1971 Gibson EB3 Bass
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1971 was a transition year for the EB3 with different component combinations. We've seen occasional 1971 EB3's with a three position toggle switch instead of a four position "chicken head" varitone selector switch and have seen different versions of knobs in 1971.
Other 1971 Gibson EB3 characteristics: Slotted headstock, glued on Gibson name pearloid logo with no "i" dot and closed "o", "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on back of headstock beneath the serial number, two screw plastic truss rod cover including model name, Schaller banjo-type tuners, bound rosewood 19 fret board with pearloid dot fret markers, short scale glued in three piece neck, four pole chrome humbucker pickup with black plastic surround at neck butt plus a second four pole chrome Gibson logo engraved mini-humbucker pickup with black plastic surround near the bridge, black/white/black/white pickguard, four silver top/black witch hat shaped knobs with numbers, volume/tone words and metal position pointers, two pole tune-o-matic bridge with four intonation adjustable plastic saddles, chrome bridge cover, input jack plate on body side, strapholder on body back, five screw plastic controls access cover on body back, potentiometers, various shaped capacitors, resistor, solid mahogany body, molded black tolex case with purple interior.
Gibson shipped a total of 973 Cherry, 25 Natural and 706 Walnut EB3's in 1971. For 1971 serial numbers see the "Gibson Serial Number Chart". For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's potentiometer codes.