OK, on a lark, I took my beat up 69 EB-0 to practice on Monday. I bought a couple years ago cheap because some douchebag carved his initials in a small square ( 3/8" x 3/8") on the back. I was gonna rehab it, but have been too busy to mess with it.
So I plug it into the MusicMan 130 and it kicks butt with ancient rounds on it! It was so nice and not muddy or boomy at all. I did turn the treble and mid dials up and that helped it out. That pup and tube amp combo really worked! Needless to say, it sounded good and they are always a joy to play. Love that neck. As I'm aging, I'm finding it harder to play my 34" basses for extended gigs. So, it was fun to see how this would go and it was a pleasant surprise!
I'm taking the Triumph next week.
Thats cool Bill! EB0s get a bad rap. I'm digging my newly acquired '68 EB0 ;D
Nothing like flying around on a short scale. If you liked the EBO you should get an EB3 too and ride that mini bucker to funky town.
I played a friend's EB2 about a year ago...was not muddy at all...through a solid state newer Fender Bassman.
I think amplification is much better today than 30-40 years ago...
Not better, maybe, but is is easier to squeeze highs and mids out of a modern amp with tweeters etc. that was designed for slap etc., than it was in the old days.
The thing about EB0s (and anything with a mudbucker, non choked) is that they tend to work best with solid state front ends (like on that hybrid MM). It's something to do with the massive 30K output and/or sine-like fundamental of the damn things that gives vintage tube based front ends a really hard time. I still like that sound (mud + tube pre) sometimes but it is what it is. One of the coolest bass sounds I ever got (totally byu accident) was my EB3 (on position 1, so basically an EB0) straight in to a small Peavey solidstate practice amp (either an 8 or 10" speaker, forget exactly) that is usually my repair bench test amp. It's an extreme example of the rule of opposites at work.
Gonna put some new rounds on it before next practice. Should be interesting!
I totally concur on all your comments. It has a 'tone' unto itself. Yes tone. I have a '69 EBO as well (still has quite it's reddish (aged...like a 20 yr. old Pomerol) wine color in 9+ condition. I don't know if I can describe it as 'not mud' but a joy to play. My SG Faded Mahogany and SG Supreme cover the other spectrum. I also agree with modern amps even my Hofners have something that was not apparant on older amps. However I do not like tweeters so usually turn off, disconnect or as in my newer GK they don't even have 'em.
Good to see the positive EB-O comments. Just don't try doing this anywhere.
I think the EB0 finds the solid state preamp in my Music Man amp and power tubes very agreeable for sure. It's going to the next gig
I clearly have been a fender guy way too long. I have never heard an EBO that i actually liked the sound of including my 64. my 2 EB3's with the bridge pup can get some useful tones and the 3L is clearly the best of the lot. I assume my Eb2 if i used a pick could do the british invasion sound fairly well. That being said they stay in their cases other than an occasion WTF night out. I like a loud, clear and clean but full sound, preferably tube driven, 99.5 % fingers only. Ampegs or fenders BEFORE any breakup.....As much as Scott and the rest have made me try and like natural amp distortion, it sounds great for others but not me. As Scott would say, driving the snot out of an amp doesn't do it for my sound. No EB's fit that sound for me, J basses can be too thin though if wired in series they get closer. The perfect mass produced bass for me would be a p bass with JPJ (pickups, not the person) or PPJ and i have to admit the 63 thunderbuckers sound really good. My active boutique basses usually get me there as I can pretty much dial out the j bass thinness though many are PJ. Some boutique pickups also can get me close in the right bass.
I guess I am a bass snob overall but what the heck, thats what i like..... and its the sound in my head.... It's certainly costs a lot to get me there.....
Is admitting the first of the 12 steps????? ???
I had an EB-0 briefly. I took it to a band audition. It was a small room, and I think I had my Crate amp with me. In a tight space, that bass had the most incredible thump. It was chest-beating good. Out in an open space, that's where it became an art to get a good sound from the bass.
Quote from: Granny Gremlin on September 06, 2013, 09:04:53 AM
The thing about EB0s (and anything with a mudbucker, non choked) is that they tend to work best with solid state front ends (like on that hybrid MM). It's something to do with the massive 30K output and/or sine-like fundamental of the damn things that gives vintage tube based front ends a really hard time. I still like that sound (mud + tube pre) sometimes but it is what it is. One of the coolest bass sounds I ever got (totally byu accident) was my EB3 (on position 1, so basically an EB0) straight in to a small Peavey solidstate practice amp (either an 8 or 10" speaker, forget exactly) that is usually my repair bench test amp. It's an extreme example of the rule of opposites at work.
I had the same experience plugging my EBO into a little ss Crate guitar amp with an 8" speaker. An inspiring practice rig--and I wouldn't hesitate to record with it if that was the sound I was looking for. I love the way that bass feels in my hands and I love the feeling it puts into my playing. Doesn't matter to me how many other players
don't like 'em.
The Mudbucker loaded in my PC (vol only - no tone controls) and ran through either the Hiwatt/Marshall cab (loaded with just the two 75w "Governor" speakers) or the MAG300 4x10 sounds just fine and tolerates giving them full-throttle...
Admittedly, the Hiwatt is sick at present, so not running...
Got an old '68 EB0 myself. Had it for 39 years now. If ever there was a candidate for playing bass with a pick, this is it. MUCH more clarity than using fingers. And, I agree with DrBassman... subjectively it has the best feeling/playing neck of any bass I've ever owned.
Nice to see the absence of haters as well.
Quote from: VeloDog on September 08, 2013, 06:59:32 AM
Got an old '68 EB0 myself. Had it for 39 years now. If ever there was a candidate for playing bass with a pick, this is it. MUCH more clarity than using fingers. And, I agree with DrBassman... subjectively it has the best feeling/playing neck of any bass I've ever owned.
Nice to see the absence of haters as well.
I could take you to a place, though, somewhere on this planet where there would be bashing galore. And it doesn't just involve bashing the lowly EB-O. It also involves habitually bashing some artists I like which aren't considered good enough, cool enough, in the right genre, technically proficient enough, etc.
Yeah, I know. Actually there are numerous forums where the "Fender Rules" philosopy reigns supreme. I have a couple of Fenders myself, and enjoy them, but I just like the feel and playability of the old Gibsons more. Being open-minded is key.
Any bass that sounds good is a good bass, even the cheap ones.
We have lots more crass...err, class...here.
Welcome to the Outpost CMAJ and VeloDog!!!
Both terms are correct, Pilgrim.
Vintage basses have class; vintage Japanese basses have crass.
BTW, thanks for the warm welcome.
Quote from: VeloDog on September 08, 2013, 10:50:17 AM
Both terms are correct, Pilgrim.
Vintage basses have class; vintage Japanese basses have crass.
BTW, thanks for the warm welcome.
Excerrent response.
Quote from: VeloDog on September 08, 2013, 10:50:17 AM
Both terms are correct, Pilgrim.
Vintage basses have class; vintage Japanese basses have crass.
BTW, thanks for the warm welcome.
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that. You can keep any vintage Vox bass - all crap as far as I'm concerned. And you'll find some fans here of the Matsumoku products. My Holy Crap bass (search around here - I've posted pics), was an Epi ET-285N, and was one of my favorite basses. And we're mighty fond of the Greco and Orville T-Birds here, too.
We're also fond of WWII aircraft, anal sex, and he who shall not be named. Welcome aboard!
I like my 70's Univox 335-copy, but I can't play it at present because the electronics are too oxidized. Gotta get in there and clean it up. It's one of the many Matsumoku products.
I played it on this recording of Peter Gunn, and I think it sounds pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg2G7bA6GJ8
Fenders have been considered plug and play basses from almost the beginning. Whatever your preferred sound, an awful lot of players think it's relatively easy to get with a Fender and most amps. An EB-0 isn't as versatile and it doesn't work as well with some amps as others. If you like the basic tone, you can get your sound, you just may have to spend a little more time finding the right combination.
That doesn't excuse the Gibson haters out there who will bash just for the sake of bashing, but you have to admit, the EB-0 sound is never going to be considered universal.
Quote from: Dave W on September 08, 2013, 03:21:22 PM
......... but you have to admit, the EB-0 sound is never going to be considered universal.
Therin lies (some of) the beauty of Gibson basses, I don't want my tone to be like a 7ender ;)
And yeah, one of these days I'll get an EB, probably just for home, not the band.
Quote from: Nokturnal on September 08, 2013, 10:38:43 AM
Welcome to the Outpost CMAJ and VeloDog!!!
Thanks for the welcome! I didn't realize that was my first post. I've been registered here for quite a while and have lurked even longer. Figured I had responded to some thread before but I guess not. ???
I usually just look in on the Gibson section, as their basses are interesting to me, especially T-Birds. If money wasn't so tight in my household these days I would have plucked a Greco T-Bird off ebay by now. A real Gibby is out of the question right now, especially since I'm not gigging as a bass player these days. Been playing guitar and bass a good long time. In fact, my first guitar hero was somebody who needs no further mention here...
Quote from: cmaj on September 08, 2013, 09:19:52 PM
Thanks for the welcome! I didn't realize that was my first post. I've been registered here for quite a while and have lurked even longer. Figured I had responded to some thread before but I guess not. ???
I usually just look in on the Gibson section, as their basses are interesting to me, especially T-Birds. If money wasn't so tight in my household these days I would have plucked a Greco T-Bird off ebay by now. A real Gibby is out of the question right now, especially since I'm not gigging as a bass player these days. Been playing guitar and bass a good long time. In fact, my first guitar hero was somebody who needs no further mention here...
Oh no! Not "that" guy!
BTW Welcome here :)
Quote from: cmaj on September 08, 2013, 09:19:52 PM
In fact, my first guitar hero was somebody who needs no further mention here...
'
It's allright, we all had our Kane Roberts crush at one point in life..
Ass you can see, any log - shortscale or not- will fit in here.
I'm quite new in here as well, but have allready come out of the Cinderella closet!
It's easy to deride a particular bass if it's not one's cup o' tea. Different strokes! I never let one's man opinion bother me.
Sure an EB0 can sound good through a solid state practice amp but that's because the amp filters out half the frequencies coming from the bass because it can't handle them. I love the mudbucker for what it gives you when it's overdriving tubes. An all tube head turned up to 11 is great but certain hybrid amps with lots of gain can get you close to that sound and it doesn't have to be too loud if you can use a master volume judiciously. The problem is finding a band that's willing to work with that sound.
It is all about bass/amp combinations for sure. I've happened upon a good one for my purposes and the band didn't protest, they liked it.
Quote from: 4stringer77 on September 09, 2013, 12:45:20 PM
Sure an EB0 can sound good through a solid state practice amp but that's because the amp filters out half the frequencies coming from the bass because it can't handle them. I love the mudbucker for what it gives you when it's overdriving tubes.
Well, that certainly explains your avatar. 8)
Played the EB-0 for half a gig on Friday and it sounded great through the MM. The e-string gave the 2x15's hell, but they hung in there took it. I had put new DA Half-rounds on it and I was pleased with the feel and the sound. Compared to the ancient rounds I took off, the tone was nice and bassy, not too muddy, but had enough definition to cut through the rest of the band noise. Comfortable to play and really reasonably priced.
The other half I played the LP Triumph and it performed well too. Overall, a fun Gibson evening!