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Hipshot bridge to replace the Gibson three-point bridge
Hipshot bridge to replace the Gibson three-point bridge

A direct replacement bridge for your Gibson 3-point bass bridge that uses your existing hole pattern. Gold, Black or Chrome.
Hipshot bridge to replace the Gibson three-point bridge
Hipshot bridge to replace the Gibson two-point bridge

A direct replacement bridge for your Gibson 2-point bass bridge that uses your existing hole pattern. Gold, Black or Chrome.
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1973 Gibson SB-450

Solid Alder body, set maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Two humbucking pickup. 34 1/2 inch scale.

1972 Gibson SB-450 bass, natural finish

This is a typical early seventies bass. Notice the volute (on the back of the headstock), transfer Gibson logo, and three point bridge. The three point bridge was used from 1973 to the present day. This is one of 237 natural SB-450s shipped in 1973 (only 386 natural SB-450s were made compared to 377 cherry and 193 walnut).

1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail - humbucker pickup 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail - bridge cover 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail - witch hat volume and tone knobs, input jack 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail - headstock with Gibson transfer
1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail 1972 Gibson SB-450 bass. Body detail

Strings suitable for the SB450

Fender 9050L Stainless Flatwound Bass Strings (Fender - Stainless Bass Flatwound - Long Scale - 34 - Light )

D'Addario EXL160 Regular Gauge Nickel Wound Electric Bass Strings (D'Addario Bass Nickel Wound Long Scale - Regular)

Rotosound RS77EL Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77EL - Jazz Bass)

Rotosound RS88LD Trubass Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS88LD - True Bass (Black Nylon))

D'Addario ECB81 XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings (D'addario Chromes Stainless Steel Flatwound - Soft)

Rotosound RS66LD Bass Strings Long Scale Strings (RotoSound Swing Bass RS66LD - Stainless Steel)

Fender 9050ML Stainless Flatwound Bass Strings (Fender - Stainless Bass Flatwound - Long Scale - 34 - Medium Light)

Rotosound RS77LD Jazz Bass Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77LD - Jazz Bass)

Rotosound RS66LB Bass Strings (RotoSound RS66LB Swing Bass - Stainless Steel)

D'Addario EXL220 XL Nickel Round Wound Super Light Bright Electric Bass Strings (D'Addario Bass Strings Nickel Wound Long Scale - Super Soft)

The Gibson SB450 only appears in the 1972 Bass Place catalogue The SB450 first appeared in the 1972 catalogue, and sold in modest numbers until 1974. It was still available at from 1975-78, though only 14 instruments were shipped in this period.

under the control panel of a Gibson SB450 bass - click for a larger version
under the control panel of a Gibson SB450 bass
The SB series was an attempt to create a cheaper bass, perhaps a bad marketing decision by the company renowned for its quality. Mounting the control panel on the plastic plate rather than onto the body itself saved costs in production, but clearly the public did not approve as is attested by sales figures.

Interestingly enough, the 1972 catalogue only lists the available finishes as walnut and cherry, which it descibes as maple necked with a rosewood fingerboard. The body wood is not specified. 21 natural SB450s were shipped in 1972, and like the example above they had a maple neck, alder body and rosewood fingerboard. This configuration of woods, combined with the longer scale (and perhaps new SB humbuckers) gives an instrument with real punch - far more so than its mahogany bodied cousins in the EB series.


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