Vintage Gibson Bass

Gibson was started by Orville Gibson in 1890. Back then there were no electric instruments, everything was acoustic and at this stage Gibson was making Mandolins. An electric bass to have the Gibson name would not exist until the year 1953.

In 1953 Gibson introduced their first electric bass guitar to the market. The Gibson EB-1. It's body was shaped like a fiddle or violin. Gibson had to compete with Fender a battle that still goes on to this day. Being that it was the first electric Gibson bass ever made, you can bet that is one of the most expensive.

1958 was the year that the second electric bass guitar by Gibson was released. The Gibson EB-2. The Gibson archtop Es335 had become so popular that they decided a bass counterpart would be a good idea. It was discontinued three years later but was reintroduced in 1964.

1959 would be the winning year. This was the first year of the Gibson EB-0. An electric bass guitar that would change music history and become one of the best selling Gibson bass guitars of all time.

In 1961 Gibson brought out another electric bass guitar that would become a classic. The Gibson EB-3. Do you see a pattern to the names here? In it's 18 years of production Gibson produced around 15000 EB-3

In 1963 Gibson had to o something about the success that Fender electric bass guitars was having. Once again the war rode on as Gibson Introduced the mighty Gibson Thunderbird. With it the war was on and the Thunderbird has proven to be a worthy adversary.

Six years later in 1969 Gibson introduces the Les Paul Bass. This heavy electric bass guitar was mostly used for studio recordings. It's tone can not be compared to any other bass guitar ever produced.

In 1971, the Gibson Les Paul bass was made much lighter and dubbed the Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass. The Sb series of electric bass was also introduced.

1972 rolls around and yet another electric bass find it's way to the market. The Gibson EB-4. It featured a super humbucking pickup which was supposed to achieve much different tones.

In 1973 Gibson really started cranking out some electric bass guitars. This year three new models were added to the lineup. The Gibson Grabber G1, Gibson Ripper and Gibson Les Paul Signature. Someone was busy, weren't they!

It would be four years before a new model was introduced. In 1977 they gave us the Gibson RD Artist. This was the first "active" Gibson Bass guitar.

1981 Gibson introduced the Gibson Victory Bass. Was it a victory in the war between rivals? You be the judge. After all when companies compete with each other we usually benefit with more choices and better products.