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.
The 1950s Gibson EB-2
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
Gibson EB-2 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 mute developed for electric bass) 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 Gibson EB-2D soundclips.
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 1968 Gibson EB-2D.
1969 Gibson EB-2W in Walnut finish - have a closer look at this bass 1969 Gibson EB-2W.
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
Vintage 1964 Epiphone Rivoli Bass
Wantagh, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3300
This rare Vintage Bass is in excellent condition
This Rivoli model remains one the best sounding vintage basses, which I used personally for many genres of performance and recording. This fine bass has been maintained over the years by master craftsman and maker David Segal or New York Bass Works.
The bass comes with a newer Epiphone hardshell case
Please note: This fine instrument will be sold ... more
1968 Gibson EB-2D 2 Color Sunburst Electric Bass Guitar
Hollywood, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6900
Feel free to ask me any questions
... more
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case
Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5200
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
Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar
Anderson, Indiana, 460**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5790
Vintage Gibson EB2 Bass pots Wiring Harness
Asheboro, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$350
1967 Epiphone EB-232 Rivoli Short Scale Electric Bass Sunburst !
Peckville, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3395
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
1967 Gibson EB-2C Bass fabulous special ordered EB-2 in "Sparkling Burgundy" !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6495
1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass
Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8695
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
Epiphone Rivoli EBV232 Vintage '63 Semi-Acoustic Electric Bass Made In Kalamazoo
Milano, 20***, ITALY
€2950
Suono notevole, vero vintage sound!!
Custodia rigida originale compresa
Vendita tra privati con formula AS / IS senza alcun diritto di ... more
Epiphone Rivoli II Bass Guitar
Grimsby, DN32***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1000
Greco SAB120 Bass guitar 1980s (Gibson EB2 copy)
Cheltenham, GL52***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1016
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
1967 EPIPHONE RIVOLI Bass Guitar - EB 232C in CHERRY with hard shell case
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£4650
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
- 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
Gibson 1964 EB-2 Used Electric Bass Good Condition
Widnes, WA8***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3457
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
Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow
Bari, 70***, ITALY
€4900