EB-0 Questions

Psycho Bass Guy · September 26, 2019, 02:13:24 PM

A local pawnshop has what they're calling a '58 EB-0. I normally hate shorties, but it plays and sounds amazing. I don't, however, think that it's actually a '58. It's walnut finished, no PG, slotted headstock with what looks to me like OEM Schallers, Sidewinder pu and covered, rubber muted 2-point bridge. It would be a good deal even for a more recent model, BUT it would be a purely studio creature for me. My gut says 70's, and what info I have found seems to back that up. I'd appreciate any input.

doombass · September 26, 2019, 02:26:30 PM

That's definitely a 1970-1972 bass (earliest would be late 1969, latest probably very late 1971). Gibson used Schaller heart shaped tuners in 1969 on both solid and slotted headstocks but if they say Schaller they've been replaced. Originals would have a Gibson script "G".

Psycho Bass Guy · September 26, 2019, 03:16:56 PM

It does the "G" on the tuners, but they also say "Made in Germany" on them, hence OEM for Gibson.

Dave W · September 26, 2019, 08:30:34 PM

Mine have Gibson on them but I have seen one or more with just a G. Schaller was the only company making these AFAIK.

Every slothead I've seen is a 70 or 71. There may be a late 69 or early 72 out there, but no earlier or later. Definitely nowhere near a 58.

If the price is right...

ajkula66 · September 26, 2019, 09:50:14 PM

If there's no "made in USA" on the back of the headstock, it's an early 1970 most likely. I own one of these.

If the USA insignia is there, but the pickups are not engraved "Gibson" it's either a late '70 or '72, since most of the '71 models had engraved pickups IME.

Happy shopping.

Dave W · September 27, 2019, 10:14:16 PM

Quote from: ajkula66 on September 26, 2019, 09:50:14 PM
If there's no "made in USA" on the back of the headstock, it's an early 1970 most likely. I own one of these.

If the USA insignia is there, but the pickups are not engraved "Gibson" it's either a late '70 or '72, since most of the '71 models had engraved pickups IME.

Happy shopping.

My 71 EB-0 and former EB-0L are both 71s and neither have engraved covers. Both have Made In USA on the back of the headstock. I have seen a 71 with the engraved cover though. The engraved and plain covers must have been put in the same parts bin.

ilan · September 29, 2019, 10:29:39 AM

No pickguard? There should be a large rout there. What covers it then?

amptech · September 30, 2019, 12:42:28 AM

Quote from: ilan on September 29, 2019, 10:29:39 AM
No pickguard? There should be a large rout there. What covers it then?

Maybe a pre '65 no rout body with a '70 neck? We need pictures

doombass · September 30, 2019, 02:08:23 PM

Or maybe simply missing the pickguard?

Psycho Bass Guy · October 03, 2019, 03:22:43 PM

Got back out to see it again yesterday. There IS a pickguard. Funny how I can remember the writing on the tuners, but a pickguard escapes my notice. It's also not so much a bargain now that I've researched EB-0's of that age. Still plays and sounds great.

ajkula66 · October 03, 2019, 10:29:54 PM

Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on October 03, 2019, 03:22:43 PM
It's also not so much a bargain now that I've researched EB-0's of that age. Still plays and sounds great.

It's a pawn shop. Throw them an offer if you like the bass...

Psycho Bass Guy · October 05, 2019, 01:00:20 PM

I don't like it THAT much. I'd rather put the money towards speaker cabinets. I have an SX Jazz shortie/"student bass" that I paid $75 that scratches that itch just fine. I just love that big Gibby Sidewinder pickup. They're asking a grand, won't go below 900, and sales tax here is 9.25%, so it's basically a grand. I can find them on eBay and Reverb for around 700 now that I know it's a 70's for sure.