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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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All Gibson insts. 1937-79
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early sixties EB0 in cherryGIBSON EB0 BASS

The EB0 is a true design classic. From its launch in 1959 to its demise 20 years later, it remained gibsons most popular bass, making up almost a third of all solidbody bass sales

Short scale strings suitable for the EB0 bass

D'Addario EXL220S Electric Bass Strings XL Nickel Super Light Short Scale (D'Addario EXL220S Nickel Super Light Short Scale)

Fender 5250XL Short Scale Bass Extra Light Strings (Fender short scale Nickel Steel roundwounds)

Ernie Ball 2837 Slinky Silhouette 6-String Short-Scale Bass Strings (Ernie Ball 2837 Slinky Silhouette 6-String Short-Scale Bass Strings)

Rotosound RS88S Trubass Standard Gauge Short Scale Strings (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS88S - True Bass (Black Nylon))

D'Addario EXL160S XL Regular Short Bass String Set (D'Addario Bass Strings Nickel Wound Short Scale - Regular)

Rotosound RS77S Jazz Bass Strings Short Scale (Rotosound - Bass Strings - RS77S - Jazz Bass)

Thomastik-Infeld JF324 Jazz Flatwound Short Scale 4-String Bass (Thomastik-Infeld JF324 Jazz Flatwound Short Scale)

The EB-0 was first produced in early 1959, being shown at the Summer music trade fairs of that year priced at $180. It was announced to dealers in advance in the May/June issue of Gibson Gazette; Thrilling new EB-0 electric bass. The EB-0 basses produced from this time, and up until 1961, all had the doublecutaway Les Paul Junior body style. From 1961 the better known SG body style was used, and proved considerably more popular.

But the vast majority of EB-0 guitars were shipped in the 1960s - the peak year with 3018 is 1969 (see a typical '69 EBO here), when Cream style blues rock was at its height (Jack Bruce, the bass player with Cream is famous for his EB3 bass playing). Interestingly enough very few major artists seemed to have used the EB0; the EB3 had a greater tonal range, and money is not an issue for 'rock stars', but it was popular with the garage, blues, soul and church bands of the 1960s and 70s. Users include David Knights of Procol Harum, and Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five. The price difference between the two was not massive; in 1970 the EB0 was $350 compared to $410 for the EB3.

The difference between the EBO and the EB3 was the extra pickup (and associated electronics) in the bridge position on the EB3. Both used the same materials, mahogany bodies and necks (maple necked from 72) with rosewood (and occasionally ebony) fingerboards. During much of the production run, the EB0 had a 3-ply pickguard (b-w-b) whilst the EB3s had 5-ply (b-w-b-w-b).

Production of all Gibson EB-0 bass guitars was at the main Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Strengths

Short scale, mahogany throughout and the unique Gibson EB humbucker made for a quick playing bass with a heavy heavy sound. Obviously popular with the burgeoning rock movement of the late sixties, but also a true design classic that still looks as fresh as it did in '61.

Weaknesses

Sixties EBOs (sixties Gibsons in general) were prone to breaks in the headstock, around the body-neck join and also around the input jack. The back slanting headstock is unfortunate; if a guitar falls backwards, it's headstock generally hits the ground first. Mahogany can be brittle too, and such a fall can easily crack or even break the guitar. The short scale was also seen as a weakness by some, and so a long scale version was also available from 1970.

The EB0 is reknowned for its deep sound. Melting butter. Or mud. Depending on your point of view. Very popular in the 1960s, but by the turn of the decade, tastes had changed. To brighten the sound (and maybe to strengthen the instrument) Gibson introduced long scale (34.5") models which did not sell overly well, and from 1972 laminated maple necks. It was to no avail, though, as by 1974 other Gibson basses such as the Ripper (and in 1975 the Grabber) had appeared and sales of SG style basses plummeted.

Sound Clips

Unaccompanied EB0

  • 1964 EB0 (round wound strings, treble and vol pots positioned at 9/10, recorded directly into my sound card, with no pre-amp)
  • 1970 EB0 Wow, what a tone!

EB-0 with a band


1964 EB0 in pelham blueIn late 1961 the more familiar 'SG' style body was introduced, and remained unchanged for the best part of 6 years. It was available in Cherry, or custom colours such as this one in pelham blue.

1969 EB0From late '67 the infamous 2 point bridge, with chrome plated bridge cover was used on all EB basses, and the thumbrest was discontinued in favour of a bridge cover. The first time all four strings could be intonated seperately.

1970 split headstock EB0By late '69 split headstock EB0s first appeared. They were similar in most other respects to earlier models, although the pickup did have a black plastic mount by this time.

1960 EB0The EB0 was launched in 1959, with the Les Paul Special body shape of the time. It was only shipped in small numbers, and today is highly collectable.

1972 EB0The 1972 EB0 saw a major remodelling; a new pickup design - positioned further away from the neck, solid headstock, laminated maple neck, with volute, thicker, weightier body, and new pickguard.

Gibson 3 point bridgeGibson started using the 3 point bridge (still with chrome-plated bridge cover) in 1973. This was a far more reliable design, and is still in use today. This bridge design does not incorporate the string mute of earlier models.

Take a closer look at some EB0s

The last Gibson EB0s were shipped in 1979 (only 6) compared to over 3000 in its heyday 1969.

similar models

There were two variations of the EB-0 available, if only briefly. The EB-0F was available between 1962-65, though only 250 were shipped. The f stood for Fuzz, as this bass had built in passive fuzz circuitry. Gibson also recognized demand for a long scale bass so over 1000 long scale (34 1/2 ") EB-0L basses were made between 1970-77.


US ebay listings

1960 Gibson EB-0 Slab body & banjo tuners(#GIB0215)

Current price: $7995.00
buy it now
Time left: 4d 2h 47m
1958 Gibson EB-2 Bass -- Rare

Current price: $7000.00
buy it now
Time left: 27d 22h 54m
1965 Gibson EB-3, Rare Polaris white finish (#GIB0204)

Current price: $5995.00
buy it now
Time left: 3d 45m
GIBSON 1962 EB3 BASS (JACK BRUCE SPEC.) IN EXCELLENT CONDITION -- ALL ORIGINAL

Current price: $5995.00
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Time left: 25d 1h 2m
1964 Gibson EB-3 "SG BASS" (#GIB0207)

Current price: $5595.00
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Time left: 6d 23h 38m
GIBSON EB-2D BASS 1967 OHC NEAR MINT VINTAGE & RARE DOUBLE PICK-UPS

Current price: $5589.00
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Time left: 10d 8h 54m
1965 Gibson EB-0 Bass Pelham Blue All Original + Gibson Soft Shell Case

Current price: $4995.00
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Time left: 25d 4h 1m
1969 GIBSON EB VIOLIN BASS -- made in USA -- SLIM NECK PROFILE

Current price: $4500.00
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Time left: 12d 8h 27m
1959 GIBSON Sunburst EB-2 BASS with Baritone Switch & Original CASE

Current price: $4495.00
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Time left: 13d 1h 52m
1969 Gibson EB-3 (#GIB0206)

Current price: $4295.00
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Time left: 8d 2h 16m
1960 Gibson EB-0 Bass SLAB BODY + original banjo style tuners

Current price: $3190.00
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Time left: 4d 6h 49m
1963 Gibson EBO Bass guitar early issue !!

Current price: $2995.00
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Time left: 7d 3h 31m
1972 GIBSON EB3 BASS - CHERRY RED - INC ORIGINAL CASE

Current price: $2636.20
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Time left: 17d 22h 16m
1962 Gibson early version of the EB-0 F 0F w/built-in FUZZ TONE!!!

Current price: $2390.00
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Time left: 4d 7h 4m
Rare Vintage 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass Guitar Violin Body W/Case Original USA

Current price: $2000.00
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Time left: 9d 21h 11m
GIBSON EBO BASS ALL ORIGINAL 1964!

Current price: $1999.99
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Time left: 12d 23h 9m
1963 Gibson EB-O Bass Cherry Red All Original VERY NICE

Current price: $1789.00
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Time left: 19d 3h 43m
1974 Gibson EB-3 Bass guitar

Current price: $1750.00
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Time left: 29d 22h 43m
VINTAGE 1962 GIBSON EB-O EB-0 EB0 EBO EB 0 O ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR SG BODY

Current price: $1599.00
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Time left: 10d 3h 14m
Vintage Gibson Melody Maker Bass Guitar c.1968 USA

Current price: $1599.00
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Time left: 29d 16h 1m
See more results on eBay here


UK ebay listings

1965 Gibson EB-0 Bass Pelham Blue All Original + Gibson Soft Shell Case

Current price: £3315.85
buy it now
Time left: 25d 4h 1m
Gibson EB2D Bass Guitar

Current price: £2900.00
buy it now
Time left: 2d 23h 39m
Gibson 1964 EB2

Current price: £1950.00
buy it now
Time left: 4d 55m
1969 Gibson EB-3 Bass Jack Bruce style, With Original case, EC.

Current price: £1899.00
buy it now
Time left: 1d 15h 26m
1972 GIBSON EB3 BASS - CHERRY RED - INC ORIGINAL CASE

Current price: £1750.00
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Time left: 17d 22h 16m
Gibson EB-0L Bass, Pre Owned, 1968-70, Cherry, Inc. Original Hardcase

Current price: £1599.00
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Time left: 29d 17h 1m
GIBSON MELODY MAKER BASS - CANDY APPLE RED - 1968 - VINTAGE GIBSON BASS

Current price: £1495.00
buy it now
Time left: 18d 22h 2m
GIBSON EB3 - SLOTTED HEADSTOCK - VINTAGE GIBSON BASS - 1971

Current price: £1395.00
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Time left: 17d 19h 2m
Gibson EB-0 Bass, Pre Owned, 1973, Cherry, Inc. Original Soft Case

Current price: £1399.00
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Time left: 29d 17h 1m
GIBSON EBO BASS ALL ORIGINAL 1964!

Current price: £1327.66
buy it now
Time left: 12d 23h 9m
Vintage Gibson USA EB3 Bass Walnut 1970 - 72

Current price: £1175.00
buy it now
Time left: 5d 1h 6m
EPIPHONE RIVOLI EB2,Made by GIBSON,KALAMAZOO in 1964

Current price: £1100.00
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Time left: 29d 19h 45m
GIBSON EB0 BASS GUITAR 1964

Current price: £1075.00
buy it now
Time left: 8d 21h 33m
VINTAGE 1962 GIBSON EB-O EB-0 EB0 EBO EB 0 O ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR SG BODY

Current price: £1061.47
buy it now
Time left: 10d 3h 14m
Vintage Gibson Melody Maker Bass Guitar c.1968 USA

Current price: £1061.47
buy it now
Time left: 29d 16h 1m
Vintage Gibson Melody Maker Bass Guitar c.1968 USA ( Sparkling Burgundy)

Current price: £1061.47
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Time left: 29d 16h 1m
Vintage 1973 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Plays Amazing Nice Clean Example EX+ Con

Current price: £1058.82
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Time left: 3d 8h 28m
2012 Gibson EB Bass Lefty Left Handed Sunburst LH

Current price: £1058.82
buy it now
Time left: 26d 7h 2m
Vintage 1973 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Cherry Red Plays Phenominal & Clean!

Current price: £992.43
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Time left: 11d 19h 9m
Vintage 1970 Gibson EB-O Bass w/ OHSC (1283)

Current price: £929.36
buy it now
Time left: 4h 43m
See more results on eBay here

There are 2 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
wsuarez66 Comment left 28th September 2012 15:03:32
A fine bass for the dub and the classic rock styles, but who has sucess with the EBo in jazz
JD Peeler Comment left 26th November 2012 12:12:05
I have a 1967 Gibson Bass that has been made fret-less. I either want to sell it or have it re-fretted. Any ideas?

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