Gibson have been producing high quality bass guitars since the dawn of rock and roll, but particularly during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. In that time they have created some of the most iconic bass guitars ever produced, with the majority of current Gibson bass models conceived in this period. The ultimate rock-bass, the Thunderbird.. the supremely awesome RD Artist.. the ultimate 60s bass, the semi-acoustic EB2.. and numerous Gibson SG bass variants - there's nothing like a 1960s EB3. Most Gibson bass guitars were high quality instruments; made by skilled craftsmen using great woods, hardware and electronics, and with high quality finishes and appointments.
And though vintage basses can be expensive, vintage Gibson bass guitars generally don't sell for as high prices as vintage Gibson electric guitars, or vintage Fender basses. There are some incredibly well made instruments that sell for way under their 'worth' as functioning musical instruments. No two Gibson bass guitar models have the same features, and it really is worth having a look at some of the less-known Gibson bass guitars.
Gibson produced guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in several buildings, but primarily at a plant in Parsons Street. Guitars had been built there since 1917, and almost all Gibson, and 1958-1969 Epiphones were produced here. Gibson left for Nashville in 1984, and now former Gibson guitar builders make guitars the way they were made in their heyday under the name of Heritage guitars.
The first Gibson bass guitar
Gibson had experimented with electrically amplified instruments as early as the 1920s, but they were not really considered commercially viable until the 1930s, with the popularisation of Hawaiian guitars. Gibson produced a number of instruments fitted with pickups: guitars, banjos and mandolins; and a bass, though only two models were built. 1938-40.
Production Gibson bass guitars
Gibson's first production electric bass was the 1953 Electric Bass, or EB. Les Paul's influence was never far away during these years "this was one of the first electric bass guitars Gibson made. I was responsible for the violin shape... it all came about (the electric guitar bass) from me playing my E string on the guitar as a bass using my thumb - this proved it could replace a stand up bass and Leo Fender and lots of others picked up the idea".
It was the first of numerous Gibson bass guitar models produced under the ownership of CMI, and was soon followed by the EB2, EBO, EB3, EBOF, Thunderbird bass, Melody Maker bass and finally the Les Paul bass.
As the sixties turned into the seventies CMI gave way to Norlin, and quite a number of new bass models appeared. The Gibson SG bass continued in the form of the SB series and EB4L, but it was time for new models: the Les Paul Signature, Ripper, Grabber, G3, RD bass, Victory, Flying V bass and Explorer.
Following the links below to see content on this site for the following Gibson bass guitars. In chronological order:
The Gibson bass guitar, 1950s-1980s
CMI and Norlin
Gibson EB-2 bass
EB-2 1958-61, 64-70
EB-2D 1966-72
Gibson EB-0 bass
EB-0 1959-79
EB-OF 1962-65
EB-OL 1970-77
Gibson EB-3 bass
EB3 1961-79
EB-3L 1970-79
Gibson Thunderbird bass
1963-69, 1976-79, 1987-date
Gibson SB bass
SB-300/SB-400 1971-73
SB-350/SB-450 1972-78
Gibson Les Paul Triumph bass
1971-80
Gibson Les Paul Signature bass
1973-79
Gibson Grabber bass
1973-84
Gibson Ripper bass
L9-S 1973-82
L9-SF 1973-79(?)
Gibson G3 bass
1975-85
Gibson RD bass
RD Artist 1977-81
RD Standard 1977-78
- RD series main page
- RD Artist
- RD Standard
- RD Artist control descriptions
- RD Artist technical info
- RD Standard technical info
- RD bass timeline
- Prices & publicity
- Forum posts
- Soundclips
- 1978 RD Artist (Fireburst)
- 1978 RD Standard (Natural)
- 1981 RD Artist (CMT Antique Sunburst)
- Early 1977 6-string *prototype*
Gibson Victory bass
Standard 1981-86
Artist 1981-86
Custom 1982-84
Are Gibson bass guitars basically all the same?
As can be seen there is quite some variation amongst Gibson bass guitars. Unlike Fender, who were immediately successful with their Precision bass, Gibson only attained moderate success with their bass models, which in turn inspired them to continually develop new products. Gibson, as a brand, have always been all about quality, and numerous Gibson bass guitars that failed commercially at the time, were actually outstanding instruments, and have legions of devoted fans today. The company made some really great playing guitars, with absolutely timeless designs, and some truly innovative features; the differences between models, both in terms of look and sound is huge. Anyone who claims they don't like "Gibson bass guitars" is almost certainly guilty of lazy generalisation. An EB2 is worlds apart from a Thunderbird, which in turn is worlds apart from an EB0, or a Ripper, or an RD Artist! Other than the build quality and headstock branding Gibson bass guitars often have very little in common.
A 1960s Gibson bass vs a 1970s Gibson bass
A 1950s or 60s Gibson bass would typically have a mahogany body, set (glued in) mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, probably be 30" scale and a pickup wound or positioned for maximum bass effect. The finish would typically be Cherry or Sunburst. Gibson bass guitars were still attempting to be as close an approximation to an upright string bass as was possible. By the late 1960s, Les Paul's low impedance guitars and basses were offering new levels of tonal control for the recording studio, and such electronic experimentation was a massive feature of the following decade. Aswell as some form of new circuitry to increase tonal range, a 1970s Gibson bass guitar would more likely be 34" scale, have a maple body, neck, and potentially fretboard, often with a clear Natural finish.
Fender basses are typically an alder/ash body, a bolt-on maple neck and single coil pickups. The Jazz and Precision set a standard that the company rarely veered away from. A Gibson bass, on the other hand, could be mahogany, maple, or alder; with a set, bolt-on or through neck. Pickups are single coil, or humbuckers. Or single coils wired as humbuckers. There are very Fender-esque Gibson bass guitars - like the Grabber, or perhaps the Victory Standard, but also many models that have practically no similarities. Fender have never made anything approaching an EB2, EB3, Les Paul bass or Thunderbird, and it is for that reason that these Gibson bass models are still produced today (in one form or another) and are more popular than ever. Other models have been largely forgotten, only to enjoy a come-back when a famous artist is seen sporting them. The Les Paul Signature in the hands of Jack Casady. The RD artist, Ripper and Victory spring to mind as basses of choice for Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, the G3 for Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt, and the Les Paul Triumph for Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan.
The prime focus of this site is the great old Gibson bass models of the CMI and Norlin periods, i.e. basses produced between 1953 and 1985. Modern day Gibson bass guitars are still quite nice, but of the later output, we have a strong preference for the guitars that hark back to the classic Gibson bass, such as the SG reissue bass, Les Paul bass and Thunderbird.
Gibson bass guitars for sale
1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Rare Slotted Head w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!
Racine, Wisconsin, 534**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3995
... more
Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass Inverness Green
Middletown, New York, 109**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2198
Vintage 1974 Gibson The Ripper L9S Natural W / Good Hard Case
New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3295
A real nice example with a good straight neck, and great sounding pickups
Original Natural finish is clean and looks great. Some honest signs of wear and use
Comes with a Gretsch hardshell case that fits it well and protects it well
Guitar is exactly as pictured.
Buyer pays $125 shipping in the USA, $150 to Hawaii or Alaska, $400 International, $450 to Australia
Pay Pal Accepted ... more
1967 Gibson eb-0 bass. lots of patina and finish checking. has hard case cm23ess
Albany, Georgia, 317**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2500
Vintage 1981 Gibson Victory Standard Bass Guitar ~ Candy Apple Red ~ Nashville
Santa Ana, California, 927**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1300
Model: 1981 Gibson Victory Standard bassPickups: One Series VIIB humbucker Scale: 34 " Body: Eastern hard-rock maple. 19 1 / 2" long, 13" wide, 1 3 / 4" thick. Overall length 47 " Neck: 24 fret, two-octave maple bolt-on neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Width at nut 1 6875 " Hardware: Chrome throughout: TRI-4 wedge bridge, Gotah machine heads
Pleasetake advantage of the zoom feature on the photos to judge ... more
1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass Sunburst
Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4499
Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art
El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
... more
1958 Gibson EB-2 Thinline Bass Guitar
Keene, New Hampshire, 034**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$7500
... more
Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Worn Cherry Bass Guitar w / Gig Bag Case #53535
North Hollywood, California, 916**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1195
eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Worn Cherry Bass Guitar w / Gig Bag Case #53535 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Excellent - Plays great. Set up nicely with perfect action and ... more
Gibson 1960 EB-0 Bass Guitar Cherry
Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5999
This is a double cut solid body guitar, featuring banjo-style tuners and a one pickup design. Condition-wise this piece is in great playing and sounding condition, and bears typical signs of wear and tear. Small dings, checking, and scratches can be seen on the surface, as well as more checking and wear up the neck (as seen). This will include a non original case.... more
1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8995
1976 Gibson Ripper L9-S Vintage Bass Ebony Black
San Antonio, Texas, 782**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1990
... more
Gibson EB-0 BASS with Slotted Headstock 1969 - Cherry
Jackson, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2795
We offer a RARE Slotted Headstock Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar "Short Scale" S / N: 928316 which I believe makes this a 1969These had what they called "Mudbucker" pickups which sound much fuller and deeper than your standard pickups. They sound really cool!I understand that these short scale basses are easier for guitar player to pick and play. I have to agree It all works as it should This Bass has seen to use but is just honest playing and not abused. Check out the pics and ... more
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$175
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
1974 Gibson Ripper Bass
Coudersport, Pennsylvania, 169**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3200
Beautiful Original 1971 Rare "GIBSON SB-40 BASS" Walnut Color wit Hardshell Case
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2795
Gibson Slothead EB-3 1971 - Cherry Fretless Bass w / Original Gibson Case
Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
This bass is an absolute monster and sounds incredible! I don't know for sure (I kinda doubt it) that this would have come from the Gibson factory as fretless. However, whoever did the job has done it professionally and it looks great!
The electronics work perfectly and it has that classic "double bass" tone in the first position!
There is some bow in the neck. The truss doesn't ... more
Gibson 4-String Money Electric Bass
Edmond, Oklahoma, 730**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1499
Gibson Thunderbird IV Bicentennial 1976
Peekskill, New York, 105**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4495
All mahogany, with neck-thru construction, 34 5" scale, make for a super resonant bass. It has a pair of humbuckers that sound massive, as well. It has an upgraded Badass bridge, which is massively improves the bass's playability and ... more
GIBSON 1966 BASS CHROME PICKUP COVER LARGE HUMBUCKER EB-O EB-2 EB-3 EPI RIVOLI
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$59
There's nothing worse than not having a cover for that big Gibson bass humbucker. It's one butt-ugly pickup without it! This is correct for late 1965 thru 1970 EB-O, EB-2 and EB-3 models as well as 1969 & 1970 EB-1 basses. It will also fit Epiphone Rivoli basses. This version has the small-head mounting screws (not included) Gibson changed the height and the position of this cover in 1970 and enlarged the mounting screw holes. Dimensions are 3 3 / 8" wide by 2 1 / 4" ... more
I have recently purchased a Gibson sg eb3 bass and I find the action is a bit high and wonder how I can lower it a bit thank you
looking for info on 60's Gibson mustang bass guitar. where would I get this. am wanting to purchase one and have no idea what I am looking at
Gibson's first basses were made in the 1930s. They had a Banjo Bass, an Upright and a strange looking round model. It would be neat if you added them to your site to make it complete.