The Gibson staff newsletter, the Gibson Amplifier was published monthly throughout much of the 1960s and 1970s. It was full of staff news, and rarely had much content about the instruments themselves, however this issue from February 1970 has a rather interesting story on the front page.
Gibson had just sent 150 EB-2 bass guitars to a US Army depot, Long Binh in Viet Nam. Long Binh was big; 50,000 soldiers, a logistics supply depot, a military prison and numerous other facilities including shops, restaurants, dentists, sports and entertainment facilities and so on. Performers would come and visit to entertain the troops here too.
Now, Norlin had taken over from CMI, as the owners of Gibson in December 1969, so this was one of the first acts of the new owners. Effectively Gibson had loaded up a trailer and sent it off, in hope that "the availability of our Gibson instruments will help to make a Viet Nam assignment seem a little shorter".
The Gibson Amplifier piece gives out no more information - except the names of three workers that loaded the lorry. Did the basses arrive? Who used them? Soldiers? Performers? Did the US army order these, or were they a gift from Gibson?
If you can add any information about this story please comment
Gibson EB-2 bass guitars for sale
1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case
Bridgeport, West Virginia, 263**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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1967 GIBSON EB2-C: MADE IN KALAMAZOO, MI (WITH ORIGINAL HARD CASE) (HA2037500)
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1970s BASS HUMBUCKER PICKUP JAPAN EPIPHONE RIVOLI ARIA UNIVOX MATSUMOKU ERA 9 0K
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$79
These came as standard equipment on Japan Epiphone Rivoli, Aria and Penco EB Series basses and some Univox & Greco models. It's quite hard-to-find these days as a result of limited production. This is a very strong pickup with 2-conductor wiring so it's very easy to install. It registers a very strong 9 00k on my trusty meter so you know it means business. The bezel measures 3 7 / 8" by 1 15 / 16" and the pickup itself measures 2 3 / 4" by 1 1 / 2 " . Mounting screw ... 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
Oneonta, Alabama, 351**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2200
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.
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Gibson EB-2 1967 Sunburst Bass 335 Semi Hollow
Bari, 70***, ITALY
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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 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 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
1964 Epiphone Rivoli Bass in Cherry Sunburst
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3800
1964 EPIPHONE RIVOLI - CHERRY SUNBURST
A Gibson EB2 in all but name, headstock and inlays this semi hollow bodied Rivoli has a laminated maple top and solid maple centre block. The pickup is the famous EB pickup also used on the Gibson EB series. Feature the Baritone switch this has that sound these basses are renowned for. The tortoiseshell Pickguard is, as usual with these missing its silver E badge. ... 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