1965 Gibson EB3 Bass (Pelham blue)

Now here is a beautiful and rare example of the Gibson EB-3 bass, in custom order Pelham Blue finish. In the 1960s Gibson custom finish instruments were available in limited quantities; unlike Fender custom colours, which were widely promoted, Gibson custom colours were a rarity, and certainly not pushed. There is no mention of custom finishes for EB basses in the 1965 price list; only for Firebird guitars and Thunderbird basses. It us not known how many Pelham blue Gibson EB3 (or Gibson EB0) basses were shipped, but there were certainly not many. The total number of EB-3s shipped in 1965 was just 339. See Gibson EB3 shipping totals. In June 1965, the Gibson EB-3 was listed at $337.50 in the US (zone 1).

This bass is totally 1965: early-style wide control spacing, and bell knobs, yet chrome hardware: EB humbucker at the neck, and a mini humbucker at the bridge. Chrome-plated bar bridge with string mute. Like all EB-3s, controls are two volume, two tone and a four position varitone switch in the middle. Note also, the last remnants of silvering peeled from the bridge pickup surround. This would have been one of the last basses produced with this wider control layout. In the second half of the year, a new, closer arrangement was introduced, allowing a common control route for all SG guitars and solid body EB basses. Compare this to a later 1969 EB3 with narrow-spaced controls and plain surround.

This was about the time that Gibson first used the second version bar bridge with curved arms. This still worked with the same mute as shown.

One surprising feature of this bass is the three-ply scratchplate - possibly a replacement - the EB-0 was typically fitted with this guard; the EB-3 had a thicker, five-ply (b-w-b-w-b) guard, though both had the same footprint and could work on either bass. This bass is fitted with the earlier 'wide' cover pickup.

Like all early-mid 1960s EBs, this bass is fitted with nickel plated Kluson 538 tuning keys. The potential for damage of this headstock design is in evidence here; the truss rod access cavity makes for a weak area anyway, but this is clearly compounded by the screw holes used to mount the tuners. This headstock has had a sensitive repair, without unnecessary overspraying, and this shows that the fault line passes through two of these holes.

Pelham Blue finishes often turn green as the sunlight yellows the clearcoat. Areas protected from sun by hardware tend to show more original colouration. In this image with the scratchplate removed, the true Pelham colour remains. The reverse of this guitar had a large sticker at one point, and this has prevented the yellowing on the reverse of this bass, see below.

The control cavity is still the larger irregular style - later in 1965 this would be changed to the symmetrical shape far more familiar to the majority of Gibson solid bodies ever since. This is the type 1 EB3 circuitry (see schematic) used by Gibson until 1971. This clear photograph allows us to read the potentiometer codes. One is marked 1376529. This tells us that the pot was made by CTS (code 137) in the 29th week of 1965 (more about Gibson bass pot codes).

All pictures are courtesy of Craig Boehme who sold this instrument on Ebay for a little over $3000 in June 2005.

Gibson EB-3 bass guitars for sale

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Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art

El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Beautiful stunning EB three Gibson guitar Bass original case, one lady owner, left as found 1970s i??ll let the Pictures do the talking or the playing ! Enjoy laurence & sally of StorageWars and baggage battles currently www roundthebend tv
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"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition

Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3795

Here we a have a Pre-Owned Excellent Condition 1973 VINTAGE GIBSON EB-3 BASS. I Just put it through the Shop to make sure everything is up to snuff. I am very meticulous when it comes to my gear, I baby my stuff. Everything is in perfect working order. I just had it completely set up with brand New FENDER FLATOUND 45-100'S so it plays wonderful. Truss Rod is in good working condition Neck is Straight action is perfect. (I like the action low) so it set perfect and plays like a dream. All the ... more

1967 Gibson EB-3 Vintage Short Scale SG Bass, 100% Original

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

$3200

Up for sale, a 1967 Gibson EB-3 in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with a padded softshell case. Introduced in 1961 and crafted at Gibson??s Kalamazoo factory, the EB-3 features a short 30 1 / 2?? scale length, mute-equipped bridge, dual pickups, and gloss Cherry nitro lacquer finish
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

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

Gibson EB-3 SG Short Scale Bass Vintage 1969-70 Refinished / Modified

West Chester, Pennsylvania, 193**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

vintage 1969-70 Gibson EB-3 SG Short Scale Bass. Refinished. Does not include a case
The varitone switch has been modified / replaced with a 10-position switch. The original "1 2 3 4" poker chip is missing. The bridge cover is missing, and those holes were filled (likely at the time of refinishing). Pot Code 1377018 indicates CTS (137) and 18th week of 1970. Wiring appears original but likely resoldered at some point. Original Schaller machines. Original pickups
Logo and Crown Inlay are ... 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 EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967

Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2950

The Gibson EB-3 is a bass guitar introduced in 1961 and discontinued in 1979. It was produced at Gibson's plant in Kalamazoo, MI It features a slim SG-style body, a short 30 5" scale, and two pick up's (a large humbucking pickup in the neck position and a mini humbucker pickup in the bridge position). The electronics include a four-way rotary pickup selector switch (for Series 1 basses: neck pickup with midrange notch, bridge, bridge and neck with low end rolled off neck pickup, neck pickup with... more

1965 Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar

Farnham, GU10***, UNITED KINGDOM

£3950

Available now is this 1965 Gibson EB3. One of only 339 shipped in that year, and one of even fewer that made it this side of the pond
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

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€444

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* 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

£345

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* CASE ONLY !
* interior has stains
* tolex has rips
* all latches are working fine
* worn but solid
* check all pics
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1970 Gibson EB 3 BASS NUT USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

NARROW 42 mm version
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1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS PICKUP RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
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1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€399

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* 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 -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
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Gibson EB 3 CASE 1971 - passend für NUR GESCHLITZTE SPINDELSTOCK-Version

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£399

1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - made in USA :
* 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

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