1966 Gibson EB-2 Value?

Simon Langley · #1 07-01-2009, 05:46 PM

The story: A guitar player friend of mine stumbled into a great deal on an all original 1966 Gibson EB-2 with a cherry finish. It is in very good condition and the only flaw is a broken bass-boost switch. it doesn't have a case.

He originally bought it for himself but has become a very motivated seller since he was given the opportunity to purchase a 1961 Gibson SG Jr.

He has offered it to me for $1000.00. What do you think?

Bass looks very much like the one pictured below.

BigOldHarry · #2 07-01-2009, 05:59 PM

If it's a real gibson (set neck, etc) and there's no obvious cracks, $1000 is a deal, even if it sounds like a mud-fart. These old basses look great and are pretty collectable.

Simon Langley · #3 07-01-2009, 06:26 PM

I just noticed that the bass in the picture I used has the later style bridge with separate adjustable saddles and the one I'm looking at is the older style.

kevin_lindsay · #4 07-01-2009, 10:54 PM

$1,000 is an absolute steal!!! Grab it before someone else snaps up the instrument.

I had a 1959 Gibson EB2 which had the earlier bridge (slanted wrapover stoptail unit), black bakelite pickup cover, sunburst finish, and the reverse facing "banjo" style tuners. My friend Paul Turner (Jamiroquai, Annie Lennox, etc, etc) bought it from me when I mentioned it was thinking of selling it a few years back

vespasian1 · #5 07-02-2009, 02:58 AM

"$1,000 is an absolute steal!!! Grab it before someone else snaps up the instrument."

Absolutely!

There are usually a few of these on www.gbase.com, and I never saw one anywhere near $1000.

Grab it!

neatobassman · #6 07-02-2009, 03:06 AM

yea, I saw a 70's EB3 with lots of cracks on the heel, out of phase pickups and the bridge coming loose from the body going for $1380. lol.

Barkless Dog · #7 07-02-2009, 05:06 AM

$1500 - $2500 depending on type & condition is the going price. Jump on it if you have the cash.

GM60466 · #8 07-02-2009, 01:18 PM

The bass in this photo in not a 1966. More like a 1969 or 1970. Still worth $3000 if there is no drama with the neck. Buy it!

G

iamthebassman · #9 07-02-2009, 01:22 PM

My EB-2 is just like the one pictured above, a '69, except mine has factory dual large humbuckers and stereo outs. No neck issues. Bought it in 1990 for $200.

Simon Langley · #10 07-03-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

My EB-2 is just like the one pictured above, a '69, except mine has factory dual large humbuckers and stereo outs. No neck issues. Bought it in 1990 for $200.

*Thanks for all the feedback. This thread will definitely help when it comes to convincing the wife. "See Honey, it's a good investment."

smcd · #11 07-03-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkless Dog

$1500 - $2500 depending on type & condition is the going price. Jump on it if you have the cash.

I agree. Though I think $2,500 is a bit high in this market.

EB-2's are beautiful looking and well made instruments. Check to make sure the neck doesn't need a reset, which is common on these basses.

Note also that EB-2's aren't the best sounding basses. Fun to own, but not so fun to listen to.

Simon Langley · #12 09-29-2009, 01:55 PM

*Sorry for all the bass-porn but I couldn't resist.

**ExaltBass** · #13 09-29-2009, 02:00 PM

Incredible! How does it play?

Simon Langley · #14 09-29-2009, 02:23 PM

It plays very nice. Neck nice and straight, action medium, tension low due to short scale. Has a wider neck (think P) than my EB-0 (think J). Intonation is pretty good given the obvious limitations the bridge creates. Quite a contrast between the regular and baritone modes now that I have repalced the broken switch. Both sounds require EQing the amp and if you set it so one sounds good the other sounds horrible. Does sound quite a bit different than my EB-0.

KramerBassFan · #15 09-29-2009, 02:30 PM

Cheers!
But I must say, I love "Union made" in little letters on it....

That was definitely a good deal for 1,000.... especially with no added on crap such as a Set of EMG P pickups in the bridge or something....

gjbassist · #16 09-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Wow! Is that really in as nice condition as it looks in the photos? If so you got a steal!

iamthebassman · #17 09-29-2009, 02:45 PM

Have you figured out why it's a factory second? Always fun to try to find why it was "rejected" by the factory, sometimes you never can figure it out!

SlingBass4 · #18 09-29-2009, 02:52 PM

BIG congrats!!! I had a EB2-CD back in the day (1970) - a solid investment PLUS a whole lotta fun

dalkowski · #19 09-29-2009, 02:55 PM

For $1,000?!?!?!? Well played!

Simon Langley · #20 09-29-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

Have you figured out why it's a factory second? Always fun to try to find why it was "rejected" by the factory, sometimes you never can figure it out!

*Good catch on the #2 stamped above the serial number. With the way the finish has aged it is difficult to tell what the blemish was. There is one unusual spot on the lower edge of the body that involves the binding and part of the wood but I'm not sure. My other theory is that it was labeled a "2nd" because it has nickel tuners and all chrome hardware on the body? Maybe made during the transition from nickel to chrome hardware and they had left over tuners laying around?