Univox Ripper Electric Guitar – An Atypical Guitar Review
Most people who are familiar with Univox tie the companies name to the infamous Mosrite copy, the Univox Hi-Flier, which several famous guitar players – including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, are known to have played.
While the Hi-Flier maybe the now-defunct Univox’s claim to fame, they also produced really fantastic copies of other famous guitars. On a recent Craigslist adventure, I procured what has become one of my favorite electric guitars – a 1976 Univox Ripper.
This isn't mine. I can't find the USB cable for my camera today! 
The Ripper is almost an exact copy of the 70’s era Fender Stratocaster. The key difference between the two is that, whereas a Fender Strat has 3 single coil pickups and a 5-way selecter switch – the Ripper has 3 humbucking pickups and a 3-way selecter switch. Aesthetically, the guitars are identical – right down to the chunky 70’s era headstock (which Fender now prevents companies from using on their Strat copies).
I’ve been lucky enough to play hundreds of different guitars in my lifetime, and will put my heavily (and naturally) “relic’d” Univox Ripper right up there with Custom Shop Relic Strats in terms of playability and aesthetic appeal. My Ripper has been played hard and tossed around by countless guitarists over the the past 30-some-odd years, and it shows! Belt-buckle rash, checking, nicks, dings, hand-oil stained maple neck and fretboard – all the signs of a well loved rock-n-roll instrument are clear and present.
The Ripper definitely has it’s own sound – and the pickups are very interesting. Between the three positions (bridge, middle and neck pickups working individually), there is an almost absurd range of tonal color. The bridge is very, very hot – and full of bite. The middle position reminds me of the neck pickup in a Telecaster. The neck pickup is so warm and “rolled-off” sounding, it reminds me of a more lo-fi take on that famous Woman Tone.
All in all, I recommend that if anyone sees one of these finely-crafted Japanese Strat copies out there – pick it up and play it! Mine is a wonderful blast from the past – I certainly wouldn’t pass up a chance to own a second one.
I too fell pray to the lure of the Univox Ripper. My friend had purchased one years ago at a yard sale. I would go to his band’s shows over the years and one day, it kind of just hit me….. that his guitar just always sounded amazing… it had almost this supersonic sound to it. So, I played his one day to feel the action and then that night… I searched online and found one on Ebay with a buy it now of 200 bills and it came with its original Univox case. Let me tell you, 200 for a monster like this is an insanely low price. You’re right, that neck humbucker is just so full and warm and to be honest…. it just has balls. I play this bad boy through a Vox AC30 combo classic with the Blue Alnico speakers…. there is no stopping it. It is an odd little guitar that I am glad to have as part of my collection. For anyone that wants one, you can still find one on Ebay every once in a while, but they aren’t nearly as common as the Hi Flyer, which I think is strictly because Cobain played one. The Ripper is a much better guitar in my opinion. Get one before people start to catch on.
Comment by Chris — December 9, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
Damn, you got a sweet deal! This is on the front page of Google…..shhhh – we’re letting the secrets out!! Ha.
I wish I hadn’t sold my AC30 before I got the Ripper. I bet that’s a nice combination. I run mine through an old Earth Sound 4×10 combo (that I’ll probably review here sometime), old Blues Deville RI or a Mesa Boogie F-50. It works with all of ‘em. What a guitar. And to think that these were the “low-quality” guitars of the day. My, my.
Comment by admin — December 9, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
I still have my ripper!!! Purchased from Mandy Music, Wantagh NY in 1977, $299 new. Still my main squeeze! This guitar is like an old shoe. I can’t believe someone resold one for $200…. that is a steal!!!
Comment by Chuck — January 13, 2010 @ 11:20 am
Lucky Chuck! There’s one on evilbay right now going for $300. I almost pulled the trigger but two is probably excessive for a part time amateur musician like me.
Comment by admin — January 15, 2010 @ 12:09 am
Plus, gotta share the love and let others enjoy these fine guit-fiddles
Comment by admin — January 15, 2010 @ 12:09 am