• Solid mahogany body • 34 1/2 inch scale • three-piece bound mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard • two humbucking pickups • varitone tone control
The Gibson long-scale version of the EB3 bass, the EB3L, was first included in US price lists at $390, in March 1970, and shipped throughout 1970 and '71, before the model was redesigned, losing it's slotted headstock.
This example has been refinished, and has, unfortunately, lost it's serial number, however the lack of a string mute, suggests this is one of the later examples from 1971. You can read all about the restoration of this bass. Like all split-headstock EB basses it is fitted with Schaller M4 classic tuning keys. In addition to the extra pickup, the EB3 had a few high-end appointments over the EB0 - bound neck, and a three-ply (rather than one) pickguard. The long scale models had slightly longer necks, but they also had the bridge (in this case the two point bar bridge) situated a bit further back on the body of the bass. All EB3Ls came with a height adjustable EB humbucker with surround, EB mini humbucker and chrome bridge cover. Early models like the one shown above also came with a scripted truss rod cover, and some had pickup covers inscribed 'Gibson'.
The long scale EB basses have the same dimension bodies as the short scale versions, but longer necks. The bridge is also repositioned further back on the body. Compare this bass with a short scale version here - 1971 EB3. This EB3L has been refinished in black, which is not the original colour. The vast majority of Gibson bass guitars of this period were translucent Cherry or translucent Walnut.
Long (34") scale EB3 basses do not simply have a longer neck than the better known short (30") scale versions. Whilst the neck is a little longer, the bridge is positioned right back at the far end of the body. The bridge pickup is also further back - compare this bass to a similar period short scale version here
1971 was also the year Gibson stopped fitting their string mute as standard.
The Gibson logo is cut from a sheet of mother of pearl, but is simply glued in place; ie it is not inlaid, as is the case with earlier EB versions - see the logo of a 1969 EB3 bass here; neither is it silk-screened like later versions - compare with a 1972 EB3 here.
The EB3L of 1971 had a narrow neck; just 1 1/2" at the nut.
The serial number and 'made in USA' are typically stamped into the top of the headstock, but as this bass has been refinished, these details have been lost. Have a look at another EB3 with these features intact here.
The EB3L's was first catalogue inclusion was in the 1970 Gibson bass brochure, however published shipping figures did not differentiate between long and short scale examples until 1971; see EB3 shipping stats here. It was the same 34 1/2" scale of the Gibson Thunderbird, and Fender Precision and Jazz basses and was assumed to be in demand by the guitar-buying public. Sales figures (although not available for 1970) never demonstrated this fact, with short-scale (30 1/2") instruments outselling the long scale in every year they were available.
This extra scale length is partially achieved with a longer neck, but also the bridge itself is shifted backwards beyond the controls. The bridge pickup is also moved by a similar amount.
Gibson EB-3L sound clips
EB3L strung with D'Addario ECB84 Chromes, recorded directly into a Focusrite Scarlett - no amplifier.
Each clip is played finger style, often changing playing position half way though - listen out for tonal differences
vol-10, tone-10
vol-10, tone-0
vol-10, tone-10
both pickups vol-10, tone-10
neck vol-10, tone-10, bridge vol-8, tone-0
vol-10, tone-10
Gibson EB3 bass for sale
"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3795
Gibson Eb-3 Bass Guitar Made In The USA With Hard Shell Case
Cookeville, Tennessee, 385**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
... more
Used Gibson 1970 EB-3 Slotted Headstock Short Scale SG Bass w / Case
Weymouth, Massachusetts, 021**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2599
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
$1900
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 seems to ... more
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 EB3 Bass Vintage
Edmonton, Kentucky, 421**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1990
Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art
El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
... 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
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
£345
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
Epiphone by GIBSON SG EB-3 basso elettrico 4 corde "DIAVOLETTO"
Napoli, 80***, ITALY
€270
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
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
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