Behold: The Gibson EB-4L "Long Scale" features the lovable SG bodied bass with a 34.5" scale neck and new (for the time) Super Humbucker pickup with 3-position tone selector switch. Designed as a bass that would marry the best features of the EB-0 and EB-3 models, the EB-4L was introduced in late 1972, and this one was one of the first produced. This bass guitar was produced at the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.A. in early 1973. The bass is 100% original and in excellent condition. There. are no breaks, cracks, repairs etc. It has been professionally set up and needs nothing-it is ready to go.
The body is the familiar SG double cutaway shape constructed of mahogany with a set neck design. The body is a nice piece of wood with beautiful grain. The Cherry finish is in excellent condition with a nice shine and gloss. The front has toned a bit more than the backside-it is a softer red, much like an aged barn would appear. Looks really cool and radiates the vintage vibe. The backside has contours top and bottom and is a bit brighter red hue. The finish is clean throughout. The neck heel was extended a bit for these guitars to provide increased stability and resonance. The neck joint is excellent and the neck angle is perfect.
The neck itself is super straight and has a nice smooth feel. The neck measures 1.59" wide at the nut and the depth measures .820" at the 1st fret and 1.005" at the 12th fret. The neck profile is best described as a medium C. It is a Maple construction for superior sustain and strength. The tuners all function smoothly and the bass stays in tune perfectly. The headstock and logo display excellent with just a touch of patina. Looks really nice. The Rosewood fingerboard is exceptionally clean with a beautiful contrasting grain. The frets have been professionally dressed crowned and polished and appear near-new condition-see photos. The action is very low for a fast and easy playing experience with a super-light touch. The string height measures .010" at the 1st fret and .085" at the 12th fret. The bass plays excellent up and down the fingerboard with no dead spots anywhere.
The pickup is the original Bill Lawrence designed Super-Humbucker that actually features 4 individual coils around each adjustable pole! It is a pickup decades ahead of its time and has incredible sustain and definition. The 3-position switch features selections for Bass Boost, Brilliant high response, and a natural full-bass response. The pickup has an excellent signal and measures 8.90 Ohms. The original wiring harness is in excellent condition and the potentiometers date to the 3rd week of 1973. The bridge is the earlier 2-point mounting unit with clean saddles. The bridge cover displays a slight patina. The pickguard is nice and flat with no issues.
The bass weighs 9.42 lbs. and feels nice and balanced whether on a strap or in your lap. It is a lot of fun to play and has a natural sustain and resonance that you can immediately hear and feel as soon as you pick it up. Once plugged in-the pickup provides a full range tone and has great definition. Sounds nothing like the earlier EB-0 "mudbucker" pickup-this one growls AND bites.
The original Gibson chipboard case is included for exciting conversational fun.
