Gibson EB-1
Encyclopedia
The Gibson EB-1 is an electric bass
that was introduced by Gibson
in 1953, and is the first bass in Gibson's range.
. Rather than using a body styled after an electric guitar, the EB-1 was shaped to resemble an Upright bass, and even had false f-holes painted onto the top of the body. Production of the EB-1 ended in 1958, when it was superseded by the EB-2 and the later EB-0. The Electric Bass was renamed as the EB-1 at this time.
The EB-1 was reissued twice; once in 1968, and again in 1999. The 1968 reissue deleted the false f-holes, the pickguard, and the telescoping end pin. Other changes included standard right-angled tuning machines, and the addition of a chrome bridge cover. This reissue was discontinued in 1972. The 1999 reissue, by Epiphone
, was manufactured in Korea. This version of the EB-1 uses a more cost-effective bolt-on neck construction.
Despite its relative unpopularity among players, the EB-1 is prized among collectors for its historical value. It is not uncommon for original EB-1s to fetch prices of over $4000 US dollars.
body with raised pickguard, and featured a 30.5" scale set neck rather than the traditional 34" scale of the 3/4-sized upright bass, which was the scale favored by many upright bassists of the time. The pickup was mounted directly against the base of the neck, rather than the mid-body position used by the Precision Bass, giving the EB-0 a deeper, but less defined tone than its rival. The EB-0 is fitted with planetary banjo tuners, rather than the right-angled tuners used by most other guitar and bass designs.
In order to appeal to upright bass players, the EB-0 featured a telescopic end pin that allowed bassists to play the EB-0 in both the upright and horizontal positions. False f-holes and purfling
were painted onto the body in order to resemble the upright bass. The EB-0 was only available finished with a brown stain.
Electric Bass
Electric bass can mean:*Electric upright bass, the electric version of a double bass*Electric bass guitar*Bass synthesizer*Big Mouth Billy Bass, a battery-powered singing fish...
that was introduced by Gibson
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
in 1953, and is the first bass in Gibson's range.
History
The EB-1, then known as the Electric Bass, was first marketed in 1953 in response to the runaway success of the Fender Precision BassFender Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
. Rather than using a body styled after an electric guitar, the EB-1 was shaped to resemble an Upright bass, and even had false f-holes painted onto the top of the body. Production of the EB-1 ended in 1958, when it was superseded by the EB-2 and the later EB-0. The Electric Bass was renamed as the EB-1 at this time.
The EB-1 was reissued twice; once in 1968, and again in 1999. The 1968 reissue deleted the false f-holes, the pickguard, and the telescoping end pin. Other changes included standard right-angled tuning machines, and the addition of a chrome bridge cover. This reissue was discontinued in 1972. The 1999 reissue, by Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
, was manufactured in Korea. This version of the EB-1 uses a more cost-effective bolt-on neck construction.
Despite its relative unpopularity among players, the EB-1 is prized among collectors for its historical value. It is not uncommon for original EB-1s to fetch prices of over $4000 US dollars.
Design And construction
The EB-1 featured a solid mahoganyMahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
body with raised pickguard, and featured a 30.5" scale set neck rather than the traditional 34" scale of the 3/4-sized upright bass, which was the scale favored by many upright bassists of the time. The pickup was mounted directly against the base of the neck, rather than the mid-body position used by the Precision Bass, giving the EB-0 a deeper, but less defined tone than its rival. The EB-0 is fitted with planetary banjo tuners, rather than the right-angled tuners used by most other guitar and bass designs.
In order to appeal to upright bass players, the EB-0 featured a telescopic end pin that allowed bassists to play the EB-0 in both the upright and horizontal positions. False f-holes and purfling
Purfling
Purfling is a narrow binding inlaid into the edges of the top and often bottom plates of stringed instruments. Purfling serves to reinforce the plates and prevent cracking along their edges....
were painted onto the body in order to resemble the upright bass. The EB-0 was only available finished with a brown stain.