Gibson SB bass guitars were manufactured in the Gibson Kalamazoo plants primarily between 1971 and 1974. A small number shipped as late as 1978, however. Shipping data (according to Gibson shipment totals by Larry Meiners) is shown here. A total of 3607 SB basses were shipped (all variants), with the long scale SB400 being the most strongly represented within that number. Gibson must have intended to sell these entry-level (and presumably lower-profit) instruments en-masse, however this was never really the case, resulting in short production runs for both the 'single coil', and later 'humbucking' SBs.
SB300 / SB400
The first SB models, the 'single coils' shipped between 1971 and into early 1973, with a total of 1841 instruments shipped - roughly 50:50 short vs long scale. These figures, although not especially high, did compare with the EB-0, at least at first: looking solely at 1971, the peak SB year, 1611 SBs shipped compared to 2044 EB0/EB0Ls (see EB-0 shipping totals). Interestingly, less than 20% of the EBs were long scale. Presumably, Gibson were hoping for stronger sales still. By 1972, the newer 'humbucker' SBs were shipping, and the poor sales of the 'single coil' SBs in '72 must have been due, at least in part, to this fact.
Shipping figures for the SB300 and SB400
| 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | total | |
| SB300 | 811 | 74 | 17 | 902 |
| SB400 | 800 | 118 | 21 | 939 |
| total | 1611 | 192 | 38 | 1842 |
SB350 / SB450
The redesigned 'humbucker' SBs were shipping by the end of 1972, with a peak year of 1973 - 1252 basses shipped in that year - again roughly 50:50 short to long scale. Once more this figure (presumably quite disappointingly for Gibson) failed to match the 1659 EB0s shipped in 1973. Once again it is interesting to note that only a small proportion (15%) of these EB0s were long scale.
Shipping figures for the SB350
| 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | total | |
| SB350C (cherry) | 12 | 329 | 16 | 357 | ||||
| SB350N (natural) | 5 | 197 | 101 | 3 | 306 | |||
| SB350W (walnut) | 14 | 88 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 147 | ||
| SB350 (all colours) | 31 | 614 | 159 | 5 | 1 | 810 |
Shipping figures for the SB450
| 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | total | |
| SB450C (cherry) | 67 | 269 | 41 | 377 | ||||
| SB450N (natural) | 21 | 237 | 121 | 4 | 3 | 386 | ||
| SB450W (walnut) | 26 | 132 | 28 | 2 | 5 | 193 | ||
| SB450 (all colours) | 114 | 638 | 190 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 956 |
The first Gibson Grabbers shipped in 1973/74, and by 1975, the model was selling at a significantly larger volume than the SB series. See Grabber shipping data.
Gibson SB bass guitars for sale
Gibson SB-450 1973 Electric Bass Guitar Natural Finish w / Curtis Novak Pickups
Manhasset, New York, 110**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2000
This 1973 Gibson SB-450 electric bass is a classic early-??70s American-built instrument featuring a natural finish and period-correct construction, enhanced with modern performance upgrades for improved playability and tone
Originally built with a lightweight alder body, this long-scale bass delivers the open, resonant feel typical of Gibson??s bass designs from the era. It has been upgraded with a set of ... more
Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project Vintage 1973 Walnut
Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$900
Vintage 1973
Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project
Original finish, Played Perfectly Upon Disassembly, No Repairs
Neck .895@1st, .990@12th
Nut Width 1 70 "
Scale Length: 34 "
Weight As Is 6 Pounds, 1 Ounce
Very Clean Overall
This is a Vintage 1973 Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project as pictured. This guitar will show wear and flaws as pictured from use and age, but still a great part ready for reassembly with your choice of ... more
Gibson sb400 Bass 1971-1973 READ DESCRIPTION
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1800
https: / / youtu be / oZIYBfvSb6g?si=A5dVHv0gw1Qb6or
I replaced the crappy old broken truss rod with a modern stewmac 2 way rod, and replaced the original fretboard with a stewmac indian rosewood fingerboard and refretted. It's now a 34 inch scale, ... more
GIBSON Les Paul Bass - Premium Plus 5 String Electric Bass in Heritage Cherry SB
Krefeld, 47***, GERMANY
€4250
GIBSON LES PAUL BASS ?? Premium Plus 5-String in Heritage Cherry Sunburst
Seriennummer: 94033260
Bei diesem Instrument handelt es sich nicht um ein Serienmodell im heutigen Sinne. Der Bass wurde Mitte der 1990er Jahre vom damaligen offiziellen deutschen Gibson Custom Shop unter der Leitung von Tom Launhardt speziell für mich modifiziert. Damit stammt er aus einer Phase, in der individuelle Anpassungen noch in enger Abstimmung mit Musikern ... more