EB-2 - anyone have specs? Measurements?

Hi all. Ive got a mate who is a keen and adept luthier - who's looking to build an EB 2 type bass. They are pretty rare in this part of the world so I havent seen one at all - any info appreciated!

Google'd photos of EB2s and it confirmed a suspicion of mine. There's an SG type body with the pointy horns and there's a semi hollow body that resembles a 335 guitar. Each are known as EB2. Which one are you asking about? I used to own the SG variety but sold it long ago.

What I can "give" you are the wirings of three EB-2 basses,
the EB-2, EB-2D and EB-2D Stereo.

The PDF is in German, but you will understand ...

Scrolldown and click "Bassschaltungen358.pdf":
http://161589.homepagemodules.de/t29f2-Cadfaels-kleine-Schaltplan-Sammlung-fuer-passive-E-Baesse.html
The file has 5MB as there are more than 300 pages with bass wirings and theory ...

Google'd photos of EB2s and it confirmed a suspicion of mine. There's an SG type body with the pointy horns and there's a semi hollow body that resembles a 335 guitar. Each are known as EB2. Which one are you asking about? I used to own the SG variety but sold it long ago.
Nope, the 335 type bass is EB-2 (two pickup one is EB-2D), while SG, pointy horn type is EB-3. To complete the picture - EB-0 is a single pickup SG, while EB-1 is a "fiddle" type "McCartney" Bass.

The EB-2 body is the exact same as a 335.

Thats cool guys - thanks. Ive scoured cyber world for a few details and there are no specs.
Is it a 34 inch scale?

And thanks Cadfael - thats an amazing list of schematics!

I stand corrected. Mine was EB-0. can't believe what you find at random on the 'net. Google pix were incorrect.

Hmm, a buddy of mine has an EB-2... are you sure want to build one? The tone of those basses was dark and muddy, perfect if you're playing swamp rock, but not much else... and yes, it's a 335 body (or is it a 330 hollow? Can't remember)

Edit: It is a 335 body, with the block down the center...

Franc Robert

Pretty good article in Wikipedia about the EB-2...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_EB-2

Franc Robert

Thats cool guys - thanks. Ive scoured cyber world for a few details and there are no specs.
Is it a 34 inch scale?

...

It's a 30 1/2 scale.

You might want to send a PM to psychetelec, I believe he owns at least one, he might be able to help with some measurements if that's what you need.

It's a 30 1/2 scale.

You might want to send a PM to psychetelec, I believe he owns at least one, he might be able to help with some measurements if that's what you need.

Cool - cheers for that Dave!

Here's mine, factory custom with dual large mudbuckers and stereo outs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/0313121941a.jpg

Concerning "are you sure want to build one? The tone of those basses was dark and muddy", that tone was due more to the pickup than the body style. This bass
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/0125121727a.jpg
and this bass
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Copyofdouglas007.jpg
have similar body styles but lake the massive low-end of the Gibson. In fact, I also have a reissue Epiphone Rivoli(no pic) which ,in the Sixties, was the exact same bass as the EB-2, but the reissue also doesn't sound the same due to the reissue pickup being different than the original.

Here is an excellent site about Gibon basses: http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/EB2timeline.php

Aforementioned Rivoli (of the original type, not the RI) was (and is) a great PUNK ROCK bass - Paul Simonon of The Clash recorded famous "London Calling" album on it. Not so much muddy.
Amazing sound.

both Rivoli EB232 (1965) an Rivoli RI (1999) are mentioned in my "bass wiring bible", too. :cool: :oops:

Aforementioned Rivoli (of the original type, not the RI) was (and is) a great PUNK ROCK bass - Paul Simonon of The Clash recorded famous "London Calling" album on it. Not so much muddy.
Amazing sound.

IIRC he played a Gibson EB-2 in the London Calling video. I don't know what he played on the recording or the rest of the album, but it's muddy as can be, and I don't mean that in a bad way. It's not the kind of clear sound you expect from a Precision or Jazz.

In any case, the original Epi Rivoli is the same bass as the Gibson EB-2. Made on the same line in Kalamazoo by the same workers. Same body, neck, hardware and electronics.

IIRC he played a Gibson EB-2 in the London Calling video. I don't know what he played on the recording or the rest of the album, but it's muddy as can be, and I don't mean that in a bad way. It's not the kind of clear sound you expect from a Precision or Jazz.

In any case, the original Epi Rivoli is the same bass as the Gibson EB-2. Made on the same line in Kalamazoo by the same workers. Same body, neck, hardware and electronics.

No, I'm quite sure he played Rivoli in the video. It's what made the bass famous (again).
And the bass on "London Calling" LP is quite muddy, but could have been muddier (I have two basses with huge, powerful humbacker next to the neck, they can do THE MUD). Yeah, that's not the P- or J-Bass sound, but it ain't a bucket of clay either :wink:

Here is an excellent site about Gibon basses: http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/EB2timeline.php

Thats a great site! I reckon with that kind of detail - (good to see the neck join on some of those EB 2's) and fore knowledge we can do something. Thanks again!

I've got one as well. And since wikipedia didn't had a lemma on the EB-2D, I made one myself (it's the bass you'll see in the picture that is mine). If you need measurements or details, feel free to contact me. Basically it's the body of a Gibson ES-335 with the neck of a Gibson EB-0 / EB-3 onto it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_EB-2

It sounds awesome though! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpQLv8LY4UQ

Windy sounds great! And nice song selection for a youngster.
You must've dialed in some bridge p/u to get that "Joe" tone.

I did, just both pickups completely on (with the choke disengaged), pots full open.