The Gibson staff newsletter, the Gibson Amplifier was published monthly throughout much of the 1960s and 1970s. It was full of staff news, and rarely had much content about the instruments themselves, however this issue from February 1970 has a rather interesting story on the front page.
Gibson had just sent 150 EB-2 bass guitars to a US Army depot, Long Binh in Viet Nam. Long Binh was big; 50,000 soldiers, a logistics supply depot, a military prison and numerous other facilities including shops, restaurants, dentists, sports and entertainment facilities and so on. Performers would come and visit to entertain the troops here too.
Now, Norlin had taken over from CMI, as the owners of Gibson in December 1969, so this was one of the first acts of the new owners. Effectively Gibson had loaded up a trailer and sent it off, in hope that "the availability of our Gibson instruments will help to make a Viet Nam assignment seem a little shorter".
The Gibson Amplifier piece gives out no more information - except the names of three workers that loaded the lorry. Did the basses arrive? Who used them? Soldiers? Performers? Did the US army order these, or were they a gift from Gibson?
If you can add any information about this story please comment
Gibson EB-2 bass guitars for sale
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1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8995
The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1959 & made famous by many players. This example is oh-so rare & very special ordered by its 1st owner & is 1 of the coolest special ordered EB-2??s from 1965. Its beautiful slightly faded original ??Argentine Gray?? custom color finish is what this is all about & its so frickin rare. Its 1 of only 2 of this color known to exist. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She??s got a perfect orange label ... more
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$175
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
1967 GIBSON EB2-C: MADE IN KALAMAZOO, MI (WITH ORIGINAL HARD CASE) (HA2037500)
Harrison, Arkansas, 726**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2995
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SCHALLER 1980 BASS HUMBUCKER MODEL 232 GERMANY KRAMER DUKE, EPIPHONE RIVOLI MORE
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$89
FREE USA SHIPPING!
These only came as standard equipment on a few basses including early Kramer Duke and Japan Epiphone Rivoli models. It's quite hard-to-find these days as a result of limited production. Rumor has it that Carl Thompson used them but I can't substantiate that. This is a very strong pickup with 4-conductor wiring so you can wire it with a switch for dual / single coil operation. It registers a very strong 14 66k on my trusty meter so you know it means business. The bezel ... more
These only came as standard equipment on a few basses including early Kramer Duke and Japan Epiphone Rivoli models. It's quite hard-to-find these days as a result of limited production. Rumor has it that Carl Thompson used them but I can't substantiate that. This is a very strong pickup with 4-conductor wiring so you can wire it with a switch for dual / single coil operation. It registers a very strong 14 66k on my trusty meter so you know it means business. The bezel ... more
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case
Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6000
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.
The Gibson comes with a stellar silver and gold very early flight case you could ship it overseas in that thing and I wouldn't be afraid. It came from a very high end Collection and is in extremely good condition and will not find one in better shape. Plays and sounds amazing, has the stock bass boost switch that gets super deep tones and a very very cool bass!!!!  It is so clean you can eat off of it!!! Jimmy page... more
The Gibson comes with a stellar silver and gold very early flight case you could ship it overseas in that thing and I wouldn't be afraid. It came from a very high end Collection and is in extremely good condition and will not find one in better shape. Plays and sounds amazing, has the stock bass boost switch that gets super deep tones and a very very cool bass!!!!  It is so clean you can eat off of it!!! Jimmy page... more
1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case
Bridgeport, West Virginia, 263**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
This Gibson EB2D bass is in very good condition. We listedit as "very good" because of the neck repairs, but if not for thatissue, it probably could be considered "excellent " The best we candetermine, the bass is a 1968. The pots are clearly marked 1967, and the dateranges for the bass is 1966-1969. Also has the mini humbucker in bridge. Itappears they only made 2000 of these with the mini humbuckers throughout theentire 60's. It has had the common repair where the headstock meets the neck, and... more
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
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
Vintage Epiphone Rivoli Bass EB232 C 1967 In Original Translucent Cherry Finish
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3750
Vintage Epiphone Rivoli Bass EB232 C 1967 In Original Translucent Cherry Finish.
An outstanding extremely rare original in Collector??s Grade Condition vintage model bass guitar
The original 1960s Rivoli was available in Sunburst and Natural finishes, with Cherry added in 1966. Just 312 instruments (out of a total US production of 1864) shipped in Cherry between 1966 and 1968. This only amounted to 17% of the total US production. The vast majority of Rivolis had the ... more
An outstanding extremely rare original in Collector??s Grade Condition vintage model bass guitar
The original 1960s Rivoli was available in Sunburst and Natural finishes, with Cherry added in 1966. Just 312 instruments (out of a total US production of 1864) shipped in Cherry between 1966 and 1968. This only amounted to 17% of the total US production. The vast majority of Rivolis had the ... more
Vintage 1970 1971 1972 Gibson EB2D Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC *1970s* Ex JLR
Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2995
Vintage 1970 1971 1972 Gibson EB2D Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC *1970s* Ex JLR
This beauty has been owned by Blues Hall of Fame artist Jimmy Lloyd Rea (Ex. Canned Heat & John Lee Hooker) for many many years, until the previous owner purchased it in a local auction in the USA. He was from Portland, Oregon. I then managed to buy it off of him and it now resides in the UK! It's a truly stunning and full of character early 1970s Gibson EB2D in original finish and complete with the ... more
1963 Epiphone Rivoli Bass Guitar EBV232 - Kalamazoo Michigan Serial - N6 Collect
London, N6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1500
1963 Epiphone Rivoli Bass Guitar EBV232 w / Serial Label Kalamazoo, Michigan
Collection in person from London, N6, by buyer only (no couriers) and payment in cash or bank transfer only.
With wear and checking as you can see
This had repair work done to the front about 5 years ago, with a new push switch and new knobs fitted and a refret + refinish
Original pots / electrics inside, one wire had to be extended
Label with serial number visible inside, serial number is also on the... more
Collection in person from London, N6, by buyer only (no couriers) and payment in cash or bank transfer only.
With wear and checking as you can see
This had repair work done to the front about 5 years ago, with a new push switch and new knobs fitted and a refret + refinish
Original pots / electrics inside, one wire had to be extended
Label with serial number visible inside, serial number is also on the... more
Vintage 1965 Gibson EB2 D *Museum Condition* Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC & Tags
Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM
£5495
Vintage 1965 Gibson EB2 D *Museum Condition* Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC & Tags
I??m THRILLED to announce the sale of a 60+ year collection coming through The Music Locker. This collection spans all decades from the 60s to the present day. They have been collected by a true lover of vintage. This particular guitar is one of the nicest guitars you'll ever find - in truly museum quality condition. It dates to 1965 and is the EB2 double pickup version, complete with the original case and ... more
I??m THRILLED to announce the sale of a 60+ year collection coming through The Music Locker. This collection spans all decades from the 60s to the present day. They have been collected by a true lover of vintage. This particular guitar is one of the nicest guitars you'll ever find - in truly museum quality condition. It dates to 1965 and is the EB2 double pickup version, complete with the original case and ... more
RARE 1968 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar In Sparkling Burgundy Metallic WITH HARDCASE
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12***, UNITED KINGDOM
£6500
An incredibly rare and beautiful example of a late 60s Gibson EB-2 bass (as played by the likes of Chas Chandler etc )
In a very rare factory-original Sparkling Burgundy Metallic finish. These finishes were done at the factory back in the day over the top of sunburst finishes if there were any imperfections, so these are pretty hard to find - especially in such great condition!
The finish does show signs of use and the usual checking / patina, as is to be expected of an ... more
In a very rare factory-original Sparkling Burgundy Metallic finish. These finishes were done at the factory back in the day over the top of sunburst finishes if there were any imperfections, so these are pretty hard to find - especially in such great condition!
The finish does show signs of use and the usual checking / patina, as is to be expected of an ... more
Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow
Bari, 70***, ITALY
€4900
Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst. For Sale Directly From My Private Collection! In Amazing Condition .The Headstock is without any scratches, Sounds Amazing With its original "Baritone switch " ! Original Case, Truss rod key, Case key and amazing Hang Tags! Body Semi Hollow with Laminated Maple Neck Mahogany Fretboard Brasilian Rosewood Pickup Original EB Humbucking Original and Perfectly Working String mute Original Case and Documents... more
Vintage Gibson 1966 EB-2 Hollowbody Bass Guitar with Sunburst Finish
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B***, CANADA
C $3850
Vintage Hollow body Bass
Vintage original 1966 Gibson EB-2 Hollowbody Bass in original Sunburst finish.
The tone is thick and warm.
All original, except for a missing metal thumb rest.
The finish does showcase some checking, and the original case is intact but worn.
... more
Vintage original 1966 Gibson EB-2 Hollowbody Bass in original Sunburst finish.
The tone is thick and warm.
All original, except for a missing metal thumb rest.
The finish does showcase some checking, and the original case is intact but worn.
... more