Gibson basses

Bob in the late 60s playing his EB2

FlyGuitars You have a number of Gibson bass guitars in your collection - what was the first?

Bob Daisley The first Gibson I ever had was when I was about 16 and I bought a Gibson EB-2 that was popular in the 60's. So many bass players had an EB-2 in the 60's, either the Gibson EB-2 or the Epiphone Rivoli, which was the same bass - one had Gibson written on it and one had Epiphone written on it.

Kahvas Jute - Wide Open

I used to be in a band when I was very young, about 20, called Kahvas Jute. We were sort of like a progressive rock band with an influence of Cream. I did like that growly bass sound that Jack Bruce got so I got a Gibson EB-3. I think it was in 1969. Another very versatile, great bass - especially the one that I had when I was in Kahvas Jute. I really loved that bass but when I got to London I didn't really have enough money to have more than one bass and people were sort of frowning on those a little bit. They probably just preferred the Fender sound so I had to swap it in and I got a Precision.

FlyGuitars So when did you get another Gibson?

Bob Daisley For the first album I did with Ozzy when we were called The Blizzard Of Ozz. I know a lot of people refer to it as Ozzy's solo career but when we formed that band it was a band and it was called The Blizzard Of Ozz. That first album that we did I used a Gibson EB-3 on it because for those songs I'd tried various basses and to me they just didn't sound quite right. I actually brought the first one I could get, I just went out a bought an EB-3 and used that on that album. I had my Fender down there but like I say nothing sounded quite right on those songs for some reason and I had my Ampeg and I probably had an Acoustic amp cause I had an Acoustic bass amp that I'd bought from Boz Burrell from Bad Company. He'd done that first Bad Company album with it then I bought it off him after that. For a Gibson EB-3 you really need a Marshall stack you know for the best match for sound. So when I got the EB-3 to use on that album I used one of Randy's stacks cause he had a couple of these Marshall 100 Watt stacks and a couple of cabinets and a couple of heads and that so I used one head and one 4X12 mic'd for that album.

Bob recording Blizzard of Ozz with an early 60s EB3

FlyGuitars So did you just mic the cabs on that, was that close mic'ing?

Bob Daisley Yeah, yeah. One of Randy's 100 Watt Marshall heads through a 4X12 cab. Cause I had experience using an EB-3 before and I knew what sounded best with an EB-3 and it's the Marshall.

FlyGuitars Yeah cause I use an EB-3, I've got a couple of EB-3's myself and I use mine through a Marshall 100 Watt Valve Head and 4x12 cabinet

Bob Daisley They sound best through those don't they?

FlyGuitars Well I think so yeah, mine's one of the JCM 800 Bass heads. You used one of Randy's guitar heads, have you used any of the Super Bass heads at all?

Bob Daisley Well funnily enough even in the earlier days when I got my first EB-3 I got a Marshall 100 Watt head, that was a guitar head as well.

FlyGuitars So you've just always used guitar heads with them?

Bob Daisley Yeah it was just one that came available and I just bought it but there's not that much difference in a guitar head and a bass head anyway. I heard that the funny thing was that I think Jack Bruce was supposed to have used guitar heads anyway and Jimi Hendrix used bass heads.

FlyGuitars Going back to the Gary Moore record Power Of The Blues, you used an EB-3 on that. Did you also use guitar heads again?

Bob Daisley Yeah, I think was a 50 Watt guitar head. A Marshall vintage one that Gary had through a 4X12 cab. I know Gary because he's in touch with Jack Bruce, he said to him that he told him what I was using and he said "oh that's what I used to use". Some of the tracks I did use the Fender Precision, an Olympic White one. I think it's about 1962 and I used that on a few of the tracks on Gary's album through an Ampeg SVT with an 8X10 cab. The EB-3's on a lot of the tracks on that album.

FlyGuitars When you approached that album did you think I want to use an EB-3?

Bob Daisley No, Gary had that in mind because he'd worked with Jack. He had a band with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

FlyGuitars Yeah the BBM project

Bob Daisley BBM, that was it, Bruce Baker and Moore. Gary actually brought Jack an EB-3 and he didn't use it, he used the Gibson solid body violin shaped one, the EB. People refer to as an EB-1 but in actual fact the real title of it is just EB.

Little Richard bassplayer Olsie Robinson (2nd left) playing the 1956 EB bass, and below the bass today in Bob Daisley's collection

FlyGuitars You've got one of those yourself haven't you?

Bob Daisley Yeah it's one that belonged to the bass player of Little Richard (Olsie Robinson) that he actually used on the early records; the guy that was with Little Richard for a good few years in the early days around I think late 56, 57. I already had one of those that I had bought in LA early 90s. Mine was a 1958 I think and then that other one came up for sale. There's this guy in America that I know had this bass that had come from Olsie, the bass player of Little Richard and what I did was I swapped my 58 EB for that one and I gave him some dough on top. Not a lot but he got my bass and I got that other one and I gave him some money on top. So it's a nice piece of history to have because if you listen to those early Little Richards records you know there it is that bass on them.

FlyGuitars Sure, and you've got the early EB-O with the Les Paul double cut body?

Bob Daisley Yeah the Les Paul Junior shape. That one like a lot of Gibsons has had the head broken off and it's got a repair at the back. You can see it but it's been done well, plays well and it's probably stronger now than it was before.

FlyGuitars Yeah I think that's the case with a lot of repairs isn't it.

Bob Daisley Well that was one that I got because it was a nice shape, it was an attractive looking bass and it's got those banjo machineheads on it. It's got a nice sound and it plays well. I used that on a couple of tracks for a Kahvas Jute reunion in 2005, we did a live show, a gig here in Sydney called The Basement. We had it filmed and there's a DVD. On that I used the Gibson EB-3 and an old Fender Jazz bass but there's some studio recordings that come with the DVD, I used that EB-O on a couple of those.

Bob Daisley It turned out pretty well, the band sounded just like it did when we were together all those years ago. Quite often bands reform or try to recreate something and it doesn't quite come off but I think we really pulled it off, it sounds good. I was very pleased with it.

Kahvas Jute live. Right Bob Daisley, left Tim Gaze (with SG Custom). Bob plays his 1961 EB3

FlyGuitars So out of those three Gibsons that you've got is it the EB-3 that you tend to favour?

Bob Daisley I would say it is, I've got three EB-3s now. I bought one that I'd had from England in the late 80s or 90s, it was supposed to be one of the first in England so it would be about 1960 and that's the one I used on the Kahvas Jute reunion. Then I wanted a spare one just as a sort of back up in case something went wrong or you break a string or whatever. So I got a cheaper one I brought from a mate of mine in London, he's got the Vintage Guitar Emporium on the New Kings Road, Fat Rick. It's all original except it's been refinished, still the cherry red but when he shipped to me from London to Sydney it arrived with the head broken off so it obviously hadn't been handled right. I had to get that repaired but I had a really good repair job done on it so it plays fine and yet again probably stronger now than what it was before it got broken. I think it was last year in 2006 I got the same bloke that I got the Little Richard bass from came up with an EB-3 for me that was I think it was about a 66 or 64 somewhere round there and it's virtually mint. I mean It's been used and it's got a couple of little sort of used marks on it but it's very clean, it's certainly a 9/9.5 out of 10. Solder in tact and the case is like new so I thought it's another good one for the collection but that's the three EB-3s I've got.

FlyGuitars Have you tried other Gibson models such as The Ripper, The Grabber, the Thunderbird, any of the Les Paul basses?

Bob Daisley I did have a Les Paul Bass that I bought in late '70 I think and I ended up not liking it. It was too heavy, a bit cumbersome. Lots of tones on it not really any that I liked. I never used it much and I sold it.

Bob recording in 1970, with his early set-up of Gibson EB3 bass, and 100W Marshall head

FlyGuitars I suppose they're not for everyone but I've got one of the 71 Les Paul basses and I like the tones on that.

Bob Daisley Yeah well the thing is I was still in Kahvas Jute at the time I bought it and in those days because I didn't have much money I swapped my EB-3 on it and then didn't like it. It had some nice tones but none as appropriate for that band as an EB-3 and it didn't have that EB-3 growl so I went back and got my EB-3 back. Fortunately it was still in the shop that I'd swapped it in on and got it back.

FlyGuitars Obviously Fender over the years have been more popular than the Gibson basses. What do you think the failings of Gibson have been which have prevented them from becoming more popular?

Bob Daisley I suppose the more high profile people that use a certain sort of instrument you stand a better chance, it's like free advertising really isn't it. How many people have used a Strat, god everybody and I suppose look at Les Pauls cause so many high profile people use Les Pauls and they became very popular. They were pretty popular in the 60's the Gibsons and Epiphone basses but if you look at the Fender Precision it's gone all the way through. The Gibson EB-2 was popular with a lot of high profile people for a while and then the EB-3 with certain people like Andy Fraser and Jack Bruce and the bass player in The Zombies, he used an EB-3 and even the bass player with the Jackson 5 had an EB-3 but that was only for short periods of time but the Precision has gone all the way through with so many different high profile people for a long period of time so I suppose that really does help.

FlyGuitars If there was a Gibson Bass say for instance that you could favour over your Fenders, how would it look? If Gibson approached you and said Bob we want to make you a signature bass how do you think you'd want that to look?

Bob Daisley I actually got Hamer in America, they made me a bass once that I ended up not using very much cause it didn't quite feel right but I got them to make it in the shape and complete design of a Stratocaster with a slightly bigger body than the Stratocaster guitar cause it was a bass but it looked just like a Strat and I got them to put Gibson Pickups on it so it would sound like an EB-3, play like a Precision and look like a Strat. I didn't have it for that long, I think the Hard Rock put it up in one of their cafes somewhere.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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Rare Black Gibson 1976 Bicentennial Thunderbird / All Original / No Breaks

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Only 91 Black Thunderbirds were produced in 1976 and here is one of the nicest I've seen. All original, no cracks, no breaks and an ebony fretboard. The neck is straight and really not a lot of playwear for it's age. Overall a fine playing bass. Original pickup cover, bridgecover plus a later hard-shell case that is also in fine condition. As per usual with older Thunderbirds, the strap button on the neck has been moved for better balance. It has never been gigged in the years I have owned it ... more

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Another New Arrival!
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Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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Vintage Gibson EB-0 Bass Walnut 1968
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
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1960s Gibson Kalamazoo KB bass Old Refin.

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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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
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Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass Electric Bass w / Original Case SN: 810964 Instrument

Lafayette, Indiana, 479**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4730

Vintage Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass Electric Bass w / Original Case SN: 810964. Please be aware that the guitar has some spots where there's extra holes in the body crazing crackling on the Finish and some of the Gibson and the crown have come off over time. Guitar may need some work handle on case one side has popped off also exterior case has some peel up of the black around the edging as well as one strip down the neck. Please see pictures ask any questions you may have before buying. If you ... more

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Califon, New Jersey, 078**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1375

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V intage 1973 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass, COLLECTOR ALERT Gorgeous with TAGS

Agoura Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7750

VERY RARE and hard to find in this condition. NO mods, added switches or issues
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If you are going to pay today's higher valuations, you may as well get a great one
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Gibson EB 13 Bass

North Hollywood, California, 916**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1075

Forgot I had the original case. Pictures are taken in a different case. Great bass, plays well!!!

The Gibson EB bass, also referred to as the EB13, was a bass guitar model manufactured by Gibson from 2013 to 2016. It is no longer in production, having been discontinued around 2018 or 2019.
2013 Gibson EB13 Sunburst - BassBros
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ORIGINAL VINTAGE 1970s Gibson Les Paul Triumph Recording Bass Walnut Orig. Case

West Islip, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2910

UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ORIGINAL VINTAGE 1970s Gibson Les Paul Triumph Recording Bass Walnut Original Gibson Hard case .
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Gibson EB-3 FRETLESS Bass Guitar Electric Vintage Rare 60??s / 70??s SG Fret Less

Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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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
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Switch #4 and #1 light ... more

? For Sale: Legendary 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass ?? A Piece of Rock History! ?

Danbury, Connecticut, 068**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

? For Sale: Legendary 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass ?? A Piece of Rock History! ?
Own a true piece of music history!
This 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass is in excellent condition and comes with an incredible pedigree.
This iconic instrument was played by some of the most legendary bassists in rock history:
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1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case.

Patchogue, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case. See pic of original owner with the bass in the early ?70s ! Both the bass and case show wear from decades of use. There are scuffs, scratches, dings, and dents as you would expect. There is a split in the headstock that extends for approximately 7 inches, see photo. Electronics appear to be untouched all original. As shown in pic, date code on pot reads 6833, so bass was built in late 1968 or possibly early 1969. Serial number... more

Gibson EBO Cherry 1970

Nacogdoches, Texas, 759**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

The Gibson EBO Cherry 1970 is a classic right-handed bass guitar with a solid body design and a brown color. As part of the EB-0 model series, this vintage guitar boasts a 4-string configuration, perfect for bass players looking for a traditional and versatile instrument. With its iconic Gibson brand and timeless design, this 1970 model continues to be a popular choice for musicians seeking a high-quality bass guitar
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1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial - Rare Vintage Electric Bass

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

€2200

1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass ?? All Original, Near Mint Condition
This rare 1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial bass is in exceptionally well-preserved, near mint condition. Everything on the instrument is 100% original, including the electronics ?? with potentiometers dated to 1976. Importantly, the neck is completely intact, with no breaks or repairs, which is uncommon for this model. It comes with the original Gibson hardshell case
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1970 Gibson Triumph Bass - Low Action - Great Player! (334)

Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

For your consideration is this 1970 Gibson Triumph Bass in a Natural finish. Overall the guitar is in Very Good condition. The original pickups deliver excellent sound across all playing styles, truly capturing the iconic tones of your favorite players. Playability is excellent with low action & no fret wear. Non-original buttons. Control plate has small chip. Low Action Great Player!
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Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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1969 Gibson SG Bass All Original Serial Number 814003

Huntington, West Virginia, 257**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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