Time capsule EB2C Sparkling Burgundy

[ilan]

My '68 Sparkling Burgundy also had EB2C stamped on the sticker.

When I sold it (for $1,000) I didn't know it was a custom color. Not being a Gibson man (although still owning two Gibson guitars), I just assumed this is what Cherry looked like.

[uwe]

Unless you keep it in the dark, it will turn into a nice deep Montezuma brown over the next few years - I can see that on mine and it practically only gets office light in the last 8 years.

[ilan]

Mine did the same - the top started to turn maroon. Red dyes are very susceptible to fading. I sold that bass long ago.

[fur85]

I agree with Dave, I would stay away from this one.

1. A 68 should have the bridge with nylon saddles, no? Serial # does indicate 68.
2. If the "original" case was carting around a guitar long enough to get the lines, where was the bass and how did it stay so pristine?
3. What is that logo thing on the pickguard? It matches the hang tag but I don't recall seeing that on an EB-2.
4. The description says 7 lb., 5 oz. , the scale in the photo says 9.25.
5. What's the little line above the "A" tuner?

[Dave W]

I agree with Dave, I would stay away from this one.

1. A 68 should have the bridge with nylon saddles, no? Serial # does indicate 68.
2. If the "original" case was carting around a guitar long enough to get the lines, where was the bass and how did it stay so pristine?
3. What is that logo thing on the pickguard? It matches the hang tag but I don't recall seeing that on an EB-2.
4. The description says 7 lb., 5 oz. , the scale in the photo says 9.25.
5. What's the little line above the "A" tuner?

Good points, Mark. I've seen a few with bar bridges and serial numbers that indicated 68, and I've seen a few 68s with that pickguard logo and nylon saddle bridge. But I've never seen the 68 guard with that logo and the bar bridge on the same bass. My assumption is that the serial number books are wrong, they aren't foolproof; IMO the bar bridge ones are likely from a couple of years earlier.

In the past it's been alleged that the seller has a supply of hang tags. No idea if it's true, but it's remarkable how many instruments he comes up with that have them.

[ilan]

My old EB2C was also a '68 Sparkling Burgundy but had nylon saddles and no logo on the pickguard.

[uwe]

Same with mine. I never regarded it as an EB2C though, but just as a burgundy sparkle which wasn't that rare a color for later EB 2s that already had the evertilt bridge (which on this bass works better than on others). The orange sticker inside just says EB-2 too (at least what is still faintly legible of it).

[Basvarken]

That C inside the label doesn't even look like a C...

[uwe]

Oh, if that is supposed to be a "c", then mine has a "c" too. I read that as an "e", seems to be added by hand. But it probably means something. "e" as in burgundee. 

[dadagoboi]

Can somebody point me to a definitive answer to this question:

Did Gibson ever designate a color as part of a model description?

[uwe]

I've seen it on the handwritten factory tags of some models.

[dadagoboi]

I've seen it on the handwritten factory tags of some models.

Thanks!

[gweimer]

This is my opinion of the vintage market.  There is an incredible amount of money to be made by creating a forgery.  Investing in a few thousand dollars worth of equipment, and having some talent, would make things like "authentic" stamped parts, pickguard logos, and even hang tags and provenance very easy to manufacture.  I would guess that it's easier to pass off a well done forgery of a bass/guitar than it is to get away with a forgery of fine art.  The skill set is the same, but the market is far easier to work.  I would venture that these same discussions and scams exist with classical stringed instruments like violins, too.

[eb2]

My take: Entirely legit.

The sparkling burgundy was only a custom color in that it was a rare color overall, but it had nothing to do with some special run of stuff you could order and wait patiently for. It covered up a mistake.  Sparkling Burgundy = F#CK UP. Gibson had problems with the ES bodies in that a significant % were suffering top ply cracking from the glue either not holding up or being weakened during the finishing. I would also venture a guess that as basses were the pre-school level for Gibson workmanship, then more than a few were sanded through.  Theres plenty of those running around, as we have seen.

Now also consider how many weird EB-0s and EB-3s we have come across where the neck and body did not match up for features.  I believe it was common for Gibson to have a morgue where bodies sat partially or incorrectly finished, and then they were salvaged with a neck that was made several years after.  There have been old contol routes with later necks, Evertilts with the hood ornament at the pickguard, Schaller tuner necks with earlier featured bodies, etc.

My take is this one had a screw up body from say 66 or 67,factory refinned to avoid the 2nd stamp and be sold full price, and neck slapped on by the bass crew.  They avoid the Second stamp, and make more money.  All cool in Kalamazoo.

And this is still a Gibson bass.  Not worth the effort in the vintage market. Even for this guy.

[Dave W]

This seller doesn't do forgeries. I'm sure this is a real Gibson and reasonably sure that all the parts on it are Gibson parts or parts made for Gibson.

What I doubt is that this is 100% original, i.e. that all the parts on this bass are the same ones on it when it left the factory.