EB3 not what it seems

[godofthunder]

  I picked this up off ebay it arrived yesterday. A 70's EB3 refined in white, $800.00 BIN. When I took the bass out of the case it looked great, very nice refin. But the more I looked things didn't add up. Not only was this bass refined but the body was rebuilt ! One third of the body on the control cavity side was replaced! While the work was well done no way am I paying $800 bucks for this thing. The funny part it that this is one of the best playing 70's EB3s ever! One other thing under the Gibson embossed pickup cover lies a 60's mudbucker   http://cgi.ebay.com/220822908351?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%26_nkw%3D220822908351%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[lowend1]

Is it me, or is that bridge pickup in the wrong spot?

[SKATE RAT]

it looks like the bridge is in the wrong spot. it's all the way back (like on a 34" scale) but that neck is clearly a shorty

[godofthunder]

 Yeah, the bridge pup should be closer to the bridge. Other things to note the serial # and Made In USA are stamped deeper than I have EVER seen on a Gibson, I think they were redone. Refret for sure very nicely done. The MOP inlays are far nicer than stock Gibson of this period, I think they have been replaced. It is a good looking, playing and sounding bass. My first reaction is to ship it back and get a refund, if and this is a big if. If I keep it what do you guys think I should pay for it ?

[Big_Stu]

Knowing how you are for getting things right I think it would get to you over time that it's neither one thing nor another. For a 60's mb that's a lot of $.

[godofthunder]

 Ah Stu you know me to well ...........................it will get to me!

[EvilLordJuju]

Well, it is a nice looking bass - and if it is such a good player i'm guessing you are considering a partial refund?

And i'm sorry to say this Scott, but the funny angle of the back cover was a warning sign. I know what it's like though - you see a good buy-it-now price - your heart starts pumping... must buy before it goes... so you don't spend as long as you perhaps should checking it out

you wouldn't believe the number of times i've nearly bid thousands of dollars in a poster of a non-rev thunderbird!

How much will you be out of pocket if you send it back (postage etc?)

I'd suggest you should think consider what he will lose if you return it (ebay fees on the original sale, relisting it/postage) - he should at least give you that amount - would that sweeten the deal?

On the other hand if you return it, you've got $800 to put down on next weeks ebay offering... and there will always be another one. Is he happy to accept it back?

[godofthunder]

Good eye Jules!  I took a chance and I did ask him several questions about the bass.For $ 800 bucks I could put up with some quirks but a total rebuild on the bass is a bit much. At worst thought it might a converted EB0. Part of me would like to keep it but I think the WISE thing to do is ship it back. I can ship it back for free which is a plus.

[uwe]

It plays well and looks well. And someone knew what he wanted to achieve with it, right down to nuances only the initiated know such as moving the minibucker from the bridge for a better sound or replacing the seventies muddie with a sixties one. I'd seriously consider asking for compensation, but keeping it. The work that has been put into it is probably worth the current price alone.

True, that back picture, did raise a few questions, but he even that shows that the maker had a concept.

I appreciate the concept of "improvement". And it was good enough to fool one of our most expereinced brethren here!

But if you want to sell it next week you probably won't get your money back.

[Dave W]

it looks like the bridge is in the wrong spot. it's all the way back (like on a 34" scale) but that neck is clearly a shorty

Is it a shorty neck? With the bridge in that position, a short scale neck wouldn't intonate. Easy enough to check.

[jumbodbassman]

I just sold my slothead white spraycan EB3 to Mark 85 for $550 with HSC.  And it was all original....

[EvilLordJuju]

I appreciate the concept of "improvement".

yeah, to some extent I agree - it's worth having a few 'never gonna be stock' basses for trying out mods - and taking to those gigs where you know your gear might be out of sight for a while.

At UK prices it wasn't too bad a deal even with the rebuild - obviously US prices are cheaper - but it's got to be worth $600 or so in parts anyway, i'd say - original case and all - and assuming the loom etc are there and stock.

As for the neck - if it is out, definately send it back, but camera angle can play tricks when you are just looking at pictures. Necks can appear shorter than they actually are.

[godofthunder]

The bass is long scale and intonates perfectly. I still have not heared back from the seller. He asked what I want to do, I told him I'd ship it back for a full refund. I might pay $400 for it, I like misfits, but thats 400 I don't have to spend on something nice.

[godofthunder]

Full refund once I ship it back   I get attatched to things soooooooooooooooo easily   I know it must go back.

[SKATE RAT]

my bad. it does look like a short scale neck.