The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Basvarken on March 05, 2013, 04:31:30 AM

Title: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Basvarken on March 05, 2013, 04:31:30 AM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-Gibson-EB-1-Electric-Bass-guitar-/321082924227?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ac2089cc3


Wow what a mess!


(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1954-Gibson-EB-1-Electric-Bass-guitar-/00/s/MTAyNFg3NjQ=/z/11oAAMXQBwlRMpOX/$T2eC16h,!)cE9s4PvnR+BRMpO(Mw(Q~~60_57.JPG)

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1954-Gibson-EB-1-Electric-Bass-guitar-/00/s/MTAyNFg3NjQ=/z/oj4AAOxyoA1RMpPE/$(KGrHqV,!q0FEIIfS66SBRMpPEVFkQ~~60_57.JPG)

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1954-Gibson-EB-1-Electric-Bass-guitar-/00/s/MTAyNFg3NjQ=/z/Q4UAAMXQMmJRMpOl/$(KGrHqR,!j!FESeF0V0-BRMpOmG)eQ~~60_57.JPG)
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: gweimer on March 05, 2013, 05:36:57 AM
...thud...
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: godofthunder on March 05, 2013, 06:04:55 AM
 Unrealistic opening bid. The good news is it looks like that wacky tuner set up at the bridge can easily be removed, the thumb rest no big deal. The biggest issue is the rectangular inlays, that's a tough fix, could be done but I'm not sure it's worth it. Having said all that if it had a realistic BIN I'd hit it just cause it's a '54.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: amptech on March 05, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Got pretty temted myself, just to experience this pickup.
I do wind pickups myself, and really like old gibsons..
Never heard these early ones 'live' , though.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: amptech on March 05, 2013, 06:49:48 AM
Seems to be this person's first sales item on ebay.

But at least it's an honest description: 'It looks used'   :)
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: drbassman on March 05, 2013, 06:50:26 AM
If it were more realistic, I'd be on it!  A fun looking project.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Stjofön Big on March 05, 2013, 10:29:45 AM
Think Ricky Nelson got it right the first time: Fools rush in!
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on March 05, 2013, 12:05:08 PM
Anyone else notice it's a lefty? Whaddya bet this isn't the first time that bass has made an appearance here?
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: gearHed289 on March 05, 2013, 12:20:37 PM
Looks like a righty to me.  ???
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: gweimer on March 05, 2013, 12:53:32 PM
It's a righty, when you look closely at some of the shots.  The first full body shot does make it seem like a lefty.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: godofthunder on March 05, 2013, 02:11:12 PM
 I thought I was f'ng losing my mind, like having a massive senior moment not being able to tell a righty from a lefty. Glad it's wasn't me having that problem  ;)
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: uwe on March 05, 2013, 02:18:51 PM
Quote from: amptech on March 05, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Got pretty temted myself, just to experience this pickup.
I do wind pickups myself, and really like old gibsons..
Never heard these early ones 'live' , though.

Buy the Cream Reunion DVD Royal Albert Hall then, it's all over it.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Dave W on March 05, 2013, 02:34:58 PM
"It's just a flesh wound!"
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Basvarken on March 05, 2013, 02:47:25 PM
I tried to see it all ways but I just can't manage to see it as a lefty? :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: chromium on March 05, 2013, 03:29:09 PM
Needs more tuners.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Highlander on March 05, 2013, 03:34:33 PM
We have seen worse traversties, haven't we...?
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: amptech on March 05, 2013, 03:40:19 PM
Hm.. this is a tricky one.
I´d have to use both hands on this bass.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: uwe on March 05, 2013, 04:31:13 PM
It's Ter's - reloaded.
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: steveonbass on March 05, 2013, 04:44:02 PM
Still looks better than those things sound  *ducking*
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: westen44 on March 05, 2013, 05:09:03 PM
As has already been referred to here:  Jack--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUxYzfLZkpc
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on March 05, 2013, 05:19:39 PM
I was looking at the first shot, but even on the detail pics the "E" and the "G" string look to be close to the same diameter. That's what got me. I was just thinking 'butchered old EB...that's a familiar tale.'
Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: amptech on March 06, 2013, 02:43:11 AM
There´s all sorts of reasons why people butcher their instruments. No wonder, who better to turn to when you´re about to turn crazy
than your guitar? There is no better friend than an old gibson bass, and being a bit messed up might turn your personalized axe into something quite different too - it´s become your therapist , doctor or whatever. That´s no bad medicine at all :)

When I grew up, there was this puzzled old man who claimed to know a hundred different A7 voicings. I never recall seeing him
with a guitar or met someone who heard him play. But one day his fender twin reverb came in for repair in the local guitar store,
and it was painted with dots of different colours all over... And of course, it wasn´t a cosmetic modification.
He said that they coloured the tone of the amp just the way he liked it.


Title: Re: 54 EB with some contraptions...
Post by: eb2 on March 06, 2013, 02:33:30 PM
My guess is someone figured out a long time ago that too much tension from a heavier bass string on the old banjo pegs causes the shaft gear to pull away from the knob gear - tuners don't work.  So, instead of reaming it out for Schallers, or subbing in Grover Imperials (no reaming, same ferrules) they improvised a very complicated hunk o' stuff.  I like it!  Thumb rest/handle is fun too.

ALSO - that is about the best Jack Bruce ever sounded, tone wise, live.  Old EB1s sound wonderous.  Go buy a real EB!