Ordered my copy last weekend! Can't wait!
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I have a '68 EB-2, I will give my personal experience with it - it just has the single "mudbucker" which to me has zero high-frequency information, and several times higher output than a "normal" passive pickup like a P-Bass. There is a baritone switch that totally changes the frequency response - to me the low end disappeared for the most part, and you got more midrange and treble frequencies, but personally I never really used that setting.
Unfortunately, I don't have any recordings available right now of the pickup clean - I tended to use mine with distortion - I like the way the mudbucker pushes distortion & fuzz pedals. Here's an example in a band setting, gain is actually not set too high:
Here's one more with a bit more gain:
I originally purchased this bass because I was after the Andy Fraser sound from Free, and had seen pictures of him playing either an EB-2 or the Epiphone version, figured it would sound close to the EB-3 he usually used. How naive I was! I discovered that the single pickup was a completely different beast. I have never personally used an EB-2D so can't comment on that.
And of course, here's a pic:
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So I've replaced stock TB+ pickups with Lindy Fralin Bassbuckers on my LP DC Ltd. bass. And changed a few cosmetic details as well. Like it much better now:
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Well, the output is much lower. However, the sound is much clearer now. The notes have their own beauty and definition and are not just spits from a flamethrower any more IYKWIM. There's also a nice delicate growl in the mid-range. The bass sounds more like a bass than a trumpet. But there's still plenty of hair and zing. Shall work well with vintage-like dirt. A good test with VT bass in a real life situation is on its way. I'd probably rewire it some day: I replaced the pots to "proper" values and wired them according to vintage TB specs. I'd probably try JB wiring schematic: the controls work a bit weird now.
Bottom line: I was about to sell this bass. Now it's much more usable to me.
Replying to my own message...View attachment 3254995
Ordered my copy last weekend! Can't wait!
I first got attracted to the Gibson EB-3 by listening to Glenn Cornick with Jethro Tull and Jack Bruce with Cream.
Happy Hollowbody New Year everyone!
I keep meaning to post these pics of my 1968 EB-2 that I dug up recently (dug up the pics, not the bass):
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And here's another track it's featured on, this time through a Prunes & Custard:
!