Gibson EB4L humbucker (1972-79)

The single pickup EB-4L looks rather similar to the better known EB-0, and the two models are often confused; morphologically they are very similar (at least to the long-scale EB-0L), but they are electronically quite distinct. The EB-4L 'Superhumbucker' uses a different design to the regular EB Humbucker of the EB-0 and EB-3, despite being the same size, and broadly similar in appearance. Rather than two heavily wound coils with an axis parallel to the length of the guitar, the EB-4L has four coils, one for each string with an axis perpendicular to the length of the guitar.

In the 1972 Bass Place leaflet advertising this new model, the pickup is described as follows...

This revolutionary new pickup design separates the top two strings completely from the bottom two. You get more tonal response than ever, for a full, natural sound. And Gibson's new Super Humbucking Pickup design delivers more highs and "overtones" for a new sound that's packed with cutting power

Sales of the EB-0 had been slipping since a peak in 1969, and this new pickup was surely an attempt to update the EB series, and produce a bass with a less muddy sound. It was to no avail, the EB-4L did not even manage to equal sales of the EB-0, let alone overtake it (see EB4L shipping statistics). Gibson buyers clearly liked their mud!

This pickup was of course height adjustable, like the other 70s EB humbuckers, and used the same base-plate and mounting rings as the other models.