1961 Gibson EB3 bass guitar >> FlyGuitars

The EB3 was first manufactured in 1961, and the model changed little by little throughout its years of manufacture. The 1961 model had a silvered bakelite cover on the EB neck pickup with a similarly silvered surround on the bridge pickup.

EB3 Photographs courtesy of Mark Headington. This fine bass sold for $4825 in August 2005.

The cherry finish on Gibson EB basses is prone to fading with sunlight, and handling. Only examples kept cased for the majority of their lives seem to escape this. This bass has browned to some extent - compare with a similar 1961 EB3 with more of it's cherry colouration intact.

This example is otherwise complete, and it is quite unusual to see an early Gibson EB3 with so much metal plating still attached to the bridge pickup surround. The plating on the neck pickup is heavily worn, as is generally the case; it is no wonder Gibson moved to actual metal pickup covers for their EB basses fairly quickly. The EB3 timeline on this site details some of the changes that were introduced to the EB3 over the two decades of it's production.

Like all 1960s EB basses, this guitar has a scale length of 30 1/2", necessitating short scale strings. EB3s sound phenomenal when fitted with a set of flats. Compare this image of a 1961 Gibson EB3 with a later model - 1969 EB3, notice the difference in neck thickness. The early EB basses had much chunkier feeling necks, which many players prefer. The width at nut is a full 1/4" greater in the 1961 EB3. Notice also the yellowing on the back of the neck. Sweat/oils from the hands of players did have a significant effect on the cherry nitro finish of the earliest EB basses - although all Gibson Cherry finishes were prone to fading, only the earliest yellowed in the way shown here.

This early EB3 has a metal plated neck pickup cover, over it's EB humbucker, although it has largely worn off to reveal the black bakelite cover underneath. Other features that mark this as a really early EB3 are: metal plating on the bridge pickup surround, wide-spaced controls with bell knobs (in 1965 the EBO and EB3 control cavity route was standardised - see an EB3 with narrow-spaced controls, from 1967 Gibson used witch hat knobs), and the early-style nickel bar bridge, with string mute.

The reverse of a pre-1966 EB3 is quite distinctive: firstly the control cavity cover is very different to the shape used from 1965, and broadly unchanged to this day. The neck/body join or heel is also a pre-1966 style - see how the EB bass heels changed over time. This bass' body still has a relatively strong Cherry colouration, both front and back.

The early 1960s EB basses had an inlaid mother of pearl Gibson logo with raised (above-center) crown inlay. Compare this to a slightly later bass with centered crown - 1966 Gibson EBO headstock. Note the inlaid pearl Gibson logo with dotted i and open o and b.

One-piece mahogany neck, five digit serial number and Kluson 538 tuning keys. Note the wide neck. The width at nut of the early 1960s EB basses was 1 1/2", a desirable feature amongst many players.

The hardcase accompanying this 1961 bass was suitable for an EB0 or EB3 bass guitar. It has the characteristic gold/yellow plush lining so associated with 1960s Gibson guitars. Two EB bass cases were available for the EB3 in 1961: case 540, plush-lined faultless case (1961 price $60), and 329 plush-lined archcraft case (1961 price $26.50).

Gibson EB-3 bass guitars for sale

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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.... view on ebay

Gibson EB-3 Mahogany 1970-75 Electric Bass Guitar Orig. Case Slotted Head 961211

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

$2500

Available for your consideration is this stunning Gibson EB-3 bass guitar. It has a scale length of 31 inches, and a serial number of 961211.
To the best of our knowledge, this is most likely a 72 to 75 production of the EB-3 in mahogany
It is missing the original pickup cover.

You can read more about EB-3 production differences and models on FlyGuitars website.

This Beautiful and stunning EB-3 Gibson Bass guitar is in the original case and ... view on ebay

1978 Gibson EB-3 Bass - Walnut With Original Case

Merrimac, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2200

Fantastic condition 1978 Gibson EB-3 in walnut finish. Besides two replaced rear cavity screws, the rest of the bass is in original conition, including the hard shell case. It is nicely set up and plays and sounds great. There are very few signs of play wear, dings, or scratches. In short, it's a rock and roll machine
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... view on ebay

1972 Gibson EB-3 Mahogany Maple neck Bass Guitar first year 1972 has Gibson logo

Kokomo, Indiana, 469**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

The 1972 Gibson EB-3 The first Model Mahogany Bass Guitar is a vintage electric bass guitar that exudes classic style and timeless appeal. With a short scale body made of mahogany with a maple neck and a right-handed design, this 4-string bass guitar features a rosewood fretboard for a smooth and rich tone. This model, part of the Gibson series, this bass was used in a band call Featherstitch 1970-1974 they had a couple of albums from OHIO. This Bass needs a new home. The case is old and fraying... view on ebay

Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1970's

Flagstaff, Arizona, 860**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Here is a beautiful bass guitar from the Gibson company! This vintage bass was made between 1970-1975 and has been kept in great condition and does its job at supplying a bassline to any group / ensemble!
As with any used instruments, there are signs of cosmetic wear throughout. There are minor scratches and tiny chips throughout the body of the instrument. However, this does not affect the playing of the instrument! The age of the current strings are unknown, but they appear to be in good ... view on ebay

1965 Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar

Farnham, GU10***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3062

Available now is this 1965 Gibson EB3. One of only 339 shipped in that year, and one of even fewer that made it this side of the pond
The EB-3, widely known as the classic Cream bass, was used and made most famous by Jack Bruce from blues-rock pioneers 'Cream' around 1967 onwards. He had a few of them over that time period, but his main and most photographed instrument was a matching '65. The spacing between the control knobs was changed in 1965 to match the guitar line, so only a percentage... view on ebay

1962 Gibson EB-3 4 String Bass Guitar All Original With Gibson Case

Swindon, SN5***, UNITED KINGDOM

£4687

1962 Gibson EB-3 bass guitar
All original pick ups switch gear etc. A fantastic piece of guitar history and a great addition for any serious collector or just somebody who loves that classic sound.
Comes with vintage Gibson hard case although I do not think it is the original.
Age related marks but nothing serious considering it is 62 years old!... view on ebay

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
... view on ebay

1962 Gibson EB-3 In Cherry

Pershore, WR10***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3399

Mahogany BodyMahogany NeckRosewood Fretboard20 Frets - Refretted30 5" Scale Length12" RadiusOriginal Gibson 'Mudbucker' Neck PickupOriginal Gibson Mini Humbucker Bridge Pickup2x Volume Controls2x Tone Controls4-Position Rotary Varitone Selector With Choke CircuitTwo Point Bridge With String MuteSerial Number: 49073Weight: 7lbs 14 3ozCondition Report:
This bass is presented in very good condition for it's age with some playwear that you'd expect. There is some fading on the neck as well as ... view on ebay

Gibson EBO modded to EB3, 1965. Player grade.

Chesterfield, S41***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2556

Vintage classic Gibson 1965 EBO that has had a historic conversion , in the early 1970s , with an added mud bucker in the bridge position making it quite a unique bass. the neck plays like butter without issues and the original tuners are solid and work great. all other hardware and pickgaurd are original except for the extra pickup ,pots and knobs for the bridge pickup, dated around the early 70s
the body and neck has some wonderful age checking to the laquer adding to its character ... view on ebay

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 !!!... view on ebay

1970 GIBSON EB 3 BASS NUT USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

NARROW 42 mm version
... view on ebay

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

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
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... view on ebay

1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS PICKUP RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... view on ebay

Epiphone Gibson SG EB3 Bass 2 pickup - Cherry

Northcote, Victoria, 3***, AUSTRALIA

AU $716

A classic - looks good, sounds good. This bass has a few scratches but otherwise is totally solid. Has been treated well. Plays well.
Pick up Northcote, Melbourne, includes original box.... view on ebay