1969 Gibson EB-2W. Walnut finish

The EB-2 was Gibson's best selling bass in 1966 and 1967, largely influenced by the British beat boom of the mid-1960s (although these bands were largely playing the near identical Epiphone Rivoli). Fashions changed, rock music got louder, and by the end of the decade, the EB-2 it had been overtaken in terms of sales by two Gibson solid-body models, the EB-0 and EB-3 - again influenced by British bands such as Cream and Free.

According to shipping figures (which would seem to be incomplete for the EB-2) only 12 Walnut EB-s were produced; all single pickup models, and all in 1969, making this one of the rarest variations of the instrument. It is certain that more were produced than this, as walnut was listed as a finish option for both single pickup and double pickup basses (which certainly exist) in all price lists between June 1968 and October 1972.

EB2 basses were given a slightly different model designation to represent different finish options. This, being in walnut finish is technically an EB2W, although today these finish codes are rarely used.

1969 Gibson EB-2 specifications

All EB series basses used the same bridge and pickups, which, in 1969, consisted of the two-point tune-o-matic bass bridge with cover (often, and in this case, with Gibson under-bridge mute), and EB humbucker. This single-pickup bass has very simple controls, just one volume and tone control, and "vari-tone" push button to activate the tone choke.

In 1969, the EB2, in all it's finishes was listed in the US at $450

Other than the finish, this is just a normal EB-2. One-piece mahogany neck without volute, short (30 1/2") scale (requiring short scale strings), maple top back and sides, with centre-block, and serial number stamped in the back of the headstock, and repeated in the soundhole.

The hardware on this EB2 is typical for a 1969 Gibson bass: chrome-covered EB neck humbucker, two point tune-o-matic bridge with mute and cover, witch hat control knobs.

Unlike most solid body Gibson basses of the 1960s, the EB2 had no control cover to access the electronics. Any access had to be via the f-holes on the front of the body.

EB humbucker pickup, positioned against the guitar's neck. The cover is chrome-plated, as opposed to the nickel of the mid sixties basses.

Witch-hat hat knobs with position pointers, output jack and push-button baritone switch.

This bass is fitted with a two-point tune-o-matic bridge with under-bridge string mute, and chrome bridge cover. Note the chrome bracket supporting the scratchplate.

The EB2 does not have a bound neck, but the body is bound front and back. The cream binding looks particularly attractive over a walnut-finished body.

Like all Gibson ES-series guitars of this period, the neck is set (glued) into the body.

Serial number stamped on the back of the headstock, above Kluson 538 tuning keys

Mid-late 1960s EBs had an inlaid mother or pearl Gibson logo with centered crown inlay. From late 1968 many of these basses were shipped without a dot on the i of the Gibson logo, as is the case here.

The one-piece mahogany neck and solid headstock, with no volute. Tuning keys did vary at this time, not just from model to model, but also from bass to bass. This EB-2 is fitted with Kluson 538 open gear tuners.

For more information about EB2 basses in general, go back to the Gibson EB2 page.

Photographs courtesy of Matt Tudor, UK

Gibson EB-2 bass guitars for sale

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Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar

Anderson, Indiana, 460**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5790

Double cut a way Sun Burst Serial Number is 408061I purchased this bass in the sixties. I am the original owner Has been played very little. Has original strings except "G " Original hard caseOriginal cordHippie strap includedEXCELLENT CONDITION... more

1968 Gibson EB-2D 2 Color Sunburst Electric Bass Guitar

Hollywood, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6900

Near mint condition, still have an original hard case, this guitar means a lot to me, so please serious inquiries only

Feel free to ask me any questions
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1967 Gibson EB2-C Bass Guitar Cherry Finish Original Hardware

Hackettstown, New Jersey, 078**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

Made in 1967 at the Kalamazoo plant this is a Gibson
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

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

This is a truly superb original example of one of the rarer Gibson electric basses: the first-generation semi-hollow EB-2. The EB-2 in general is not a overly rare bass, but these earliest models built in the debut year were sold in only small numbers; many more were built in 1964-68 when production was at its peak. The ES-335 guitar from 1958 is one of Gibson??s most treasured and sought after instruments; this matching bass is actually considerably rarer, if not as highly in demand ! The EB-2 ... more

Vintage Gibson EB2 Bass pots Wiring Harness

Asheboro, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$350

6 pots and 2 jacks
... more

1967 Epiphone EB-232 Rivoli Short Scale Electric Bass Sunburst !

Peckville, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3395

The Vintage Reserve at Pristine Auctions is proud to present this awesome 1967 Epiphone Gibson EB-232 Rivoli Electric Bass Serial Number 068624. This is one of the coolest Vintage Basses we have ever encountered at our shop and it is so clean. This thing is honestly one the best sounding vintage basses we have ever had and it is ready for it next show or session in a recording studio. When you press the button, it just takes it to a whole different level of vintage sound. The low end ... more

1967 Gibson EB-2C Bass fabulous special ordered EB-2 in "Sparkling Burgundy" !

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

$6495

The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1959 & made famous by many players. This example is oh-so rare & very special ordered by its 1st owner & is 1 of the coolest special ordered EB-2C??s from 1967. Its beautiful slightly faded original ??Sparkling Burgundy?? custom color finish is what this is all about & it??s so frickin rare. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She??s got a perfect orange label too. Its pickgard is missing. Its ... more

1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8695

1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass, Sunburst finish, Booming Humbucking pickup withBlack Plastic cover, Nickel parts, Full feeling neck, Fine bass! Hang tag, VG++, Original hard case... more

1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !

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

$8995

The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1959 & made famous by many players. This example is oh-so rare & very special ordered by its 1st owner & is 1 of the coolest special ordered EB-2??s from 1965. Its beautiful slightly faded original ??Argentine Gray?? custom color finish is what this is all about & its so frickin rare. Its 1 of only 2 of this color known to exist. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She??s got a perfect orange label ... more

Gibson 1964 EB-2 Used Electric Bass Good Condition

Widnes, WA8***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3457

This Gibson 1964 EB-2 Used Electric Bass is a great addition to any musician's collection. With a semi-hollow body type and 4 string configuration, this bass is perfect for any right-handed player. The bass comes with a hard shell original case and cable for added convenience. The unit quantity is 1 and the country / region of manufacture is the United States. This bass is a vintage piece and has a unique sound that cannot be replicated. It is perfect for any player who wants to elevate their ... more

Epiphone Rivoli EBV232 Vintage '63 Semi-Acoustic Electric Bass Made In Kalamazoo

Milano, 20***, ITALY

€2950

Epiphone Rivoli EBV232 Vintage Semi-Acoustic Bass . Qualche segno del tempo ma nessun problema strutturale, ottima la action e la suonabilità (c'è comunque margine e modo di personalizzarla come si desidera). Prodotto a Kalamazoo nel 1963 ed originale in ogni sua parte. Manca il suo battipenna ma si trovano ottime repliche anche su eBay
Suono notevole, vero vintage sound!!
Custodia rigida originale compresa
Vendita tra privati con formula AS / IS senza alcun diritto di ... more

Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow

Bari, 70***, ITALY

€4900

Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst. For Sale Directly From My Private Collection! In Amazing Condition .The Headstock is without any scratches, Sounds Amazing With its original "Baritone switch " ! Original Case, Truss rod key, Case key and amazing Hang Tags! Body Semi Hollow with Laminated Maple Neck Mahogany Fretboard Brasilian Rosewood Pickup Original EB Humbucking Original and Perfectly Working String mute Original Case and Documents... more

Vintage Gibson 1966 EB-2 Hollowbody Bass Guitar with Sunburst Finish

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B***, CANADA

C $3850

Vintage Hollow body Bass

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

1967 EPIPHONE RIVOLI Bass Guitar - EB 232C in CHERRY with hard shell case

London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£4650

NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE GUITAR EMPORIUM IS DELIGHTED TO OFFER FOR SALE THIS
1967 EPIPHONE RIVOLI Bass - EB 232C CHERRY
Incredibly clean, this exceptional condition Epiphone Rivoli was produced by Gibson in their Kalamazoo plant, after Gibson bought the brand in the late 1950s. Identical construction to a Gibson EB2, the only difference being the headstock design and inlays. In a solid 9 out of 10 condition, has a few tiny dings but overall it's in wonderful condition This Rivoli,... more

1959 Gibson EB-2 Semi-Hollow Electric Bass in Sunburst, with Hard Case (Used)

Birmingham, B18***, UNITED KINGDOM

£5500

- Overall: Very Good condition.
- 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

Greco SAB120 Bass guitar 1980s (Gibson EB2 copy)

Cheltenham, GL52***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1016

This is a pretty rare bass from the famous 1980s 'Mint Collection' range made for Greco by Fuji-Gen - they don't come up for sale very often. Some of the later (from 1990?) models are designated as 'Clear Sound Project' but, judging from the headstock inlay and the tuners, this is a 'Mint Collection'. The serial number dates it to 1985
Obviously, it's a very good copy of a Gibson EB2 semi - acoustic bass, with the exception that it is a long, 34" scale rather than the 30" of the original. ... more

1964 Epiphone Rivoli Bass With Epiphone Case

Blackburn, BB6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2400

Beautiful Road Worn Condition Epiphone Rivoli Bass from around 1964
Bought by a British Bass player and toured with for many decades
All of the electronics work well just a little scratchy sometimes
No headstock repairs to my knowledge
Comes with the old belt buckle strap from the last owner
Frets worn down but playable
Tuner has an old fix to it and it works well!Full serial can be revealed to serious buyers
Shipped well wrapped and packed strings relaxed in a guitar ... more

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