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NBD: 1972 Gibson EB-0

#21
the federalist said:
I'd been toying with the idea of buying an Epiphone EB-0 or EB-3 because I wanted a bass with that sound and they're inexpensive, especially used. But I never pulled the trigger. The videos for the Epiphone were generally positive, but the Epiphone sound in the videos didn't quite seem to be the Gibson EB-0 sound featured in sound clips on the FlyGuitars site.

A Gibson EB-0 appeared on Craigslist last night. Looked good in the photos and the price, while certainly more than an Epiphone, was extremely attractive. The seller assured me everything was original. When I went to see it, everything seemed as it should be, so I bought it.

What a nice chunk of mahogany! And, oh man, is that a heavy sound or what!

Disassembly and cleaning confirmed the parts are all original with the possible exception of the tuners. (If anyone with more knowledge thinks otherwise, please let me know.) The seller had it set up nicely and I only made a few tweaks. I'm likely going to replace the roundwounds with flatwounds.

I lucked out with this purchase.

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I like it. I do have a nice Epiphone EB-0 like you were looking for that I would trade you if you still want an Epi....
 
#22
Nice..out of all the basses I have owned, the one I miss most was my old EB-0.
Here's a little tip....if you want to clear up the sound a bit, keep the volume on your amp cranked and keep the volume control on the bass really low. I played with an EB-3 this way and it sounds way better.
Plus, when the guitar player gets annoying, you just tweak the pot and shake him out of his socks.
 
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#23
Nice clean looking EB-0. I've still got a 68 that I got around 1977 but it's been out of action for years due to a broken headstock. Be extremely careful - this bass is not like a P that can be used as a jackstand or baseball bat. Mine broke in the old days before I discovered solid stands when I would prop it up on the amp or whatever was handy. If it slips and hits the ground it will snap the neck at the headstock. Otherwise, I enjoyed playing it and maybe it's about time to mend it again. Enjoy your new machine and report back on how it works out.
 
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#25
godofthunder59 said:
My kind of NBD! Congratulations! EB0s are often overlooked and maligned. They are thier own unique animal, admittedly limited to bass heavy tones but with the right strings, technique (by technique I mean use a pick) and eq the EB0 can be a useable bass. I have a number of EB0s and EB3s great basses!
Click to expand...
Yep...with modern high power amps (clean headroom) and extensive EQ these are very useable....they make Fenders sound 'twangy'..i mean why else would P bass players roll the tone all the way off? Because they are too clanky and lean sounding imo.
 
#28
capnjim said:
Nice..out of all the basses I have owned, the one I miss most was my old EB-0.
Here's a little tip....if you want to clear up the sound a bit, keep the volume on your amp cranked and keep the volume control on the bass really low. I played with an EB-3 this way and it sounds way better.
Plus, when the guitar player gets annoying, you just tweak the pot and shake him out of his socks.
Click to expand...
Yes!!....another thing is lower the polepieces...the 'mudbucker' is a powerhouse, you dont need the poles sitting close to the strings....ive lowered the polepieces all the way down on my 65 Epiphone Newport, still a powerhouse.

Ive wondered how EB in general respond to turning the volume down on the bass...on my 65 Newport the sound does NOT get muddy with the bass volume down (which many basses turn muffled and weak).
 
#29
the federalist said:
I'd been toying with the idea of buying an Epiphone EB-0 or EB-3 because I wanted a bass with that sound and they're inexpensive, especially used. But I never pulled the trigger. The videos for the Epiphone were generally positive, but the Epiphone sound in the videos didn't quite seem to be the Gibson EB-0 sound featured in sound clips on the FlyGuitars site.

A Gibson EB-0 appeared on Craigslist last night. Looked good in the photos and the price, while certainly more than an Epiphone, was extremely attractive. The seller assured me everything was original. When I went to see it, everything seemed as it should be, so I bought it.

What a nice chunk of mahogany! And, oh man, is that a heavy sound or what!

Disassembly and cleaning confirmed the parts are all original with the possible exception of the tuners. (If anyone with more knowledge thinks otherwise, please let me know.) The seller had it set up nicely and I only made a few tweaks. I'm likely going to replace the roundwounds with flatwounds.

I lucked out with this purchase.

View attachment 4028576 View attachment 4028578 View attachment 4028579 View attachment 4028582 View attachment 4028583 View attachment 4028584 View attachment 4028586 View attachment 4028587 View attachment 4028588
Click to expand...
Congrats! "Heavy sound"?.....we're talking HEAVY Sound! What you running for an amp?

We need a thread on strings for EB types specifically....i run pressure wounds on my Newport but they are heavier than what GHS makes today.
 
#36
LoTone said:
Interesting... The pickup is not positioned against the end of the fingerboard like on an Epiphone. This probably results in slightly better note definition, I would guess?
Click to expand...
Could be...otoh, i have no issue getting clarity with my 65 Epi Newport (neck mudbucker).

A lot of this is laziness given all of the high power clean headroom amps with extensive EQ....plus lower the darned polepieces on neck 'mudbuckers', they will still have plenty of power but it cleans up the tone.
 
#40
bassman10096 said:
I subbed a Hipshot two point replacement on mine years ago and got great performance and adjustability.
Click to expand...

Bassman, the Hipshot Supertone looks attractive, even though the original bridge seems intact. Did the Hipshot install cleanly into the same holes as the original bridge? I know Hipshot claims it requires no modification, but some of the comments on different websites suggest otherwise. Thanks!
 
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