logo

One of Gibson’s first-ever electric basses, an ultra-rare 1954 EB-1, goes up for sale on Reverb

The vintage model was first introduced by the brand nearly seven decades ago.

1954 EB-1 Gibson Bass

Image: Retrofret Vintage Guitars/Reverb

When you purchase through affiliate links on Guitar.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more.

An incredibly rare EB-1 bass – one of the first ever electric basses made by Gibson – is now for sale on Reverb, and dates back nearly seventy years.

The instrument was first advertised on the online marketplace last month, and was crafted back in 1954.

Named the EB-1, the model was the first electric bass to be developed by Gibson, and was introduced by the brand in 1953 as a response to the popular Fender Precision bass, which debuted two years earlier.

Looking to stand out from the Fender design, the model sported a similar look and feel to its acoustic predecessors – and even incorporated a fake F-Hole as an aesthetic addition.

Although the EB-1 didn’t prove itself as successful as the Fender alternative, the design did progress to influence Höfner’s 500/1 violin bass, which was later made popular by Sir Paul McCartney.

A mahogany body, rosewood fretboard and nineteen frets are featured, as well as a Royalite-covered single-coil pickup, which the retailer describes as contributing to its “signature thick thump”.

Gibson 1954 EB-1 Bass
Image: Retrofret Vintage Guitars/Reverb

According to the seller, Retrofret Vintage Guitars, the instrument was crafted at Gibson’s original headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the model’s serial number confirms that it was made in 1954, making it among the earliest solid-body electric basses ever made.

“This is a really nice original example of the instrument we think this is just about the coolest and most distinctive electric bass ever designed,” the seller writes in the product description. “[It’s] one of the most eccentric!”

The bass is currently listed for over £6,200 and comes shipped with the original hard case.

Find out more on Reverb.com.

Related Brands

logo

The world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar.

© 2024 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks.