As the name might suggest, the EB2 was Gibson's second electric bass, the first being the moderately successful EB, launched in 1953. It was a companion model to the ES-335 guitar, having the same basic construction, but the electrical circuitry of the EB. The instrument was designed by Gibson engineer Larry Allers (though naturally borrowing heavily from it's companion guitar model, the ES-335) with production occurring exclusively at the Kalamazoo plant, Michigan, USA. The model was announced in February of 1958, with an initial price was $267.50 (Sunburst) or $282.50 (Natural), though basses didn't ship until the second half of the year. The model was first displayed publicly at the Chicago NAMM show of July 58 (see EB-2 timeline). Total production was in the order of 8500 basses - see EB2 shipping figures, with an approximate split 70:30 EB2 / EB2D.
The new EB-2 Electric Bass is the approximate size of a guitar and produces the tone of a string bass. It contains a 20 fret range on all four strings. The Double-Cutaway body has arched, curly maple top and back with matching maple rims and pearl dot binding. The fast-action neck is of mahogany with rosewood fingerboard.
1958 Gibson EB2 with single coil pickup and no baritone switch. image: frettedamericana.com
By the summer of 1959, the pickup had been upgraded to the new Gibson EB bass humbucker. Although still mounted beneath a black Royalite cover, the new pickup is immediately obvious with it's centralised (rather than left-aligned) polepieces, and additional control button.
1959 Gibson EB2 in Natural finish image: Heritage Auctions
1959 Gibson EB2 in Sunburst finish image: Heritage Auctions
EB2 development
Gibson's Ted McCarty was developing the ES (Electric Spanish) series of guitars in 1957, with a specific rationale in mind
The solid body guitar had become so popular and proved that their was a sustaining tone that you couldn't get out of other types of guitars, but it never was a real comfortable guitar. It was heavy or it was too small, and the thought was to make a guitar with hollow wings but a solid centre.
The EB2 followed suit; having the same laminate maple top, back and rims, with solid maple block running the length of the body, allowing a fixed combination bridge/tailpiece.
Initially the pickup was the same single-coil unit used on the EB: "powerful Alnico magnetic pickup with individually adjustable polepieces and ebony Royalite cover", with just a simple volume and tone control. In 1959, these were upgraded with Seth Lover's new EB humbucker, and additional 'baritone' functionality, via a tone switch.
The model continued to evolve throughout this period, with Larry Allers' under bridge mute appearing in mid-1960. This was available for users to retrofit (see announcement in Gibson Gazette here) and it is impossible to determine what proportion (if any) of late 1960 / early 1961 EB2s left Kalamazoo with this mute fitted, and what proportion had them added later.
The banjo tuners were replaced by Kluson 538 open gear keys in 1960. This necessitated a somewhat wider headstock, and it seems the change from one to the other happened over a period of time, as older necks were used up.
Epiphone Rivoli
When Gibson bought Epiphone in 1957, they used the marque partially to increase dealership reach of their Kalamazoo-made instruments. New Epiphone models based largely on existing Gibsons appeared; an EB2 equivalent, the Epiphone EBV232, or Rivoli first shipped in 1959 (just one instrument), see Rivoli shipping figures. The Rivoli had a different shape headstock, and scratchplate, but was otherwise identical to the EB2.
EB2 sales in this period were marginally better than the EB, but by no means great, whilst sales of the Rivoli barely reached double figures. When, in 1960, orders halved from the previous year, the writing was on the wall for the EB2 (see EB2 shipping figures). In 1961, Gibson announced the new EB3; "A completely re-designed and re-styled Electric Bass — Model EB-3, replaces the EB-2". Likewise the Newport Deluxe replaced the Rivoli.
But although the public had been slow to patronise the new basses, they soon caught up. In post-war, pre-beat boom Britain, UK-built guitars were fairly rudimentary, and serious musicians played imported guitars: typically Hofners from West Germany. American guitars were very hard to find, and very expensive even if you could. But by 1962, distribution deals had been set up for Gibson (Selmer) and Epiphone (Rosetti); finally these brands were available in the UK, but by this time both models were discontinued. But the demand for a high quality hollow body bass was still present, and if anything, growing. With the British Beat Boom in full swing, it seems UK players were spearheading the demand for these instruments.
1964 EB-2 reissue
Production of the Rivoli resumed in 1963, with the EB2 joining it in early 1964. From this point onwards the EB2 was significantly more successful, with production increasing year on year until 1967. Natural finish was no longer offered, however translucent Cherry was (from 1965) and later Sparkling Burgundy (1967), and Walnut (1968). Prior to 1967, non-sunburst finishes were typically priced $15 higher, though prices were levelled out for the last few years of production.
Gibson EB-2D
The dual pickup EB-2D was launched towards the end of 1967, and was well received, outselling the other dual pickup basses, the EB3 and Thunderbird IV in 1967 and 1968 - see EB-2 shipping statistics. It kept the same neck pickup, and baritone button, but added an EB mini-humbucker in the bridge position. Similar to the EB3, but with a three-way pickup selector switch replacing the varitone. In fact, with the baritone button and three-way switch, it was more versatile than the EB3, which only offered the baritone setting with the neck pickup (i.e. position 1, neck pickup plus choke). Naturally, the extra pickup had it's own volume and tone control.
Gibson EB-2 soundclips
Have a listen to the EB-2 bass, played through a 1964 Ampeg B15. More clips here.
1968 EB-2D - neck pickup only, without bass boost
1968 EB-2D - neck pickup only, with bass boost
1968 EB-2D - bridge pickup only, without bass boost
1968 Gibson EB-2D in Sunburst finish - have a closer look at this bass here.
1969 Gibson EB-2W in Walnut finish - have a closer look at this bass here.
EB-2 discontinuation
The EB-2 had been a very popular instrument (as Gibson basses go) in the late mid 1960s, however, 1969, by comparison was a terrible year. Shipping figures (admittedly incomplete) suggest a 60% drop on 1968 levels, dropping further still in 1970. Gibson had all but given up on the single pickup EB-2 by early 1970, donating 150 basses to the US war effort in Viet Nam (February 1970) - this was a significant proportion, around half of the EB-2 total for 1970. The model was included in the March 1970 price list, but was notably absent in the September 1970 list.
The EB-2D did soldier on, however. Shipping data beyond 1970 is not available, but it remained in price lists as late as October 1972, and examples may have trickled out of Kalamazoo for another year or two beyond this time.
Gibson EB-2 bass guitars for sale
1967 GIBSON EB2-C: MADE IN KALAMAZOO, MI (WITH ORIGINAL HARD CASE) (HA2037500)
Harrison, Arkansas, 726**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2995
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
1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case
Bridgeport, West Virginia, 263**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$175
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
GIBSON 1966 BASS CHROME PICKUP COVER LARGE HUMBUCKER EB-O EB-2 EB-3 EPI RIVOLI
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$59
There's nothing worse than not having a cover for that big Gibson bass humbucker. It's one butt-ugly pickup without it! This is correct for late 1965 thru 1970 EB-O, EB-2 and EB-3 models as well as 1969 & 1970 EB-1 basses. It will also fit Epiphone Rivoli basses. This version has the small-head mounting screws (4 are included but just not shown). Gibson changed the height and the position of this cover in 1970 and enlarged the mounting screw holes. It's in great shape ... more
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case
Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6000
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
1968 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar
Churchville, New York, 144**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2200
... more
Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow
Bari, 70***, ITALY
€4900
Vintage 1965 Gibson EB2 D *Museum Condition* Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC & Tags
Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM
£5495
I??m THRILLED to announce the sale of a 60+ year collection coming through The Music Locker. This collection spans all decades from the 60s to the present day. They have been collected by a true lover of vintage. This particular guitar is one of the nicest guitars you'll ever find - in truly museum quality condition. It dates to 1965 and is the EB2 double pickup version, complete with the original case and ... more
RARE 1968 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar In Sparkling Burgundy Metallic WITH HARDCASE
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12***, UNITED KINGDOM
£6500
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
Vintage 1970 1971 1972 Gibson EB2D Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC *1970s* Ex JLR
Heanor, DE75***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2995
Vintage 1970 1971 1972 Gibson EB2D Sunburst Bass Guitar w / OHSC *1970s* Ex JLR
This beauty has been owned by Blues Hall of Fame artist Jimmy Lloyd Rea (Ex. Canned Heat & John Lee Hooker) for many many years, until the previous owner purchased it in a local auction in the USA. He was from Portland, Oregon. I then managed to buy it off of him and it now resides in the UK! It's a truly stunning and full of character early 1970s Gibson EB2D in original finish and complete with the ... more
Vintage Epiphone Rivoli Bass EB232 C 1967 In Original Translucent Cherry Finish
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3750
An outstanding extremely rare original in Collector??s Grade Condition vintage model bass guitar
The original 1960s Rivoli was available in Sunburst and Natural finishes, with Cherry added in 1966. Just 312 instruments (out of a total US production of 1864) shipped in Cherry between 1966 and 1968. This only amounted to 17% of the total US production. The vast majority of Rivolis had the ... more
Vintage Gibson 1966 EB-2 Hollowbody Bass Guitar with Sunburst Finish
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B***, CANADA
C $3850
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
1963 Epiphone Rivoli Bass Guitar EBV232 - Kalamazoo Michigan Serial - N6 Collect
London, N6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1500
Collection in person from London, N6, by buyer only (no couriers) and payment in cash or bank transfer only.
With wear and checking as you can see
This had repair work done to the front about 5 years ago, with a new push switch and new knobs fitted and a refret + refinish
Original pots / electrics inside, one wire had to be extended
Label with serial number visible inside, serial number is also on the... more