Gibson first launched their EB3 bass at the Summer NAMM show of 1961. It was included in all publicity materials and price lists for the next eighteen years, including seven Gibson US produced catalogues, and numerous others by worldwide distributors.
Gibson EB-3 Pricing
Gibson published price lists one or more times each year. All prices are United States, zone 1, without case.
|
June 1961 September 1961 October 1962 July 1963 September 1964 June 1965 April 1966 September 1967 June 1968 September 1969 September 1970 June 1971 June 1972 October 1972 June 1973 May 1974 January 1975 June 1975 November 1975 June 1976 January 1977 May 1978 January 1979 |
$285 [1] $310 [2] $310 $310 $350 $337.50 [3] $337.50 $337.50 $365 $390 $410 $410 $425 $450 $465 $515 $499 [4] $449 [5] $469 $499 / $529 [6] $539 / $569 $589 $629 |
[1] June '61 letter to dealers announces the new 'Les Paul' (SG) basses, prices are $285 and $195 for the EB3 and EB0 respectively
[2] The first pricelist to feature the EB3 had just three basses - EB0 - $210, EB3 - $310 and EB6 - $325
[3] In mid 1965 the price of the EB3 dropped slightly, with this price being held for a further three years. In a letter to dealers dated 28th June 1965, Gibson Vice President M.J. Carlucci accredited this to the 'efficiency and the economies of a substantially increased volume' - Gibson were undergoing a massive expansion of the Kalamazoo facilities. Around this time the control cavity route of the EB3 and EB0 were redesigned to be uniform - an example of the changes that reduced production costs. Interestingly EB0 and EB2 prices did not drop - rather they were upgraded (with the under bridge mute) and the price left unchanged.
[4] Sales in 1974 had dropped to a third of the 1973 values - initiating this price drop, although sales were still dropping, forcing another drop [5] later that year
[6] In late 1975 and 1976, white EB3s were priced at $30 above cherry instruments
Gibson EB-3 Catalog Appearances
The Gibson EB3 appeared in numerous catalogues worldwide, most notably by Gibson themselves, Selmer in the UK, Monzino in Italy, but also others. See more Gibson catalogs here.
Gibson USA catalogs
Gibson Worldwide catalogs
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
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 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
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
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
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 Bass Guitar 1967
Horncastle, LN9***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2950
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
€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
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
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
The early EB3s really are the best - by far in fact. Whilst they still had the wide controls.