Gibson instruments in the 1970s often did not have the most intuitive of controls, especially when compared to their competitors; but this was integral to the broader tonal palettes for which they strived. Varitone equipped guitars had been part of the Gibson line since the 1950s, and the newer Norlin period guitars and basses were less intuitive still; many late seventies musicians were simply not getting the most out of their instruments! So it is no surprise that Gibson attempted to educate owners with printed material and even vinyl records.
Summary of EB3 varitone controls
The following sheet (produced by Norlin in 1978) shows Gibson's description of series 2 EB3 controls. Older series 1 controls are similar, though not identical.
See also the equivalent sheets for the Gibson Ripper, Gibson G3, Gibson RD Artist and Gibson Les Paul Signature basses.
At this point the EB3 bass was right at the end of it's production - just 184 guitars shipped in 1978, compared to a peak of 2421 in 1973 (see the EB3 shipping statistics); the guitar pictured is in the rarer white opaque finish, only available between 1976 and 79.
Gibson EB3 bass for sale
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1961 Gibson EB-3 the cleanest original extent w / hang tags 1 of a kind & Minty !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$11495
This is a beautiful 1st year produced example of the exactly ??Cream Era?? Gibson EB-3 bass, pretty much identical the primary one used extensively by Jack Bruce from 1966 into the mid-70s. These expensive double pickup EB basses were made in fairly small quantities from 1961 into the mid-1960s but most examples that surface now are the later ??60s and early ??70s models, when they were produced in much greater numbers ?? at least partially due to the popularity of Cream ! Those are fine ... more
1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case
Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
One owner, bought new in 1969 from Quigly Music in Kansas City with original Gibson Case. One small strap rub on back with minor finish scratches on back as seen in photos.... more
Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art
El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
Beautiful stunning EB three Gibson guitar Bass original case, one lady owner, left as found 1970s i??ll let the Pictures do the talking or the playing ! Enjoy laurence & sally of StorageWars and baggage battles currently www roundthebend tv
... more
... more
"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3295
Here we a have a Pre-Owned Excellent Condition 1973 VINTAGE GIBSON EB-3 BASS. I Just put it through the Shop to make sure everything is up to snuff. I am very meticulous when it comes to my gear, I baby my stuff. Everything is in perfect working order. I just had it completely set up with brand New FENDER FLATOUND 45-100'S so it plays wonderful. Truss Rod is in good working condition Neck is Straight action is perfect. (I like the action low) so it set perfect and plays like a dream. All the ... more
1972 Gibson EB-3 Slotted Headstock Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Walnut w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2900
Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson EB-3 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This is an uncommon version of the EB-3 platform, only produced from 1970 to early ?72, featuring a slotted headstock
Surprisingly versatile, the EB-3 delivers warm, midrange rich snarl from the mini humbucker in the bridge position, and powerful low end thump from the neck position "Mudbucker " The rotary pickup selector offers a bevy of tones at the flick of a ... more
Surprisingly versatile, the EB-3 delivers warm, midrange rich snarl from the mini humbucker in the bridge position, and powerful low end thump from the neck position "Mudbucker " The rotary pickup selector offers a bevy of tones at the flick of a ... more
1972 Gibson EB-3 Short Scale Electric Bass Walnut Finish SG Vintage Gig Bag
Astoria, Oregon, 971**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1995
In great to near excellent condition. Has kill switch, two tone knobs, two volume knobs and pick up selector. With really cool vintage gig bag. From Fly Guitars site: When the EB3 was redesigned for 1972, Gibson were careful to make a less fragile bass. Some of the 1960s EB basses cracked easily when dropped, or knocked about a bit. The easily-broken mahogany neck had been replaced with a thicker three-piece maple one. It was given a thicker body, and a bigger headstock. It had a volute for neck... more
Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar
Santa Barbara, California, 931**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1800
Vintage 1969 Gibson EB-3Cherry Electric Bass Guitar. Jack Bruce played an EB-3. So did Glenn Cornick ofJethro Tull. Bob Daisley played an EB-3 on Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz Also Andy Fraser of Free. Michael Davis - MC5. Norm Sundholm, bassist for TheKingsmen and co-founder of Sunn Amplifiers also played an EB-3. This is an original1969 Gibson EB-3 Bass in the classic Cherry Red finish, with serial number 603929 This EB-3 is in very good condition, showing player wear with buckle rash, ... more
Gibson EB-3 FRETLESS Bass Guitar Electric Vintage Rare 60??s / 70??s SG Fret Less
Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1799
Wow look at this beast. Fretless monster from I think the 70??s. Not sure if it was made into a fretless, or if that??s stock. Either way. Its such a cool bass.
-11 pounder
-nics and dents everywhere, wear here and there. Belt rash
-extra hole from a once moved strap peg
Ive had this for a few years. Im just not a fretless player, but I always dug this thing. Was in this condition when I originally purchased it. Pots look original
Switch #4 and #1 light ... more
-11 pounder
-nics and dents everywhere, wear here and there. Belt rash
-extra hole from a once moved strap peg
Ive had this for a few years. Im just not a fretless player, but I always dug this thing. Was in this condition when I originally purchased it. Pots look original
Switch #4 and #1 light ... more
Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967
Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
The Gibson EB-3 is a bass guitar introduced in 1961 and discontinued in 1979. It was produced at Gibson's plant in Kalamazoo, MI It features a slim SG-style body, a short 30 5" scale, and two pick up's (a large humbucking pickup in the neck position and a mini humbucker pickup in the bridge position). The electronics include a four-way rotary pickup selector switch (for Series 1 basses: neck pickup with midrange notch, bridge, bridge and neck with low end rolled off neck pickup, neck pickup with... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€444
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€439
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
Gibson EB 3 CASE 1971 - passend für NUR GESCHLITZTE SPINDELSTOCK-Version
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£399
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£385
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£385
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
There are 2 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
bassman85 Comment left 2nd June 2015 02:02:00 reply
Do you have an equivalent sheet for the Victory Artist bass # what the switches do # thanks how do I get a copy
Do you have an equivalent sheet for the Victory Artist bass # what the switches do # thanks how do I get a copy
Fly Guitars Comment left 3rd June 2015 16:04:57 reply
Hi bassman85 - this series of info sheets was printed in 1978, some three years before the advent of the Victory bass series - the equivalent information appears on page 16 of the 1981 victory bass owners manual, which is reproduced here http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/catalogues/1981_Victory_owners_16.php
Hi bassman85 - this series of info sheets was printed in 1978, some three years before the advent of the Victory bass series - the equivalent information appears on page 16 of the 1981 victory bass owners manual, which is reproduced here http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/catalogues/1981_Victory_owners_16.php