Here's a nice clean 1963 Gibson EB-0 model bass guitar. These vintage basses are known for their light weight and easy playability. This one is 100% original, and very nice. It was produced at the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.A. in 1963 according to serial number.
The instrument features a one-piece mahogany neck joined with a one-piece mahogany body for maximum resonance and sustain. The headstock does have the 2 'wings' joined to the center section-which is standard Gibson design. If you look closely-you can see the joining lines and change in woodgrain direction. The headstock has never been broken and the body has no breaks or repairs either. It is a very solid unit.
The Cherry red finish is nice and smooth and exhibits minimal playing evidence. It is slightly toned but still very red and vibrant. The pickguard has 2 small cracks near the screws from shrinkage-this is pretty normal for any early 60's Gibson. The sides and backside are both in good condition also. The neck joint is solid with no issues and the neck angle is excellent. The neck itself is smooth and straight. It has a nice vintage U-shape and the nut measures 1.71" wide. The neck depth measures .906" at the 1st fret and 1.010" deep at the 12th fret. There is a small chip in the finish on the backside of the neck-see photos-it is a cosmetic and does not effect the structural integrity or playability in any way. The headstock is clean with minor rub wear on the edge and the tuners function as designed. The bass stays in tune well. The Logo displays nicely. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is nice and clean. The frets have been professionally leveled, crowned and polished and they are in excellent condition-see photos. The action is set low for an easy playing experience. The bridge is adjustable so you can raise the action if you prefer that. Currently the string height measures .010" at the 1st fret and .060" at the 12th fret. It plays like butter up and down the fingerboard. The pickup has an excellent signal and measures 28.2 ohms. The wiring harness and potentiometers are all original and function well. The bridge, pickup cover, tuners and string guard are all nickel pieces. They all exhibit a nice vintage patina.
The bass is very lightweight-it only weighs 7.37 lbs. It is super comfortable to play and you can forget all about shoulder fatigue with this baby.
This instrument is a lot of fun to play. It is right at home in the studio or on stage and of course the short scale makes it very enjoyable on the couch. It is an exceptional example of high quality craftsmanship-being an early 1960's Gibson and it will always retain its value. A smart choice for sure!
