1965 Gibson EB-0 conversion to EB-3 (fixing it)

[dc10bass]

Hello Group...
Looking for some input...

I just got a 1965 EB-0 bass that was poorly converted to an EB-3;
...adding the bridge pickup and volume control without the Chock & Varitone switch.

The plan is to resurrect & refinish it...

Pros:
No Neck Break!
Nice straight neck with low action
Frets still have a lot of life
All original parts

Cons:
Bridge pickup was installed in the wrong position (too close to the bridge)
Plastic casing for the bridge pickup is cracked, needs replaced.
Relocated strap button to the top horn (leaving hole and slight depression in wood)
Finish is heavily worn, to the point beyond a worn look giving it "character".
...and a few extra holes here and there that were "filled in" with glue.

I want to do the following:

•   Properly fill in the current EB-0 control hole locations.
•   Reroute the control cavity to support; 2 Volume, 2 Tone, a Varitone switch and an input jack.
             ...I already have an early 60's control cavity cover I can use.
•   Fill in and reroute the bridge pickup location to the correct location.
•   Stain and refinish the body, neck and headstock.

Does anyone know the Gibson cherry stain color they used?
...also, what clear coat finish did they use back then? ...was it urethane?

I don't intend on staining or applying the clear coat myself... I'll pay someone to do it right.
I did however use Acetone to strip the finish down to the bare wood... looks good.
I didn't want to go nuts with sandpaper as I've seen refinished jobs like this lose their edges and look too rounded.

Does anyone know where I can locate a routing template for the bridge pickup and control cavity?
...also need a bridge pickup plastic casing.

Thanks!!!

[ramone57]

if I'm not mistaken, reranch sells the cherry stain.

here's the link

http://reranchstore.stores.yahoo.net/gibcherred.html

[dadagoboi]

Great project Kurt, I've got a '67 EBO I want to convert.  Luckily the '67 has the big control cav.  I'm pretty sure the original EBO holes are in the right places for an EB3, you just have to add the others.

Here's a sample of cherry stain I just did over Honduras Mahogany.  This is a 2" x 4" sample.  As Gibson used until the late 60s at least, Nitrocellulose lacquer.  This is all Mohawk products.  It's ultra penetrating dye stain 'Red'. Matches my '65 EBO perfectly.


I'm thinking of refinishing this again back to its original color now that I know what I'm doing.

[drbassman]

The cherry stain from Stew Mac is pretty good too............

[shadowcastaz]

The cherry stain from Stew Mac is pretty good too............



That is a righteous lady in red!