NBD - Orville EB-3 (and questions)

[Flatwound]

Earlier this year, I decided to try short scales to alleviate some arthritis pain in my hands. I took the plunge on a Gibson EB-0 in the TB classifieds, and it's been great. I can play hours-long gigs with almost no hand pain.

I had been thinking about trying an EB-3 as well, but they're a bit pricy these days. I suppose I could have just nabbed a used SG Bass, but I was hoping to get something more EB-3ish. I figured I'd take a chance on an Orville, since they're sort of Japanese Gibsons, and voila, here it is.

It was listed as a '96. When I got it, I found some issues. First, the bridge anchors were pulled partway out of the body. Then, when I took the strings off, the nut fell off too. The neck pickup was somewhat sunk down into the body, and the tuners were loose.

None of these were deal-killers per se, I just had to see if I could straighten everything out. The seller has been supportive, and has offered to pay any reasonable cost if I have to take it to a shop. So far, I've been able to solve the mechanical issues, the bridge anchors seem to fit tightly into the body, the tuners tightened up without issue, and I shimmed up the neck pickup with some cardboard. Glued the nut.

Positions 1 and 2 on the varitone sound fine, and I discovered that the neck pickup is a true sidewinder, which is nice. Position 3 I think is OK, but I don't really have any experience with varitone setups. Position 4 is fuzzy and distorted, and not in a good way. The wiring looks original and unmolested.

So, questions. First, does anybody know where I can get the chrome cover for the bridge pickup? Also, does anyone know what's up with the varitone?

 

[Flamingo21]

You may want to ask these questions in the SG&EB Basses Club. There's a lot of knowledge there.

That bass looks classy. Congrats.

 

[ajkula66]

Congrats on your "new" bass. May it serve you well.

That bridge pickup should be a Gotoh unit - at least it was on mine - and covers should be available on Reverb.

The "choke" circuit seen on Orvilles and Epiphone Elitist basses is vastly different from the original Gibson ones. You may want to disconnect it altogether and verify whether you prefer the sound without it.

Play it in good health and enjoy !

 

[Flatwound]

Hey, also - the seller included a newish set of LaBella Deep Talkin' short scale flats, which sound pretty fantastic on this bass.

 

[bobyoung53]

Positions 1 and 2 on the varitone sound fine, and I discovered that the neck pickup is a true sidewinder, which is nice. Position 3 I think is OK, but I don't really have any experience with varitone setups. Position 4 is fuzzy and distorted, and not in a good way. The wiring looks original and unmolested.

So, questions. First, does anybody know where I can get the chrome cover for the bridge pickup? Also, does anyone know what's up with the varitone?

On the 1960's until 1972 EB-3's the varitones were: pos 1, neck pickup without choke, pos 2, bridge pickup, pos 3, both pickups but with the choke engaged and pos 4, the neck with the choke, neither pos. 3 nor 4 had much bottom unless you unhooked the choke. Sometime in 1972 the choke was out of the circuit with both pickups on and to me sounded better. I don't know how yours is wired but it sounds similar to an earlier EB-3. I have a couple and have unhooked the choke.

 

[elgranluis]

It was listed as a '96. When I got it, I found some issues. First, the bridge anchors were pulled partway out of the body. Then, when I took the strings off, the nut fell off too. The neck pickup was somewhat sunk down into the body, and the tuners were loose.

That’s actually an extremely accurate representation of a vintage eb3, right down to the nut falling off !