• Natural finish • Solid alder body • set (glued in) three-piece maple • rosewood fretboard • 34 1/2 inch scale
A natural finish Gibson EB0?
The EB series of basses was in decline by 1972. The standard EB-0 (typically in Cherry or Walnut finish) had peaked sales-wise in 1969, but was starting to slip. Bare wood finishes were in favour generally (largely inspired by brands such as Alembic), and tonally, brighter sounding basses fitted 1970s music a little better. As rock music became the norm, and guitar tones more distorted, the fat bass tone of the EB neck humbucker struggled for a place in the mix. Whats more, with cheaper imported instruments gaining in quality, and major recessions looming, companies like Gibson needed to cut production costs for their guitars to compete. Alder, although less durable than the mahogany of typical EB-0/EB-3 basses, was cheaper, lighter and didn't require grain filling, making it a great alternative body wood. Tonally it was subtly lighter too, although with the very hot EB humbuckers this difference would be barely noticeable.
In early 1972, Gibson launched the redesigned SB series, the SB350 and SB450; these guitars were alder bodied with maple necks, and were fitted with twin humbuckers. Like the preceding SB-300/SB-400 models, controls were mounted on pre-assembled, front-mounted control plates, reducing the required amount of routing (one side only), assembly time, and ultimately price.
So in the middle of 1972, most likely for the Summer NAMM show, Gibson took some of these SB bodies, and fitted them with an EB humbucker. Most likely these were produced to gauge the opinion of the guitar-buying public... would a natural finished EB-0 be well received? It was never listed as a finish option in price lists or catalogues, although the idea had clearly been around for a few years as the 1970 Gibson bass catalog does show another barely available model simply designated an EB bass.
According to Gibson EB-0 shipping statistics, natural EB-0 basses were never made in any significant numbers (if this bass was even regarded as an EB-0; had it become a production model it may have had another designation entirely). In fact, the stats only show 5 natural EB-0 basses being shipped in 1973 - most likely sold on after their period of demonstration. Note that none of these are listed as long scale, but it is not at all uncommon for these shipping figures to miss such details. Perhaps there were some short and some long scale basses in this batch. At this time in mid-1972 Gibson were exploring different ideas, and several 'normal' EB-0s from this time with regular cherry-finished mahogany bodies, actually have clear-finished (natural) maple necks.
The tune-o-matic bridge is right back at the far end of the body; a feature of long scale (34") EB series basses.
Numerous Gibson pickups around this time had the company logo on the pickup covers (for example this '72 EB0), though obviously this particular EB humbucker cover is plain.
Gibson EB-0 soundclips
The audio file below is of this bass through a 1964 Ampeg B15, first finger style, then played with the tone rolled down with a pick; strung with flatwound strings. The distinctive lows of the EB humbucker are still evidence. Listen to more clips of this bass here.
Early 1970s Gibson bass components
Other than the standard spring-mounted early Seventies Gibson EB humbucker, all other hardware is the same as the aforementioned SB-350/SB-450. The machine heads are Schaller M4, and it has the standard two-point bridge and cover. Unlike the EB-0/EB-3 of this time it has no pickguard.
EB-0 wiring
The picture on the right shows the wiring loom of this bass. The volume pot is a CTS 500K audio taper, part number 70024. It is dated the 15th week of 1972. The tone pot, part number BA-811-3701, though stock, is older; the date code is the 14th week of 1966. This is a 250k audio taper pot with a Centralab manufacturer code. Click the image for larger versions, and a circuit wiring plan. Electronically, this circuit is the same as other early seventies EB-O basses, but the pots are shorter shaft versions for mounting onto scratchplates rather than though body wood.
This bass is currently for sale at NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE
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I saw a short scale one last night at a show. It also had the additional mini bridge humbucker.
At least two long scale versions of this bass were built. I own and have played one for 15 years. I bought it at Sam Ash in NYC. I also own and play its sister bass, a 1973 SB 450 Natural. www.twinturbine.net Where is the bass in this posting? Have you seen any of the others?