Gibson EB Basses (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-6)
Gibson EB-1 Electric Bass (1953 - 1972)
The Bass That Started It AllIn 1952-53 about 2 years after fender released the fender precision bass, Gibson decided to get into the electric bass market,
they introduced their first bass model which had a shorter scale (30.5") than the fender precision bass and instead had a violin shaped body and called it "Gibson Electric Bass".
The bass wasn't as successful as the Fender in sales, the whole design concept left many bass players skeptical and confused.
The short scale (30.5") was one of the features that was not a favorite amongst many bass players,
the bass had telescopic end pins which was a feature to target upright bass players, it had banjo kluson style tuners, painted f holes on a violin shaped
mahogany body, alnico pickups close to the bridge, raised pick guards, brown covers on the pickups and were made in brown stained finishes.
A very limited number of these Gibson basses were produced until early 1958. Since 1953 to 1958 a total of only 546 Electric basses were sold. During the year of 1958 Gibson introduced a new bass model called the Gibson EB-2 bass with a semi hollow body and the original "Gibson Electric Bass " was short lived a couple of months later in late 1958.
In 1969 Gibson reintroduced the "Gibson Electric Bass" and renamed it the Gibson EB-1 with hum bucking pickups, chrome bridge covers and standard right angled tuners and were discontinued in 1972.
The Gibson EB-1 Bass is sought after by many collectors for its historical significance, its the first bass Gibson introduced on the market and paved the way for many Gibson EB models that followed.
Gibson EB Models Dated & Brief Specs
Gibson Electric Bass (Known As EB-1)EB-2 Bass
1958 - 1972: Double cut semi-hollow body influenced by the ES-335 guitar, 1 pickup, banjo type tuners until 1960, conventional tuners until 1972. Available in sunburst and natural until 1965. Cherry, walnut, sparkling burgundy in later years. (The EB-2 was Gibson's first semi hollow body bass.)
1958 - 1972: Double cut semi-hollow body influenced by the ES-335 guitar, 1 pickup, banjo type tuners until 1960, conventional tuners until 1972. Available in sunburst and natural until 1965. Cherry, walnut, sparkling burgundy in later years. (The EB-2 was Gibson's first semi hollow body bass.)
EB-0 Bass (EB0)
1959 - 1979: Slab body with banjo type tuners in 1959. Double cut SG Body in 1960 and on, 1 pickup, conventional tuners until 1979. Discontinued in 1979. (The EB-0 was Gibson's first SG body Bass.)
1959 - 1979: Slab body with banjo type tuners in 1959. Double cut SG Body in 1960 and on, 1 pickup, conventional tuners until 1979. Discontinued in 1979. (The EB-0 was Gibson's first SG body Bass.)
EB-6 Bass
1960 - 1966: The EB-6 had a semi hollow shape from 1960 to 62 with 1 pickup, the model switched to an SG body with 2 pickups from 1962 to 66.
1960 - 1966: The EB-6 had a semi hollow shape from 1960 to 62 with 1 pickup, the model switched to an SG body with 2 pickups from 1962 to 66.
EB-3 Bass
1961 - 1979: SG Style Solid Body, 2 Hum Buckers. Discontinued in 1979.
1961 - 1979: SG Style Solid Body, 2 Hum Buckers. Discontinued in 1979.
EB-0 F Bass
1962 - 1965: Same as EB-0 with built in fuzz added. Discontinued in 1965.
1962 - 1965: Same as EB-0 with built in fuzz added. Discontinued in 1965.
EB-2 D Bass
1966 - 1972: Same version of the EB-2 but with 2 pickups. Discontinued in 1972.
1966 - 1972: Same version of the EB-2 but with 2 pickups. Discontinued in 1972.
Melody Maker Bass
1967 - 1970: SG Body, 1 hum bucker pickup, renamed EB Bass in 1970. Reintroduced in 2013 with 4 or 5 string option. Discontinued in 2019.
1967 - 1970: SG Body, 1 hum bucker pickup, renamed EB Bass in 1970. Reintroduced in 2013 with 4 or 5 string option. Discontinued in 2019.
EB-0 L Bass
1969 - 1979: Same as EB-0 but a 34.5" scale version, available in various colors. Discontinued in 1979.
1969 - 1979: Same as EB-0 but a 34.5" scale version, available in various colors. Discontinued in 1979.
EB-3 L Bass
1969 - 1972: Same specs as the EB-3 but a 34.5' scale version, EB-3L logo on truss rod cover. Discontinued in 1972.
1969 - 1972: Same specs as the EB-3 but a 34.5' scale version, EB-3L logo on truss rod cover. Discontinued in 1972.
Gibson EB-1 Reintroduced
1969 - 1972: Hum bucking pickups with chrome covers, standard right angle tuners, rectangle case.
1969 - 1972: Hum bucking pickups with chrome covers, standard right angle tuners, rectangle case.
EB-4 L Bass
1972 - 1979: SG-style body, 1 humbucker, 34.5 scale, available only in cherry and walnut. Discontinued in 1979.
1972 - 1979: SG-style body, 1 humbucker, 34.5 scale, available only in cherry and walnut. Discontinued in 1979.
Gibson 20/20 Bass
1987 - 1988: Looked like a Steinberger style body, 2 hum buckers with 20/20 logo on the headstock.
Gibson EB-650 Bass
1991 - 1993: Single cut semi acoustic, 2 TB pickups, laminated maple body with center block.
Gibson EB-750 Bass
1991 - 1993: Same specs as the EB-650 but with an active EQ and Bartolini pickups.
> Look for used or vintage Gibson EB Basses For Sale.
Gibson EB Basses Price Guide (Updated May-2-2021) |
|
I have a Gibson EBO from 1959. I'm trying to find more information on the model. Can you help? Thanks
ReplyDeletepunkrckgrl
I am curious I saw version made epiphone. would it br similar.
ReplyDeleteI bought a fifties model of this bass for only $50.00 dollars in 1965. It was in very good condition, looking like new after polish, and the original case was in excellent shape. The telescoping stand was included, too. Unfortunately I sold it around 1974 for either $300.00 or $600.00 dollars. I can't remember. Often over the years, I've missed it, and regretted selling it even a few months after doing so.
ReplyDeleteI have something that resembles and EB but I'm not quite convinced. Can anyone help?
ReplyDeleteI have a few pics I can send.
Mike
I own a 1953 EB-1 that I found and bought at a garage sale for $300.00. I love that bass and its low rumbling tones. The pickup was reintroduced by Yamaha and Billy Sheehan in the 90's on one of their signature models.
ReplyDeletecan someone tell me where I can find banjo tuners for a 1953 EB-1 bass
ReplyDeleteKluson has created replicas of the original die-cast tuners. I bought a set for my EB-1 from WD Music and they are great.
DeleteI own a 72 ebo. Love it. Got it for two hundred. A steal.
ReplyDeleteI have an EB-0 thats either a 61 or 63 ... serial # says 63 but features are earlier ... anyway, Im missing the pickguard and tuners. Obviously the pickguard is diffrent but the tuners are, I imagine, the same as similar-vintage EB-1s ... anyone know where I can find these old Klusons, or remakes, thereof? Id hate to have to bore larger holes if I didnt have to
ReplyDelete