Long scale strings suitable for the EB3L bass Rotosound RS66LC Bass Strings Long Scale (RotoSound RS66LC Swing Bass - Stainless Steel) D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Bright Round Wound Electric Bass Strings (D'Addario Bass Strings Nickel Wound - Soft) Fender 9050ML Stainless Flatwound Bass Strings (Fender - Stainless Bass Flatwound - Long Scale - 34 - Medium Light) Rotosound RS77EL Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77EL - Jazz Bass) Rotosound RS77LD Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77LD - Jazz Bass) Rotosound RS88LD Trubass Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS88LD - True Bass (Black Nylon)) D'Addario EXL220 XL Nickel Round Wound Super Light Bright Electric Bass Strings (D'Addario Bass Strings Nickel Wound Long Scale - Super Soft) Rotosound RS66LD Bass Strings Long Scale Strings (RotoSound Swing Bass RS66LD - Stainless Steel) Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flatwound Long Scale 4-String Bass Strings (Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flatwound Long Scale 4-String Bass Strings) Fender 9120 Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings (Fender Nylon Tapewound - Long Scale - 34)

This very early split headstock model would have been one of the first shipped. This example has been refinnished, and has lost its serial number. 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 EB3L was first announced in the 1970 Gibson bass catalogue, however shipping figures indicate none were availble until the following year. 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 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.

For more information about EB3 basses in general, go back to the Gibson EB3 page.