Long scale strings suitable for the EB3L bass 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) Rotosound RS77EL Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77EL - Jazz Bass) Rotosound RS66LD Bass Strings Long Scale Strings (RotoSound Swing Bass RS66LD - Stainless Steel) Fender 9050L Stainless Flatwound Bass Strings (Fender - Stainless Bass Flatwound - Long Scale - 34 - Light ) Rotosound RS66LC Bass Strings Long Scale (RotoSound RS66LC Swing Bass - Stainless Steel) Rotosound RS77LD Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77LD - Jazz Bass) D'Addario EXL220 XL Nickel Round Wound Super Light Bright Electric Bass Strings (D'Addario Bass Strings Nickel Wound Long Scale - Super Soft) Rotosound RS88LD Trubass Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS88LD - True Bass (Black Nylon)) Rotosound RS66LB Bass Strings (RotoSound RS66LB Swing Bass - Stainless Steel)

The Gibson EB0 and Gibson EB3 were redesigned in 1972: gone were the mahogany necks and split headstocks (see a 1971 Gibson EB3L) - replaced with a thicker three-piece maple neck (the width at the nut increased from 1 1/2" to 1 5/8"), with larger headstock and a volute. The body wood was still mahogany, but they were significantly thicker: 1 5/8" compared to 1 1/4" of the preceding version, and the neck pickup was repositioned closer to the bridge.

The redesign was partially intended to strengthen weak necks: headstock breaks are very common in mahogany-necked EB basses, and maple, especially with a volute is much stronger; and partially to improve tonal clarity. The less-defined thump, inspired by the upright basses of the 1950s and 1960s were nowhere near as desireable in the 1970s. Listen to the 1972 Gibson EB3L soundclips on this site.

Differences between the EB3L and EB3 were minor (see a 1972 Gibson EB3)- naturally a longer neck (total body length is 44\" compared to \" of the EB3) and a repositioned bridge, but that is about it. All other dimensions are unchanged.

Notice the two two point bar bridge with cover. Three point bridges were not in use until 1973, but these were slightly upgraded from older versions, in having metal saddles. The machine heads are Schaller M-4-S.

This is one of 268 Cherry EB3Ls produced in 1972 (See Gibson EB3 shipping data) - compared to 530 shortscale Cherry EB3s. In total 1355 EB3 and EB3Ls were produced in 1972.

The 1972 EB-3L had series 2 circuitry with some changes from earlier EB3 basses.