Gibson have been producing high quality bass guitars since the dawn of rock and roll, but particularly during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. In that time they have created some of the most iconic bass guitars ever produced, with the majority of current Gibson bass models conceived in this period. The ultimate rock-bass, the Thunderbird.. the supremely awesome RD Artist.. the ultimate 60s bass, the semi-acoustic EB2.. and numerous Gibson SG bass variants - there's nothing like a 1960s EB3. Most Gibson bass guitars were high quality instruments; made by skilled craftsmen using great woods, hardware and electronics, and with high quality finishes and appointments.
And though vintage basses can be expensive, vintage Gibson bass guitars generally don't sell for as high prices as vintage Gibson electric guitars, or vintage Fender basses. There are some incredibly well made instruments that sell for way under their 'worth' as functioning musical instruments. No two Gibson bass guitar models have the same features, and it really is worth having a look at some of the less-known Gibson bass guitars.
Gibson produced guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in several buildings, but primarily at a plant in Parsons Street. Guitars had been built there since 1917, and almost all Gibson, and 1958-1969 Epiphones were produced here. Gibson left for Nashville in 1984, and now former Gibson guitar builders make guitars the way they were made in their heyday under the name of Heritage guitars.
The first Gibson bass guitar
Gibson had experimented with electrically amplified instruments as early as the 1920s, but they were not really considered commercially viable until the 1930s, with the popularisation of Hawaiian guitars. Gibson produced a number of instruments fitted with pickups: guitars, banjos and mandolins; and a bass, though only two models were built. 1938-40.
Production Gibson bass guitars
Gibson's first production electric bass was the 1953 Electric Bass, or EB. Les Paul's influence was never far away during these years "this was one of the first electric bass guitars Gibson made. I was responsible for the violin shape... it all came about (the electric guitar bass) from me playing my E string on the guitar as a bass using my thumb - this proved it could replace a stand up bass and Leo Fender and lots of others picked up the idea".
It was the first of numerous Gibson bass guitar models produced under the ownership of CMI, and was soon followed by the EB2, EBO, EB3, EBOF, Thunderbird bass, Melody Maker bass and finally the Les Paul bass.
As the sixties turned into the seventies CMI gave way to Norlin, and quite a number of new bass models appeared. The Gibson SG bass continued in the form of the SB series and EB4L, but it was time for new models: the Les Paul Signature, Ripper, Grabber, G3, RD bass, Victory, Flying V bass and Explorer.
Following the links below to see content on this site for the following Gibson bass guitars. In chronological order:
The Gibson bass guitar, 1950s-1980s
CMI and Norlin
Gibson EB-2 bass
EB-2 1958-61, 64-70
EB-2D 1966-72
Gibson EB-0 bass
EB-0 1959-79
EB-OF 1962-65
EB-OL 1970-77
Gibson EB-3 bass
EB3 1961-79
EB-3L 1970-79
Gibson Thunderbird bass
1963-69, 1976-79, 1987-date
Gibson SB bass
SB-300/SB-400 1971-73
SB-350/SB-450 1972-78
Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass
1971-80
Gibson Les Paul Signature bass
1973-79
Gibson Grabber bass
1973-84
Gibson Ripper bass
L9-S 1973-82
L9-SF 1973-79(?)
Gibson G3 bass
1975-85
Gibson RD bass
RD Artist 1977-81
RD Standard 1977-78
- RD series main page
- RD Artist
- RD Standard
- RD Artist control descriptions
- RD Artist technical info
- RD Standard technical info
- RD bass timeline
- Prices & publicity
- Forum posts
- Soundclips
- 1978 RD Artist (Fireburst)
- 1978 RD Standard (Natural)
- 1981 RD Artist (CMT Antique Sunburst)
- Early 1977 6-string *prototype*
Gibson Victory bass
Standard 1981-86
Artist 1981-86
Custom 1982-84
Are Gibson bass guitars basically all the same?
As can be seen there is quite some variation amongst Gibson bass guitars. Unlike Fender, who were immediately successful with their Precision bass, Gibson only attained moderate success with their bass models, which in turn inspired them to continually develop new products. Gibson, as a brand, have always been all about quality, and numerous Gibson bass guitars that failed commercially at the time, were actually outstanding instruments, and have legions of devoted fans today. The company made some really great playing guitars, with absolutely timeless designs, and some truly innovative features; the differences between models, both in terms of look and sound is huge. Anyone who claims they don't like "Gibson bass guitars" is almost certainly guilty of lazy generalisation. An EB2 is worlds apart from a Thunderbird, which in turn is worlds apart from an EB0, or a Ripper, or an RD Artist! Other than the build quality and headstock branding Gibson bass guitars often have very little in common.
A 1960s Gibson bass vs a 1970s Gibson bass
A 1950s or 60s Gibson bass would typically have a mahogany body, set (glued in) mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, probably be 30" scale and a pickup wound or positioned for maximum bass effect. The finish would typically be Cherry or Sunburst. Gibson bass guitars were still attempting to be as close an approximation to an upright string bass as was possible. By the late 1960s, Les Paul's low impedance guitars and basses were offering new levels of tonal control for the recording studio, and such electronic experimentation was a massive feature of the following decade. Aswell as some form of new circuitry to increase tonal range, a 1970s Gibson bass guitar would more likely be 34" scale, have a maple body, neck, and potentially fretboard, often with a clear Natural finish.
Fender basses are typically an alder/ash body, a bolt-on maple neck and single coil pickups. The Jazz and Precision set a standard that the company rarely veered away from. A Gibson bass, on the other hand, could be mahogany, maple, or alder; with a set, bolt-on or through neck. Pickups are single coil, or humbuckers. Or single coils wired as humbuckers. There are very Fender-esque Gibson bass guitars - like the Grabber, or perhaps the Victory Standard, but also many models that have practically no similarities. Fender have never made anything approaching an EB2, EB3, Les Paul bass or Thunderbird, and it is for that reason that these Gibson bass models are still produced today (in one form or another) and are more popular than ever. Other models have been largely forgotten, only to enjoy a come-back when a famous artist is seen sporting them. The Les Paul Signature in the hands of Jack Casady. The RD artist, Ripper and Victory spring to mind as basses of choice for Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, the G3 for Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt, and the Les Paul Triumph for Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan.
The prime focus of this site is the great old Gibson bass models of the CMI and Norlin periods, i.e. basses produced between 1953 and 1985. Modern day Gibson bass guitars are still quite nice, but of the later output, we have a strong preference for the guitars that hark back to the classic Gibson bass, such as the SG reissue bass, Les Paul bass and Thunderbird.
Gibson bass guitars for sale
1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass
Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8695
Gibson 2025 Standard SG 4 String Electric Bass Guitar W Case Heritage Cherry
Olyphant, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1380
For your review and consideration - we present you with another fine Gibson Bass from the guitar collection at Magdon Music!
Please read the description below and review the photos. The exact Bass pictured and in the description is the exact bass that you will purchasing. If there is something that you need to know that is not in this description - please message us before your time of purchase and we will be very happy to assist!
Please note that our guitars are tech inspected ... more
Gibson Victory Standard Bass 1981 Candy Apple Red
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 181**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1400
1963 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass, 100% Original w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3600
Featuring solid Honduran mahogany construction and a rosewood fretboard, this EB-0 weighs 7lbs 13oz. The famous ??Mudbucker?? pickup ... more
Vintage 1967 Gibson EB-0 Short Scale 4 String Bass - Cherry - Don Storck Custom
Edmond, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2500
Gibson non Reverse Custom China Made Bass Guitar EMG Active Pickups USA??Ship
Monroe, North Carolina, 281**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1089
... more
Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'
Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
Gibson EB-0 Circa 1964 Electric Bass Guitar
Georgetown, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1600
Sounds and plays so good! Has all the vintage tone and good mojo. Straight neck. Fully functional. Someone has refinished the headstock while leaving the logo. Some cosmetic flaws from its age. This is a classic thumping bass that can take your playing to the next level
Don't miss your chance to own!
Items only come with case or accessories if pictured or listed in the listing
Items only come with accessories / parts pictured and or... more
Vintage Gibson RD Artist Bass Natural 1978
Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
Vintage Gibson RD Artist Bass Natural 1978
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
Ah, the '70s. A time when forced ingenuity trumped conventional wisdom & gave us amazing instruments such as this one. Like the line of electric guitars, the RD Artist bass features active preamp circuitry designed by Moog, long before Moog exploded onto the marketplace. This preamp combined with bulletproof all-maple construction makes for a white hot explosion of ... more
1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless Ebony Black OHSC Rare
Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2999
Up for sale is a 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless in Ebony Black, complete with its original hard-shell case
This is a very cool and very rare original fretless Gibson bass from the late ??70s. Original fretless Rippers do not come up often, and this one has all the bold visual presence and unmistakable feel that make these basses so appealing. With its long-scale Gibson design, ebony fingerboard, and classic Ebony Black finish, it... more
1969 Gibson Les Paul Recording Bass OHSC Mahogany On-Board Preamp, Stage Ready!
Andover, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
Here??s a real rarity??not just a collector's piece but a working relic: an early-production 1969 Gibson Les Paul Recording Bass, built during the first very limited run at Kalamazoo. Original mahogany body (the heavier, denser tonewood used only in the earliest examples??later models switched to walnut). Serial number 988003 and no ??Made in USA?? stamp indicate 1969 manufacture date. This ... more
Vintage 1976 Gibson L-9S Ripper Electric Bass Guitar w / Original Case
Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
Bass was kept in its ORIGINAL case, as the case is pretty beat up
Brand New StringsTruss Rod worksNo warping in neckWeighs roughly 9lbsFret board is in good shape for a instrument of its age, but could use some fret work.... more
1964 Gibson EB-0 Vintage Short Scale Bass Cherry, 100% Original w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
Lightweight at 6lbs 11oz, this EB-0 features solid Honduran mahogany construction and a rosewood fretboard. The famous ??Mudbucker?? pickup ... more
1965 Gibson EBO Bass in Custom Color "Ember Red" stunning 1 of a kind & Minty !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4495
1978 Gibson EB-3 Bass - Walnut With Original Case
Merrimac, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2200
The EB-3 features an SG shaped mahogany body, a 3 piece maple neck with volute, rosewood fingerboard, short 30 5" scale, and two pickups which include a large humbucker in the... more
1968 Gibson EB-2DC Bass it's beautiful w / 2 pickups w / all the tones you need !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3750
Gibson EB-5 Bass
West Palm Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1050
Comes with an original Gibson soft gig bag.
Local pick up in West Palm Beach or additional shipping cost will be added.... more
1979 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3250
This Gibson Ripper was made in the USA in 1979. It shows play wear, but overall this one is quite clean with no structural damage. It is all original, although 1 pickup was re-wound. The bass is stamped "Second" but unclear why. This bass has been pro-setup in our store, plays great, and comes with the original case
If you have any questions, please message us
We ship Worldwide! Message for international shipping rates.... more
1977 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural
Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2799
Quick Details
Make ?? Gibson
Model ?? The Ripper
Year -1977
Color -Natural
Weight ?? 10 72lbs
Nut Width ?? 1 9 / 16ths??
Neck Depth at 1st fret ?? 0 83??
Neck Depth at 12th fret ?? 0 98??
Case ??Original hard case
Serial # 73047092
Description
Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson ??The Ripper?? bass. This bass is in ... more
Gibson "The Ripper" L-9s Original Bass Guitar 1970's
Marquette, Wisconsin, 539**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1550
... more
I have recently purchased a Gibson sg eb3 bass and I find the action is a bit high and wonder how I can lower it a bit thank you
looking for info on 60's Gibson mustang bass guitar. where would I get this. am wanting to purchase one and have no idea what I am looking at
Gibson's first basses were made in the 1930s. They had a Banjo Bass, an Upright and a strange looking round model. It would be neat if you added them to your site to make it complete.