1972 Gibson EB-0L bass

A natural finish Gibson EB0?

The EB series of basses was in decline by 1972. The standard EB-0 (typically in Cherry or Walnut finish) had peaked sales-wise in 1969, but was starting to slip. Bare wood finishes were in favour generally (largely inspired by brands such as Alembic), and tonally, brighter sounding basses fitted 1970s music a little better. As rock music became the norm, and guitar tones more distorted, the fat bass tone of the EB neck humbucker struggled for a place in the mix. Whats more, with cheaper imported instruments gaining in quality, and major recessions looming, companies like Gibson needed to cut production costs for their guitars to compete. Alder, although less durable than the mahogany of typical EB-0/EB-3 basses, was cheaper, lighter and didn't require grain filling, making it a great alternative body wood. Tonally it was subtly lighter too, although with the very hot EB humbuckers this difference would be barely noticeable.

In early 1972, Gibson launched the redesigned SB series, the SB350 and SB450; these guitars were alder bodied with maple necks, and were fitted with twin humbuckers. Like the preceding SB-300/SB-400 models, controls were mounted on pre-assembled, front-mounted control plates, reducing the required amount of routing (one side only), assembly time, and ultimately price.

So in the middle of 1972, most likely for the Summer NAMM show, Gibson took some of these SB bodies, and fitted them with an EB humbucker. Most likely these were produced to gauge the opinion of the guitar-buying public... would a natural finished EB-0 be well received? It was never listed as a finish option in price lists or catalogues, although the idea had clearly been around for a few years as the 1970 Gibson bass catalog does show another barely available model simply designated an EB bass.

According to Gibson EB-0 shipping statistics, natural EB-0 basses were never made in any significant numbers (if this bass was even regarded as an EB-0; had it become a production model it may have had another designation entirely). In fact, the stats only show 5 natural EB-0 basses being shipped in 1973 - most likely sold on after their period of demonstration. Note that none of these are listed as long scale, but it is not at all uncommon for these shipping figures to miss such details. Perhaps there were some short and some long scale basses in this batch. At this time in mid-1972 Gibson were exploring different ideas, and several 'normal' EB-0s from this time with regular cherry-finished mahogany bodies, actually have clear-finished (natural) maple necks.

The EB series of basses underwent significant changes for 1972. The humbucker was repositioned away from the neck, for a less bassy tone, but was still the same pickup as used on previous EB basses. The construction had changed somewhat though, with a thicker body and laminate maple neck. Also, note the lack of pickguard, and plate mounted (rather than body mounted) volume and tone controls. Compare with a more typical 1972 EB bass.
The tune-o-matic bridge is right back at the far end of the body; a feature of long scale (34") EB series basses.

Three-piece maple neck set into a two-piece alder body. There is no control cavity as all electronics are fixed to a plate on the body front - all in all a simple, less labour intensive approach to construction.

Chrome covered with black plastic surround. The EB humbucker used on 1970s Gibson EB basses effectively had the same coil arrangement as on all older EBs (excluding the original 1950s single coil units). But the addition of the mounting ring in 1970 meant that the pickup could be raised or lowered in it's housing. With such hot pickups it is important to set this height sensibly. Players not used to these pickups often set them too high, getting a signal overpoweringly strong, and capable of shaking apart amplifier cones. In many ways a poor set-up like this can give a bass a bad name. This extra adjustability is another reason why the 1970s Gibson EBO/EB3 make better players instruments than the 1960s equivalents.

Numerous Gibson pickups around this time had the company logo on the pickup covers (for example this '72 EB0), though obviously this particular EB humbucker cover is plain.

The EB-O/EB-OL bass was always fitted with one volume and one tone control, however this bass is quite remarkable in that these controls are fitted to a plate, rather than to the body wood itself - a result of using a front mounted alder SB series body rather than the usual mahogany. The witch hat control knobs are, however, quite typical of all EB basses of this period. Compare the controls with that of a standard 1972 EB-O and an SB-450 of the same period. Have a look at the underside of this plate here. Pots used have the same values as a regular 70s EB-0, ie a 500k volume and 250k tone, but are the short shaft equivalents (for mounting on a plate rather than through a thicker section of wood) parts B811-3701 (tone) and 70024 (volume). Find out more about typical EB-0 circuitry.

The two-point tune-o-matic bridge (shown here with cover) was fitted to EB bass guitars from the last 1960s until mid 1973. The vast majority had an underbridge mute and plastic (Delrin) saddles (see a 1969 EB-O with this configuration here - 1969 Gibson EB-0).

The two-point tune-o-matic combined bridge and tailpiece as fitted to all 1972 EB basses. But note the metal saddles and lack of string mute; these were phased out over 1970/71 and were never fitted to the redesigned EB basses of 1972 onwards.

With controls mounted on a plate on the front of this bass, there was no need for any control cavity in the reverse of this guitar; the result is a clean look. There is significantly less body contouring on this bass than a typical '72 EB0) - in fact this body has exactly the same curves as the SB series - supporting the idea that this EB-0 was indeed produced from SB series body blanks. Compare with an SB-450.

The six digit serial number and 'Made in U.S.A.' markings are stamped into the reverse of the guitar's headstock. The number tells us very little; unlike the later eight digit numbers there is no dating information embedded within the serial number, and six digit numbers starting with 7 had been already used in the mid 1960s. However most of the redesigned EB basses shipped in mid-late 1972 and early 1973 had serial numbers in the range 72xxxx - 79xxxx. The Made in USA designation was used from early 1970, and is an easy way to determine which decade a six digit serial number comes from. Read more about Gibson bass serial numbers in general.

The headstock of this bass is typical for any early seventies EBO: black with the gold silk-screened Gibson logo, and one-ply bell style truss rod cover. The tuning keys are Schaller M4 however, sometimes seen on EB basses of this period, (more often they used the open gear Schaller M4S at this time).

Reverse headstock detail showing serial number and Schaller M4 tuning keys, each marked Gibson. The three-piece maple neck has a volute, designed to strengthen the area behind the truss rod cavity.

Gibson EB-0 soundclips

The audio file below is of this bass through a 1964 Ampeg B15, first finger style, then played with the tone rolled down with a pick; strung with flatwound strings. The distinctive lows of the EB humbucker are still evidence. Listen to more clips of this bass.

Early 1970s Gibson bass components

Other than the standard spring-mounted early Seventies Gibson EB humbucker, all other hardware is the same as the aforementioned SB-350/SB-450. The machine heads are Schaller M4, and it has the standard two-point bridge and cover. Unlike the EB-0/EB-3 of this time it has no pickguard.

EB-0 wiring

The picture on the right shows the wiring loom of this bass. The volume pot is a CTS 500K audio taper, part number 70024. It is dated the 15th week of 1972. The tone pot, part number BA-811-3701, though stock, is older; the date code is the 14th week of 1966. This is a 250k audio taper pot with a Centralab manufacturer code. Click the image for larger versions, and a circuit wiring plan. Electronically, this circuit is the same as other early seventies EB-O basses, but the pots are shorter shaft versions for mounting onto scratchplates rather than though body wood.

This bass is currently for sale at NEW KINGS ROAD VINTAGE

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