The circuitry of the Gibson SB series bass guitars were typically simple, and plate-mounted rather than body mounted (to allow remote assembly). Both series controls were effectively the same: two switches (an on/off for each pickup), and a master tone and volume control.
Gibson SB-300 bass, Gibson SB-400 bass
Both circuitry and pickups were identical to those of the SG-200, SG-250 and ES-320 six string guitars; one way in which the manufacturing cost of these guitars and basses was reduced.
The controls and associated circuitry of the Gibson SB bass guitar series were quite simple. A master volume and tone, and two slide switches (on/off); one for each pickup. The pickups fitted to the SB-300 and SB-400 are Gibson single coil units, wired in series. The slide switches change the ground point by shorting across each pickup, selectively removing it from the circuit.
Gibson part numbers from the 1971 part list are as follows:
- Part #13570 Pickup assembly
- Part #70024 Volume and tone pots*
- Part #19231 Tone Control Knob
- Part #19232 Volume Control Knob
- Part #70486 Switch
- Part #70251 Output jack
* Interestingly enough, many instruments (predominantly early examples?) including this 1971 SB-400 do not use part number 70024 (which are 500k pots), but part BA811-3701 (250k pots) with 1960s date codes. These are the same potentiometers that appeared in 1960s Kalamazoo KG guitars, no doubt old stock that was used up before part 70024 was introduced.
Gibson SB-350 bass, Gibson SB-450 bass
The circuitry for the second series SB basses (SB-350 / SB-450) is fairly similar to the earlier SB instruments: still a master volume and tone control, and an on/off switch for each pickup, and the output jack, all mounted on a simple control plate attached to the front of the bass. - though with a slightly different arrangement, a 250kΩ rather than 250kΩ tone pot (part 70021), and a slightly smaller value capacitor. Pickups are now Gibson SB humbuckers.
Gibson part numbers from the above schematic are as follows:
- Part #70024 Volume pot
- Part #70021 Tone pot
- Part #19231 Tone Control Knob
- Part #19232 Volume Control Knob
- Part #70486 Switch
- Part #70251 Output jack
Gibson SB bass guitars for sale
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 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 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