Gibson EB Basses (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-6)

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Gibson EB-1 Electric Bass (1953 - 1972)

The Bass That Started It All

In 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 had a single pick up which was placed at the end of the neck unlike the precision bass that had it fitted at mid body, thus giving it a deeper but less defined sound. 

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)
1953 - 1958: Introduced with a Violin shaped mahogany body, painted-on "f" holes, brown stain finish. Brown contoured case. Reissued in 1969. (This was Gibson's first solid body bass.)

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.)

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.)

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. 

EB-3 Bass 
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.

EB-2 D Bass
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.

EB-0 L Bass
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. 

Gibson EB-1 Reintroduced
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. 

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)
  • Gibson Electric Bass - EB-1
  • 1953 - 1958 > $4500 to $6000 
  • EB-2
  • 1958 - 1960 > $5500 to $6500 
  • 1961 - 1961 > $3500 to $4500 
  • 1962 - 1972 > $2000 to $2900 
  • EB-0
  • 1959 - 1960 > $4500 to $6000
  • 1961 - 1963 > $1900 to $2500
  • 1964 - 1964 > $1500 to $2200
  • 1965 - 1969 > $1500 to $2000 (Pelham Blue Colors Are Worth Up To $3000)
  • 1969 - 1979 > $1000 to $1500 
  • EB-6
  • 1960 - 1960 > $7500 to $9000 (Natural, Semi Hollow Shape)
  • 1960 - 1961 > $5000 to $7500 (Sunburst, Semi Hollow Shape)
  • 1962 - 1964 > $9000 to $11 000 (Cherry, SG Style)
  • 1965 - 1966 > $7000 to $9000 (Cherry, SG Style)
  • EB-3
  • 1961 - 1964 > $4500 to $6000
  • 1965 - 1965 > $4000 to $5000 (Wide Nut)
  • 1965 - 1965 > $2500 to $3500 (Narrow Nut)
  • 1965 - 1965 > $5000 to $7500 (White - *Rare*)
  • 1966 - 1968 > $2500 to $3000
  • 1969 - 1979 > $1300 to $1800 (Early 69's Are Worth Up To $2500)
  • EB-0 F Bass
  • 1962 - 1965 > $3000 to $4000 (Built In Fuzz)
  • EB-2 D Bass
  • 1966 - 1972 > $2500 to $3500
  • Melody Maker Bass
  • 1967 - 1970 > $1000 to $1400
  • EB Bass
  • 1970 - 1970 > $1000 to $1400 (Melody Maker Renamed EB Bass)
  • 2013 - 2019 > $450 to $600 (EB Bass Reintroduced)
  • EB-0 L Bass 
  • 1969 - 1979 > $1000 to $1500
  • EB-3 L Bass
  • 1969 - 1972 > $800 to $1200
  • EB-1 Reintroduced
  • 1969 - 1972 > $2900 to $3800
  • EB-4 L Bass
  • 1972 - 1979 > $750 to $1050
  • 20/20 BASS
  • 1987 - 1988 > $1100 to $1400
  • EB-650
  • 1991 1993 > $3200 to $4200 (Blond)
  • 1991 1993 > $2800 to $3800 (Blue)
  • 1991 1993 > $2400 to $3200 (Various Colors)
  • EB-750
  • 1991 1993 > $3200 to $4200 (Blond)
  • 1991 1993 > $2800 to $3800 (Blue)
  • 1991 1993 > $2400 to $3200 (Various Colors)
  • Note: Prices above are estimated prices. There are many factors that can determine price value, always do your homework or seek expert advice before buying.

Comments

  1. Anonymous2:52 PM

    I have a Gibson EBO from 1959. I'm trying to find more information on the model. Can you help? Thanks
    punkrckgrl

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:58 AM

    I am curious I saw version made epiphone. would it br similar.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:46 AM

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:32 PM

    I have something that resembles and EB but I'm not quite convinced. Can anyone help?
    I have a few pics I can send.
    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:25 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:41 PM

    can someone tell me where I can find banjo tuners for a 1953 EB-1 bass

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:17 AM

      Kluson has created replicas of the original die-cast tuners. I bought a set for my EB-1 from WD Music and they are great.

      Delete
  7. Borunda, Ever5:00 PM

    I own a 72 ebo. Love it. Got it for two hundred. A steal.

    ReplyDelete
  8. EJImon9:53 PM

    I 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

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