to be sitting in his kitchen drinking Adirondack Ginger Ale and trading stories , until he whipped out a Sunburst Gibson J185C and started playing the Elvis tune Mystery Train which was mind blowing .This was around 2 going on 3 in the morning . Really nice humble Gent of a man . Rick was telling us stories of the early days of the Hawks as the "band" began as the backing band for Ronnie Hawkins (and then after they split and for a lack of a better or proper name then became "The Band "following the short time they were known as Levon and the Hawks ) . Mr. Hawkins liked his Cadillac's and did not allow them to smoke in his car , so boys being boys they then would sit in the back seat and chew gum and then spit the gum on to the carpet on the floor of the Cadillac which would Piss Mr. Hawkins off to no end (really cool story ) I have seen the Band a bunch of times and did see Rick use the Ripper along with Fender Basses . Great talent and great voice as Rick was one of the 3 voices of the Band along with Levon Helm and Richard Manuel . Bless there Souls !

 

[IMMUSICRULZ]

Levon Helm also played a Gibson mandolin.

 

[El Gringo]

Good old Lee , what a voice oh my goodness !