Gibson EB-3; the first SG bass
The Gibson SG, in all it's variations, was launched in 1961. And this is one of the very first; a great early Gibson EB3 bass, with fat neck, wide-spaced controls, nickel hardware, and bakelite neck humbucker cover. Listen to this bass!
Dating a vintage Gibson bass guitar can be tricky in some cases, but for this early EB3 it is actually a simple matter. The potentiometers and serial number both date to 1961, and it has all the period correct hardware for 1961... Finally, although Gibson does not hold complete shipping records for all guitars, it did have a record of this bass, confirming it's shipping date from Kalamazoo as October 12th, 1961. The original US list price (September 1961) was $310.
An early EB3
Gibson produced almost 15 thousand EB3 basses over the 18 years of production (1961-1979); two thirds of which were shipped between 1969-73. It took a while to gain popularity, with just a tiny fraction (just 132 EB3s) shipped in the first year. (See the full Gibson EB3 shipping totals).
1961 EB3 features and components
This bass has all the typical early 1961 features and is typical of the EB3 shown in the 1962 and 1964 Gibson catalogues. Starting at the top: inlaid Gibson logo, with open o and b and dotted i. The inlaid crown inlay on the headstock is raised above centre, (rather than being centered a little later), and the headstock angle seems to be 18°; although it is hard to measure this angle with precision. Gibson guitars at this time had a nominal 17° angle, and it may be that 18° is within normal variance. Scale length is 30 1/2", necessitating short scale strings.
The bridge is the nickel two point bar bridge, which would have been fitted with an under-bridge string mute, though this part is now missing on this bass. The screws in front of the bridge are still present. Another part often missing is fitted to this bass; the nickel hand rest. Later EB basses had the same rest, but chrome-plated. The neck humbucker has a black bakelite cover; this was originally metal-plated, as was the surround of the bridge pickup, but this was very poor-wearing, and finding these with any real amount of plating on them is rare. Finally, the tuning keys are Kluson 538 type, as fitted to Gibson basses throughout the 1960s.
Older EB basses often suffer from finish fading; the original nitrocellulose translucent cherry can turn to a far less appealing orangey brown, mainly due to exposure to sunlight, but also from handling. This is not the case with this bass, as it retains a very nice Cherry colouration.
Note also the early-style heel - the area where the neck joins onto the guitar body. This wood joint changed over the years of EB bass production, but the example shown here is a good example of the earliest style used on the EB3 bass - compare with other Gibson EB bass heels.
Gibson EB-3 Wiring
The picture on the right shows the wiring loom. Three pots are identical; Centralab 500K audio taper, part number BA811-1053, all dated week 39 of 1961 (September/October). As mentioned above, Gibson have confirmed that this bass was shipped from the factory on October 12th - these pots were produced, shipped and used in quick time. The neck pickup tone pot is different; 250k part BA811-1831 and is dated week 18 of 1961 (May). Click the image for a larger version, and a circuit wiring plan.
John Birch modification
At some point in the 1960s/70s this bass was modified to a left hander, by luthier John Birch. Birch was famous for his work on the instruments of Slade, Deep Purple etc, and a decal with his name was applied to the back of the headstock. The John Birch changes have all been reversed now, but included a left-handed nut, different tuning keys and an intonatable bridge.
Listen to this bass
Circuit image
More about the EB3 in general
1961 EB-3 Soundclips
The EB-3 is one of those instruments with it's own unique tonal palette. No Fender will ever sound like an EB3.. but which is the defining EB3 tone, the choked neck pickup (dub)? The bridge pickup through a gainy valve amp (rock)? The two soundclips below were recorded through a 1964 Ampeg B15. For more clips, check out numerous other audio samples of this bass in all the varitone positions and with various amp settings here.
Guitar vol 10, tone 10, varitone position 1 (neck pickup only with tone choke). With a clean amp (vol 3, treble 5, bass 5) you get a really fat round sound from this setting. Played fingerstyle.
Guitar vol 10, tone 3, varitone position 2 (bridge pickup only). Rolling off the tone a little on the bass, and pushing the amp further (vol 7, treble 5, bass 5) gives the fantastic distorted bass tone that the EB3 is famous for - especially when you really dig in like this. Played fingerstyle.
Gibson EB-3 bass guitars for sale
"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3795
1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case
Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art
El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
... more
1967 Gibson EB-3 Vintage Short Scale SG Bass, 100% Original
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3200
Described in the 1967 Gibson catalog as ??the ultimate in an ultra thin, hand contoured solid body Gibson Electric Bass, ?? the EB-3 sports solid mahogany construction with a ... more
GIBSON 1968-7O SLOT-HEAD EB-O EB-3 BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX RED LINING VERY CLEAN!
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$349
FREE USA SHIPPING!
(for a limited time)
This month The Bass Palace will be listing 15 to 20 vintage cases from The Swami's own personal collection. Most of these are in primo condition and some are actually NOS. There are even some seldom-seen ones to be offered. These are the cream-of-the-crop if you are looking for a case worthy of your own special instrument. As an intro I am offering FREE shipping to the lower 48 thru 11 / 15 (a $40-60 savings)! But make no mistake, once the sale ... more
1960??s GIBSON Bass EB-3 EB-2 EB-0 Hand Rest Cover
Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
The cover features the iconic Gibson logo and is a great addition to any vintage musical instrument collection. Whether you are a seasoned musician or a collector, this hand rest cover is a unique and... more
1965 Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar
Farnham, GU10***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3950
The EB-3, widely known as the classic Cream bass, was used and made most famous by Jack Bruce from blues-rock pioneers 'Cream' around 1967 onwards. He had a few of them over that time period, but his main and most photographed instrument was a matching '65. The spacing between the control knobs was changed in 1965 to match the guitar line, so only a percentage... more
Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967
Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
Gibson 1963 / 4 EB3 Solid Body Bass Guitar
Leigh-on-Sea, SS9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1900
No evidence of routs, earth cable through small hole in the top to link to bridge otherwise general evidence of playwear
Controls are not original - varitone switch is
All brightwork tuners etc original. Comes with non original hard case
... more
Fernandes Burny REB-65 - Kopie EB-3 SG Bass - Original Gibson Bass Modern Case
Berlin, 13***, GERMANY
€750
Er wird mit einem neuen original Gibson SG Bass Modern Hardshell Case geliefert
Das japanische Vertriebsunternehmen Fernandes Co. Ltd. hatte zwei Gitarrenmarken, Fernandes für die Kopien von Fender-Gitarren und Burny, für die Nachbauten von Gibson-Instrumenten
Fernandes Co. Ltd. war einer der größten Gitarrenhersteller Japans OHNE eigene Fabrik
Die Instrumente wurden ausschließlich für den japanischen Markt angeboten und ... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€444
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
Over 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-PARTS in our OTHER
AUCTIONS !!!!
TAKE A LOOK !!!... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€399
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
Gibson EB 3 CASE 1971 - passend für NUR GESCHLITZTE SPINDELSTOCK-Version
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£399
* CASE ONLY !
* strap that holds case open=GONE
* bottom and top are loose =need reglueing
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* check all pics
* SOLD AS IS - NO RETURNS... more
1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£345
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
... more
Hi Lars, circa 1967, Gibson did use some Japanese closed gear tuning keys on both EB0 and EB3 basses: effectively two-sided versions of the sets used on the Kalamazoo KB basses. Could these be what was fitted to your bass?
hi i am the owner of a 1961 Gibson EB3 the guitar is all original and wel preserved. it is one of 132 that were ever made that year if you would like pictures and infos about it just to put on your website feel free to message me Best Regards Federico Balducci
Hi Thanks for the very nice article on the EB-3. I have a question about my 1967 EB3. It came with Schallers like this bass, and I got original Klusons for it. But the screw pattern does not fit the Klusons. The screws (4) are about 1/4" closer at both top and bottom on the headstock. Do you know if Gibson ever used other tuners on these basses?
I'm looking for a black (or silvered) plastic pickup cover for an early EB3. Does anyone make a replica, or is finding one on ebay my only hope. I've been watching for months now. Anyone have one for available?
A stunning bass. I'd really love to get hold of one like that again. I had a 61 EB0 that I added a bridge pickup to. Great wide neck. Sounded incredible, even without the tone choke. Played incredible too. Stolen from my pickup years later. Theres really something special about the oldest Gibson EBs, even the late sixties ones aren't the same.