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• Mahogany body • set maple neck • rosewood fingerboard • 34 1/2 inch scale
The short-lived Gibson EB-4L was launched in 1972, only selling in moderate numbers in 1973. It gets pride of place in the 1972 Bass Place catalog with a 2 page spread (compared to half a page for other models). The main feature was the new switchable pickup design; the EB4L super-humbucker actually contains 4 coils, one around each pole.
The above bass is fitted with chrome-plated hardware throughout: Schaller M4-S machine heads, three-point bridge, with cover, witch hat knobs and silk-screened logo - typical fittings for all but the earliest EB4Ls.
Other 1000 EB4Ls were manufactured, 93% in 1973 (see EB4L shipping totals). They were available in the usual early seventies bass colours, Cherry, and Walnut, though one was shipped in Ebony in 1975. The EB4L shared the fate of the EB0 and EB3; all three had terrible sales from 1974, and the last instruments were shipped in 1979.
The entire EB bass range had been redesigned in 1972, with changes in body, neck and hardware. The new models were thicker, heavier and a lot more solid-feeling than the 1960s models. The neck was now laminate maple with a volute, and the pickup was positioned more centrally, i.e. back a little from the neck. The EB4L was the first SG bass only available solely as a long scale instrument.
The EB4L was basically the same as the Gibson EBO, at least structurally speaking - but electronically it was even more different than at first might seem. The EB4L pickup is very different in design to the standard Gibson EB humbucker, having an entirely different coil arrangement. The three-way tone switch offers similar dark bass tones to the EBO, but also thinner, brighter tones, more likely to cut through in situations where an EBO might not.
Gibson used different heel designs over the course of production of the EB bass series, however the EB4L was only produced for a short period; there is no variation in heel design for this bass. The electronics control cavity is identical in size, shape, and position to the other Gibson EB basses in the 1970s, the EBO and the EB3; i.e. it's longest edge is parallel with the main axis of the instrument, not slanted as was the case in pre-1972 EB basses.
On the face of it, the EB4L super-humbucker looks pretty similar to the regular EB humbucker used on the Gibson EBO, EB2 and EB3 basses - only with offset polepieces (have a look at a 1972 EBO pickup). But they are actually very different pickups indeed. The EB4L has four separate coils, one around each polepiece (see a picture of this here), rather than the larger sidewinder layout of the other EB basses.
Like all Gibson basses in the early 1970s, this EB4L has witch-hat control knobs, with silver inserts, marked tone and vol. The three position slide switch is a tone selector, giving a range of tonalities (a described in the 1972 bass place catalog): a "very deep extra powerful bass tone" a "brilliant higher pitched response" and finally a "natural full bass sound".
1973 saw the introduction of a new Gibson bass bridge; one that is in use by Gibson to this day. This bass is fitted with a three-point tune-o-matic bridge, with metal saddles, and chrome bridge cover. Note that EB basses with this bridge design no longer use the underbridge mute (which was phased out circa 1971), but some did have a strip of foam glued to the underside of the bridge cover which could act as a string mute.
This bass is fitted with a three-point adjustable combination bridge - with metal saddles. The screw holes above and below the bridge in this image are for the chrome bridge cover (see previous image). Compare this bass to a slightly earlier '73 EB-4L with the older two-point bridge here
From behind the early seventies EB range are identical - compare this bass to a 1972 EB0 and a 1972 EB3. Naturally the long scale versions have slightly longer necks. Often early 1970s EB basses in cherry finish will have a redder neck than body. This is due to the different woods used; over the mahogany body, the translucent cherry finish tends to darken, whilst it remains vibrantly red over the maple neck.
Six digit serial number stamped on the back of the headstock - admittedly somewhat hard to see in this image. The 'MADE IN U.S.A.' stamp beneath the serial number appeared on all instruments made by Gibson from 1970.
The seventies solid headstock EB0s did away with mother of pearl inlays; they had large headstocks with the Gibson logo silk-screened in gold. Note the unscripted single ply bell-style truss rod cover.
Three-piece neck and solid headstock. Each piece of maple is clear to see in this image: three neck pieces, and two extra wings on the headstock. Neck volutes became standard with the introduction of maple necks, greatly decreasing the chance of headstock breaks. Tuning keys are Schaller M-4-S type with no markings.
Gibson EB-4L soundclips
Sound clips are recorded directly into a computer sound card with no amplification. Recorded with round wound strings, and played finger style. The volume drop across the three switch positions is real; no effort was made to compensate for this with recording levels.
switch position 1 - all four coils in series
switch position 1 - treble turned to 0
switch position 2 - Series/Parallel - two coils in series, in parallel with the other two coils in series
switch position 3 - Series/Parallel tone choke. Two coils in series, in parallel with the other two coils in series, with additional tone choke
Gibson EB-4L bass guitars for sale
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An absolute gem really rare in UK. I think it is either a 1971 or 1972 extremely rare Gibson EB-4L bass, based on the SG shape. Originally bought in 1972 and played by its owner in college bands, I bought it off him in 1991 when he moved to Solihull. I have never gigged it since, and for most of the last 33 years it has been lying in its case under the bed. It is in absolutely excellent condition for its age although there is a little evidence of being gigged on its early years. Just a few ... more
