• Early 'chunky' neck • EB humbucker, black bakelite cover • Nickel hardware • Cherry finish • Mahogany body and neck • Rosewood fretboard
An early EB-0
Solid Mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck with 20-fret Brazilian rosewood fretboard and pearl dot inlay markers. Single humbucking pickup. 30 1/2 inch scale. The earliest Gibson EB0 basses were characterised by the black bakelite-covered humbucker. Produced at Gibson's legendary Kalamazoo plant, USA, in the golden age of Gibson guitar production. The first thing you notice when you pick up this bass is the fat 'clubby' neck. Not actually wider than mid 1960s EBs (This one is 1 3/4" at the nut), but thicker; for example this 1964 EB0 has the same (approximately) neck width at the nut, but an everso slightly shallower profile: it is hard to measure, and is perhaps just 2-3mm (about 10% of the total thickness), but this feels far more significant than the numbers might suggest. Bodies are identical on both of these basses.
Dating this bass is not hard. The potentiometers are stamped 1346241 (which gives a pot production date of October 1962, and the serial number is either 1962 (Bishop) or very early 1963 (Blue Book). 1962 was the second year that the EB0 bass was manufactured in the SG, or 'new Les Paul' shape, and a total of 815 EB0s were made in that year. See EB-0 shipping stats.
Like all short scale basses, the EB-0 requires short scale strings - and these basses sound incredible with flatwounds.
The October 1962 Gibson price list puts the EB0 at $210 (US zone 1 price) - at the same time, the Fender Precision bass was listed at $229.50.
The black Bakelite pickup cover was fitted to the EB0 bass until late 1962/early 1963 when a nickel version was introduced (see a 1964 EB-O). The pickup beneath the cover remained unchanged. The cover is simply held in place with four screws, and it sits onto the polepieces of the pickup below, holding it in place.
The bell control knobs were swapped for witch-hats around 1967.
Note the 'small' control cavity - compare this to the standardised cavity of a 1966 Gibson EB0.
You can read more about Gibson serial numbers here
1962 Gibson EB bass components
Notice the inlaid Gibson logo and solid headstock with crown inlay situated above centre. In late 1963/early 1964 this crown was repositioned to be more centralised on the headstock (compare with a 1964 EB-0). Components are typical for a bass of this era: Nickel two point bar bridge, nickel hand rest (positioned centrally - not to be confused with the bridge covers employed at the end of the decade, see a 1969 EB-0), black bakelite-covered EB humbucker directly at the end of the neck. Although the cover itself is black, the pickup underneath it is no different from the nickel-covered examples employed on EB basses over the following few years. This EB-0 uses Kluson 538 tuning keys.
1962 Gibson EB-0 wiring
The pictures on the right show two views of the wiring loom for this bass, accessible by removing the black plastic plate on the reverse body of the bass. It is a simple circuit, consisting of a volume and tone control (potentiometers), an output jack, and two capacitors. Both pots are identical; Centralab 500K audio taper, part number BA811-1053. Click the images for larger versions, of these images, and to see a circuit wiring plan.
This bass is typical of the EB0 shown in the 1962 and 1964 Gibson catalogues.
Gibson EB-0 bass guitars for sale
1969 Gibson Bass Guitar EB-0
Arlington, Indiana, 461**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
EPIPHONE by GIBSON EBO BASS
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$225
. This Epiphone by Gibson EBO Bass is a solid body guitar with a beautiful cherry finish. The instrument is designed for right-handed players and features a 4-string configuration. The neck is made of cherry and has 20 frets. The fretboard is made of rosewood, which gives the guitar a smooth and comfortable feel.
The body is made of mahogany, which is a durable ... more
1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Rare Slotted Head w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!
Racine, Wisconsin, 534**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3995
... more
1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case.
Patchogue, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2000
Gibson EB-0 BASS with Slotted Headstock 1969 - Cherry
Jackson, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2795
We offer a RARE Slotted Headstock Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar "Short Scale" S / N: 928316 which I believe makes this a 1969These had what they called "Mudbucker" pickups which sound much fuller and deeper than your standard pickups. They sound really cool!I understand that these short scale basses are easier for guitar player to pick and play. I have to agree It all works as it should This Bass has seen to use but is just honest playing and not abused. Check out the pics and ... more
Gibson Classic 1966 EBO Bass Guitar
Adrian, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2100
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$175
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
1963 Gibson EB-0 Vintage Short Scale SG Bass Cherry w / Mudbucker, Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2800
Gibson EB-O Electric Bass Guitar 1972 Walnut Kalamazoo Short Scale Humbucker
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 089**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1700
Gibson 1972 EB-O Mahogany Body(Walnut Finish), 3 Piece Maple Neck w / 22?? Short Scale 21 ... more
1965 Gibson EB-0 Short Scale Bass Guitar w / Original Case READ DESCRIPTION
Missoula, Montana, 598**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2796
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
Gibson 1960 EB-0 Bass Guitar Cherry
Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5999
This is a double cut solid body guitar, featuring banjo-style tuners and a one pickup design. Condition-wise this piece is in great playing and sounding condition, and bears typical signs of wear and tear. Small dings, checking, and scratches can be seen on the surface, as well as more checking and wear up the neck (as seen). This will include a non original case.... 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
Gibson EBO Bass Guitar 1967 solid wood cherry finish made in the US with case
Lebanon, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2100
1971 Gibson EB-0 Bass Walnut w / OHSC
San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1395
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Repaired Headstock As Shown
Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Playwear Including Small Dings, Marks, And Scratches Throughout
Original Hardware And Electronics
Made In Kalamazoo, MI
Mahogany Body And Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot Inlays
Original Humbucker Pickup In Neck Position
Original Frets Low But Playable
30 5" Scale Length
1 ... more
Vintage 1961, Original Style Gibson EB-0 Bass, Cherry Red, GREAT PRICE
Agoura Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4750
No cracks or damage
The Cherry Red finish has faded on the front, but it has a very nice vibe and patina 1961 is the last of the Thicker Double-Cutaway body style before Gibson introduced the SG style bodies The bass plays very nicely and has just been setup with Brand New D'Addario Short scale Round wound strings
This bass is original except the Pots have been replaced.
There is also an added Strap Button on the... more
Vintage 1966 Gibson EB-0 Bass Cherry
Tarzana, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1995
Up for sale, here's an incredible Player's grade Original 1966 Gibson EB-0 short scale Bass in its original Cherry finish with a really cool Mojo and patina
7 2 Lbs, 30 5" scale with low serial # 320XXX, which indicates it could be even late '65 but because of the bridge we can consider ir 1966
When it comes to "Player's" instruments, it means you're gettin a true vintage guitar that has been really well played for years from diverse stages to ... more
Vintage 1968 Gibson EB-0 Short Scale Electric Bass w / Case, Setup SN: 5674
Denton, Texas, 762**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1900
If you have any information regarding this bass, please send us a message and let us know! We've tried our best, I promise, to make sure everything we've put in this listing is true and honest! Having said that, this ... more
1959 1960 GIBSON EB-0 Slab Body BASS PICKGUARD USA
Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Vintage 1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar 5 String
Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
The brand speaks for itself, with a reputation for quality that Gibson has built over the years. This electric bass guitar is perfect for any music style and is sure to make a statement in any band. Whether you're a ... more
Gibson EB-0 1970s Short Scale Bass
Flower Mound, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1499
" Crafted in the United States the Gibson EB-0 embodies a classic era of bass guitar design.... more