EBO variations

[old crow]

I'm thinking about buying an EBO. Can you guys tell me how the different pickups and placement effects the instrument.
The early 60's ones have the plastic p.u. cover. the l70's seemed to move the p.u. more toward the bridge....

 

[TBird1958]

Check here for variations :
http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/

I count at least 10, EBO, EB3, EB4 and SB300/350/400/450.

 

[Fly Guitars]

Can you guys tell me how the different pickups and placement effects the instrument

The Gibson EB0 pickup did change some over the years, but not a lot. They were hand wound, so number of turns varies with each pickup, but roughly speaking, they are all much the same. The covers did change quite a lot, but the coil/windings underneath less so (if at all). It is sometimes claimed that seventies pickups were wound to a slightly different spec, but i've seen no specifics on this. I have tested numerous pickups in different basses and would not be able to tell a 60s from a 70s mudbucker by sound alone. They are all pretty fat sounding.

As for position: the nearer the bridge, the more trebley, the nearer the neck, the more bassy.

A mahogany neck wood gives a warmer sound. Maple gives a brighter sound.

So, a sixties EB0 with a pickup right near the neck and a mahogany neck will be all bass - mud as some people say

A seventies EB0 with a centered pickup and a maple neck will be less muddy, but still considerably nearer a 60s EB0 than any other bass.

The EB3, of course, has an extra mini humbucker which is WAY brighter than the neck pickup, giving it a much wider tonal range than the EB0 alone.

 

[old crow]

The Gibson EB0 pickup did change some over the years, but not a lot. They were hand wound, so number of turns varies with each pickup, but roughly speaking, they are all much the same. The covers did change quite a lot, but the coil/windings underneath less so (if at all). It is sometimes claimed that seventies pickups were wound to a slightly different spec, but i've seen no specifics on this. I have tested numerous pickups in different basses and would not be able to tell a 60s from a 70s mudbucker by sound alone. They are all pretty fat sounding.

As for position: the nearer the bridge, the more trebley, the nearer the neck, the more bassy.

A mahogany neck wood gives a warmer sound. Maple gives a brighter sound.

So, a sixties EB0 with a pickup right near the neck and a mahogany neck will be all bass - mud as some people say

A seventies EB0 with a centered pickup and a maple neck will be less muddy, but still considerably nearer a 60s EB0 than any other bass.

The EB3, of course, has an extra mini humbucker which is WAY brighter than the neck pickup, giving it a much wider tonal range than the EB0 alone.

Thanks Fly....you really know alot about these basses. Have you noticed any difference in sound or playablity between the early 60's w/ plastic covers and the 63-66 or even up to 68 o 9 ??

 

[bassman10096]

Also Link Removed

 

[Fly Guitars]

Thanks Fly....you really know alot about these basses. Have you noticed any difference in sound or playablity between the early 60's w/ plastic covers and the 63-66 or even up to 68 o 9 ??

Sound - no not really. As I said, the pickups were hand wound, so some had more turns than others, magnets don't necessarily stay the same over 50 year - plus the individual set up, strings, and so on... all have very subtle effects on sound. Probably too subtle to really notice, so in general, no - they all sound the same.

But there is a difference in neck profile. Really early ones had a much chunkier neck than later ones, which some people prefer. Then again some people prefer the slimmer necks. I don't care either way to be honest. You get used to either.

But If money was not an issue, i'd get an EB3 every time - if it is an issue, i'd choose an EB0 to EB3 conversion. The EB0 doesn't cut through well in some situations - especially larger bands, or against 'wall-of-sound' guitarists that use a lot of fx, but the EB3 does.

 

[old crow]

Sound - no not really. As I said, the pickups were hand wound, so some had more turns than others, magnets don't necessarily stay the same over 50 year - plus the individual set up, strings, and so on... all have very subtle effects on sound. Probably too subtle to really notice, so in general, no - they all sound the same.

But there is a difference in neck profile. Really early ones had a much chunkier neck than later ones, which some people prefer. Then again some people prefer the slimmer necks. I don't care either way to be honest. You get used to either.

But If money was not an issue, i'd get an EB3 every time - if it is an issue, i'd choose an EB0 to EB3 conversion. The EB0 doesn't cut through well in some situations - especially larger bands, or against 'wall-of-sound' guitarists that use a lot of fx, but the EB3 does.

As there are sooo many to choose from, I really appreciate your input and will likely go for a mid 60's for a smaller neck and smaller price tag.
This won't be my only bass, it'll be my lo-fi bass.