Gibson Sleuths / EB-? Little Mystery

[MARICOPAA]

So take a look at this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1965-Gibson-EB-3-Bass-Guitar-w-case-V-G-Cond_W0QQitemZ320279098518QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320279098518&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

The facts Ma'am...just the facts:

1) Auction lists the bass as an EB-3

2) ?

3) ?

4) ?

etc.

[Dave W]

There's no way that's an EB-3. But you know that.

[chromium]

Wow.  He's probably right on the date, but I think it's an EB-0 that had its control cavity enlarged (rather sloppily) to house the additional controls for the pbass pickup.  The route on that pickup looks pretty rough too.  It also looks like the contours - especially around the neck heel - got rounded off a bit during the refin.  And then there's the question of a headstock repair lurking beneath that "widows peak" finish...

That is so not worth $1250, IMHO.  There was just recently a nice original finish '62 EB-0 on Ebay with a minor neck heel crack that didn't break a grand.  I would have much rather had that one.

[EvilLordJuju]

That's a 1965 EB0 to EB3 conversion. Overpriced and (imho) probably just waiting to be parted out.

If you like conundrums (and better deals on beaters) check this one

1969 Gibson EBO Bass Guitar Changes Player Bass

Its clearly an EB0 (or potentially EB0F with that guard) dating from '61 to early '63 with a later period bridge added.

[Dave W]

Yeah, I saw that one, Jules, and I agree, it's a poorly modified early one. At least the price is within reason.

[doombass]

That's a 1965 EB0 to EB3 conversion. Overpriced and (imho) probably just waiting to be parted out.

If you like conundrums (and better deals on beaters) check this one

1969 Gibson EBO Bass Guitar Changes Player Bass

Its clearly an EB0 (or potentially EB0F with that guard) dating from '61 to early '63 with a later period bridge added.

But what's with that pickup cover? It's got eight pole pieces or at least eight holes.

[Dave W]

But what's with that pickup cover? It's got eight pole pieces or at least eight holes.

A Model One with silver paint?

[SKATE RAT]

NO ITS MUD.

[Dave W]

NO ITS MUD.

The one in the original post is mud. But we were talking about the one linked in Jules' post (supposedly from 1969 with the weird pickguard). That's actually from 1961-63 and originally had a black plastic cover mudbucker. Now it has a pickup with two rows of polepieces like a Dimarzio Model One, except the Dimarzio normally comes with a black cover.

[doombass]

A Model One with silver paint?

Did'nt think of that possibility but it is likely a Model One.

[SKATE RAT]

The one in the original post is mud. But we were talking about the one linked in Jules' post (supposedly from 1969 with the weird pickguard). That's actually from 1961-63 and originally had a black plastic cover mudbucker. Now it has a pickup with two rows of polepieces like a Dimarzio Model One, except the Dimarzio normally comes with a black cover.

OH,i didn't see that one.there doesn't seem to be anything under that cover.

[Chris P.]

Maybe self made?

[chromium]

Did they ever make model 1s with metal covers?  There was one on Ebay a long time ago that I could swear had what looked like a tarnished metal/brass(?) cover.  Could have just been the pic, though.  I thoght it might be one of those that had been chromed.

[Dave W]

I don't think so. Dimarzio has never been much for metal covers. But you never know.

[Chris P.]

Or maybe a pick up or cover from a EB-copy?