1961 Gibson EB3 bass Guitar

Gibson EB-3; the first SG bass

The Gibson SG, in all it's variations, was launched in 1961. And this is one of the very first; a great early Gibson EB3 bass, with fat neck, wide-spaced controls, nickel hardware, and bakelite neck humbucker cover. Listen to this bass!

Dating a vintage Gibson bass guitar can be tricky in some cases, but for this early EB3 it is actually a simple matter. The potentiometers and serial number both date to 1961, and it has all the period correct hardware for 1961... Finally, although Gibson does not hold complete shipping records for all guitars, it did have a record of this bass, confirming it's shipping date from Kalamazoo as October 12th, 1961. The original US list price (September 1961) was $310.

1961 Gibson EB-3 specifications

An early EB3

Gibson produced almost 15 thousand EB3 basses over the 18 years of production (1961-1979); two thirds of which were shipped between 1969-73. It took a while to gain popularity, with just a tiny fraction (just 132 EB3s) shipped in the first year. (See the full Gibson EB3 shipping totals).

1961 EB3 features and components

This bass has all the typical early 1961 features and is typical of the EB3 shown in the 1962 and 1964 Gibson catalogues. Starting at the top: inlaid Gibson logo, with open o and b and dotted i. The inlaid crown inlay on the headstock is raised above centre, (rather than being centered a little later), and the headstock angle seems to be 18°; although it is hard to measure this angle with precision. Gibson guitars at this time had a nominal 17° angle, and it may be that 18° is within normal variance. Scale length is 30 1/2", necessitating short scale strings.

The bridge is the nickel two point bar bridge, which would have been fitted with an under-bridge string mute, though this part is now missing on this bass. The screws in front of the bridge are still present. Another part often missing is fitted to this bass; the nickel hand rest. Later EB basses had the same rest, but chrome-plated. The neck humbucker has a black bakelite cover; this was originally metal-plated, as was the surround of the bridge pickup, but this was very poor-wearing, and finding these with any real amount of plating on them is rare. Finally, the tuning keys are Kluson 538 type, as fitted to Gibson basses throughout the 1960s.

Features that immediately show this bass to be an early model include the wide-spaced controls, early-style bar bridge neck pickup with black bakelite cover (although this would have been metal plated originally) and plated bridge pickup surround.

Older EB basses often suffer from finish fading; the original nitrocellulose translucent cherry can turn to a far less appealing orangey brown, mainly due to exposure to sunlight, but also from handling. This is not the case with this bass, as it retains a very nice Cherry colouration.

The first thing to notice on the reverse of early EB-3 examples is the oddly-shaped back control cover. This provides access to the electronics; volume and tone controls and varitone switch. This shape is unique to the EB-3; the single-pickup EB-0 had a smaller more regular shaped version, (as used on the single-pickup SG Junior) compare with a similar period EB-0. By 1965, Gibson saw the sense in having just one shape, and a simpler back cover that was to be fitted almost universally was then introduced to the EB bass this (for example 1966 Gibson EB-0.)

Note also the early-style heel - the area where the neck joins onto the guitar body. This wood joint changed over the years of EB bass production, but the example shown here is a good example of the earliest style used on the EB3 bass - compare with other Gibson EB bass heels.

Early EB basses had a black Bakelite pickup cover - until late 1962/early 1963 when a nickel was used instead. The EB humbucker underneath the cover remained unchanged. The EB3 cover was metal-plated, but this was very poor wearing, and is completely gone in this case - EB0 pickup covers were unplated.

The volume and tone control knobs would originally have been labelled, but they have worn away in this case. The wide spacing of the controls is an early EB3 feature that had changed by the middle of the decade, in order to allow the same back body route on the EB0 and EB3 bass. The chicken head varitone selector has four settings - listen to the soundclips of this guitar to hear how they differ.

The early nickel bar bridge would have had a string mute beneath it, though it is not fitted in this case (you can see the two screws just above the bridge). These are often removed in order to lower the bridge. The original nickel-plated handrest is also often removed, but is present in this case. The pickup at the bridge is the EB mini humbucker; note the last remnants of metal plating on the plastic bridge pickup surround.

This picture clearly shows the early 1960s Gibson bass neck joint, or heel. This joint evolved over the next few years, and can even be used as in imprecise dating tool; have a look at the Gibson EB bass neck joint page.

The back of this EB3 shows the larger body route of early models - large to encompass the wide-spaced controls. This bass has a one-piece mahogany body and one-piece mahogany neck; the grain clearly showing through the translucent finish.

Like the vast majority of 1960s Gibson EB3 basses, this bass is fitted with Kluson 538 tuning keys. This bass has been modified by John Birch (see main page for more details) and his logo can be seen here

Headstock Gibson logo inlay in pearl, and truss rod cover with revealed edge. The earliest EB3 basses had an inlaid crown motif, positioned slightly above centre; later the crown was lowered, approximately centered.

The one-piece neck and solid headstock. This bass is fitted with Kluson 538 tuners. No volute. This bass had been reversibly modified by John Birch (see main page) and his logo has been applied to the back of the headstock

Gibson EB-3 Wiring

The picture on the right shows the wiring loom. Three pots are identical; Centralab 500K audio taper, part number BA811-1053, all dated week 39 of 1961 (September/October). As mentioned above, Gibson have confirmed that this bass was shipped from the factory on October 12th - these pots were produced, shipped and used in quick time. The neck pickup tone pot is different; 250k part BA811-1831 and is dated week 18 of 1961 (May). Click the image for a larger version, and a circuit wiring plan.

John Birch modification

At some point in the 1960s/70s this bass was modified to a left hander, by luthier John Birch. Birch was famous for his work on the instruments of Slade, Deep Purple etc, and a decal with his name was applied to the back of the headstock. The John Birch changes have all been reversed now, but included a left-handed nut, different tuning keys and an intonatable bridge.

Listen to this bass
Circuit image
More about the EB3 in general

1961 EB-3 Soundclips

The EB-3 is one of those instruments with it's own unique tonal palette. No Fender will ever sound like an EB3.. but which is the defining EB3 tone, the choked neck pickup (dub)? The bridge pickup through a gainy valve amp (rock)? The two soundclips below were recorded through a 1964 Ampeg B15. For more clips, check out numerous other audio samples of this bass in all the varitone positions and with various amp settings.

Guitar vol 10, tone 10, varitone position 1 (neck pickup only with tone choke). With a clean amp (vol 3, treble 5, bass 5) you get a really fat round sound from this setting. Played fingerstyle.

Guitar vol 10, tone 3, varitone position 2 (bridge pickup only). Rolling off the tone a little on the bass, and pushing the amp further (vol 7, treble 5, bass 5) gives the fantastic distorted bass tone that the EB3 is famous for - especially when you really dig in like this. Played fingerstyle.

Gibson EB-3 bass guitars for sale

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Gibson EB-3 FRETLESS Bass Guitar Electric Vintage Rare 60??s / 70??s SG Fret Less

Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1799

Wow look at this beast. Fretless monster from I think the 70??s. Not sure if it was made into a fretless, or if that??s stock. Either way. Its such a cool bass.

-11 pounder
-nics and dents everywhere, wear here and there. Belt rash
-extra hole from a once moved strap peg

Ive had this for a few years. Im just not a fretless player, but I always dug this thing. Was in this condition when I originally purchased it. Pots look original

Switch #4 and #1 light ... more

1961 Gibson EB-3 the cleanest original extent w / hang tags 1 of a kind & Minty !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11495

This is a beautiful 1st year produced example of the exactly ??Cream Era?? Gibson EB-3 bass, pretty much identical the primary one used extensively by Jack Bruce from 1966 into the mid-70s. These expensive double pickup EB basses were made in fairly small quantities from 1961 into the mid-1960s but most examples that surface now are the later ??60s and early ??70s models, when they were produced in much greater numbers ?? at least partially due to the popularity of Cream ! Those are fine ... more

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

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

$3295

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

Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar

Santa Barbara, California, 931**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

Vintage 1969 Gibson EB-3Cherry Electric Bass Guitar. Jack Bruce played an EB-3. So did Glenn Cornick ofJethro Tull. Bob Daisley played an EB-3 on Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz Also Andy Fraser of Free. Michael Davis - MC5. Norm Sundholm, bassist for TheKingsmen and co-founder of Sunn Amplifiers also played an EB-3. This is an original1969 Gibson EB-3 Bass in the classic Cherry Red finish, with serial number 603929 This EB-3 is in very good condition, showing player wear with buckle rash, ... more

1972 Gibson EB-3 Slotted Headstock Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Walnut w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson EB-3 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This is an uncommon version of the EB-3 platform, only produced from 1970 to early ?72, featuring a slotted headstock
Surprisingly versatile, the EB-3 delivers warm, midrange rich snarl from the mini humbucker in the bridge position, and powerful low end thump from the neck position "Mudbucker " The rotary pickup selector offers a bevy of tones at the flick of a ... more

1972 Gibson EB-3 Short Scale Electric Bass Walnut Finish SG Vintage Gig Bag

Astoria, Oregon, 971**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1995

In great to near excellent condition. Has kill switch, two tone knobs, two volume knobs and pick up selector. With really cool vintage gig bag. From Fly Guitars site: When the EB3 was redesigned for 1972, Gibson were careful to make a less fragile bass. Some of the 1960s EB basses cracked easily when dropped, or knocked about a bit. The easily-broken mahogany neck had been replaced with a thicker three-piece maple one. It was given a thicker body, and a bigger headstock. It had a volute for neck... more

1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case

Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3700

One owner, bought new in 1969 from Quigly Music in Kansas City with original Gibson Case. One small strap rub on back with minor finish scratches on back as seen in photos.... more

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

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

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£385

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

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
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1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS PICKUP RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... more

Gibson EB 3 CASE 1971 - passend für NUR GESCHLITZTE SPINDELSTOCK-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

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

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€439

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
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1970 Gibson EB 3 BASS NUT USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

NARROW 42 mm version
... more

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

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£385

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

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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