'76 EB3 in my sights

[godofthunder]

  The irony is this is the bass I wanted in '75! I washed dishes all summer to save up for a new bass. being young and dumb I didn't know the difference between a 60's EB3 and a 70's. I was told I could order a new EB3 but it would take a while. The dealer steered me to the then new G3 which once received I hated. That sent me down a path of poor trades and eventually a happy ending with my '76 Ibanez Destroyer and to the next step a '76 Thunderbird. I often wonder how things would have gone if I got a '75 EB3 from the get go.

[amptech]

I was wondering when the EB-3Ls ended.  I thought it might be the early 70s.  But it looks like it's 75.

According to Gruhn´s guide, EB3 L was only available from 1969 to 1972, but of course if sales were low you could probably find one new in ´75.

On the other hand, I have shipping list showing 5 EB0 L shipped in 1976 and 4 EB3 L shipped in 1977.

[westen44]

According to Gruhn´s guide, EB3 L was only available from 1969 to 1972, but of course if sales were low you could probably find one new in ´75.

On the other hand, I have shipping list showing 5 EB0 L shipped in 1976 and 4 EB3 L shipped in 1977.

For somebody who thinks as highly of EB-3s as I do, I should know more about this.  But this is good to know. 

[amptech]

Funny thing someone mentioned EB3 L, I was watching an AC/DC video today because I vaguely recalled Cliff playing a Gibson in 1985. And right, there he is on the fly on the wall video with a Gibson EB3. Or is it a long scale?
Hard to tell, have to get a closer look - but those 1985 vid´s are so annoying. ´Danger´is the only song from ´85 where you actually see the band for more than a couple of seconds.

Weird choice, as gibson basses in AC/DC usually appeared pre 1980 (ripper, thunderbird). Maybe it´s just for the video, but then they DO make the club literally fall apart - must be the mudbucker through that ampeg stack!
Listening to that record again, it really wouldn´t surprise me if that´s a EB3 in action.

Sorry for hijacking thread, I´ll have to check the EB3/vid thread and post ´danger`

[godofthunder]

Hardly qualifies as "hijacking" here. 

[OldManC]

Congratulations, Scott!

[Granny Gremlin]

Well I paid $795(shipping and tax ugh) for it still a bargain. It was on consignment no wiggle room until the owner decided to drop the price. In this instance I think it was well worth the extra $95 that I wanted to pay.

Don't even sweat that extra $95 - if you don't like it send it up here and I'll flip it for you and get a grand for it.

I've seen EBs that are modded or in poor condition go for more. 

[Dave W]

Well I paid $795(shipping and tax ugh) for it still a bargain. It was on consignment no wiggle room until the owner decided to drop the price. In this instance I think it was well worth the extra $95 that I wanted to pay.

Yep. Still a good deal.

According to Gruhn´s guide, EB3 L was only available from 1969 to 1972, but of course if sales were low you could probably find one new in ´75.

On the other hand, I have shipping list showing 5 EB0 L shipped in 1976 and 4 EB3 L shipped in 1977.

I don't know whether or not the EB-0L and -3L were in the 1973 or 1974 catalogs, Jules doesn't have scans of those. But I have definitely seen and played an EB3-L that was said to be a 1974, and the serial number was in the series used from 1973 to 1975.

Your shipping list figures don't surprise me either. Gibson was known to sometimes fill orders for instruments that were officially discontinued.

[godofthunder]

 It's here, all I can say is WOW! Looks even better in person, super low action. What a mudbuck'n mahogany beast!

[Nocturnal]

Christmas came early to Scott's house this year    Congrats Scott!

[godofthunder]

  Serial number is 135463, stamped on the back of the headstock. I can't make any sense of Gibson system. I am coming up with 70-'72 I know it is later than that. The black plastic rings around the bridge studs I remember clearly seeing on the example in the '75 catalog.

[amptech]

  Serial number is 135463, stamped on the back of the headstock. I can't make any sense of Gibson system. I am coming up with 70-'72 I know it is later than that. The black plastic rings around the bridge studs I remember clearly seeing on the example in the '75 catalog.

There was two systems during 1975, but if you have the ´made in USA´stamp and  no letter prefix it is made between 1970 and 1975.

If it is a ´76 model, it should have ´00´prefix and 6 digits.

Can´t you just check the pots?

[dadagoboi]

Congrats, Scott!  Looks like you got what you wanted at the right price after a long search!

[godofthunder]

 When I first posted I was just guessing '76, '75 makes more sense as it does have made In USA stamped under the serial number. Played very little, nicks and dings no real player wear. The witch hats have no grim build up and the plastic is shinny, either they are replacements or they didn't get used much. More to come.

[amptech]

The witch hats have no grim build up and the plastic is shinny, either they are replacements or they didn't get used much.

I think the easiest wat to see if the witches are repro, is the numbers; old have white paint, new have silver. I think the skirts are a bit bigger on the repros too, but I'm not 100% sure.