'54 Gibson EB / Gibson Thunderbirds

FlyGuitars Your first Gibson bass was a 1950s Gibson EB?

Dave Kiswiney What a great little bass that started me, that got me going. I found that in a music store in the back room with the broken headstock. The owner had taken it in. In Port Huron, Michigan that's where I was going to school. and he said it's useless you can have it for scrap so... ten bucks.. and I took it . We glued it, and screwed it together, put a metal plate on the front and back of the headstock and clamped it. Oh it was great, and I played it for a long, long time.

Dave using the the 1954 Gibson EB bass, serial number 4 1999, with '58 Precision pickup

FlyGuitars Did it have all it's parts?

The restored Gibson EB with Dimarzio model 1 pickup

Dave Kiswiney Yeah it had everything: it had the pickguard; it didn't have the peg to play it upright, didn't have that; never did find that.. we looked but.. I played that for a long time and then I ‘Frankensteined’ it. Somebody gave me an old Fender bass. Jack Scott - do you remember Jack Scott? Well he sang songs like Burning Bridges Behind Me, What in the World's Come Over You?. I recorded with him and I used that Gibson bass in the studio, and he said you've got to have a Fender. So he brings me a Fender bass that he had.. it was like a '58.. it was white, Precision. He gave it to me and I used it on his sessions and I gave it back to him, and he said I can't pay you for the sessions, but keep the bass. So I kept the bass but, you know, I liked it, but I still liked that Gibson.. but I like the sound of the Fender.. so you know - this is terrible - I Frankensteined that little Gibson bass. Tore those pickups out of that Fender and carved a hole in the EB and plopped the Precision bass pickups in there and off I went. It was awesome. Absolutely amazing.

FlyGuitars Did you record with the EB? Did it make it to record?

Dave Kiswiney Yes I did. I made records with Michael Quatro, Suzi's brother. In Collaboration with the Gods, it's on that album. We did all that Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor. It was kind of cool stuff really. He was playing a Mellotron and some synthesizer, Moogs and things like that. It was that kind of glam symphonic rock stuff. But yes that's the bass I used on that. With those Precision pickups that I still have out of that '58. I've still got the pickups. In fact I did the same thing to the Ripper that I used. I gouged it out and put those pick-ups in that Ripper. I'll get to that.

FlyGuitars Later, when you were a Gibson endorsing artist they restored it for you?

They threw the headstock away that had the serial number on it, it was ink. I said god you've got to find the parts.. the only thing they could find was the bridge.. and the one that's on there is a new version.. I have the original bridge, that's it. I don't have the pickguard, I don't have the tuners. I couldn't believe it. That was 1979 they did that. You know, just threw it in the trash. They could have used the parts. They were doing me a favour and updating it. They had already come out with a reissue in '68 of that bass. My son has the EB, the '54; I gave it to him for his 40th birthday

Dave Kiswiney I never owned an EB3 - I wish I had. I have an EB0 which is a '68.. its brand new I've got it in the original case, a friend of mine was hoarding it.. and I finally talked him out of it.. it's got an open headstock

Gibson Thunderbird

Early 1960s Gibson Thunderbird II bass

Dave Kiswiney I used that Gibson (EB) bass until I bought a Thunderbird. I took the frets out of the Thunderbird - ruined it. But the Easy Rider and Concrete and Clay, those are probably that Thunderbird and the EB.

I remember pulling the frets out of it... I wanted to play a fretless and I ruined the bass, and I took it to a guitar shop, they took the frets out of it then they filled it and all that but it was never the same. I thought I was something more than I really actually was. I needed the frets and the intonation to play what I was playing.

I had another T-Bird for a minute that I Grabbed from Hewittts Music where I worked and traded it for an SB over at Mt. Clemens Music. I wish I still had that. That was my second attempt at a fretless bass. It's actually better to have a bass that's built to be fretless than to try and make one fretless, I found that out, at least with a Thunderbird. I traded it off for an SB350 or SB400 Gibson, long scale. it was always Gibsons. I just liked the Gibsons.

I got another Thunderbird from Gibson when they were moving out of Kalamazoo they had one that had a bgn: you know what a b g n was right? And I bought it for $200. It had two pickups in it, and it was a great bass. I didn't see anything wrong with it. I don't know why they made it a bargain, but I bought that and an acoustic guitar.

I recorded a lot of stuff that you probably never heard, like Barry T Goldberg (Sorry I Missed You), I recorded that with the Thunderbird in Ann Arbor Michigan. I used that Thunderbird like crazy on that. I ended up (selling that to) Thunderbird to Chase Chitty who is playing for Derek St Holmes in Atlanta. He had to have it: he said man I'll give you 500 Bucks - I was like ok! You know it was just a guitar, it was what we did, we bought, traded, sold, you know, and you only needed one. I wish I'd have kept it. I'd still like to get one from Gibson.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Silver

Westland, Michigan, 481**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

The 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass is a classic electric bass guitar known for its solid silver body color and durable construction. Made in the United States, this 4-string bass guitar exudes a timeless appeal with its Gibson brand pedigree and standard series design. Perfect for musicians looking for a reliable and high-quality instrument to accompany their band or recordings, the Gibson Victory Standard Bass continues to be a sought-after choice for bass players seeking a vintage yet ... more

Gibson SG Bass

Saint Louis, Missouri, 631**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$849

2014 Made in USA. Does show signs on use with some marks on the back and sides. This is brown stain in finish. Plays and adjusts well. Comes in a newer Epiphone EB case as shown. Shipping to lower 48 only.... more

Vintage Gibson EB-0 Circa 1965 Electric Bass Guitar

Mountain Ranch, California, 952**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$800

VINTAGE GIBSON EBO Bass Guitar. It has been hooked up and the electronics all seem to work ok. This bass will need some attention to get it dependable, (see pictures). The LOGO is mostly gone but can still be visible, also the serial number is still readable. This will need a good cleaning and maybe have a guitar tech adjust it to your liking. I was told this has a pickup added?. Serial number puts it at 1965. I don't know much about this bass guitar, (Please view pictures closely) This bass has... more

Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass

Union, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

The Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass is a classic right-handed solid wood electric bass guitar with a 4-string configuration. This vintage model, known as the Les Paul, was made in the United States and features a solid brown body color, making it both visually appealing and high-quality in terms of sound and playability. With its durable construction and iconic design, this guitar is a popular choice among bass players looking for a reliable and timeless instrument.... more

Gibson Thunderbird Non Reverse Bass 1967

Naugatuck, Connecticut, 067**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7700

1967 thunderbird bass
See pics
1973 it had a headstock repair
It was a pancake repair by a furniture maker in Connecticut see pics
Bass sounds great & plays great
No case it has a zipper bag from the 70??s
I have a reissue pickgaurd I never put o on & it??s missing g thumb rest & metal cover... more

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case

Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.

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

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - RARE

Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest

... 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

1967 / 68 / 69 Gibson USA EB Bass Husk - Routed

Garland, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$795

1967 / 68 or 69 GIBSON USA EB bass husk. No parts included. Routed and extra holes for pots and switches as you can see in the pictures. Truss rod turns both ways. Could make a cool project bass. No case. Please review pictures carefully.
Buyer pays $60 shipping and insurance.
Thanks for looking.
... more

1975 Gibson Grabber Bass ?? Natural, All Original, OHSC

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

$2899

For Sale: 1975 Gibson Grabber Bass ?? Natural (OHSC, Vintage Original)
Up for sale is a 1975 Gibson Grabber Bass in its timeless Natural finish, complete with the original Gibson hard-shell case. This vintage workhorse is in very good condition, plays flawlessly, and captures everything players love about Gibson??s bold 1970s bass designs
Condition & Features
Overall Condition: 8 5 / 10 ?? Light scratches and dings consistent with age, adding character to this 50-year-old ... 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

1982 Gibson Flying V Bass Silverburst w / Original Case & VIDEO

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5995

Here's a 1982 Gibson Flying V bass in a factory original Silverburst finish.
It is in good condition and has average playwear with a few mods
It has a Babicz bridge, a few small routes under the pickguard, newer pots and knobs, and the input jack was relocated to the side - very tastefully done
The top, back and sides are relatively clean - just a few small chips / marks and light scratches
Frets are original and in very good condition
Fresh set up with 50 / 105s and plays... more

Vintage 1974 Gibson Grabber Electric Bass w / Hardshell Case

Denton, Texas, 762**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

This is a Vintage 1974 Gibson Grabber Electric Bass w / Gibson Hardshell Case
Have this instrument set up just the way you like for free!All photos are of the actual instrument for sale This instruments serial number is #396774This Bass weighs 7 pounds 8 ounces
Condition: This Bass is in Good condition, especially for the year. There are signs of wear around the body and neck. Some rashes and a few small dings.
Description:The Gibson Grabber is a solidbody electric bass guitar from ... more

Gibson Grabber

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

$2250

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

1951 Gibson ES 350

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

$6950

1951 Gibson ES 350 in Sunburst finish Guitar has modified wiring- Selector switch, Master Volume, Master Tone. A previous owner had the guitar over buffed, as a result , the outer ply of the body binding was over heated, as were the original knobs (included) ,causing some cracking and crumbling in the body outer ply binding only-the neck and headstock binding is fine. Guitar has Repro Tailpiece and Repro Kluson Tuners. At one time there was a strap button installed on the neck heel, and has ... more

1987 Gibson IV Bass

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

$1399

Vintage Gibson Bass, Pearl White, in very good overall condition. No major cosmetic issues, only honest wear. Plays like a dream and sounds super Comes with original Gibson hard case, blue plush lining.... more

1969 Gibson EB-3 Cherry

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3199

Very good condition 1969 Gibson EB-3 bass in cherry. No breaks. All original outside of the changed tuners, replaced tone pot (original included), and a recent refret. This example has some honest play wear throughout from touring, but is lucky to come out with no breaks to report. Bridge mute assembly functions. Truss rod works well, neck is straight, and it has been recently restrung. 8 3 pounds. Gibson logo is a bit faded, but this is purely cosmetic of course. This example sounds very boomy,... more

1970's Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar and Case

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

A vintage 1970's Gibson Ripper bass guitar and case. Serial number 551760. Designed by Bill Lawrence, the Ripper was produced by Gibson from 1973 to 1983. It typically features a maple body with a laminated maple neck, although some 1975 models had lighter alder bodies. The Ripper is known for its two "Super Humbucker" pickups and a unique "Q-system" electronics with a four-way pickup selector and passive midrange control, offering a wide range of tonal options. This model appears to be made ... more

Epiphone Limited Edition Thunderbird IV Bass by Gibson w 50s Wiring, Case & More

Smyrna, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$777

Epiphone Limited Edition Thunderbird IV Bass by Gibson w50s Wiring, Case & More

This Epiphone Limited Edition Thunderbird IV Bass is aWINNER as it has the Gibson 50s Wiring, Schaller S-Locks strap buttons (repositioned), Gold Top Hat knobs, and has been recently serviced and set up. Comes with hard case

GET THIS WINNER BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES!

GIBSON 50s WIRING
The Gibson Flying V 50s Wiring with Independent Volume Controlsand 3-Way Pickup Selector Switch ... more

1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Rare Vintage Electric Bass

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

€1300

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
? Historical Background:In 1976, to... more

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