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EPIPHONE | BASS | EMBASSY DELUXE

Epiphone Embassy Deluxe bass

EBDL solid-body bass guitar

Epiphone Embassy Deluxe
Epiphone Embassy Deluxe

The Epiphone Embassy Deluxe bass, or Epiphone EBDL, was the first long scale electric bass produced by Epiphone, and only the second solid body after the similarly-shaped Epiphone Newport. It launched in 1963, and like the Newport, the Epiphone Embassy Deluxe had the distinctive Epiphone 'batwing' headstock shape.

In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Epiphone instruments were built by Gibson, at the same factory building Les Pauls, 335s, etc in Kalamazoo Michigan. Many Epiphone guitars were directly analagous to broadly similar Gibson models - at least in terms of specification and pricepoint. The Epiphone Embassy Deluxe bass was the Epiphone equivalent to the Gibson Thunderbird IV.

Model Embassy Deluxe EBDL
Available 1963-1969
Pickups Two Gibson Thunderbird IV humbuckers
Scale 34"
Body Mahogany. 13" wide (lower bout), 17" long, 1 3/8" thick
Neck One-piece mahogany, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays. No binding, 20 frets. Single sided batwing headstock.
Hardware Identical to the Gibson Thunderbird IV; 2 volume and 1 tone control. Tune-o-matic bridge, with nickel bridge and pickup covers.
Finishes Cherry and custom colours: Sunset Yellow, California Coral, Pacific Blue

Both the Gibson Thunderbird and Epiphone Embassy Deluxe were launched in 1963, deleted in 1969, and had identical hardware; though the Epiphone lacked the body shape and through-neck of the Thunderbird. They were both long scale basses (also Gibson's first) and both were priced identically ($289.50 in the 1/10/66 price list). Sales of this model and the Thunderbird were poor, 507 Embassies vs 605 Thunderbird IVs over the years 1963-69.

Other than the Embassy Deluxe Special, all 1960s Epiphone solid body guitars and basses had the same body style (almost symmetrical pre-1964, with a shortened lower horn thereafter), they are the Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe, Epiphone Crestwood Custom, Epiphone Wilshire, Epiphone Coronet and Epiphone Olympic guitars, and the Epiphone Newport and Epiphone Embassy Deluxe basses.

In the 1970s the Epiphone (now Japanese manufactured) launched a new bass dubbed Embassy, however with a model number ET280. This was a double pickup instrument with a different body shape, bolt-on neck, shorter 30 1/2" scale, and very different hardware.

Other Epiphone basses
Epiphone Newport
Epiphone Rivoli

Epiphone Embassy Deluxe catalog appearances

Epiphone 1964 full line catalog
1964 full line catalog

This is the first catalog to show the Embassy Deluxe
Epiphone 1966 full line catalog
1966 full line catalog

Epiphone is proud to present solid body instruments that offer the depth, the sharp treble, the biting tone and the virility that all guitarists seek from a solid body instrument
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Epiphone Embassy Deluxe bass for sale

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Epiphone Embassy Bass Guitar Wanderlust Metallic Green 4 String (CLN070852)

Epiphone Embassy Bass Guitar Wanderlust Metallic Green 4 String (CLN070852)

Clinton, Iowa, 527**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$320

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Epiphone EMBASSY Standard IV 5 String Bass Guitar W /  Very Nice Case FREE SHIP!!

Epiphone EMBASSY Standard IV 5 String Bass Guitar W / Very Nice Case FREE SHIP!!

Grand Prairie, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$450

This Epiphone EMBASSY Standard IV 5 String Bass Guitar is a must-have for any musician. With its unique Dark Teal body color, it stands out from the crowd. The guitar is perfect for anyone looking for an electric bass with a five-string configuration
The guitar comes with a very nice case and is in excellent condition. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, this Epiphone EMBASSY Standard IV 5 String Bass Guitar is the perfect addition to your collection. Get yours now and ... more
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Epiphone / Gibson Embassy Bass Guitar

Epiphone / Gibson Embassy Bass Guitar

Beach City, Ohio, 446**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$430

Plays excellent very good condition a couple of slight scratches nothing major new strings setup to make thunder these are the thunderbird pickups and these pickups are very good in this particular bass comes with gig bag and new strap
... more
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Epiphone Embassy 5 String Bass Guitar

Epiphone Embassy 5 String Bass Guitar

Provo, Utah, 846**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$365

Was painted for Halloween but plays and sounds great
... more
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Epiphone Embassy 4-String Electric Bass - Smoked Almond Metallic (Used)

Epiphone Embassy 4-String Electric Bass - Smoked Almond Metallic (Used)

Kokomo, Indiana, 469**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass from Epiphone is in overall very good condition. It shows only minor signs of player use and wear cosmetically - some light / hard to see surface and pickguard marks from general use, knobs show signs of use, the bass also has a custom decal sticker on the finish. The bass has been set up professionally in store and is in proper working order  
For more pictures and info please feel free to contact us!
... more
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60s EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE

60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€3250


60's Epiphone by Gibson Embassy Deluxe Bass - made in USA:
+ mahogany body finished in wine red, has lots of weather checking and wear, several extra screw holes on back
+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, LONG SCALE, has 4 minor SURFACE stress cracks below tuners=check last 3 pics
* skinny neck profile on back around first 5 frets
+ new Fender Reissue tuners
+ 1 original THUNDERBIRD pickup & 1 newer Fender Jazz bass single coil
+ new pickguard
+ new pots and ... more
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Epiphone Embassy Deluxe Bass 1967

Epiphone Embassy Deluxe Bass 1967

Aranc, 01***, FRANCE

$7500

An Epiphone Embassy from 1967, a very rare bass, restored by a professional to it's former glory. Headstock repair, that is so usual from Gibsons and Epiphones from this era, and new pickups, identical replicas of the originals, by Thunderbucker pickups, a USA fabricant that especializes in this pickup style
Original electronics and hardware
Original hardcase
Small demo of the tone of the bass:
https: / / youtu be / W6scYN9jSA4?si=dMm5PWRIE9J36Zg7
... more
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60s EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - made in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - made in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£2850

60's Epiphone by Gibson Embassy Deluxe Bass - made in USA:
+ mahogany body finished in wine red, has lots of weather checking and wear, several extra screw holes on back
+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, LONG SCALE, has 4 minor SURFACE stress cracks below tuners=check last 3 pics
* skinny neck profile on back around first 5 frets
+ new Fender Reissue tuners
+ 1 original THUNDERBIRD pickup & 1 newer Fender Jazz bass single coil
+ new pickguard
+ new pots and ... more
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Find more Epiphone Embassy Deluxe bass for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co

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1968 Shaftesbury 'Electric Guitars' catalog

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1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog

1970 Rose_Morris catalog1970 Rose-Morris catalog, dated April 1970. It featured 6 electric guitars, 32 acoustic guitars, 3 basses and 1 steel guitar. It contains the following instruments, over 20 pages: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3262, 3264, 3265, 3400; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Colorado, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12; Aria 1674, 1675, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1695, 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk; Rose-Morris 15-11, Kansas, Georgian, Florida; Suzuki 1663, 1664, 1665, 3054, 3055, 3060; Tatay 1713, 1714, 1715; Peerless 3052; Steel guitar: Aria 3425

1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

1971 Rose_Morris catalogThe sixteen-page 1971 Rose-Morris catalog featured electric guitars by Rose-Morris' own brand, Shaftesbury, and budget brand Top Twenty; aswell as acoustics by Eko, Aria, and for the first time Ovation. The catalog contains the following instruments: Electric guitars: Shaftesbury 3261, 3264, 3265, 3400, 3402; Top Twenty 1970; Bass: Shaftesbury 3263, 3266; Top Twenty 1971; Acoustic guitars: Ovation: Balladeer, 12 String, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell 12 string; Eko Rio Bravo, Rio Bravo 12, Ranger, Ranger Folk, Ranger 12, Colorado, Ranchero, Ranchero 12, Studio 'L'; Rose-Morris Florida; Aria 'John Pearse' Jumbo, 'John Pearse' Folk

1972 Fender Precision bass

1972 Fender PrecisionA detailed look at an early 1970s Fender Precision bass guitar in custom black finish, with rosewood fretboard. 1972 list price, $307.50. The Fender Precision had been shipping since at least very early 1952 - with just one re-design circa 1957. This example, then, shows a model already two decades old, but barely changed since the '57 revamp. Fender got it right first time around, and although there are numerous minor cosmetic differences, the essence of this bass is effectively the same as it was in '52: a simple, single pickup instrument with a GREAT sound. Check out the demo video through an old Ampeg B15. It's no wonder this is the bass that everybody wants!

1967 Vox Stroller

1967 Vox StrollerThe Vox Stroller was the brand's entry level electric solid body guitar, fitted with just one pickup and a fixed tailpiece. Although aimed at student guitarists, it wasn't a terrible instrument, but did lack somewhat in adjustability, having no accessible truss rod and only a floating rosewood bridge. But this example is actually quite an improvement on earlier versions, with a standard 1/4" jack and a solid mahogany body. 1967 price £18 2s. JMI ceased UK guitar production in late '67, and combined with decreasing demand for the Stroller, this surely must be one of the last examples shipped.

1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

1963 Vox Clubman Bass left handedA nice example of the Vox Clubman II bass, built by JMI in Dartford, Kent in 1963. This is a lightweight bass, short (30") scale and very easy to play. It is an early example, and as such has a thin black scratchplate and side mounted, coaxial output jack. JMI offered left handed examples of their solid body Vox guitars and basses at 10% premium. Production numbers are unclear, but left-handed examples rarely come up for sale

1977 Gibson ES Artist 'prototype'

1977 Gibson ES Artist prototypeNot to be confused with the Gibson ES Artist launched by Gibson in 1979; this ES Artist was an early model designed by the Gibson research and development team in Kalamazoo in 1977, the instruments themselves constructed by Gibson artist Chuck Burge. It was planned for launch as a high end semi acoustic with 335-style construction (central maple block) and innovative circuitry - but was pulled at the last minute, being deemed too expensive. Apparently, several examples were produced with varying specifications, though exactly how many actually left the Kalamazoo plant is unclear. Certainly two guitars were sold to LaVonne Music by Gibson in around 1980. Read more about the development of this guitar, with details from Chuck Burge and the story of it's sale to LaVonne music