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Gibson EB3 circuit schematics (series 1)

Gibson bass guitars | EB-3 bass main page | technical information

The first series EB3 schematic applies to all EB3s from 1961 until late 1971. It would seem that this circuit was discontinued with the introduction of the maple-necked solid headstock EBs, although there may have been some overlap towards the end of the production run. In general series 1 circuitry can be identified by the large rectangular metal choke, as opposed to the smaller black cylindrical choke - identical to the one employed on the Ripper, and old-style ceramic capacitors. Pots used were three 500K audio taper (both volume pots and bridge pickup tone initially part CBA-811-1053, later CBA-811-1158 or 70027) and one 250K audio taper pot for the neck pickup tone (Gibson part number CBA-811-1831, later 70021).

EB3 wiring schematic (series 1)

Functionally series 1 and series 2 circuits are similar - the main difference being the tone choke is activated in position 1 in series 1, and position 4 in series 2. See the series 2 EB3 schematic

Gibson EB3 bass for sale

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"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition

"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
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1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case

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

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
... more
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1965 Gibson EB-3 - 100% Original - Straight Neck - Low Action - Great Player!

1965 Gibson EB-3 - 100% Original - Straight Neck - Low Action - Great Player!

Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

For your consideration is this 1965 Gibson EB-3 in a Transparent Cherry finish. Overall the guitar is in very good shape with only light to moderate play wear. 100% Original! The original pickups deliver excellent sound across all playing styles, truly capturing the iconic tones of your favorite players. Playability is excellent with low action & no fret wear. Mute is in case. Straight neck, low action, moved thumb rest (much more usable)
Comes with the original case and candy as shown. ... more
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1968 Gibson EB-3 Electric Bass Guitar. Parts or Serious Repair Project

1968 Gibson EB-3 Electric Bass Guitar. Parts or Serious Repair Project

Chillicothe, Ohio, 456**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$925

Travel back in time with this wrecked bass guitar. Built by Gibson at its old Kalamazoo, Michigan factory in about 1968, it is a Gibson EB-3 electric bass. MADE IN USA and serial number (928110) stamped on back of headstock.
Slotted headstock. It's a 30-1 / 4" short scale bass. Four-position rotary tone switch. I believe both pickups are humbuckers, but the neck is bigger than the bridge. Solid mahogany body. SG-style double cutaway body.
This fell over decades ago, causing a ... more
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Vintage Early 70s Gibson EB3 Electric Bass Guitar

Vintage Early 70's Gibson EB3 Electric Bass Guitar

Fresno, California, 937**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2600

American Music presents this beautiful early 70's Gibson Electric Bass Guitar!
This Bass only shows cosmetic wear due to time and being played on. Bass sounds incredible and could use a good home. Bass is stock and fully original including the finish, and no modification's
Every used instrument we have has been play tested
Make sure to contact us with any further questions!
... more
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Gibson EB3L  Bass Guitar- 1968 / 72  LONG SCALE  SLOTTED HEADSTOCK WITH Case

Gibson EB3L Bass Guitar- 1968 / 72 LONG SCALE SLOTTED HEADSTOCK WITH Case

Hagerstown, Maryland, 217**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

THIS AUCTION IS FOR : VINTAGE GIBSON EB-3L BASS GUITAR 1968 / 72 WITH HARD CASE,
CHERRY FINISH, CHROME METAL TRIM, BLACK PICK GUARD.
LONG SCALE WITH SLOTTED HEADSTOCK, # 914058 ENGRAVED ON HEADSTOCK.
NOT THE ORIGINAL CASE, IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1992. PAPERWORK INSIDE CASE.
BASS HAS NICE GLOSS CHERRY FINISH, COUPLE OF MARKS, NOTHING MAJOR. VIEW PICS.
COMES WITH STRAP, 2 CORDS, MASTER KEY CHROMATIC PITCH INSTRUMENT, EXTRA PLUG JACK, KEY FOR THE CASE
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK, ... more
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1972 Gibson EB-3 Short Scale Electric Bass Walnut Finish SG Vintage Gig Bag

1972 Gibson EB-3 Short Scale Electric Bass Walnut Finish SG Vintage Gig Bag

Astoria, Oregon, 971**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1995

In great to near excellent condition. Has kill switch, two tone knobs, two volume knobs and pick up selector. With really cool vintage gig bag. From Fly Guitars site: 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... more
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Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar 1967

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

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

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

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€439

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 -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
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1971 GIBSON EB 3 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK BASS CASE - Made in USA

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

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£385

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
... more
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1970 Gibson EB 3 BASS NUT USA

1970 Gibson EB 3 BASS NUT USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£99

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

1965 Gibson EB 3 BASS PICKUP RING USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£129

bridge pickup ring ONLY
... more
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1965 Gibson EB-3 Bass Guitar

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
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Gibson EB 3 CASE 1971 - passend für NUR GESCHLITZTE SPINDELSTOCK-Version

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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Gibson EB-0  - EB-3 Bass  Slotted Headstock 1971 Immense Sound!

Gibson EB-0 - EB-3 Bass Slotted Headstock 1971 Immense Sound!

Salford, M6***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1894

So somewhere along the way a previous owner decided they wanted two pickups on their EB-0 and it??s all the better for it!

Not quite sure what the extra pickup is but it sounds monstrous and a really useful contrast with the factory pickup especially with a standard three way switch. The conversion has been done very nicely

Obviously been played but plays very nicely with recent set up, strings and electrics checked

I really like the slotted headstock which is... more
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Theo Comment left 31st March 2019 05:05:05 reply
Does anyone know the specs on the inductor?
DavesnothereCA Comment left 18th February 2018 15:03:33 reply
My earlier comment was only partially correct, as was yours. - I looked again, and noticed that in the version 1 schematic, the choke is active in all of positions 1, 3, and 4 (any time the neck pickup is on). - But it does not have the same effect in each position. - In position 1, it is a midrange notch, more like what you said earlier (and similar to position 4 of the version 2 schematic, though not necessarily the same frequency range, based upon changed parts values), and in positions 3 and 4 of schematic 1, it removes low frequencies instead. - I made further comments about all of this, here : https://www.talkbass.com/threads/vintage-gibson-eb3-wiring-question.725412/
DavesnothereCA Comment left 18th February 2018 04:04:13 reply
In version 1 of EB-3 diagram shown above, the choke is active in positions 3 and 4 of the switch, rather than what you stated above. - However, in version 2 on the linked page, I agree with you that the choke is active only in position 4. - Cheers! - DavesnothereCA on Talkbass.com forum