Gibson 1960 guitar and amplifier catalog. Details of three Gibson bass guitars, the EB0, EB2 and EB6. The EB0 and EB6 were two newer models at the time, and this is their first catalog appearance. The EB0 was launched in 1959, the EB6 in 1960. This early version of the EB0 only lasted until 1961 when it (along with the Les Paul Junior and Special) lost the Les Paul double-cut shape in favour of the more familiar SG shape, that has characterised the EB basses ever since.
This image shows both basses with back-facing banjo style tuning keys. This was a characteristic of all early Gibson basses, though they were soon to be replaced by two-per-side Kluson 538 keys.
By the time of the next Gibson catalog (1962), the bass line up had changed completely. The EB-2 had been discontinued, and the EB-0 and EB-6, (along with a new model, the EB3) were redesigned to match the new Les Paul guitar range in the new 'batwing' SG body style.
1960 US zone 1 prices for these basses were as follows: Gibson EB-0 $195; Gibson EB-2 $285 ($300 natural finish); Gibson EB-6 $325. Only 34 EB-6 guitars were shipped from Kalamazoo in 1960, the model's first year. But then, only 119 EB-2 and 342 EB-0 left the plant in the same time. Jump forward five years, and bass production is five times higher. These early Gibson bass guitars are pretty rare.
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