• Solid mahogany body • unbound rosewood fingerboard • 3 piece maple neck • 30 1/2 inch scale • two humbucking pickups
When the EB3 was redesigned for 1972, Gibson were careful to make a less fragile bass. Some of the 1960s EB basses cracked easily when dropped, or knocked about a bit. The easily-broken mahogany neck had been replaced with a thicker three-piece maple one. It was given a thicker body, and a bigger headstock. It had a volute for neck strength; much more durable. But it still had the characteristic EB humbucker, moved away from the neck, and a varitone/tone choke.
The first two years of this remodelling (1972 and 1973) saw acceptable sales of EB3 (including long scale versions 1350 and 2400 instruments shipped respectively) and because of their durability, most are still in existence today. As well as the thousands of instrument produced in cherry and walnut finishes (like the instrument featured above), a small number were available in ebony (10), natural (49) and towards the mid-late seventies, white (69).
This is a typical early seventies Gibson. It is unusual to find a snapped neck post-1972 EB3. Maple, though less brittle than mahogany does warp more easily, and whilst you won't find many warp-necked sixties models, you will sometimes with these maple-necked versions. Notice the volute (on the back of the headstock), and the two two point bar bridge with cover. Three point bridges were not in use until mid-1973. The machine heads are Schaller M4-S, as fitted on all solid headstock EB basses 1971-73 (until the introduction of the Schaller BM). This style of pickguard was used on all EB models from 1972 until they were last produced in 1979. This is one of 354 walnut (compared to 530 cherry) EB-3 basses shipped in 1972.
The 1972 EB-3 had series 2 circuitry
This was one of the first EB3s with the modified series 2 circuitry.
Gibson EB3 sound clips
Each clip features the introductory 4 bars of rescue me (Fontella Bass) played on a 1972 EB3.
Varitone position 1
neck pickup only
treble turned to 0
Varitone position 2
bridge pickup only
Varitone position 3
both pickups
Varitone position 4
neck pickup only, with tone choke
Have a look at these other EB basses in the 1972 line up: the one pickup EBO, and it's longscale equivalent the EB0L; plus a longscale EB3, the EB3L.
Gibson EB3 bass for sale
"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3795
Gibson EB-3 SG Short Scale Bass Vintage 1969-70 Refinished / Modified
West Chester, Pennsylvania, 193**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3000
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
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
1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case
Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
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 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 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
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
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
€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
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
€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
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
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 Bass Guitar 1967
Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
The 1972 EB 3 walnut finish Short scale is just what I'm looking for. Do you have a price on it?