The Gibson EB2 was a fabulous looking bass, and this example is no exception. Being a really early example it has a number of features that set it apart from EB2s built in other years: the banjo tuning keys, early single coil pickup, and lack of baritone button.
The EB2 bass was announced in February 1958, making it's print debut a month later in the 1958 Gibson catalog. Basses didn't ship from the Kalamazoo plant for several more months; the year's total was just 96 instruments - 90 in Sunburst (as shown here) and 6 in Natural. See Gibson EB-2 shipping data. The 1958 US list price for this bass was $267.50, compared to $282.50 for the Natural examples.
The EB2 was effectively a bass companion model to the ES-335, but had several features of Gibson's existing bass model, the EB bass. Both were 30 1/2" scale (and therefore require short scale strings), with a one-piece mahogany neck and were fitted with the reverse-facing Sealfast banjo tuners. Like the fore-mentioned 335, the EB2 was a hollowbody bass, but with a feedback-reducing maple center block running the length of the instrument.
Most EB2 basses were equipped with the powerful Gibson EB humbucker, but only the earliest, from 1958 and early 1959 have the original EB bass single coil pickup and no baritone switch. The pickup has it's pole pieces along one edge (rather than down the center), the plastic (Royalite) cover is black rather than the brown of the EB. Controls are very simple, just a single volume and tone, topped with gold bell knobs.
Images courtesy of frettedamericana.com


Gibson EB-2 basses for sale
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case
Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5000
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 EB-2DC Bass it's beautiful w / 2 pickups w / all the tones you need !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3750
1958 Gibson EB-2 1st year Museum Quality 100% original its 1 of a kind & Minty !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$9995
1964 Gibson EB2 bass guitar w / original hard-shell case.
Clarkston, Washington, 994**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5500
Vintage Gibson EB2 Bass pots Wiring Harness
Asheboro, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$350
1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass
Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8695
1967 Gibson EB-2C Bass fabulous special ordered EB-2 in "Sparkling Burgundy" !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6495
1967 Gibson EB-2 Vintage Sunburst Semi-Hollow 4 String Right-Handed Bass Guitar
Winnsboro, Louisiana, 712**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3000
1967 Gibson EB2-C Bass Guitar Cherry Finish Original Hardware
Hackettstown, New Jersey, 078**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5500
EB2-C bass in very good condition. Everything original except for strings and brand new truss rod. Very little finish cracking
Works perfectly! Baritone pushbutton switch works!
We minor cosmetic damages shown. There was a chip on the left side of the head when I bought it and when the truss rod was fixed there was some bubbling on the neck and damage to the head stock
Feel free to reach out for any questions!... more
Vintage Gibson 1966 EB-2 Hollowbody Bass Guitar with Sunburst Finish
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B***, CANADA
C $3850
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
Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow
Bari, 70***, ITALY
€4900
Gibson 1964 EB-2 Used Electric Bass Good Condition
Widnes, WA8***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3457
Gibson EB 2 D Bass Vintage Sunburst Made In USA
Dortmund, 44***, GERMANY
€3000
Gibson EB-2 Semi-Hollow Electric Bass Guitar in Sunburst, 1964 Model, Hard Case
Birmingham, B18***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2999
Case: Non-Original Hardcase Included. Condition: This Gibson EB-2 is in Very Good condition with some wear through age and previous usage. This Bass Guitar is fully functional but shows noticeable, but light, cosmetic wear.
Frets:... more
1959 Gibson EB-2 Semi-Hollow Electric Bass in Sunburst, with Hard Case (Used)
Birmingham, B18***, UNITED KINGDOM
£5500
- Frets: Good condition, no issues.
- Hardware: All original.
- Electronics: All original, no issues.
- Finish: This Guitar is in Very Good condition with minimal wear through age and previous usage
* Hard Case included.
* Please note all of our USED / EX-DISPLAY Guitars & Basses are checked, tested, cleaned and set up professionally by our Luthiers before dispatching. All of our Used Guitars come ... more

1958 Gibson catalog, the first to include the EB2 bass


















