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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Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass

Union, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

The Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass is a classic right-handed solid wood electric bass guitar with a 4-string configuration. This vintage model, known as the Les Paul, was made in the United States and features a solid brown body color, making it both visually appealing and high-quality in terms of sound and playability. With its durable construction and iconic design, this guitar is a popular choice among bass players looking for a reliable and timeless instrument.... more

1972 Gibson EB-3L-W Bass

Indianapolis, Indiana, 462**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1350

In the shop we have a '72 Gibson EB-3L-W bass!
The "L" stands for Long Scale, as this EB-3 has a 34 5" scale length and the ??W?? stands for the Walut finish
The EB-3 line of basses from Gibson was introduced in 1961, while the Long Scaled EB-3L was later introduced in '67 / 68. The earlier models of the EB-3L had a slotted headstock design. This bass has the normal Gibson headstock design. The bass would have originally had a mute and bridge cover, but that is no longer with the bass ... 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

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

1969 Gibson EB-3 Cherry

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3199

Very good condition 1969 Gibson EB-3 bass in cherry. No breaks. All original outside of the changed tuners, replaced tone pot (original included), and a recent refret. This example has some honest play wear throughout from touring, but is lucky to come out with no breaks to report. Bridge mute assembly functions. Truss rod works well, neck is straight, and it has been recently restrung. 8 3 pounds. Gibson logo is a bit faded, but this is purely cosmetic of course. This example sounds very boomy,... more

1970 Gibson USA EB-3 slotted headstock Bass Husk

Chesapeake, Virginia, 233**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$599

1970 Gibson EB bass. Was recently a working and playing bass. Has had a repair on the bottom of the body, See pics. It had a pickguard installed on the front of it, I will include that with the sale. Headstock and horns are in clean shape. There is alot to like about this guitar, it'd make a fun project for someone
... 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

1970 Gibson EB-3 Slotted Headstock Vintage Short Scale SG Bass

Chesapeake, Virginia, 233**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$999

Players grade instrument. Has had work done to it, please see the pictures. It's a really fun guitar to thump on, it could stand to have some neck adjustments. I will include a photo of the truss nut, which looks good. Will come in a gig bag
... more

1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS PICKUP RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... more

1961 Gibson EB-3 4-String Electric Bass Guitar in Cherry, with Hard Case (Used)

Birmingham, B1***, UNITED KINGDOM

£5500

- Overall: Good condition.
- Frets: Good condition, no issues.
- Hardware: All original.
- Electronics: All original, no issues.
- Finish: This Bass Guitar is in Good condition with some wear through previous usage. There are some dents on the body as well as a crack near the jack input, which has been repaired.
- Made in USA, 1961.
* Hard Case included.
* Please note all of our USED / EX-DISPLAY Guitars & Basses are checked, tested,... more

Basso Elettrico Gibson SG Bass Faded (Diavoletto) EB3

Casa Santopoli, 89***, ITALY

€950

Basso Elettrico Gibson SG Bass Faded (Diavoletto) EB3.

Buone condizioni, normali segni di utilizzo sulla finitura faded

Perfettamente funzionante. Corde nuove Roundwound

Custodia morbida Gibson originale

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

1970 Gibson EB 3 BASS NUT USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

NARROW 42 mm version
... 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

€444

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 USA EB3 Vintage Bass Guitar Circa 1972, plays & sounds superb

Hull, HU7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1450

This is a Vintage Gibson EB 3 bass from circa 1972 in a lovely aged cherry red, the bass is all original with a very low easy to play action, it has a great sound with lots of options for multiple different tones with the 4 way switch 2 pickups and 2 volume and 2 tone controls. Everything works perfectly, there is no fret wear mainly because I always use flat wound strings. The colour has worn in one place on the neck, its at the back of the neck so is out of sight, [please see the photo] you ... more

Basso Elettrico Gibson EB-3

Catania , 95***, ITALY

€4000

Basso Elettrico Gibson EB-3.... more

Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967

Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3010

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

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... more