Gibson part number (1965: PU-657, 1971: 13533). First fitted in the bridge position of Gibson EB-3 and Epiphone Newport Deluxe basses from 1961. Initially the plastic surround was silvered to match the neck pickup, and this continued beyond the introduction of metal neck pickup covers, at least up until 1965.
A two pickup EB-2 bass, the EB-2D, was listed in Gibson price lists from April 1966 - again using the same pickup, in the bridge position. This bass sold in moderate numbers into the early seventies, final examples shipping at least as late as 1972.
This is a more traditional pickup design than the 'sidewinder' neck pickup; smaller, just one Alnico magnet and a considerably lower resistance, typically around 7kΩ. This resulted in a lot thinner, less overbearing tone. It was height adjustable from the start (unlike the neck pickup) and changed little over the course of it's production. For a short period around 1971, pickups were produced with a Gibson logo etched into the cover - see pics below.
Stickered on the underside with 'PATENT NO 2737842'.
Some basses fitted with this pickup
Soundclips
Have a listen to a 1961 EB3 bridge pickup (more soundclips of this bass here).
List of Gibson bass guitar pickups
Gibson bass pickups for sale
Replica Gibson EB-2 Style Semi-Hollow 5-String Bass | Sire Marcus Miller Pickups
Brookings, South Dakota, 570**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$449
It is in the style of a Gibson EB-2 type bass or generally the recognizable semi-hollow basses of the 60's from leading brands like Gibson, Epiphone, Guild, Hagstrom & Hofner. As far as I'm aware, there were no semi-hollow 5-string basses like this that existed back then and very few that exist even now.... more
Vintage NOS 1960 s Gibson Epiphone Newport Bass Pickup
Coldwater, Michigan, 490**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
New old stock
See photos for exact condition
See my ebay store for more Vintage Guitar and Bass Parts
... more
VINTAGE 1970'S GIBSON SB 450 BASS GUITAR PICKUP
Richmond, Virginia, 232**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$499
... more
Vintage Gibson G3 pickups in Grabber style boutique bass
Lions Head, Ontario, N0H***, CANADA
C $4500
Through neck design.
Figured maple body & neck with exotic wood center stripe.
Ebony fret board
Ebony headstock
Ebony string-through body inset
Bone nut
4 way rotary switch gives extra setting for neck pickup only. First 3 positions same as traditional Gibson G3 bass. CTS pots
Orange drop capacitor
Hipshot 3 point bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuning machines
Finish is French ... more
1987 GIBSON BASS IV - Made in USA - THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£1090
* the black painted part of the body was cut off before by some moron and replaced with 2 pieces of ash=
check pic 5
* pearl white finish is very worn
* Thunderbird pickups
* black Schaller hardware
* ebony fingerboard, frets are fine
... more