NBD: 1980 Martin EB-18 (with pics)

[ajkula66]

Congrats! Stunning build quality right there.

A buddy of mine has a bass like yours in which someone unfortunately shoved a DiMarzio P pickup behind the original one so it looks like a mess but it plays and sounds like a million bucks. That neck is way too big for my aging hands, though.

His father owns a matching guitar...so yeah, I'm quite familiar with these odd ducks...

Play it in good health and enjoy !

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Congrats! Stunning build quality right there.

A buddy of mine has a bass like yours in which someone unfortunately shoved a DiMarzio P pickup behind the original one so it looks like a mess but it plays and sounds like a million bucks. That neck is way too big for my aging hands, though.

His father owns a matching guitar...so yeah, I'm quite familiar with these odd ducks...

Play it in good health and enjoy !

Thanks!

You’re right about that neck though. It’s pretty chunky!

- Steve

 

[SheaNC]

I have an EB18 that came with the Dimarzio Model 1 pickup. I replaced the Dimarzio with a Bill Lawrence L-90, and I am really happy with the result

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I have an EB18 that came with the Dimarzio Model 1 pickup. I replaced the Dimarzio with a Bill Lawrence L-90, and I am really happy with the result

I’d like to see a picture if you don’t mind.

- Steve

 

[SheaNC]

I’d like to see a picture if you don’t mind.

- Steve

Okay, but I have to admit I am not much of a photographer:

As you can see, it's not a perfect fit, but I will fix that cosmetic issue later on.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Okay, but I have to admit I am not much of a photographer:
View attachment 7359015
As you can see, it's not a perfect fit, but I will fix that cosmetic issue later on.

Did you install the Hipshot A-Style bridge?

 

[GretschWretch]

Thanks!

You’re right about that neck though. It’s pretty chunky!

- Steve

Boy is it ever!

 

[GretschWretch]

That is very cool. Never knew Martin made such a thing! The headstock would perhaps be a turn-off to some folks, but I think it's pretty nifty.

This is known as the Smurf-cap headstock.

 

[GretschWretch]

A promotion photo from the 60's shows a Martin hollow body bass (see below), but it never went into production.

A friend of mine said the headstock of my bass reminded him of a manatee silhouette. Since I live in Florida I'll go with it.

View attachment 7358112

- Steve

Let's see; you posted this pic just for the helicon. The f-hole bass is news to me, but the guitar had at least one celebrity endorser.

 

[SheaNC]

Did you install the Hipshot A-Style bridge?

Yes, I couldn't get the action quite low enough with the original Badass bridge. It's also easier for trying different strings.

 

[Luckydog]

I used to have 2 Martin solid body basses (one exactly like yours). Sold them in 90s and kinda wish I hadn’t.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Yes, I couldn't get the action quite low enough with the original Badass bridge. It's also easier for trying different strings.

I have put the A-Style bridge on a lot of basses over the years. My Martin Keith basses came with them as stock. I still have a 4-string one in my parts box that may get used someday (I just need to buy a bass to put it on ).