EB1 capacitor

[4stringer77]

Got buried in snow here in NH so figured it was a good time to ask around about my EB1's capacitor.
It looks like this outside my window



here's brown Betty



here's the cap



My query, does the .033 cap look stock? If not is there a better cap for this bass? Thanks, Ari  

[Grog]

My bass has a .033 cap also, but it looks older...........

[uwe]

We're talking about the 69 reissue, right? I can look at mine tomorrow.

You're not telling me you want to brighten up that thing's sound, are you?!!! Unlike the fifties ones which low mid growlers, the 69 EB RI are "mothers of mud" in the same vein as the EB-0/-3 and EB-2 from that late sixties era are. Subwoof Godzillas!

[Grog]

We're talking about the 69 reissue, right? I can look at mine tomorrow.

They are both reissues.................... I couldn't help but notice that the capacitors are soldered in differently on these two basses. I don't think they are electrolytic, but they have a bar on one side as if they are polarized. 

[westen44]

We're talking about the 69 reissue, right? I can look at mine tomorrow.

You're not telling me you want to brighten up that thing's sound, are you?!!! Unlike the fifties ones which low mid growlers, the 69 EB RI are "mothers of mud" in the same vein as the EB-0/-3 and EB-2 from that late sixties era are. Subwoof Godzillas!

That's a very colorful way to put it:  subwoof Godzillas.  LOL.  Speaking of which, I saw "Godzilla" for the first time on cable recently.  Great acting.  The (real) French actors on there were very good at making French sound authentic.  Also, Godzilla's acting was pretty touching. 

[the mojo hobo]

We're talking about the 69 reissue, right? I can look at mine tomorrow.

You're not telling me you want to brighten up that thing's sound, are you?!!! Unlike the fifties ones which low mid growlers, the 69 EB RI are "mothers of mud" in the same vein as the EB-0/-3 and EB-2 from that late sixties era are. Subwoof Godzillas!

It makes sense that they would sound similar as they have similar pickups and wiring.

I have a book of schematics for Gibson basses from the Seventies. It would appear that these EB1s are wired the same as the EBOs with a .033 and .01 cap. The schematic for the EB1 shows a .02 and .01 cap. The .01 cap in both cases is wired in parallel to the pickup and only shows up on these two basses.

[4stringer77]

Yes mine is a 69 reissue and I love all it's muddy glory especially when overdriving some tubes. I just figured my cap looked a little too new and must have been replaced at some point. Had a crappy solder connection that needed to be touched up but didn't move anything around. I can see a 68 on one of my pots and the serial number on the back of the headstock is 543151 which dates it 69' I think. Nice one you got there Grog. I'm curious about acquiring a 50's version some day. There's one at Gruhn that's been there forever. Seems like a good player and the $3,500 asking price doesn't seem that unreasonable.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

They are both reissues.................... I couldn't help but notice that the capacitors are soldered in differently on these two basses. I don't think they are electrolytic, but they have a bar on one side as if they are polarized. 

They ARE electrolytics. The newer one is a Sprague Orange Drop.

[4stringer77]

Thanks everyone. To quote Jack Bruce from SWLABR, "such good responses". Incidentally Uwe, the EB3 mudbucker in position 1 has even less treble than the EB1 due to the tone choke, but I'm sure you knew that.

[Grog]

They ARE electrolytics. The newer one is a Sprague Orange Drop.

Does it matter which way they are wired? which one is correct???

[westen44]

I pretty much hate people who have Gibson EB-1 basses, although special hatred is reserved for those who have a 50s model in really good condition. 

[Grog]

I pretty much hate people who have Gibson EB-1 basses, although special hatred is reserved for those who have a 50s model in really good condition. 

I wanted a 50's model in really good condition, but people in hell want ice water!!! My first EB-1 reissue only cost me $450.00. I should have bought an original at that time before the price skyrocketed...

[Dave W]

I wanted a 50's model in really good condition, but people in hell want ice water!!! My first EB-1 reissue only cost me $450.00. I should have bought an original at that time before the price skyrocketed...

I wish I had bought the one you traded to Willie's. IIRC it was only about $1300 at the time (late 90s).

[westen44]

I wanted a 50's model in really good condition, but people in hell want ice water!!! My first EB-1 reissue only cost me $450.00. I should have bought an original at that time before the price skyrocketed...

This is what it's like to live a tortured existence.  The agony of it all.  

[Grog]

I wish I had bought the one you traded to Willie's. IIRC it was only about $1300 at the time (late 90s).

I never did see what he sold it for. I think he was asking $1350.00 for the one I have now, it was a consignment from a gal whose husband had passed away if I recall correctly.
Nate has a 1965 EB-2 for sale for $3,000.00......................ouch!! I paid $230.00 for my '67 used in 1974! Must be getting old!!