• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Eb-3 Bass, can someone help me with serial number?

#3
The 6 digit serial numbers can be unreliable for dating. This is a timeline of the production changes to the EB3 over the years, could help you narrow down a time-frame:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Other than that, your best bet would be to check the pot codes. Should have a 137YYWW code (CTS-year-week) which will give you a date.

This website gives estimates as long as you can give some information:

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx

For your serial, if it was impressed into the headstock it could be a 65, but if it also has "Made In USA" stamped it could be a 74 or 75.

As far as price you'll have to look elsewhere or become a supporting member as per forum rules.
 
#8
Yeah, three point bridge = mid '73 or later

The serial numbers changed to decals in '75 but this is not absolute.

Sales of EBs dropped massively when the Ripper/Grabber came out, and they were still shipping older serial-numbered basses after this change to some extent.

Production/shipping, when demand is low, can span months or years, so the notion of a precise 'date' is a little spurious. The numbers were stamped before the neck was even attached to the body, so the neck may well have been made significantly before it was shipped.

Pot codes give another date. Most likely shipped in '73 or '74, but potentially a little later. You can not be any more precise than that, without access to Gibsons shipping ledger.
 
#12
Gents, I am having a CITES issue with an SG EB-3 'CUSTOM' serial number 778119 and I must say I have searched high and low to no avail on the serial number. From what I gathered in my searches if the bass was made before March 1st 1973 it would not be subject to a CITES certificate and this is my quest. It has been stuck with Swiss customs for over month ... Thank you !
 
#13
asimha said:
Gents, I am having a CITES issue with an SG EB-3 'CUSTOM' serial number 778119 and I must say I have searched high and low to no avail on the serial number. From what I gathered in my searches if the bass was made before March 1st 1973 it would not be subject to a CITES certificate and this is my quest. It has been stuck with Swiss customs for over month ... Thank you !
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear this. CITES could have some value if it were intelligently applied. To me, applying it to older instruments is just stupid. You wanna save some tree species---fine---start it now---not starting back 40 f ' ing years ago when the "sin" has already occurred.

How about giving me a ticket because I was not wearing a seat belt in 1963. Gimme a break... :rollno:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: pudgychef and Lownote38
#14
Thanks for your message it's comforting and I can only agree with you unfortunately this lovely custom baby has been stuck since mid-Feb and even with my lawyer's help they are not budging an inch. Trying to get build date from Gibson is tough as they were not consistent in those days either.
 

Attachments

  • s-l500.jpg
    s-l500.jpg
    30.2 KB · Views: 98
  • Like
Reactions: TheMinutemen and MEKer
#15
asimha said:
Thanks for your message it's comforting and I can only agree with you unfortunately this lovely custom baby has been stuck since mid-Feb and even with my lawyer's help they are not budging an inch. Trying to get build date from Gibson is tough as they were not consistent in those days either.
Click to expand...
Fine looking Gibson there for sure!
 
#16
asimha said:
Thanks for your message it's comforting and I can only agree with you unfortunately this lovely custom baby has been stuck since mid-Feb and even with my lawyer's help they are not budging an inch. Trying to get build date from Gibson is tough as they were not consistent in those days either.
Click to expand...
Pic of the front/back of the headstock if available. 60's were shorter/stubbier than 70's.
That is a sweet looking bass. :thumbsup:
 
#18
@asimha:

Interesting bass. However, that's not an EB-3 but one of the SB 350/450 series models - depending on the scale length - pretty seriously modified. These were not introduced until late '72. More on them can be found here:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wishing you the very best of luck with your customs predicament.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheMinutemen
#19
Thank you for that information! Difficult to tell actually as the pots configuration are quite different from any 350/450 I can find - How did you get to that conclusion ? I also received confirmation from Gibson today that if the MADE IN USA is stamped-impressed below the serial number, it should be for an instrument made in the period 1970-72. Should that not void the need for a CITES certificate to send the instrument from the UK to Switzerland?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TheMinutemen
#20
I can't comment on CITES...

Look at the pickup positioning. EBs from that era (post 1972) have a mudbucker in the middle, which would've left quite a gaping hole. Could it possibly have been filled? Yes. But somehow the pickups sit just too perfectly, like they would on an SB.

As for "made in USA" stamp, that started around '72 as well. My '70 EB doesn't have it.

Good luck
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back