Gibson EB-2

Mine is a 1968 single-pickup version in walnut finish. No pickguard, but I ordered one and it should be here soon. mine came with an old, seemingly original case that is beat to shreds but still functions. short scale neck, 2 tone nobs, "baritone" switch, single humbucking pickup. The tuners are a bit wimpy and go out of tune after about an hour of hard playing, but i play very hard someitmes. I've heard complaints about poor bridge adjustability, but I was able to jack mine up the way i like it and get pretty good intonation. the dark tone covers up any intonation issues. I give it an 8, because it would be nice to have the extra bridge pickup.

i LOVE the sound of this bass. to be honest, i bought it as a temporary sub until i could find a decent deal on a Hofner Club Bass, but i was pleasantly surprised by its unique, woody, dark tone. it has more bottom end than i know what to do with! Although i'd still love to get my hands on a club bass, the sound of this Gibson has earned a special place in my heart. i've never played the two in the same place at the same time, but it seems to have a bit more character than the Hofner, and a slightly darker and less round tone. it is undoubtedly a one-trick pony, but i love that one trick. it came with roundwound strings, but i replaced them with Rotosound flats. Roundwounds give it a bit more versatility, but that defeats the purpose of this bass. The baritone switch is cool, but rather useless in a live setting. it might be cool in the recording situation. I play through an old SVT, and I imagine it would sound great through any old Ampeg, Sunn or similar tube amp. I wasn't sure what the ultra-hi switch on my amp was for until i played the EB-2 through it. when played fingerstyle it sounds a bit too bassy for anything outside of sparse ballads, but it has just enough snap when played with a medium or thin pick. i primarily play with a groovy retroish pop band, and it's perfect for filling out the sound in a retro-leaning rock or pop ensemble. if you play with anyone who uses a wurlitzer, rhodes, b3 organ, ringo-esque drums, or any cool vintage guitars w/ tube amps, the EB-2 will sound right at home.

i love the walnut finish - it's very dark and beautiful, much like the tone. i haven't seen another like it, although i have seen a few older 335 guitars with the same finish. the action was extremely low when i got it, but it was easy enough to adjust. once again, the intonation can get a bit sketcy with high action, especially on the E string. when using a strap it seems a bit unbalanced when compared to a long-scale solid body bass, but i got used to it after only a few minutes of playing.

It seems solid, particularly the neck. this is another advantage when comparing the EB-2 and a Hofner bass - Hofners are built like toys, especially the pots and hollow bodies. this bass is a bit more sturdy, and i'm sure it would be fine if i dropped it (although i hope i don't have to find out). the only issue i have is with the E and A strings going out of tune every now and then.

i emailed gibson about finding a replacement pickguard. they don't sell anything directly, but the representative i dealt with was kind enough to refer me to several dealers and custom pickguard manufacturers.

I've been playing for about 7 years now. oddly enough, i also own a rick and a jazz bass (like the first two reviewers), and this bass is quickly becoming my favorite. I feel a bit lame switching basses at gigs, but the combination of the rick with this beauty is too sweet and versatile to resist. another perk of the EB-2 is its unique looks. you don't see them everyday - i think the guy from Sonic Youth played one for a while, and I've seen a few of the Epiphone clones played in rock bands, but not too many high-profile bassists are using them these days. i get compliments and questions almost every time i play it out. that makes me feel cool. if you want to rip sweet licks and enjoy fitting lots of notes in small musical spaces, then don't bother. if you are a tasteful, thinking musician, then it is well worth checking one of these guys out (if you can get your hands on one). I'd probably hunt down another if it were lost or stolen... although it might be nice to switch things up and try a Hofner.

Mine's a 1967, I'm the second owner. Got the bass and a Fender Bassman blackface combo (2x12, converted to 2x15) in 1973 from a friend who was hard up for cash. Mine is the EB-2D (dual pickup), sunburst finish, made in Kalamazoo, all original except for the toggle cover - the original is still in the case pocket, albeit in 2 pieces. :-0 I've alwyas been impressed (as well as a bit intimidated) by the variety of tones this bass can produce through careful manipulation of the toggle, pushbutton and volume/tone pots. As I recall, I paid $250 or $300 for both items in '73...quite a deal.

I've bought and sold a lot of guitars and basses over the years, but "Bertha" will always stay with me. Incredible tone options, easy to play, no maintenance required, other than cleaning and strings. Mine had flatwounds for years, but I switched to rounds in the 80's.

Played primarily through an old Tranynor BLOC80B these days, but I have a tube Music Man bass head and a 1x18 bottom for big stuff, if needed. This bass sounds wonderful whether plugged straight into a board or miked through the amp, despite years of cross country trips and LOTS of use.

The original owner once told me that the neck had come off (broken?) while the bass was sitting in his house, shortly after he bought it new. According to him, Gibson replaced the neck under warranty, although there's no outward sign that I can detect that it has a replacement neck. I've never had a bit of problem with the neck, and have only adjusted the pickups once over the years, and lowered the bridge just a tad. The only other service it's ever required is periodic cleaning of the cord jack, which occasionally gets dirty.

This bass has been played live and in the studio forever, and it's never occurred to me to bring a backup. It has the usual light to moderate checking, and a few road dings (primarily from the original owner), but the finish, wood and hardware have held up exceptionally well. This is probably the only guitar I've ever had that hasn't required tightening of strap buttons at some point. I just wish I could find a new case for it, as the original is held together with duct tape.

Called Gibson back in the 80's to try to get an idea when it was made. Spoke with a long time employee there who narrowed it down to some time in early '67. They couldn't help me with an original case, but referred me to several folks who will custom build them for oddball guitars like these.

Player since the late 60's, pro for a long time now. I've never regretted getting this bass, and it's seen me through a lot of good (and a few bad) gigs. I get lots of "where the heck did you find THAT?" comments from people when they see it, but I've never heard anyone complain about the sound. Don't know what I'd do without it, and doubt that I'd ever be able to find a duplicate so reliable and easy to play. I've had a ton of other basses since then (Fender, Ibanez, Hofner knockoffs), but this Gibson and one P-Bass are all I've kept, and I'd probably part with the P-Bass under the right circumstances, but not Bertha. No way. :-)

Mine is a 1968 EB-2D, the dual pickup model. 30.5" scale, brazillian rosewood board, honduras mahogany neck and sides, maple top and back, stock parts, vintage sunburst finish.

Definitely agree with previous reviewer that this is very close to upright bass in sound. Mine has the original mute, as well. I have flats on mine, too. It sounded great with rounds but flats is how it shipped back in the day. I play it through a 1970 Traynor Custom Special with matching 8x10 cab. My friend has the same bass in cherry, we have both found as did the previous reviewer that they are played ideally using an older bass tube amp. Have heard through my friends Eden metro, a great amp, but the Gibson did not like the amp. I doubt you would find a modern bass amp that did this bass justice. Have contemporaneous gear or don't bother. I have not gotten to record on anything decent with the bass, yet, but it has a great sound in any environment through the right amp (B-15's and SVT types, Traynor's, model T, &c.)

The bass is a "68 and I got it in 2005. The materials of that day are superior to what Gibson uses in the modern era. The pickups sound great, but the neck is much larger and louder than the bridge. These can be blended by adjusting the volume. The neck pickup alone is too muddy, henc this bass is superior to the EB-2

Like many CMI era Gibsons, the headstock has been broken. It is repaired and plays great. The headstock paddles off sligtlt to one side, playability is fine, but it is a short scale, so relief is typically greater than a full scale anyway. I would gig w/o a backup, but carefully.

Gibson has changed hands several times since the manufacture of this bass, however, I am aware that the current incarnation does not prioritize the customer after the sale.

I have a ric 4003, the traynor and an ersatz fretless jazz. This bass gets the most play because of the tone. It is a one-trick pony but so is every other piece of decent gear.If I lost it I could hardly afford another so I guess I'll be careful.

1968, American made semi acoustic short scale rosewood neck bass.
ES 335 body style.
1 humbucker pickup at the neck position with a volume, tone control and baritone switch.
Bridge comes with an adjustable damper.
Comes stock with frets, but previous owner converted this to a fretless.

If you want that BOTTOM END UPRIGHT SOUND this is the bass for you. I own an American Fender Jazz and a Rickenbacker 4001. Both those basses have their unique sound but this bass gets twice the play. I play with flat wounds though an Ampeg SB-12 for low volumes and recording and the tone is to die for! Every drummer Ive played with loves the way it sits in the groove and I find myself still saying "DAMN THAT SOUNDS GOOD!"
This bass is quiet, but be warned it dishes out so much bottom end you'll blow out your speakers if you switch from another bass to this.
The baritone switch is a nice option, but i never use it.
Why this bass isnt a standard like the Fender Jazz or P bass Ill never know.

The short scale neck is easy to play. The action isnt like my Rickenbacker 4001 but i prefer a higher setting. The bass falls away from you when straped on. This took only a minute to get used to and I now dont even notice it. Its nice and light and I feel more comfortable with this bass then my Rick or Jazz.

I give this a 8 only because ive heard that its common for the headstock to break. If all three of my basses were to be droped I think this would be damaged the most, but Ive never had a problem with it and never bring a backup when playing out.

Ive never dealt with Gibson.

Ive been playing for over 20 years and this is definetly my desert island bass. I was going to buy a Hoffner Beatle bass but luckily came across this and in my opinion blows it away. If it were lost or stolen i would definetly replace it. Till death do us part!