Yes and yes, but the "choke" from EB-3 is "baritone switch" on EB-2D. I never really bothered finding out whether that's actually the same thing IRL...
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Gibson 335 Bass
- Thread starter Gibson Victory
- Start date
Yes and yes, but the "choke" from EB-3 is "baritone switch" on EB-2D. I never really bothered finding out whether that's actually the same thing IRL...
Yes and yes, but the "choke" from EB-3 is "baritone switch" on EB-2D. I never really bothered finding out whether that's actually the same thing IRL...
They sound the same to me, both useless
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I thought my EB-2 was a '68 when I bought it (the seller said it was) but based on the serial number and features, I think it's a '67, possibly a '66 but more likely '67. In any event, yes sturdy basses for sure, mine is stock and I usually play it with the choke engaged. Still plenty of bottom end and it's got a cool growly tone that's unique among the other hollow body and semi-hollows in my collection. And it's super easy to play.
Sort of.......
The EB3 has a 4 way chicken head toggle switch that turns the choke on and off and changes pick up setting.
1 = Bass PU with choke (The Boom Setting)
2 = Treble pickup
3 = Both pickups
4 = Bass pick up without choke.
On the EB2D
3 Way pick up Selector toggle switch as used on most Gibson models
Separate push button Choke (The Boom Setting)
Because I have both, I can confirm that there is a tonal difference between the 2 basses which is influenced by the solid body of the EB3 compared to the Semi Hollow EB2 with the EB3 having a slightly but noticeable increased growl especially on the E string.
If both basses are strung with Labella Black Nylons, they are more equal sounding.
They sound the same to me, both useless
As my previous post, they are similar sounding in that you can set them up to sound similar but to say they are useless, is quite ignorant and doesn't provide any information to the readers.
I'm fairly certain that position 1 is "no choke" since that's where the boom comes from, and the position 4 is the neck pickup subdued by the choke circuit. Gibson did change the wiring over time, but when I play my '69 EB-3 (stock wiring) that's what I hear.
Not sort of, EB-2D is wired like a normal three way toggle switch along with the extra baritone button. I have a couple of EB-3's and an EB-2C with the single pickup. The boom setting is actually the natural sound of the pickup, when the circuit is activated most or at least some of the bottom drops off. You push the switch in the engage the choke which cuts the bottom.
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If you think having a bad baritone sound on a bass is cool, more power to you but my opinion is my opinion and I stand by it and to call anyone ignorant because they have a different opinion than you have is not cool but since I AM I won't report you.
Incidentally I've been playing since 1967 and know how to play well and how to get a good sound. I own an EB-2, two EB-3s and an EB-3L, all with chokes that have been bypassed. Also two Thunderbirds and an EB-4L.
For readers: pre-1973 EB-3's have no bottom when both pickups are selected, that to me is a serious problem and is probably at least a part of the reason they went out of fashion. Post 1972 with both pickups selected the choke is still out of the circuit with resulting bottom and they sound much better stock in my opinion.
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Pos 1 is no choke you're correct, people for some reason think that the choke adds bottom, it doesn't as I'm sure you already know, the choke gives the baritone sound which is little to no bottom and it's pos 4.
Position 1 and 4 were indeed reversed when the "series 2" wiring was introduced (your bass must be...an early adopter):
Gibson EB3 circuit schematics (series 1) >> FlyGuitars
Gibson EB3 circuit schematics (series 2) >> FlyGuitars
I remember playing a '61 EB-3 where position 1 was indeed choked and tinny and position 4 was where all the hell broke loose. Never have I looked at the electronics since my only thought after trying it out was to run as far away from the store as I possibly could have in order to avoid purchasing the bass...
Gibson had no problem changing the stuff, but documenting these changes in a timely manner was a different story altogether it seems...
I'm not real good at reading schematics but in the series #1 schematic the inductor appears to be in series with pos 3 and 4 unless I'm reading it wrong, normally a choke in series would block treble and allow bass to pass through, but with both my '65 and my '70 EB-3's pos. #3 and #4 are both tinny with no bottom and pos, #1 has a lot of bottom, pos. #2 is the bridge alone, I wonder if they changed that very early but did not document it?
Question: Are they using the choke to block treble or bottom in these, as I know it depends on whether they are in series or in parallel just like caps except opposite each other.
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Now you need the Money Bass...and make sure it has the original TRC...
Looking forward to your review once the beast arrives...
If I wanted to make my EB-2 sound it's best, I'd have to find a vintage Fender Dual Showman with a bassman cabinet refit with 2 Altec Lansing 15s. Flat wounds, of course (I don't think I've ever changed them). Just like in 1968!
Sorry to take so long to get this up, but not only did I get the 335, but also bought a MidTown. Shipping delays, getting things set up properly etc. Previous owner of the 335 installed a Hipshot bridge, which was way out of adjustment. My Poly Tone 3 never lies. Screws we’re cranked to the max. Yikes! Flats needed to go, sorry, hand neuropathy from Chemo. MidTown had a loose bridge mount stud on the ground wire side. Decided to the replace the bridge with a Babicz after the repair. Both Bridges are good quality, I prefer the Babicz. Everything is totally cool now and I am “On A Boat”. All of this will work for now. Mission accomplished.
