Free and the Gibson EB3

Andy with his Gibson EB3 bass. Picture taken from the book Heavy Load: The Story of Free by David Clayton and Todd Smith. The bass pictured is an early example, most likely 1961 or 62, so Fraser most likely got this bass used. The scratchplate and handrest have been removed, giving a clean look - see a complete 1961 EB3 here.

FlyGuitars After leaving John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, you joined Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke to form Free where you are associated with the Gibson EB3 electric bass guitar, can you remember what it was that particularly attracted you to use it?

Andy Fraser I was immediately at home with the EB3. First, it is small, as am I, so it was a perfect fit. It had extra frets up top, and you could never have enough extra frets for me, and with the extra pickup, one could get a wide variety of tones. I really felt one with that model. Was not happy to have it stolen!!!

FlyGuitars From when Free formed in 1968 to when the band first split up in 1971 did you ever use any other basses other than the EB3 for recording or live shows?

Andy Fraser I had an Epiphone, semi-acoustic - forget the model. Nice change of tone. Slight danger of feedback live, because of being acoustic, but a nice bass. EB3 was my main baby.

FlyGuitars Pictures show an Epiphone Rivoli

Andy Fraser Ah! Rivoli!! see you know better than me.

FlyGuitars What made you start using this bass and did you stop using the EB3 completely?

Andy Fraser It may have been when the EB3 was stolen, and before I found another one. After the last tour with FREE, in Australia, we were in such disarray, one of the temporary roadies disappeared - as did all the equipment, and we had much weightier things to deal with than worry about that. So not too sure what actual equipment was used later.. I do remember liking it though.

Andy with his Epiphone Rivoli. Picture taken from the book Heavy Load: The Story of Free by David Clayton and Todd Smith

FlyGuitars From a bass players point of view, you were surrounded by three strong musicians, what was it like to play bass in Free?

Andy Fraser One couldn't ask for more than playing with the likes of Rodgers, Kossoff and Kirke. Total masters in their field. Our confidence came from our total belief in each other. It was like a team of commando's where you knew we were all watching each others back. Sensitive to each others weaknesses and had the chemistry to always be able to fill in the gaps, pick up the slack - complete the whole. A real band / marriage in every sense.

FlyGuitars After Free split up you formed the band Toby with Stan Speake and Adrian Fisher and as far as I am aware there were no recordings of Toby released. This was the first band where you handled the lead vocal duties, how did you find being the singer and the bass player?

Andy Fraser It was a great learning experience. It was very hard! I didn't have much confidence or technique, but it was something I had to do - get my feet wet. (I have an unnatural fear of the water, by the way) but a will and determination to get me thru' some rather embarrassing moments. Having Paul Rodgers as a yardstick doesn't make it any easier, but I do like a challenge. As a songwriter, I knew I had to sing, so I had to start somewhere. It would have been very easy keep 'doing what I was famous for", join a supergroup maybe, become ridiculously rich, and artistically empty. As it turns out, Someone must have been watching over me all the time, and I have been allowed to follow my heart

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

Kaufman, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$370

Good working condition, all the latches and hindge work, lots of wear around the edge see pics
... more

Epiphone by Gibson PJ Bass + SKB Hard Case (Late ?80s / Early ?90s?)

Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$425

Vintage Epiphone by Gibson 4-string bass with Precision / Jazz pickup configuration. Made in Korea, late ?80s to early ?90s. Solid condition, plays great. No visible serial ?? typical for this era
Includes a SKB hard shell molded case ($70??$80 value) ?? durable & secure.... more

Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag! -LL

Mesquite, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

Item: Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag!
Description: You are purchasing a Gibson RD Artist Bass w / Bag!Neck had a break but has been repaired. See PhotoIT has some wear and tear from normal usage Beautiful flamed wood finish Plays and sounds Please ask any questions before buying if you have any Shipping: $100 00 shipping to the Lower 48 States! We ship overseas. Overseas shipping prices will vary. Overseas buyers pay their own import taxes Payment: We accept Paypal for your ... more

Vintage 1913 Gibson Mando Bass Style J -Natural- For Repair & Restoration 1920's

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4950

This listing is for a rare and amazing Vintage Gibson Style J Mando Bass. To the best of my knowledge this bass was made in 1913 and these Style J Mando Basses were made in small quantities between 1912 throughout throughout the 1920's and 1930's. This one is not in great shape and will require some professional restoration but these are so rare it would be a great project for the right player or luthier to restore
The Mando Bass serial number is 15722 as best I can make out but the label ... more

CLEAN! Vintage Gibson Grabber Bass!! Plays great! W / alt Pickguard

Monticello, New York, 127**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

This vintage Gibson Grabber Bass is a dream come true for any right-handed player looking for a solid body electric bass guitar. With its natural body color and 4-string configuration, this bass is perfect for any music genre. The alt pickguard adds a unique touch to this 1974 model year, making it a must-have for collectors and musicians alike.

The bass plays great and has been well-maintained, ensuring its quality and reliability. Whether you're a seasoned player or a ... more

Gibson Grabber

North Charleston, South Carolina, 294**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

Great shape Gibson grabber, pickups slides and functions great!... more

Vintage 1976 Gibson G3 Grabber Electric Bass with original hard Gibson Case

East Amherst, New York, 140**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3200

This vintage Gibson G3 Grabber Electric Bass is a rare gem for any musician. With a beautiful blond body made of alder and maple, this right-handed bass guitar features a rosewood, ebony, and maple fretboard, making it a dream come true for any player. The 4-string configuration and vintage series add to its uniqueness, making it a must-have for any collector. This bass guitar comes with its original hard Gibson case, making it easy to transport and store. Perfect for any musician or collector, ... more

Vintage Gibson EB-0 Bass Walnut 1968

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1999

Vintage Gibson EB-0 Bass Walnut 1968
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
If you're into short scale basses, these old Gibson EB models are fantastic! This one in particular is a real winner, offering excellent tone & feel. Professionally inspected & set up so it's ready to play upon arrival
Cosmetic Condition: Good honest play wear - various nicks, chips, dents & dings; scratches, weather checking & some finish wear. The bass has a ... more

Gibson EB-0 Circa 1964 Electric Bass Guitar

Georgetown, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

Sounds and plays so good! Has all the vintage tone and good mojo. Straight neck. Fully functional. Someone has refinished the headstock while leaving the logo. Some cosmetic flaws from its age. This is a classic thumping bass that can take your playing to the next level

Don't miss your chance to own!



Items only come with case or accessories if pictured or listed in the listing

Items only come with accessories / parts pictured and or... more

1965 Gibson EB-0 Short Scale Bass Guitar w / Original Case READ DESCRIPTION

Missoula, Montana, 598**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2796

Bass has some finish cracks all over the body. See pic 4, I??ve tried to capture it. Very common for its age. No major blemishes, but not mint condition. Mute still works great, all original pickups still sound like they did in the 60s.

I have the original case, but it wasn??t easily accessible at the time of posting. I may have updated or would be happy to add pics if a serious buyer wants them. Case is in rugged condition.

Thanks. Please ask questions before bidding. ... more

1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass Walnut 100% Original w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3700

Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A first-year example of the bass sibling of the Les Paul Recording, the Triumph is easily one of Gibson??s most versatile, feature-rich basses ever produced, boasting a pair of Gibson??s Low Impedance humbuckers with a wide array of controls.
Tonewoods include a ??sandwich?? mahogany body, three-piece mahogany neck, and bound rosewood... more

1992 Gibson Les Paul Bass beautiful bass autographed by Les Paul w / photo docs.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5995

This is a very rare chance to acquire a rare Les Paul Bass signed by the man himself, Mr. Les Paul. This is a very clean 1992 Les Paul Bass in a pretty faded Honey??burst finished top w / a natural mahogany finished back, sides & neck. It??s sporting a pair of 2 factory Humbucking pickups w / a 60??s type bridge setup like an EB-2 bass. Its unbound rosewood fingerboard has nice pearloid trapezoid inlays w / a nice feeling neck. Its headstock has a rare pearl inlaid ??Torch?? bringing back ... more

Gibson Classic 1966 EBO Bass Guitar

Adrian, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

This is a rare and collectible 1966 Gibson Classic EBO bass guitar in a stunning red color. With its 4-string configuration, this electric bass guitar is perfect for any musician who wants to make a statement. The Gibson brand is known for its quality and excellence, and this Classic series bass guitar is no exception. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar is sure to impress. It's perfect for playing a wide range of musical styles and is ideal for both live ... more

All Original Vintage 1977 Gibson Grabber G-3 Bass Guitar

Fort Worth, Texas, 761**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2995

All original vintage 1977 Gibson Grabber G-3 bass guitar. Nice bright with depth tone. A lot of presence. G-3's were the Cadillac Grabber of it's day. This one is in remarkably good condition, especially for it's age. Kiss, Grand Funk, Nirvana, Green Day, The Who, etc BODY: Sculpted maple NECK: Maple with maple fingerboard and MOP dots BRIDGE: Original string through the body bridge, so the strings are really throwing a signal. Surprisingly still has the original bridge cover (that's rare for ... more

1968 Gibson EB-2 Vintage Semi-Hollow Short Scale Bass Sunburst w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson EB-2 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. The EB-2 has the body shape and maple construction of Gibson's ES guitars, and the modern Hipshot SuperTone bridge is a substantive upgrade, enhancing the sustain, stability and articulation of this model in a meaningful way. Strung with 45-105 roundwound strings on the 30 1 / 2" scale, this bass features powerful, thick-sounding "Mudbucker" mounted in the neck position, yielding ... more

gibson bass guitar 4 string

Maple Shade, New Jersey, 080**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1188

The Gibson Bass Guitar 4 String is a high-quality electric bass guitar designed for musicians looking for a powerful and versatile sound. With its solid body construction and distinctive red color, this SG model delivers rich bass tones that are perfect for both live performances and studio recordings. Featuring four strings, this bass guitar offers a wide range of notes and harmonies, making it ideal for bass players looking to explore different genres and styles of music. Built by the renowned... more

Vintage Gibson Victory Bass Guitar - Artist

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 871**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

This is a rare Gibson Victory Artist Bass Guitar in Antique Gold. It is a heavy solid bass from the early 80s
The Artist model features two Series VIIIB humbuckers, three-ply maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fretboard, and passive / active electronics with one volume and one tone knob, bass and treble controls, a pickup selector switch, a series / parallel switch, and a three-position passive / active switch
Has a few scratches and scuffs but otherwise really nice for its age. The case has ... more

1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2299

For Sale: 1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
Up for sale is a stunning 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass in its classic Natural finish, complete with its original hard-shell case. This vintage bass is in very good condition and is ready to deliver exceptional performance with that unmistakable classic Gibson tone
Condition & Features:
Cosmetic Wear: This bass shows some light scratches, dings, and general wear throughout, with noticeable wear on the ... 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

1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Rare Slotted Head w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!

Racine, Wisconsin, 534**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995

1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!. Slotted headstock with original Gibson tuners!! Perfect for the collector!! This bass is in exceptional condition and so is the original case!! You will not find one in better condition!! Simply amazing!! Has new strings and comes with a beautiful vintage ??Made in Mexico?? leather strap!! Everything 100% original!! Thanks for looking!!
... more

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