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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: rnrgeek on July 12, 2017, 08:31:26 AM

Title: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: rnrgeek on July 12, 2017, 08:31:26 AM
 I have a vintage Gibson BO bass. the junior body style
 I am trying to determine the exact year. The serial # is 105689

 Can anyone help me?
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: uwe on July 12, 2017, 10:54:57 AM
Based on the number alone that will be difficult, back then the serial numbers of Gibson were notoriouly inaccurate and wanton. But given the model ... 60/61ish?
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: dadagoboi on July 12, 2017, 10:57:37 AM
Original? or 'reissue'

Originals were made for two years, '59 and '60.  Serial number is ink stamped on the back of the headstock. first number is either 9 or 0 to match the year followed by four digits.

Like this:
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1960%20EBO/P1050622.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1960%20EBO/P1050622.jpg.html)

Reissue? Who cares...actually back then Gibson was pretty consistent, they only got squirrely in the '60s
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: Dave W on July 12, 2017, 11:25:59 AM
Quote from: dadagoboi on July 12, 2017, 10:57:37 AM
Original? or 'reissue'

Originals were made for two years, '59 and '60.  Serial number is ink stamped on the back of the headstock. first number is either 9 or 0 to match the year followed by four digits.

....

Reissue? Who cares...actually back then Gibson was pretty consistent, they only got squirrely in the '60s

I'm not aware of any reissue of the Junior style.

AFAIK the Junior style was made as late as sometime into '61, and the numbering system changed in '61. According to Fjestad's Blue Book, the serial numbers ranged from 100 to 42440. So my guess would be a '61.
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: uwe on July 12, 2017, 03:19:21 PM
"I'm not aware of any reissue of the Junior style."

Alas!, human memory, my friends, is as precious as it is fleeting.

(http://www.gibson.com/Images/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/LP-Junior-DC-Bass/Gallery-Images/BAEB11PBCH1-Finish-Shot-jpg.aspx?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=410&width=1000)




It doth tend to get blurry and unfocused at times.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zTHrI-gv5Gc/maxresdefault.jpg)




***He struck that thing with Gwyneth from his memory too. Just ignore it. :-X


Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: Dave W on July 12, 2017, 04:50:43 PM
Quote from: uwe on July 12, 2017, 03:19:21 PM
"I'm not aware of any reissue of the Junior style."

Alas!, human memory, my friends, is as precious as it is fleeting.

It doth tend to get blurry and unfocused at times.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zTHrI-gv5Gc/maxresdefault.jpg)


The 2011 LP Jr DC Bass was NOT a reissue of the original EB-0, nor was it marketed as one. And even if it had been, there would be no question about the year.

I say the serial number of rnrgeek's bass is from '61. Anyone else have information to confirm?
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: uwe on July 12, 2017, 05:27:19 PM
"The 2011 LP Jr DC Bass was NOT a reissue of the original EB-0, nor was it marketed as one."


Legalistic mumbo-jumbo!!!  E(el)vasive! :mrgreen:

German proverb of ze däy: Er windet sich wie ein Aal.


(http://static5.suedkurier.de/storage/image/7/1/0/9/6439017_artikel-thumb_1oMB4Z_DsPdfM.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: amptech on July 12, 2017, 09:57:01 PM
Quote from: rnrgeek on July 12, 2017, 08:31:26 AM
I have a vintage Gibson BO bass. the junior body style
 I am trying to determine the exact year. The serial # is 105689

 Can anyone help me?

Given that they only made them from '59 to '61, pot dating might help here. If they are dated 1961 it's simple, but of course if they are 59 it could be either. Also, they switched to regular tubers (early had banjo tuners) at a specific point. Think it was mid 1960 but I can look that up. Do you have original hardware/electronics?
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: dadagoboi on July 13, 2017, 12:06:18 AM
Quote from: amptech on July 12, 2017, 09:57:01 PM
Given that they only made them from '59 to '61, pot dating might help here. If they are dated 1961 it's simple, but of course if they are 59 it could be either. Also, they switched to regular tubers (early had banjo tuners) at a specific point. Think it was mid 1960 but I can look that up. Do you have original hardware/electronics?

I'd love to see documentation on the 'switch to regular tuners'.  I'm not aware of that being done until the second generation EB-0 with larger headstock.
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: Dave W on July 13, 2017, 09:41:04 AM
Quote from: amptech on July 12, 2017, 09:57:01 PM
Given that they only made them from '59 to '61, pot dating might help here. If they are dated 1961 it's simple, but of course if they are 59 it could be either. Also, they switched to regular tubers (early had banjo tuners) at a specific point. Think it was mid 1960 but I can look that up. Do you have original hardware/electronics?

Quote from: dadagoboi on July 13, 2017, 12:06:18 AM
I'd love to see documentation on the 'switch to regular tuners'.  I'm not aware of that being done until the second generation EB-0 with larger headstock.

Take a look at all the pics of this one (https://reverb.com/item/2148795-gibson-eb-0-les-paul-body-1961-sn-1-0672) described as "transition."

Note the serial number. Note the tuners, although I can't tell for sure if they're original. Interesting example.
Title: Re: Gibson EB-0 serial number help needed
Post by: dadagoboi on July 13, 2017, 05:12:49 PM
Quote from: Dave W on July 13, 2017, 09:41:04 AM
Take a look at all the pics of this one (https://reverb.com/item/2148795-gibson-eb-0-les-paul-body-1961-sn-1-0672) described as "transition."

Note the serial number. Note the tuners, although I can't tell for sure if they're original. Interesting example.

Yes, very! Tuners look the same as other early to late 60s big headstock EBs