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.