The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on November 26, 2014, 08:18:27 AM
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Pretty sure this is a '76, the last year made. Note the stock three point bridge. I think I can get it for about $700 no case. I am waiting for more pics. Hope to have it in my sweaty mitts by next week . ;D(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/76GibsonEB3_zps91952801.jpg)
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GOOD DEAL.
Not my favoraite era of those, but they are the most solid.
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Good deal. And it looks like my sold '76er.
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Oh my. Now there's something to be thankful for....nice!
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Buy! Buy! Buy!
What a cool bass, early Christmas in New York!
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Nice! 21 frets even.
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Is that long scale or short scale?? Double points if it's short - it will balance better.
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Mark as always your the voice of reason ;) Looks like a shorty to me.
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Restraint (except in certain Eeeerrrrmmmm..... situations) is something best practiced in moderation - Buy!
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Nice looking one, and a good deal at that price.
I can tell by the bridge placement that it's a shorty. Besides, the long scale EBs were gone by the 1975 catalog.
BTW, last year for these was 1979 . See catalog page (http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/catalogues/1978_25.php) and white 1978 bass (http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/1978gibsonEB3.php) from Jules' site. Note the 1976-1979 shipping totals on the latter page. Not many shipped by then!
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I was wondering when the EB-3Ls ended. I thought it might be the early 70s. But it looks like it's 75.
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Mine! Great deal on a cool bass!
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Mine! Great deal on a cool bass!
That's great! Especially considering the way my life is going at the moment, I'd like very much to find something like that.
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Dave I was living in Cleveland in '79 I remember on a local bulletin board was a posting of a white '78 EB3. I wanted it so bad, but I was totally skint at the time.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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` 8)
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Hardly qualifies as "hijacking" here. ;D
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Congratulations, Scott!
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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.
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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.
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It's here, all I can say is WOW! Looks even better in person, super low action. What a mudbuck'n mahogany beast!
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Christmas came early to Scott's house this year :mrgreen: Congrats Scott!
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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.
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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?
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Congrats, Scott! Looks like you got what you wanted at the right price after a long search!
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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.
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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.
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Silver numbers, guess they are repros, no biggie. ;)
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no biggie. ;)
No biggie to grind down the skirts and paint the lettering, you mean? :)
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Got some pictures this AM. I installed two original witch hats, I need two more a Vol. and Tone I'd be grateful if anyone has a set they can part with. Also installed two Gibson strap buttons. This bass is very clean the usual nicks and some buckle rash but man the thing is really shinny! Super low action thanks to the three point bridge, quite possibly the lowest I have experienced on any era EB3. Virtually no string break across the saddles, maybe a degree or 2. All in all I am super happy with this purchase. Defiantly the bass I was after in the summer of '75!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/1975GibsonEB3003_zps16f1c37c.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/1975GibsonEB3004_zpsf581a733.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/1975GibsonEB3002_zps62d73f84.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/1975GibsonEB3001_zps8a125020.jpg)
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Congrats on the great new addition! My EB-4L is the only bass I have from that series, but I dug it a ton more than I thought I would..........
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.
From the '72 "Bass Place" catalog..........
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/EB-3L72_zpsc1413d10.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/Grog_03/media/EB-3L72_zpsc1413d10.jpg.html)
From the '74/'75 catalog with Peter Cetera on the cover.............
(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af119/Grog_03/EB-3LCat_zpscf7d9ae5.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/Grog_03/media/EB-3LCat_zpscf7d9ae5.jpg.html)
I've never seen anything published between these two catalogs.............. :-\
It is still listed in the June1, 1976 price guide, but only as an EB-3. It's listed as short scale..........
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For some reason, I always think of the ones that look like this as '73's...
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Nice looker, Scott. I'm always a little leery of older Gibsons you can't examine in person when the price is lower than usual. I'm glad this one turned out to be a winner.
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The seller was Jackson Music in Grand Island NY. I was able to return it if it had a major problem like a busted truss rod. They sent me lots of pics and we talked on the phone so I was pretty confident in buying it.
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Easily one of the nicest playing EB3 I have ever owned, I hate to admit it but the three point is a big improvement over the Evertilt. The saddles are very low and notched (factory) The action is super low. I can't wait to try through my Hiwatt!
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I'm curious now - When did the 3 point first appear, and on what bass?
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73 (some say 72, but pot codes can be innaccurate due to old stock). EB series (EB2 was disco'd in 72) and Triumph (first year of release was 72). Some early Triumphs had a 2 point; never seen an EB2 with a 3 point. G series basses didn't start shipping til later with the exception of the Ripper which may have had a few go out in late 73.
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My favourite era EB-3s! I have a 76 one with see-thru decal serial number and Made in the USA. On those, you could actually use the varitone without totally readjusting your amp. Compared to these, the early sixties ones are octave-lowered guitars (which is of course their charm to a lot of people).
Congrats, Scott! Are you planning to do something intrusive about better high register access? :-X
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I pretty satisfied with the upper register access ;) So I will be leaving this alone. The thing is a beast no mistaking it for a guitar, it must easily weigh 9.5- 10 lbs. The body is one big beautiful iece of mahogany. The varitone has some very usable tones, I like 2 and 3 the best.