1972 Gibson EB3 Bass
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1972 was another transition year with different component combinations. During the year the headstock changed from slotted shape with a pearloid inlaid logo to a larger solid shape which now had a gold silkscreened logo. When this change occurred, the model name was removed from the two screw truss rod cover. The inlaid logo had no "i" dot and a closed "o". The silkscreened logo's "i" dot was connected to the "G" and the "o" was open. A volute was introduced onto the back of the neck, sometimes it was very slight and rounded. The tuners transitioned from Schaller banjo-type to Schaller M4-S open gears. The one piece mahogany body became thicker and heavier and the short scale glued in neck changed from a 19 fret to a three piece with 21 frets. During the year the large chrome humbucker pickup added an engraved Gibson logo and moved away from the neck butt and towards the bridge. During the year the black/white/black/white pickguard added a curve to accommodate the four position "chicken head" varitone selector switch. During the year the input jack moved from the side of the body, back onto the body front.
Other 1972 Gibson EB3 characteristics: "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on back of headstock beneath the serial number, pearloid dot fret markers, large four pole chrome humbucker pickup engraved with Gibson logo 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, four silver top/black witch hat shaped knobs with numbers, volume/tone words and metal position pointers, split shaft CTS potentiometers, various capacitors, two pole tune-o-matic bridge with intonation adjustable saddles, chrome bridge cover, strapholder on body back, five screw plastic controls access cover on body back, molded black hard case with purple interior, literature.
Gibson shipped a total of 530 Cherry and 354 Walnut EB3's in 1972. For 1972 serial numbers see the "Gibson Serial Number Chart". For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's potentiometer codes.