Gibson EB4L Bass

• Mahogany body • set maple neck • rosewood fingerboard • long (34 1/2) inch scale • three-way tone switch

This is a typical early 1973 EB-4L. This bass is a good example of Gibson's walnut finish. Like the cherry, this is a translucent finish, allowing the wood grain to show through clearly. One of 413 Walnut EB-4Ls built that year (and 443 total - see EB4L shipping totals).

Hardware is chrome-plated throughout: EB4L super-humbucker pickup, Schaller M4-S machine heads, two-point bridge with metal saddles, with cover, witch hat knobs and decal logo.

With it's new-design chunkier body, and long scale maple neck, this EB4L is heavier than earlier EB bass versions - 60s EBs were typically to the order of 3.5 kg (+0.3kg); there was naturally variation by model, and between individual instruments. None were anywhere near the 4.4kg of this bass

The controls consisted master volume and tone, topped with witch hat knobs, and three-way tone switch. Listen to the EB4Ls differing switch settings here.

Although the EB4L pickup looks quite similar to the standard EB humbucker, it is actually of a very different super-humbuckering design.

The EB4L scratchplate differs is identical to those fitted to similar period EB3 basses; i.e. five ply (b-w-b-w-b) - in contrast to the three-ply plate used on the EB-0

After the 1972 remodelling of the EB bass series, short scale basses were fitted with a 21 fret fingerboard, whilst, long scale examples (EB-0L, EB-3L and EB-4L) had a 20 fret fingerboard. All versions had the same dot inlays and no neck binding.

EB-4L headstock detail, with decal logo and single ply bell-style truss rod cover

Headstock reverse showing serial number and Made in U.S.A. This bass has significant weather checking on the neck, aswell as finish sections that have lifted away. Checking is typically associated with temperature changes, however the fact that there is no checking on the guitar body suggests that in this instance it may relate to some difference in the way the lacquer has adhered to the body and neck. Tuning keys are Schaller M4-S.

The Gibson EB-4L wiring harness is really quite different to the EB0 or EB3. Have a closer look at the wiring and relevant schematic here.

Gibson EB-4L bass guitars for sale

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Gibson Eb-4l Bass Guitar 1973 Mint Condition

Derby, DE72***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2500

1973 Gibson eb-4l. In mint condition as photos. Comes in original Gibson case as per pictures. A perfect example of a rare Gibson bass. I purchased this from Norman's rare guitars LA about 7 years ago. It's not been used since I purchased it. All original parts and electronics. Please feel free to ask me any questions
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1973 Gibson EB4L Bass

Montreal, Québec , H3L***, CANADA

C $3500

ALL ORIGINAL 1973 Gibson EB4??L, (long scale) rare walnut finish. Some blemishes, no buckle rash, no cracks, no repairs. Every fret rings true, no dead spots. Great sustain. Comes with original purple lined Gibson case, chrome bridge cover. Strung with Rotosound 105-45. Stored in a smoke free temperature controlled studio. A true gem, you will not be disappointed
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