Gibson 335 Bass

[Gibson Victory]

I totally agree with the disagreements. It’s an “acquired” taste for sure.

 

[Gibson Victory]

So…. There is a 335 currently listed on Reverb. Contacted Seller, he says the scale length is 34”. Sweetwater still has their old spec listing up, and specs kind of sound a like. Was interesting what their comments were on recording short scale Basses, lol.

 

[J Wilson]

After the very steady success they've had with the Cassidys, why they don't reissue or make a new 335-based bass in long scale with real pickups and hardware . . . . is one of those dead-ends you run into when you combine Gibson and Bass in the same sentence.

NOTE Also see 'reissue Rickenbacker 4005'.

 

[Pauly 4001]

Here comes the disagreements.
Honestly, in their day the EB2D was the only Gibson bass worth looking at. Don’t be fooled, you can always find a 1 in a 100,000 freak, like Jack Bruce. Who happen to need the farty tone for filling out a 3 piece like Schacher/G and Pappalardi-mountain. In rare settings they work great, like a specialty tool. But the proof is in the tasting.
For starters, what famous studio bassists are noted for playing Gibson basses? You can only imagine how every producer in the 60-80s. Must have moaned to himself the minute a bass player pulled out an EBO. Lol
I love this TB, because it brings back so many memories. But being an old farty tone myself. The views on how things were and valued back then is fun. But is also like being on acid, to listen from your perspective.
Love yawl

Glenn Cornick really wasn't fond of his EB-2 for what it's worth:

FlyGuitars "What did you think of the EB2?"

Glenn Cornick "Sorry but it was the worst instrument I have ever owned and the only time it was ever used was to record Witch's Promise (as it was the only bass I could get to at the time). I used it occasionally on TV lip synch shows because it looked pretty good."

Glenn Cornick Interview: the Gibson EB2 and EB3 basses >> FlyGuitars

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Have you checked out the Epiphone Jack Casady bass? IMO it's a better sounding instrument than the Gibson hollowbody.

 

[Mastermold]

Glenn Cornick really wasn't fond of his EB-2 for what it's worth:

FlyGuitars "What did you think of the EB2?"

Glenn Cornick "Sorry but it was the worst instrument I have ever owned and the only time it was ever used was to record Witch's Promise (as it was the only bass I could get to at the time). I used it occasionally on TV lip synch shows because it looked pretty good."

Glenn Cornick Interview: the Gibson EB2 and EB3 basses >> FlyGuitars

To each his own. I love my EB-2, used it extensively both to gig and record. It doesn't sound like a Fender but that's why I bought it.

 

[Gibson Victory]

Glenn Cornick really wasn't fond of his EB-2 for what it's worth:

FlyGuitars "What did you think of the EB2?"

Glenn Cornick "Sorry but it was the worst instrument I have ever owned and the only time it was ever used was to record Witch's Promise (as it was the only bass I could get to at the time). I used it occasionally on TV lip synch shows because it looked pretty good."

Glenn Cornick Interview: the Gibson EB2 and EB3 basses >> FlyGuitars

Excellent comment here. Amen x 3!!! Have always been a big fan of his playing. Especially on the Benefit album.

 

[Pauly 4001]

To each his own. I love my EB-2, used it extensively both to gig and record. It doesn't sound like a Fender but that's why I bought it.

I love my Ripper and my EB-3L and have never touched a EB-2. I'm certainly not one of those guys that automatically says bad things about Gibson basses and should not have passed along Mr Cornick's comments in such a knee jerk manner. I would certainly defend Rippers and EB-3Ls so should have seen where I was going there. Sorry for the offence and may Mr Cornick rest in peace.

 

[Gibson Victory]

All ok here. All comments are welcome as far as I’m concerned. It’s nice to read stories and re live history. Keep this stuff coming !!!

 

[ctmullins]

I was lucky enough to play a 335 bass when I visited the Memphis factory back in September 2014. I remember it feeling very solid and very high quality. I also remember its tone as surprisingly bright and articulate. Not the stereotypical Gibson bass tone. If I had had the cash in hand it would have come home with me.

 

[Mastermold]

I love my Ripper and my EB-3L and have never touched a EB-2. I'm certainly not one of those guys that automatically says bad things about Gibson basses and should not have passed along Mr Cornick's comments in such a knee jerk manner. I would certainly defend Rippers and EB-3Ls so should have seen where I was going there. Sorry for the offence and may Mr Cornick rest in peace.

No worries here, just pointing out my own personal experience with the EB-2 but anyone is free to dislike or like the instrument. Found a few photos from some studio and live use just for fun:

 

[Gibson Victory]

Like I mentioned earlier, there is a 335 Bass up for grabs on Reverb now, looks good to me. Go for it if you are so inclined. Hammer out a deal. Even though I could, I promise not to snipe you on the deal, scout’s honor, lol! Well for 24 hours anyway.You snooze, you Loose.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Consider an original Kalamazoo Epiphone Rivoli or a more recent Korean build if you can find one.

I love my 1965 Rivoli lovingly restored by TB’s very own Instagator . A Prince of a man and talented luthier .

Like others have said they’re not Fenders and we don’t want them to be. They do their own thing and that’s a good thing.

 

[bobyoung53]

Here comes the disagreements.
Honestly, in their day the EB2D was the only Gibson bass worth looking at. Don’t be fooled, you can always find a 1 in a 100,000 freak, like Jack Bruce. Who happen to need the farty tone for filling out a 3 piece like Schacher/G and Pappalardi-mountain. In rare settings they work great, like a specialty tool. But the proof is in the tasting.
For starters, what famous studio bassists are noted for playing Gibson basses? You can only imagine how every producer in the 60-80s. Must have moaned to himself the minute a bass player pulled out an EBO. Lol
I love this TB, because it brings back so many memories. But being an old farty tone myself. The views on how things were and valued back then is fun. But is also like being on acid, to listen from your perspective.
Love yawl

Jack Bruce played a two pickup EB-3.

 

[ajkula66]

Here comes the disagreements.
Honestly, in their day the EB2D was the only Gibson bass worth looking at. Don’t be fooled, you can always find a 1 in a 100,000 freak, like Jack Bruce.

The list of "freaks" is far longer, though...in no particular order...

Andy Fraser (Free)
Pete Cetera (Chicago)
Bob Daisley ("Blizzard of Oz" was recorded with an EB-3)
Trevor Bolder (David Bowie era)
James Dewar (Robin Trower Band)
Tom Scholz (Boston's first LP was recorded with a modded EB-0)
Suzy Quatro
Jimmy Lea (Slade)
Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper)

and I most certainly could go on and on, these are just the people off the top of my head who were keen on their Mudbucker-equipped Gibsons at some point in the game...

 

[Aussie Player]

All ok here. All comments are welcome as far as I’m concerned. It’s nice to read stories and re live history. Keep this stuff coming !!!

The only thing wrong with negative comments is they don't include reason.
If something is not so good or pleasing to a player, why not state why you felt that way? That is why my response attempts to include some details as my personal findings, which may align with someone else's likes.

 

[Aussie Player]

Jack Bruce played a two pickup EB-3.

The EB2D thread you responded to also has the same 2 pick ups as the EB3.

 

[Aussie Player]

Here comes the disagreements.
Honestly, in their day the EB2D was the only Gibson bass worth looking at. Don’t be fooled, you can always find a 1 in a 100,000 freak, like Jack Bruce. Who happen to need the farty tone for filling out a 3 piece like Schacher/G and Pappalardi-mountain. In rare settings they work great, like a specialty tool. But the proof is in the tasting.
For starters, what famous studio bassists are noted for playing Gibson basses? You can only imagine how every producer in the 60-80s. Must have moaned to himself the minute a bass player pulled out an EBO. Lol
I love this TB, because it brings back so many memories. But being an old farty tone myself. The views on how things were and valued back then is fun. But is also like being on acid, to listen from your perspective.
Love yawl

The farty tone was more a behaviour of the amps back then and not the bass.
Also at that time, I would have agreed with you.
Now I am a dinosaur I am able to plug my 1965 and '66 EB's into modern amps and they are so clean and articulate that my band members comment more favorably upon them than my other basses.

 

[bobyoung53]

The EB2D thread you responded to also has the same 2 pick ups as the EB3.

Yes, it has a normal three position switch too I assume? Another switch to engage or disengage the choke like the EB-2 single pickup models?

 

[bobyoung53]

Glenn Cornick really wasn't fond of his EB-2 for what it's worth:

FlyGuitars "What did you think of the EB2?"

Glenn Cornick "Sorry but it was the worst instrument I have ever owned and the only time it was ever used was to record Witch's Promise (as it was the only bass I could get to at the time). I used it occasionally on TV lip synch shows because it looked pretty good."

Glenn Cornick Interview: the Gibson EB2 and EB3 basses >> FlyGuitars

I've read the Glenn Cornick comments about the EB-2 in Fly Guitar, I have one and it sounds great, I did do one little mod to it though, I unhooked the choke circuitry which is simple to do and it opened up the low mids of the humbucker, so it booms all the way up the neck. The choke circuitry stopped the bottom from approx high A and up for some reason. They didn't sound like upright basses but the high notes lost their bottom just like an upright. Mine's a '66 and it is a very sturdy bass.