Gibson 60s EB humbucker (wide, shallow cover)

Gibson switched from bakelite bass pickup covers to metal in 1962; although Gibson EB-0 and Epiphone Newport basses continued to use up the bakelite covers into 1963, presumably until stock was exhausted.

The pickup itself was unchanged. Just four screws hold the cover in place; note the spacing differs from the earlier bakelite-covers, and the later narrow/tall covers. Dimensions 2 1/4" x 3 3/8". They are slightly wedge-shaped, rising from 1/8" (neck side) to 3/16" (bridge side).

Initially covers were nickel-plated (part code PU-601-N), at least as fitted to the EB-0 and Newport, and chrome-plated (part code PU-601-CR) for the EB-3, but by 1965 the majority of basses seem to have had chrome-plated covers. As is always the case with Gibson, there are exceptions. Also fitted to the EB-2 and Rivoli.

The EB bass humbucker didn't have the traditional arrangement of windings around the magnet; rather the coils (covered with black insulating tape) lie vertically around a central former with an Alnico magnet at either end. The four polepieces are situated in the center of the pickup, in a metal (later plastic) bobbin between the two coils. The coil assembly is screwed onto a metal 'frame' from below with two screws visible on the underside.

Upgraded with a new, taller pickup cover (here) gradually across 1967/68.