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Les Paul EB-0 orginal style (not SG) bodied basses

#23
Green_Ben said:
Is there a better term for referring to this body shape (LP 59-61)?

For some reason I'm obsessed this shape. At 52, I'm an absolute beginner, my first and currently only bass is a Slammer by Hamer SB4, and I bought on an impulse because it spoke to me. As my bass obsession has started sending me down internet rabbit-holes, I continue to find myself obsessed with that shape. I also see that I'm more attracted to short and medium scale basses.

Of course it was these obsessions which brought me here.

Please pardon if my questions/observations have been covered in other threads. Please note at the beginning of this post, I've yet to find the perfect keywords for searching for this body style. I'm sure the SG is a fine instrument, it just doesn't speak to me, and it adds a lot of noise to the signal I'm searching for.

Since I've yet to find a generally agreed upon term for this body shape, I've started a list of models that hit the vibe for me.

Gibson EB-0 1959-1961
Gibson Les Paul Jr. Tribute DC
Gibson Grabber, Ripper, and G3
Vantage VA, VP, and VS series (Witch)
Memphis MB300
Torchy Musician
Greco TVB
Danelectro short horns
Cort 80's models(?)

I have little allowance for variation from the original EB-0 in the list, I like the almost perfect symmetry with maybe just a little extension of the upper horn, so the symmetry isn't perfect. Too much asymmetry in the cuts, or cuts not flowing into a perfectly round booty also stray too far from the template for me.

I draw the line just far enough to include:
Kasuga Scorpion
Alembic Stanley Clark
Westbury Track 2 and Track 4

Just outside the line:
Aria Pro II
Westone Thunder 1
Ken Smith

The Aria Pro II, the sharpness of the points veers too far into the SG lane, otherwise it's close. Westbury has the same sharpness, but more symmetry than the Aria, and therefore makes the cut.

Final observation/question: Why are so many of these examples of this body style hippy sandwiches?
I mean, I don't have a problem with it. Could be I'm asking the wrong question, could be why were these designs more popular in the the hay day of hippy sammys, the late 70's / early 80's?

Though I've spent a little time down the rabbit hole, I'm still a newb. I'm sure I've missed something here, and even more sure I've used unclear or even incorrect terminology. Please educate me where I'm ignorant.
Or give me poopie about how I've drawn the lines for the classification.
Click to expand...
For a new bass in that mode check out the Rock and Roll Relics Thunder bass it is the style of the 59 EBO and the sound clips sound very good. Another would be the Serek midwestern
 
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#24
I own a Gibson $Money bass, it is a very comfortable bass to pla,y whether standing or sitting, it's a long scale bass, and the new is somewhat flat, but again very comfortable to play, the pickups are some of the highest output ,around, and there nice sounding, if you can find one, I'd say get it, they came in natural, a dark blue, and a root beer brown color! As a side note, the "root beer colored one was called a "double cutaway LesPaul", good luck in your search
 
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#26
Green_Ben said:
Is there a better term for referring to this body shape (LP 59-61)?

For some reason I'm obsessed this shape. At 52, I'm an absolute beginner, my first and currently only bass is a Slammer by Hamer SB4, and I bought on an impulse because it spoke to me. As my bass obsession has started sending me down internet rabbit-holes, I continue to find myself obsessed with that shape. I also see that I'm more attracted to short and medium scale basses.

Of course it was these obsessions which brought me here.

Please pardon if my questions/observations have been covered in other threads. Please note at the beginning of this post, I've yet to find the perfect keywords for searching for this body style. I'm sure the SG is a fine instrument, it just doesn't speak to me, and it adds a lot of noise to the signal I'm searching for.

Since I've yet to find a generally agreed upon term for this body shape, I've started a list of models that hit the vibe for me.

Gibson EB-0 1959-1961
Gibson Les Paul Jr. Tribute DC
Gibson Grabber, Ripper, and G3
Vantage VA, VP, and VS series (Witch)
Memphis MB300
Torchy Musician
Greco TVB
Danelectro short horns
Cort 80's models(?)

I have little allowance for variation from the original EB-0 in the list, I like the almost perfect symmetry with maybe just a little extension of the upper horn, so the symmetry isn't perfect. Too much asymmetry in the cuts, or cuts not flowing into a perfectly round booty also stray too far from the template for me.

I draw the line just far enough to include:
Kasuga Scorpion
Alembic Stanley Clark
Westbury Track 2 and Track 4

Just outside the line:
Aria Pro II
Westone Thunder 1
Ken Smith

The Aria Pro II, the sharpness of the points veers too far into the SG lane, otherwise it's close. Westbury has the same sharpness, but more symmetry than the Aria, and therefore makes the cut.

Final observation/question: Why are so many of these examples of this body style hippy sandwiches?
I mean, I don't have a problem with it. Could be I'm asking the wrong question, could be why were these designs more popular in the the hay day of hippy sammys, the late 70's / early 80's?

Though I've spent a little time down the rabbit hole, I'm still a newb. I'm sure I've missed something here, and even more sure I've used unclear or even incorrect terminology. Please educate me where I'm ignorant.
Or give me poopie about how I've drawn the lines for the classification.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I have a newer (2022?) Gibson Les Paul Tribute and a 1998 Epiphone Ripper, which is the single soapbar pickup and very rare

But also have American Fender Jazz and P, and a RIC.

So body shape takes a back seat to comfort and sound to me.
 
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#27
mikewalker said:
I like the original 62-ish Melody Maker double cuts... not sure if they ever made a bass version.
Click to expand...

Nope, they didn't. The bass that was called Melody Maker was SG-shaped, essentially a slightly stripped down EB-0. Nothing to do with the original MM shape which I happen to like as well...

Vintage Vault: 1968 Gibson Melody Maker Bass


Or there is this: 1961 Gibson EB-0 Bass Cherry
Click to expand...

I owned one of these back in the '80s, banjo tuners and all...mandatory headstock repair as well...nice bass but I can't really say I miss it...
 
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#34
Sharko said:
Sorry, I meant that the original black widow was made by mosrite
Click to expand...
The Black Widow guitars and basses (some of the latter were fretless, and are said to have predated the earliest fretless Ampeg bass guitars) were marketed and branded by the Acoustic Control Corporation; some were indeed built in the Mosrite plant, but most were made in Japan. The designer of the instrument, Paul Barth, also made and sold them under his own marque Bartell, as well as others (Lancer, Contessa, St.George, Hohner).
 
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#35
Then there's the Hohner /Bartell versions which have a look about them

IMG_0311.jpg
IMG_0309.jpg
IMG_0308.jpg
IMG_0307.jpg
 
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#38
I’ll edit the original post tomorrow with the new examples y’all have given me.
Thanks for the input and education.
I’m especially grateful to have been introduced to the Black Widow.
Kinda embarrassed that I didn’t include my own bass, or the even higher quality examples from Hamer in the list.
Changed out what I think were the OEM strings with some D’Addario tapewounds, and I’m stunned by the improvement in the sound. Better feel and, to my eye, looks, will also hopefully increase the frequency and length of time spent playing with my new favorite toy.
 

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