Period 1961—1979 | Body type Solid Scale 30.5" or 34" (EB-3L) | |
Manufacturer Gibson Guitar Corporation | ||
The Gibson EB-3 is an electric bass guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.
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Origins and history
Introduced in 1961, the EB-3 (based on an earlier model, the EB-0)was one of the bass guitar equivalents of the popular Gibson SG. It featured a slim SG-style body, a short 30.5" scale, and two pickups (a large humbucking pickup in the neck position and a mini-humbucker pickup in the bridge position). The electronics consisted of a four-way rotary pickup selector switch (for Series 1 basses; neck pickup with midrange notch, bridge, bridge and neck with low end rolled off neck pickup, neck pickup with choke) and volume and tone knobs for each pickup. The standard finish was cherry red (like the SG guitar models), though EB-3s were also produced in other finishes such as Polaris White, Pelham Blue, Walnut, and Ebony. By the time production ceased in 1979, a total of 14167 instruments had been built.
The design of the EB-3 changed several times during the 1960s. In 1962, the black plastic cover on the neck pickup was replaced by a metal one. Around 1964-5, the nickel-plated hardware was replaced by chrome-plated. Around 1966-7 the neck was replaced with a thinner one; the unadjustable bar bridge was replaced by a fully adjustable one with a nylon saddle for each string; the string guard was removed; a bridge guard was introduced and the knobs were replaced with the witch-hat design. In 1969 and 1970, the headstock was replaced with a slotted one (similar to those on most classical guitars), with tuning keys mounted at ninety degrees downwards behind the head. In the 1970s, the pickups were moved closer to the bridge, and maple instead of mahogany was used for the neck. In addition to the Gibson EB-3, a long-scale (34") model called the EB-3L was introduced for players who preferred the longer scale of most Fender basses. The EB-3 was discontinued in 1979.
Gibson currently produces a model called the SG Bass which is very similar to the EB-3, but with only a single tone control and no Varitone switch. Epiphone produces a more affordable EB-3 with a 34" scale (similar to the EB-3L), but the Varitone switch has been replaced by a simple pickup selector.