Gibson SB bass guitars were manufactured in the Gibson Kalamazoo plants primarily between 1971 and 1974. A small number shipped as late as 1978, however. Shipping data (according to Gibson shipment totals by Larry Meiners) is shown here. A total of 3607 SB basses were shipped (all variants), with the long scale SB400 being the most strongly represented within that number. Gibson must have intended to sell these entry-level (and presumably lower-profit) instruments en-masse, however this was never really the case, resulting in short production runs for both the 'single coil', and later 'humbucking' SBs.
SB300 / SB400
The first SB models, the 'single coils' shipped between 1971 and into early 1973, with a total of 1841 instruments shipped - roughly 50:50 short vs long scale. These figures, although not especially high, did compare with the EB-0, at least at first: looking solely at 1971, the peak SB year, 1611 SBs shipped compared to 2044 EB0/EB0Ls (see EB-0 shipping totals). Interestingly, less than 20% of the EBs were long scale. Presumably, Gibson were hoping for stronger sales still. By 1972, the newer 'humbucker' SBs were shipping, and the poor sales of the 'single coil' SBs in '72 must have been due, at least in part, to this fact.
Shipping figures for the SB300 and SB400
| 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | total | |
| SB300 | 811 | 74 | 17 | 902 |
| SB400 | 800 | 118 | 21 | 939 |
| total | 1611 | 192 | 38 | 1842 |
SB350 / SB450
The redesigned 'humbucker' SBs were shipping by the end of 1972, with a peak year of 1973 - 1252 basses shipped in that year - again roughly 50:50 short to long scale. Once more this figure (presumably quite disappointingly for Gibson) failed to match the 1659 EB0s shipped in 1973. Once again it is interesting to note that only a small proportion (15%) of these EB0s were long scale.
Shipping figures for the SB350
| 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | total | |
| SB350C (cherry) | 12 | 329 | 16 | 357 | ||||
| SB350N (natural) | 5 | 197 | 101 | 3 | 306 | |||
| SB350W (walnut) | 14 | 88 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 147 | ||
| SB350 (all colours) | 31 | 614 | 159 | 5 | 1 | 810 |
Shipping figures for the SB450
| 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | total | |
| SB450C (cherry) | 67 | 269 | 41 | 377 | ||||
| SB450N (natural) | 21 | 237 | 121 | 4 | 3 | 386 | ||
| SB450W (walnut) | 26 | 132 | 28 | 2 | 5 | 193 | ||
| SB450 (all colours) | 114 | 638 | 190 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 956 |
The first Gibson Grabbers shipped in 1973/74, and by 1975, the model was selling at a significantly larger volume than the SB series. See Grabber shipping data.
Gibson SB bass guitars for sale
VINTAGE 1970'S GIBSON SB 450 BASS GUITAR PICKUP
Richmond, Virginia, 232**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$499
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Electric Bass Guitar Gibson SB-450 70's Natural Made USA 188909 & Hard Case EUC
Corona del Mar, California, 926**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2498
Condition: Excellent
SG Body
Full Scale Neck
Color: Natural Tan
Length: 44??
Width: Widest Part 13 1 / 4??
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Beautiful Original 1971 Rare "GIBSON SB-40 BASS" Walnut Color wit Hardshell Case
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2795