EPIPHONE NEWPORT BASS

In the 1960s, Gibson had an agreement with it's dealers that limited the number of outlets in an area. The Epiphone brand was a way of selling guitars to more dealers without breaking the terms of these arrangements. Until 1970, these instruments were American-made; built side by side, with Gibsons, in the same Kalamazoo factory, using the same materials and techniques, and by the same workers.

So most Epiphone models of this period share basic hardware with a Gibson model. The Epiphone Newport was effectively a differently shaped Gibson EB0.

The Newport was CMI Epiphone's most sucessful bass. Outselling the hollow-body Rivoli in all years except '67 and '68, and shipping a total of 2658 instruments between 1961 and 1969. This was, however, just a fifth of the number of EB0 basses shipped in the same period. (Newport shipping figures | EB0 shipping figures)

So how are they similar? Short scale. Mahogany body, set one-piece mahogany neck, single EB humbucker, Gibson bar bridge (and later two point bridge)

So do they differ? Obviously a different shape. Epiphone logo is a decal rather than inlaid (actually the Newport Deluxe has an inlaid logo).

Two Newport basses, above - the EB-SF, or Newport Fuzztone from 1962. Below - the 1961 Newport, as it looked in 1961

There were four Newport variants:

• Newport EBS - A straightforward one pickup EB0 equivalent
• Newport Deluxe EBD - A two pickup EB3 equivalent, but with no varitone
• Newport EBSF - An EB0F equivalent, with fuzztone
• Newport EBS6 - A six-string equivalent to the EB6

Only the EBS sold in any real numbers, and the other three Newport versions were quickly discontinued; the EBD and EBSF in 1963 and the EBS6 in 1965. The EBS did sell fairly well though particularly in the mid sixties.

In 1964 the stylish new batwing headstock replaced the 2x2 arrangement on most solid body Epiphone guitars and basses; a feature that got noticed and made the Epiphone range look that little bit more interesting. Sales, in fact, rose sharply at this point.

As well as Cherry, Epiphone solid-bodies were available in three optional colours: Sunset Yellow, California Coral and Pacific Blue. Early price lists also offer another colour 'Red Fox' alongside Cherry (also available on the Wilshire), but never mentioned in catalogues.