Gibson EB-3; the first SG bass
The Gibson SG, in all it's variations, was launched in 1961. And this is one of the very first; a great early Gibson EB3 bass, with fat neck, wide-spaced controls, nickel hardware, and bakelite neck humbucker cover. Listen to this bass!
Dating a vintage Gibson bass guitar can be tricky in some cases, but for this early EB3 it is actually a simple matter. The potentiometers and serial number both date to 1961, and it has all the period correct hardware for 1961... Finally, although Gibson does not hold complete shipping records for all guitars, it did have a record of this bass, confirming it's shipping date from Kalamazoo as October 12th, 1961. The original US list price (September 1961) was $310.
An early EB3
Gibson produced almost 15 thousand EB3 basses over the 18 years of production (1961-1979); two thirds of which were shipped between 1969-73. It took a while to gain popularity, with just a tiny fraction (just 132 EB3s) shipped in the first year. (See the full Gibson EB3 shipping totals).
1961 EB3 features and components
This bass has all the typical early 1961 features and is typical of the EB3 shown in the 1962 and 1964 Gibson catalogues. Starting at the top: inlaid Gibson logo, with open o and b and dotted i. The inlaid crown inlay on the headstock is raised above centre, (rather than being centered a little later), and the headstock angle seems to be 18°; although it is hard to measure this angle with precision. Gibson guitars at this time had a nominal 17° angle, and it may be that 18° is within normal variance. Scale length is 30 1/2", necessitating short scale strings.
The bridge is the nickel two point bar bridge, which would have been fitted with an under-bridge string mute, though this part is now missing on this bass. The screws in front of the bridge are still present. Another part often missing is fitted to this bass; the nickel hand rest. Later EB basses had the same rest, but chrome-plated. The neck humbucker has a black bakelite cover; this was originally metal-plated, as was the surround of the bridge pickup, but this was very poor-wearing, and finding these with any real amount of plating on them is rare. Finally, the tuning keys are Kluson 538 type, as fitted to Gibson basses throughout the 1960s.
Older EB basses often suffer from finish fading; the original nitrocellulose translucent cherry can turn to a far less appealing orangey brown, mainly due to exposure to sunlight, but also from handling. This is not the case with this bass, as it retains a very nice Cherry colouration.
Note also the early-style heel - the area where the neck joins onto the guitar body. This wood joint changed over the years of EB bass production, but the example shown here is a good example of the earliest style used on the EB3 bass - compare with other Gibson EB bass heels.
Gibson EB-3 Wiring
The picture on the right shows the wiring loom. Three pots are identical; Centralab 500K audio taper, part number BA811-1053, all dated week 39 of 1961 (September/October). As mentioned above, Gibson have confirmed that this bass was shipped from the factory on October 12th - these pots were produced, shipped and used in quick time. The neck pickup tone pot is different; 250k part BA811-1831 and is dated week 18 of 1961 (May). Click the image for a larger version, and a circuit wiring plan.
John Birch modification
At some point in the 1960s/70s this bass was modified to a left hander, by luthier John Birch. Birch was famous for his work on the instruments of Slade, Deep Purple etc, and a decal with his name was applied to the back of the headstock. The John Birch changes have all been reversed now, but included a left-handed nut, different tuning keys and an intonatable bridge.
Listen to this bass
Circuit image
More about the EB3 in general
1961 EB-3 Soundclips
The EB-3 is one of those instruments with it's own unique tonal palette. No Fender will ever sound like an EB3.. but which is the defining EB3 tone, the choked neck pickup (dub)? The bridge pickup through a gainy valve amp (rock)? The two soundclips below were recorded through a 1964 Ampeg B15. For more clips, check out numerous other audio samples of this bass in all the varitone positions and with various amp settings here.
Guitar vol 10, tone 10, varitone position 1 (neck pickup only with tone choke). With a clean amp (vol 3, treble 5, bass 5) you get a really fat round sound from this setting. Played fingerstyle.
Guitar vol 10, tone 3, varitone position 2 (bridge pickup only). Rolling off the tone a little on the bass, and pushing the amp further (vol 7, treble 5, bass 5) gives the fantastic distorted bass tone that the EB3 is famous for - especially when you really dig in like this. Played fingerstyle.
Gibson EB-3 bass guitars for sale
Vintage Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar
Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 433**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2477
... more
Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case
Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
This bass is an absolute monster and sounds incredible! I don't know for sure (I kinda doubt it) that this would have come from the Gibson factory as fretless. However, whoever did the job has done it professionally and it looks great!
The electronics work perfectly and it has that classic "double bass" tone in the first position!
There is some bow in the neck. The truss doesn't ... more
Gibson EB3 Bass Vintage
Edmonton, Kentucky, 421**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1990
GIBSON 1966 BASS CHROME PICKUP COVER LARGE HUMBUCKER EB-O EB-2 EB-3 EPI RIVOLI
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$59
There's nothing worse than not having a cover for that big Gibson bass humbucker. It's one butt-ugly pickup without it! This is correct for late 1965 thru 1970 EB-O, EB-2 and EB-3 models as well as 1969 & 1970 EB-1 basses. It will also fit Epiphone Rivoli basses. This version has the small-head mounting screws (4 are included but just not shown). Gibson changed the height and the position of this cover in 1970 and enlarged the mounting screw holes. It's in great shape ... more
Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art
El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
... more
"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3795
Used Gibson 1970 EB-3 Slotted Headstock Short Scale SG Bass w / Case
Weymouth, Massachusetts, 021**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2599
Gibson EB-3 bass (with slotted headstock) USA / 1971
Donisthorpe, DE12***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2250
EXPORT price is £2250. UK price is £2450, with FREE (mainland) DELIVERY
Rare "slotted headstock" variant of Gibson EB-3, only made twixt 1969-1972. Over 14, 000 EB-3s were hand-made by the Kalamazoo factory ( Michigan / USA), ending in 1979. With set necks (not woodscrews ), and top craftmanship from day one the EB-0 and EB-3 models were played all over the world. Prominent British players were... more
1971 Gibson EB 3 HÜLLE - passt NUR SCHLITZKOPF Version
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£399
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
Epiphone EB3 Bass Bassgitarre Gibson SG Style aktiv Hipshot
Ilmenau, 98***, GERMANY
€290
Mahagoni-Body mit eingeleimtem Mahagonihals.
Sidewinder-Humbucker Hals-Pickup, Mini-Humbucker Bridge-Pickup.
Der Bass ist modifiziert mit einer Hipshot Supertone Brücke sowie einer 3Band-Aktivelektronik von Yamaha. Beide Modifikationen eröffnen klanglich und technisch völlig neue Möglichkeiten, kein Vergleich zum Originalzustand!
Besichtigung, Antesten, Abholung, Versand sowie Barzahlung, Überweisung oder PayPal-Zahlung sind ... more
1971 Gibson EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£345
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€444
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€399
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
Gibson EB-3 1965 - Cherry Red JACK BRUCE CREAM
Doncaster, DN6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£5499
Internally / Externally Original
Mahogany body / rosewood fretboard
Humbucking pickup in the neck and mini-humbucker in the bridge
Four-way rotary pickup selector switch
Condition 8 / 10
Case
ALL ... more
1963 Gibson EB-3 Bass ex Bob Daisley (Rainbow, Black Sabbath)
Doncaster, DN6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£7999
We are happy to offer the following from the personal Private Collection of The Blizzard Himself that Being Bob Daisley whom is Heavy Rocks most distinguished and respected of all Bass Players and Songwriters, details as follows
History
The history and career of Bob Daisley is Legendary and has been one of the main contributors to the sound, look, style of the following Iconic Hard Rock artists some of which are as follows:
Rainbow - Black Sabbath - ... more
Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967
Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
Gibson EB-3L 1973 - Vintage Bass Guitar, Long Scale - Original Hard Case - Rare!
Meadow Heights, VIC, 3***, AUSTRALIA
AU $4895
Long Scale 1973 model bass guitar with original hard case
All pictures supplied with the auction are of the actual item for sale, and indicate its condition
This vintage Gibson is in good playable condition with a clean fingerboard and neck, good fretting and fully functional tuners. This model is fitted with a drop-D tuner (adjustable) which functions well. The pickups and wiring appear original, are operational, and it sounds superb. It has been fitted with a set... more
Hi Lars, circa 1967, Gibson did use some Japanese closed gear tuning keys on both EB0 and EB3 basses: effectively two-sided versions of the sets used on the Kalamazoo KB basses. Could these be what was fitted to your bass?
hi i am the owner of a 1961 Gibson EB3 the guitar is all original and wel preserved. it is one of 132 that were ever made that year if you would like pictures and infos about it just to put on your website feel free to message me Best Regards Federico Balducci
Hi Thanks for the very nice article on the EB-3. I have a question about my 1967 EB3. It came with Schallers like this bass, and I got original Klusons for it. But the screw pattern does not fit the Klusons. The screws (4) are about 1/4" closer at both top and bottom on the headstock. Do you know if Gibson ever used other tuners on these basses?
I'm looking for a black (or silvered) plastic pickup cover for an early EB3. Does anyone make a replica, or is finding one on ebay my only hope. I've been watching for months now. Anyone have one for available?
A stunning bass. I'd really love to get hold of one like that again. I had a 61 EB0 that I added a bridge pickup to. Great wide neck. Sounded incredible, even without the tone choke. Played incredible too. Stolen from my pickup years later. Theres really something special about the oldest Gibson EBs, even the late sixties ones aren't the same.