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Gibson EB-3 technical reference information

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

Early 1960s Gibson EB3 bass in translucent cherry finish

The linked pages give further detail of controls, circuitry and components of Gibson EB3 bass guitars circa 1961-79.

Gibson EB-3 controls

EB3 controls (1978) - What the varitone and four pots actually do. This sheet, produced by Gibson in the late 1970s, describes the operation of an EB3 with series 2 circuitry (see below). The varitone switch is wired back to front from 1960s and early 1970s versions (series 1) of this bass.


Gibson EB-3 part lists

EB3 parts list (1965, 1971, 1977, 1981) - Components (electrical and hardware) used in the manufacture of the EB3 bass guitars - listed with part numbers.


EB-3 circuitry

Series 1 - 1961-1971
Series 1 looms are characterised by the large rectangular metal tone choke, part GA-90C-1.

Gibson EB3 circuit schematics series 1 - Wiring diagram appropriate to earlier EB3 basses (1961-1971).
Circuit images 1 - A look at the earlier (wide-spaced) wiring loom fitted to all EB3 basses circa 1961-65.
Circuit images 2 - A look at the mid period (narrow-spaced, with input jack on the body front) wiring loom in a late 1960s EB3 - relevant to non-slotted-headstock basses produced between 1965 and 1969.
Circuit images 3 - This loom is very similar to the loom above, though with a side mounted jack - as seen on all slotted headstock EB3 basses, circa 1969-71.

Series 2 - 1972-1970
Series 1 looms are characterised by the smaller cylindrical black cloth-wound choke.

Gibson EB3 circuit schematics series 2 - Wiring diagram appropriate to later period EB3s (1972-1979).
Circuit images 4 - The 1972-79 EB3 loom again had a front-mounted input jack, but the smaller tone choke, also used in the Gibson Ripper.

The EB3 was listed as using the following potentiometers - whilst broadly correct, in some cases alternatives may have been fitted.

Gibson EB3 bass for sale

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

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
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GIBSON 1968-7O SLOT-HEAD EB-O EB-3 BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX RED LINING VERY CLEAN!

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

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
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1960??s GIBSON Bass EB-3 EB-2 EB-0 Hand Rest Cover

1960??s GIBSON Bass EB-3 EB-2 EB-0 Hand Rest Cover

Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

This vintage hand rest cover is a must-have for any Gibson EB-3, EB-2, or EB-0 Bass guitar enthusiast. Made in the 1960s, this cover is a true piece of music history. The cover is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and is made from high-quality materials to ensure durability.

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

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 -------------->>>>>-------------->>>>>
... more
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Gibson 1963 / 4 EB3 Solid Body Bass Guitar

Gibson 1963 / 4 EB3 Solid Body Bass Guitar

Leigh-on-Sea, SS9***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1900

Gibson EB3 solid body bass guitar with 2 pickups. Generally fair condition with extensive playwear. Pots and internal wiring have been changed, pickups are original
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
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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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Fernandes Burny REB-65 - Kopie EB-3 SG Bass - Original Gibson Bass Modern Case

Fernandes Burny REB-65 - Kopie EB-3 SG Bass - Original Gibson Bass Modern Case

Berlin, 13***, GERMANY

€750

Der Burny REB-65 ist ein Nachbau eines EB-3 SG Bass
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
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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

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

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
... more
eBay logo
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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Ray Comment left 2nd June 2015 19:07:47 reply
Do you have (or know where I can find) any diagrams for modifications to this circuit. Is there a record of the Jack Bruce mod? Thanks, great site by the way