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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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

1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case

Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 601**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2200

This is a 1968 Gibson EB2D. There is a head stock repair made at some point in its history. The body and rest of the neck is in great condition. There are finish checkings across the body but that's to be expected
That mudbucker in the neck is wooly! And the bridge has bite! The switches and knobs work as they should with a little scratchiness as you use them. Aside from that you won't notice it.
Comes with non original case
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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

1968 Gibson EB-2 Vintage Semi-Hollow Short Scale Bass Sunburst w / Case

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

$2700

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson EB-2 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. The EB-2 has the body shape and maple construction of Gibson's ES guitars, and the modern Hipshot SuperTone bridge is a substantive upgrade, enhancing the sustain, stability and articulation of this model in a meaningful way. Strung with 45-105 roundwound strings on the 30 1 / 2" scale, this bass features powerful, thick-sounding "Mudbucker" mounted in the neck position, yielding ... 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

1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case

Bridgeport, West Virginia, 263**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3700

This Gibson EB2D bass is in very good condition. We listedit as "very good" because of the neck repairs, but if not for thatissue, it probably could be considered "excellent " The best we candetermine, the bass is a 1968. The pots are clearly marked 1967, and the dateranges for the bass is 1966-1969. Also has the mini humbucker in bridge. Itappears they only made 2000 of these with the mini humbuckers throughout theentire 60's. It has had the common repair where the headstock meets the neck, and... more

1968 Epiphone Rivoli EB232 Vintage Semi-Hollow Bass Cherry w / Case

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

$2900

Up for sale, a 1968 Epiphone Rivoli EB232 in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Crafted by Gibson at their Kalamazoo factory and structurally identical to the Gibson EB-2, the Rivoli boasts an ES body shape loaded with a solitary ??Mudbucker?? pickup. This Rivoli also features the later (and much less common) bridge design with flip-up string mute and independent nylon saddles
The semi-hollow body is crafted from maple (maple centerblock), paired with a mahogany neck and ... 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

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case

Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.

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

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

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

RARE 1968 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar In Sparkling Burgundy Metallic WITH HARDCASE

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12***, UNITED KINGDOM

£6500

An incredibly rare and beautiful example of a late 60s Gibson EB-2 bass (as played by the likes of Chas Chandler etc )

In a very rare factory-original Sparkling Burgundy Metallic finish. These finishes were done at the factory back in the day over the top of sunburst finishes if there were any imperfections, so these are pretty hard to find - especially in such great condition!

The finish does show signs of use and the usual checking / patina, as is to be expected of an ... 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

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

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

Epiphone Rivoli Semi-Hollow Electric Bass in Cherry, with Gig Bag (Used)

Birmingham, B18***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1050

- Overall: Very Good condition.
- Frets: Good condition, no issues.
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- Electronics: All original, no issues.
- Finish: This Bass Guitar is in Very Good condition with minimal wear through previous usage
* Gig Bag 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 ... more

Gibson 1964 EB-2 Electric Bass excellent original Condition

Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3322

1964 GIBSON EB2 - Serial No 67976
Owned over 30 years . . . I've played a few of these over the years, none of them as good as this . . . I've owned tens of Gibson basses and let them all go. this has a great straight neck, a lovely action, and perfect intonation, unlike most. The finish is superb and not crazed. It's been little used in recent years outside the home / studio, and never goes anywhere without great care and attention in a premium case. That said, it's not an ornament, it gets ... more

Epiphone Rivoli EBV232 Vintage 1963 Semi-Acoustic Bass Kalamazoo(Gibson) '63+OHC

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
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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

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