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Gibson EB3 Controls

Gibson bass guitars | EB3 bass main page | EB3 Controls

Varitone position Electronic description
1 Front pickup
2 Back pickup
3 Both pickups, wired in parallel
4 Front pickup, with midrange notch

Gibson instruments in the 1970s often did not have the most intuitive of controls, especially when compared to their competitors; but this was integral to the broader tonal palettes for which they strived. Varitone equipped guitars had been part of the Gibson line since the 1950s, and the newer Norlin period guitars and basses were less intuitive still; many late seventies musicians were simply not getting the most out of their instruments! So it is no surprise that Gibson attempted to educate owners with printed material and even vinyl records. The following sheet (produced by Norlin in 1978) shows Gibson's description of series 2 EB3 controls. Older series 1 controls are similar, though not identical.

See also the equivalent sheets for the Ripper, G3, RD Artist and Les Paul Signature basses.

Gibson EB3 Description of Controls (1978)

At this point the EB3 bass was right at the end of it's production - just 184 guitars shipped in 1978, compared to a peak of 2421 in 1973 (see the EB3 shipping statistics); the guitar pictured is in the rarer white opaque finish, only available between 1976 and 79.

Gibson EB3 bass for sale

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1972 Gibson eb3 Bass Project, body husk, pickups and bridge parts squash yellow

1972 Gibson eb3 Bass Project, body husk, pickups and bridge parts squash yellow

Callicoon, New York, 127**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$800

1972 EB3 Bass guitar project. Took it in trade, but realize im not going to ever finish it. The serial number was never painted over. What you get is the body husk, two pickups, and original bridge. It's been painted in a squash yellow. Will still need a finish sanding. No controls, no tuners. No bridge height screws, although the ferrils are seated in the body already. Will need 1 more bridge saddle, and two more adjustable saddle screws. A very cool project. I already have too many projects ... more
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Vintage Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar

Vintage Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar

Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 433**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2477

For your consideration we are offering this early 70??s era Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar . We believe that the guitar is stock without alterations yet the case is obviously handmade and does a good job protecting the instrument. Plays Great / Sounds Great Instruments. Thanks for your viewing time today and good luck to our bidding community.
... more
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Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w /  Original Gibson Case

Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case

Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

For sale is a Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case in Good Condition!
This bass is an absolute monster and sounds incredible! I don't know for sure (I kinda doubt it) that this would have come from the Gibson factory as fretless. However, whoever did the job has done it professionally and it looks great!
The electronics work perfectly and it has that classic "double bass" tone in the first position!
There is some bow in the neck. The truss doesn't ... more
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Gibson EB3 Bass Vintage

Gibson EB3 Bass Vintage

Edmonton, Kentucky, 421**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1990

This is a beautiful bass that sounds and plays great. Cherry finish 600xxx . I bought it used in the mid 90's from a gentleman who purchased it new from the Gibson Factory Nashville in the early 70's. It had a blemish on the finish and he bought it as a second. It comes with the original Gibson hard case. There is no structural damage or repairs If you pick it up rather than having it shipped I will throw in a Ampeg amp. Ampeg B100R. This a like new excellent condition amp that would sell for ... more
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GIBSON 1966 BASS CHROME PICKUP COVER LARGE HUMBUCKER EB-O EB-2 EB-3 EPI RIVOLI

GIBSON 1966 BASS CHROME PICKUP COVER LARGE HUMBUCKER EB-O EB-2 EB-3 EPI RIVOLI

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$59

FREE USA SHIPPING!
There's nothing worse than not having a cover for that big Gibson bass humbucker. It's one butt-ugly pickup without it! This is correct for late 1965 thru 1970 EB-O, EB-2 and EB-3 models as well as 1969 & 1970 EB-1 basses. It will also fit Epiphone Rivoli basses. This version has the small-head mounting screws (4 are included but just not shown). Gibson changed the height and the position of this cover in 1970 and enlarged the mounting screw holes. It's in great shape ... more
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Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head  Art

Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art

El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Beautiful stunning EB three Gibson guitar Bass original case, one lady owner, left as found 1970s i??ll let the Pictures do the talking or the playing ! Enjoy laurence & sally of StorageWars and baggage battles currently www roundthebend tv
... more
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"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition

"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition

Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3795

Here we a have a Pre-Owned Excellent Condition 1973 VINTAGE GIBSON EB-3 BASS. I Just put it through the Shop to make sure everything is up to snuff. I am very meticulous when it comes to my gear, I baby my stuff. Everything is in perfect working order. I just had it completely set up with brand New FENDER FLATOUND 45-100'S so it plays wonderful. Truss Rod is in good working condition Neck is Straight action is perfect. (I like the action low) so it set perfect and plays like a dream. All the ... more
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Used Gibson 1970 EB-3 Slotted Headstock Short Scale SG Bass w / Case

Used Gibson 1970 EB-3 Slotted Headstock Short Scale SG Bass w / Case

Weymouth, Massachusetts, 021**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2599

Very good example of an EB-3 with a slotted headstock (only made for a few years). Everything is original with no modifications. The body has a crack going all the way through by the control cavity, but it is stable with no movement. We are uncertain if the chipboard case is original -- there is no logo. Everything functions perfectly with no "dirty pot" noise on the switch or potentiometers. 7lbs , 14oz. 30 5" scale length. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns . ... more
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1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS-PICKUP-RING USA

1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS-PICKUP-RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... more
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Epiphone EB3 Bass Bassgitarre Gibson SG Style aktiv Hipshot

Epiphone EB3 Bass Bassgitarre Gibson SG Style aktiv Hipshot

Ilmenau, 98***, GERMANY

€290

Verkaufe einen top gepflegten Epiphone EB3 Bass.
Mahagoni-Body mit eingeleimtem Mahagonihals.
Sidewinder-Humbucker Hals-Pickup, Mini-Humbucker Bridge-Pickup.
Der Bass ist modifiziert mit einer Hipshot Supertone Brücke sowie einer 3Band-Aktivelektronik von Yamaha. Beide Modifikationen eröffnen klanglich und technisch völlig neue Möglichkeiten, kein Vergleich zum Originalzustand!
Besichtigung, Antesten, Abholung, Versand sowie Barzahlung, Überweisung oder PayPal-Zahlung sind ... more
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1970 Gibson EB 3 BASSMUTTER USA

1970 Gibson EB 3 BASSMUTTER USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

NARROW 42 mm version
... more
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1971 Gibson EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA

1971 Gibson EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£345

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
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1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€444

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
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1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€399

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
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1971 Gibson EB 3 HÜLLE - passt NUR SCHLITZKOPF Version

1971 Gibson EB 3 HÜLLE - passt NUR SCHLITZKOPF Version

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£399

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
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1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS-PICKUP-RING USA

1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS-PICKUP-RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... more
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Gibson EB-3 1965 - Cherry Red JACK BRUCE CREAM

Gibson EB-3 1965 - Cherry Red JACK BRUCE CREAM

Doncaster, DN6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£5499

FINESTSELECTIONSHIPPINGSPECIALISTS24 HourSupportLondon Vintage Guitars are please to offer:Gibson EB-3 1965 - Cherry RedThe classic Cream bass, as used by Jack Bruce on all albums and tours of the legendary psychedelic blues band (his was 1966)
 
Internally / Externally Original
Mahogany body / rosewood fretboard
Humbucking pickup in the neck and mini-humbucker in the bridge
Four-way rotary pickup selector switch 
 
Condition 8 / 10
Case 
ALL ... more
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1963 Gibson EB-3 Bass ex Bob Daisley (Rainbow, Black Sabbath)

1963 Gibson EB-3 Bass ex Bob Daisley (Rainbow, Black Sabbath)

Doncaster, DN6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£7999

The Blizzard of Oz Collection
We are happy to offer the following from the personal Private Collection of The Blizzard Himself that Being Bob Daisley whom is Heavy Rocks most distinguished and respected of all Bass Players and Songwriters, details as follows
History
The history and career of Bob Daisley is Legendary and has been one of the main contributors to the sound, look, style of the following Iconic Hard Rock artists some of which are as follows:
Rainbow - Black Sabbath - ... more
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Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967

Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967

Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2950

The Gibson EB-3 is a bass guitar introduced in 1961 and discontinued in 1979. It was produced at Gibson's plant in Kalamazoo, MI It features a slim SG-style body, a short 30 5" scale, and two pick up's (a large humbucking pickup in the neck position and a mini humbucker pickup in the bridge position). The electronics include a four-way rotary pickup selector switch (for Series 1 basses: neck pickup with midrange notch, bridge, bridge and neck with low end rolled off neck pickup, neck pickup with... more
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Gibson EB-3L 1973 - Vintage Bass Guitar, Long Scale - Original Hard Case - Rare!

Gibson EB-3L 1973 - Vintage Bass Guitar, Long Scale - Original Hard Case - Rare!

Meadow Heights, VIC, 3***, AUSTRALIA

AU $4895

Vintage Gibson EB-3L
Long Scale 1973 model bass guitar with original hard case
All pictures supplied with the auction are of the actual item for sale, and indicate its condition
This vintage Gibson is in good playable condition with a clean fingerboard and neck, good fretting and fully functional tuners. This model is fitted with a drop-D tuner (adjustable) which functions well. The pickups and wiring appear original, are operational, and it sounds superb. It has been fitted with a set... more
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bassman85 Comment left 2nd June 2015 02:02:00 reply
Do you have an equivalent sheet for the Victory Artist bass # what the switches do # thanks how do I get a copy
Fly Guitars Comment left 3rd June 2015 16:04:57 reply
Hi bassman85 - this series of info sheets was printed in 1978, some three years before the advent of the Victory bass series - the equivalent information appears on page 16 of the 1981 victory bass owners manual, which is reproduced here http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/catalogues/1981_Victory_owners_16.php